A New Song: newly-commissioned composition honors heritage, celebrates Lutheran hymnody, proclaims Jesus Christ

In all things, Concordia University, Nebraska’s music programs seek to glorify God through the study and performance of music. Through applied lessons, the university’s outstanding music ensembles and academic music pursuits, hundreds of students make beautiful music and form lifelong friendships in Concordia’s music program guided by Concordia’s award-winning music faculty of active recitalists, clinicians, composers and church musicians.  

Last fall, Concordia Nebraska Assistant Professor of Music Robert Cody commissioned a piece of music based on a tune that was composed by long-time Concordia Nebraska Professor Theodore (Ted) A. Beck. Cody asked composer Keith Andrews to reimagine the tune “Seward,” which is familiar to many as “Jesus on the Mountain Peak” in the Lutheran Service Book. 

“Theodore Beck wrote the music for "Jesus on the Mountain Peak" for use in the "Hymnal Supplement 98" prepared by The Commission on Worship of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Works in the 1998 supplement were commissioned by the Commission on Worship while CPH handled the contracts and published the hymnal,” explained Norma Muench, who serves as intellectual property assistant and data protection officer at Concordia Publishing House (CPH). “A note at the bottom of the hymn says: This transfiguration text by contemporary English poet Brian Wren is here united with a new tune written especially for this supplement by Theodore Beck, long-time professor at Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska’." 

About Theodore A. Beck 

Beck’s father, Albert Beck, was a professor of music at then-named Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois, teaching from 1914 until his death in 1962. He started as a student at Concordia in 1909, when the school was in Addison, Illinois, and was a member of the first class to graduate when Concordia moved to River Forest in 1914. After graduation he was appointed as an instructor, initially teaching organ, piano and choir, as well as geography and penmanship. He was promoted to professor in 1923. In 1958 he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from then-named Concordia Teachers College in Seward. 

 Theodore attended elementary school at Grace Lutheran and Concordia High School in River Forest, then earned a bachelor of science degree at now-named Concordia University Chicago and a master of music and doctorate in music from Northwestern University. Following Theodore’s graduation from Concordia Chicago in 1950, he was retained as instructor until 1953. He came to Concordia Nebraska to serve as an instructor in music and was promoted to associate professor in 1960 and to professor in 1968. He retired from full-time teaching in 1998 and taught part-time until 2001. He died in 2003. 

A highly-regarded musician and composer, Beck served on the Synodical Hymnbook Commission and on the Musical Editorial Advisory Committee of CPH. He had a significant number of choral and organ compositions published by CPH and also wrote a number of commissioned work for special occasions such as the 75th anniversary hymn for Concordia Nebraska titled “Now Let Us Praise Almighty God”.  

Theodore and Carol (Schall) Beck had three children, Kevin, Tedi and Tobin, who is chair of the Concordia Nebraska Department of English, Communication and Theatre Arts.  

“It was always special to see Dad at the piano or kitchen table writing music. It always amazed me that he had the kind of creativity that could hear it without playing it,” said Tedi.“He was beloved by his students, and he loved teaching. We still get notes today from people who use his music with their congregations and choirs. They write that they really enjoyed having him as a professor and appreciate that his music is available for people to use in their service to the Lord.” 

“Dad dedicated his life to serving the church and teaching students how to honor Christ and spread the Gospel through music,” Tobin added. “He’d say that this new composition is a wonderful way to praise God.” 

"Concordia Nebraska's music department stands at the intersection of Lutheran-Christian faith and the art of excellent music. The project with Keith Andrews exemplifies the mission, one that Dr. Theodore Beck so clearly lived out. We seek to prepare young people for lives of service and leadership in the church andworld; this project sends a new embodiment of the mission out into the world. We hope that others will hear this work, be moved by the artistry, be thankful for the generations passed and be renewed in their praise and assuredness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

Honoring Beck’s legacy while creating something new 

Composer Keith Stewart Andrews lives in League City, Texas, with his wife Victoria and their family. His career combines serving as a music educator and conductor with being a Bible teacher and pastor.  

“The one thing that overlapped both career paths is music composition.  When I was directing bands, I wrote music for the bands I directed,” he said.  “When I was working in the church, I wrote music for the church.” 

Following an honor band performance that Cody directed in the Houston area, Andrews learned that one of his compositions was featured in the performance. He emailed Cody to commend him for his work with the piece, which led to the duo meeting for coffee and discussing the lack of sacred music in band literature. 

“He suggested that I write a piece utilizing the Seward melody originally written by Theodore Beck…so, I did just that!” said Andrews. 

Andrews’ notes from the commissioned pieces’ conductor score tell the story, he said. “Shining like the Sun is based on two hymn tunes “Seward” and “Lyra Davidica.”  The majority of the melodic content in this work is drawn from these two songs.  The hymns are related in several ways.  First, their texts deal with important events in the story of Jesus: SEWARD (Jesus on the Mountain Peak) with Jesus’ transfiguration, and LYRA DAVIDICA (Jesus Christ is Risen Today) with Jesus’ resurrection.  Secondly, both songs emphasize worship.  The word Alleluia appears in every stanza of both songs. All four verses of Jesus on the Mountain Peak end with a four-measure alleluia.  Every phrase in Jesus Christ is Risen Today ends with a two-measure alleluia.” 

“I tried to put the emphasis in my arrangement on the same thing the original hymn-writers did, offering our praises to God.  Shining like the Sun begins and ends with an alleluia!The transfiguration of Christ is depicted musically in the mid-point of the piece with an intensification of harmonies as the chords ascend and the texture becomes more complex.  The strong percussion, the driving rhythms in the upper woodwinds, and the addition of the tam-tam add to the drama,” he added. “Then the ensemble sounds the full SEWARD theme for the last time.  But as it dies away, the LYRA DAVIDICA theme emerges ... Christ the Lord is Risen!  After some motivic development and counterpoint the music climaxes once again and comes to an end with the SEWARD alleluia.” 

Bringing it all together 

Cody said this unique project with Andrews not only produced a beautiful music score that the University Wind Symphony is honored to perform, and it offered the opportunity to highlight Beck’s legacy, showcase the university’s connection to past and present hymnal contributions and reiterate the university’s beautiful Lutheran heritage and music department’s commitment to a distinctly Lutheran-focused music education. 

"Concordia Nebraska's music department stands at the intersection of Lutheran-Christian faith and the art of excellent music,” said Cody. “The project with Keith Andrews exemplifies the mission, one that Dr. Theodore Beck so clearly lived out. We seek to prepare young people for lives of service and leadership in the church and world; this project sends a new embodiment of the mission out into the world. We hope that others will hear this work, be moved by the artistry, be thankful for the generations passed and be renewed in their praise and assuredness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.