Latter-day Saint composer teaches about power of music during BYU-Idaho devotional address

David A. Zabriskie, composer of the oratorio "The Testament of Paul" and the musical drama "Savior of the World," spoke at a Brigham Young University-Idaho devotional Tuesday, June 20 about his training and the powerful experiences he has had composing Latter-day Saint music.

Zabriskie shared two experiences that prepared him to compose Latter-day Saint music. The first experience came while serving as a ward choir director in Chicago. Zabriskie composed a version of the hymn "Now Let Us Rejoice." He altered the rhythm of the song to give it a different sound than those in the congregation were accustomed to. At the conclusion of the performance, the congregation gave a stunned reaction.

"I was showing off as a musician from a man's point of view," Zabriskie said. "I learned very quickly this was not right. We come to church every Sunday to participate in a sacred ordinance - the sacrament. That was a life changing experience for me and I decided I would only write music for the sacrament."

The other experience came while Zabriskie was a student of renowned composer John Cage at Chicago's Northwestern University. Cage was teaching a workshop and asked students to record the sounds from 12 street corners in Chicago and edit the tapes to make music.

Zabriskie compiled a roll of tape several feet wide and looped it around coffee mugs and wine glasses to run it through the tape player. "The concept was that the music was all around you," Zabriskie said. "My music is not here to show me off, I have a different purpose.

Those experiences and two talks from General Authorities on music and fine arts prepared Zabriskie to compose "Savior of the World." Zabriskie was asked to compose the musical and received an apostolic blessing from Elder M. Russell Ballard. In the blessing Elder Ballard said "I bestow an apostolic blessing that the music will flow from your heart and mind and create the music you need for this production," said Zabriskie.

Zabriskie composed enough music to fill two-and-a-half shows. Much of the music was cut out because it did not fit. Zabriskie learned what the real purpose of his compositions should be. "We are not in the business of musical theatre," Zabriskie said. "We are in the business of salvation. Everything we do will bring people closer to God."

The next devotional speaker will be Gayle M. Clegg, former second counselor in Primary general presidency on Tuesday, July 11. Devotionals are held every Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Hart Auditorium with additional seating in the Taylor Chapel. Devotionals are broadcast on KBYI-FM 100.5 at 2 p.m. and rebroadcast Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 5 p.m.