Restoration
“Simplicity is the final achievement.”
— FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
Mike Carson Hymns
Hymnbellishments for Organists
Patriotic Samplers
MATERNA
America the Beautiful
AMERICA
My Country, 'Tis of Thee
NATIONAL ANTHEM
God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
REVIEWS
“I like all of your arrangements!"
KENNETH UDY
Adjunct Associate Professor of
Organ and Organ Area Head at University of Utah
“I want to thank you for your organ arrangement on 'Do What Is Right.' It was wonderful and added to the spirit of the meeting. I love that it was not so 'out there' for the congregation; they could still hear the melody, and they sang beautifully!"
HEIDI ALLEY
Former dean, American Guild of Organists, Salt Lake City Chapter
“Every time I visit this site it's like Christmas! I especially love 'I Know That My Redeemer Lives.' I feel so blessed to be a beneficiary of your hard work. Thank you!"
REBECCA BRAND
Ward & temple organist
“After playing your hymnbellishment for 'Praise to the Man,' the grandmother of the returned missionary speaker excitedly rushed up to the organ. A longtime member of the Tabernacle Choir and composer, she said, 'As soon as you started that introduction, I knew it was going to be GREAT!' She has Scottish ancestry, so the arrangement was especially meaningful to her. I have also received similar compliments from a visiting stake presidency member and other members of the ward when I used your 'I Am a Child of God' and 'How Great Thou Art.'"
ROBERTA STEPHENSON
Ward & temple organist
“I love your music, Mike. It has added so much joy to my life. Your arrangements have enhanced our meetings immeasurably throughout the years and will continue to do so! I've even used some of them in the temple, and they are super!"
JANET OLLMAN BLACKMER
Ward, stake & temple organist
“The spirit was so strong during the closing hymn ['Praise to the Lord, the Almighty']; I could hardly sing. But I kept trying, because I wanted to be part of it with all my heart. Thank you for what you brought there."
VALERIE TYLER
Lindon, Utah
“A couple of weeks ago we had a missionary farewell, and 'How Firm a Foundation' was requested. The bishop wanted all seven verses, and I used your arrangement with much success. People told me how nice it was to have varied arrangements for so many verses."
JUDITH HUNSAKER
Piano teacher, ward organist
“Thank you for publishing these so regularly. Yours is the first place I go to find a reharmonization or arrangement after looking through my upcoming services and hymns."
MAX WALKER
Ward organist
BIO
Mike Carson hails from Lehi, Utah, where he graduated high school as a Sterling Scholar state finalist in music. At Brigham Young University he studied music composition, theory, piano performance, and was principal cellist in the BYU Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Glenn Williams.
After college, he enjoyed a 24-year career in the retail print music business in Utah County, followed by 18 years as an administrative assistant in private and government sectors.
Mike's compositions and arrangements of sacred choral, organ, and piano music have been recognized by LDS Church Submissions and published by Kjos Music Co., Jackman Music, and SheetMusicPlus.com.
He is a former dean of the Utah Valley chapter of the American Guild of Organists and former convener of the guild's Bonneville District.
In 2022, Mike, along with Blaine Olson and James Welch, identified almost 80 churches and private residences in Utah County where full and hybrid pipe organs are located, complete with many photos, descriptions of the instruments, and other essential details (builders, models and opus numbers, number of manuals, ranks, etc.). The project may be viewed at: https://sites.google.com/view/uvpipeorgans.
Mike was the blessed husband of the late Cheryl Carson for 31 years. Their children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren live in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, New York, and Virginia. Mike lives in Lindon, Utah, where he enjoys retirement, serving in church music callings, mentoring organists, gardening, and home decoratiing.
CONTACT
Mike Carson Hymns
Mike Carson at the old Holtkamp pipe organ at St. Marks in Salt Lake City.
Follow and "like" Mike Carson Hymns on Facebook @hymnbellishments for notifications of new materials added to this site!
Questions? Comments? I'd love to hear from you! Or, if you would like to request a hymnbellishment that is not yet available on this site, just send me a message, and we'll see what can be done about it!
This site was built to display all of the music in one place and to provide an easy and convenient way for musicians to view and print the items. If you have a desire and are able to donate, this button is for you. If not, please know that you are welcome to utilize the site as much as you like to further your ability to edify and inspire your congregations. After all, that is the intent.
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