PURCHASE SHEET MUSIC
ON AMAZON HERE

I’m a pianist, first and foremost. The piano, that old “frenemy” of mine, has been a constant companion for most of my life. In fact, 18 years of formal lessons accidentally prepared me to ALSO become a vocalist… and to that end, I’ve found myself playing and singing for a heck of a lot of weddings. Now, here we are - present day: I’ve had enough fun playing Pachelbel’s “Canon in D”, the “Ave Maria” (either setting…), “Air on the G String”, and of course, “Bella’s Lullaby”from our favorite movie - Twilight. Something had to be done!

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The void needed to be filled - with new music. Wedding music. Approachable music. Music that can be performed by a high-schooler, an undergraduate, a grad student… music that your pianist won’t need to spend hours working on - or, fear for their lives when you miss an entrance during the ceremony. Music that has texts imbued with religious influence, but ones that are not specifically “church music.” Music that can also be performed in recitals and church services outside of a wedding. Hopefully… music that is just interesting enough that you keep coming back to it over the years. I tried to do that. Here it is.

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About 5 years ago, I finished a doctorate at Indiana University the month after the pandemic began. As a composition minor, I was unbelievably lucky to premiere some of my works with the highest caliber student musicians I’ve ever known. But since then, I haven’t had a huge fire to compose. (My mom still asks me if I’m DEcomposing…) A few small things here and there - but nothing that made me feel like myself. This project became that. It pulled me out of my indifference and reminded me what I enjoy - and, as my friends love to point out - it also pulled out my very “Sam-infused” compositional affectations. 

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I’d like to think that these songs would do well in a wedding service - during communion, during the lighting of the unity candle, a moment of reflection. And I hope that you, a friend of the wedding couple or a gigging musician hired by the church, are able to have some fun and connect with these. I sure have.

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These pieces were premiered in concert at St. Mary & St. Martha of Bethany Episcopal Church in Buford, GA, in February 2026, by baritone H. Forrest Flemming, soprano Alexandra Watson, with pianist Christian Bigliano and myself accompanying. “How Do I Love Thee?” was premiered in Memphis, in 2022, by soprano Maria Fasciano.

The full audio album of “A House of Light” was recorded at Aire Born Studios, in Indianapolis, IN, in July of 2026. It features Courtney Fletcher, soprano, and John McClain, tenor - two of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard. The complete album is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, and other major streaming platforms (though, not Apple Music).

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Sam Ritter, 2026