Welcome to Eric Meece's sheet music page.

http://philosopherswheel.com/sheetmusic.htm
Please update


I know organists are always looking for repertoire. Why not check out some of my compositions?

I will send you copies of one or more of my manuscripts FREE OF CHARGE, if you promise to send me (via email is fine) a written review (with compliments if you like it), which I can share (using your name) on this web site and with any interested party. That may help me someday get the pieces published or recorded.

Since, however, many who order the pieces do not send the promised review, I also appreciate a few dollars!

Although I can mail the pieces to you, it would help a lot if I can send a jpg picture (or in some cases a pdf file) of them to you to print out instead, if that works for you. Please let me know!

Please don't ask for a whole bunch of my pieces at once. Pick a few to try. If you like them and send a review, I can send some more pieces to you.

If interested, please email me your name and address, and let me know which composition you want from the list below.

Note: sometimes emails get lost. If I don't respond to your email, please try again.

Note that these compositions are hand written (except where indicated), although they are neat and easy to read, which I can guarantee because I have bad vision and need them to be neat in order to read and play them myself. Note also that I frequently write out all the sharps and flats for all the notes, even though they are indicated in the key signature, because it helps me to play them. I am starting and learning to use a program to make printed copies, so if that works, I can rewrite the compositions in that format if you request it. I will gradually put my best pieces into that format.

Reviews Received so far: click here
List of organ compositions by Eric Meece
original works:
(transcriptions, click here or see below)
  • Dark Interlude (2023). Some listeners say this work is like a TV mystery theme. One of my best compositions in a while. Obviously it has a dark mood and is in the dark key of D Minor, but has some sunshine breaking through toward the end. A sharp theme affords room for much development, and it builds toward some passionate passages later on. I suspect this piece is moderately easy to play with a bit of practice.
  • Prelude on 3 of my Favorite Hymns (2011). I combined 3 hymns in counterpoint: For All the Saints (Sin Nomine by Ralph Vaughn Williams), For the Beauty of the Earth (Dix), and All Creatures of Our God (Lasst uns Erfreuen). It is only two pages (one verse) long, with no words, and I also include my rewrite of the original hymn For All the Saints to make it easier to see and play the notes than the most-usual published version, and copies of the other 2 hymns.
  • Toccata in D (2009). This piece in the upbeat key of D Major conveys quiet and dignified joy, though it has some dancelike moments. It is in the Bach "perpetual motion" toccata style, with lots of chords, French-like arpeggio figures and base-line melodies that make this piece somewhat difficult to learn and play. It is based on a simple "motoric" motif, which accompanies a simple melody, and these and related themes trade places on the keyboards as the piece moves along. At the climax, two related arpeggio figures (including the original motif) simultaneously accompany the "simple melody" in the pedals.
  • A Fair Day Comes (2008). Slow, angular theme is elaborated in some unexpected directions. Moderately easy.
  • Fantasy in d Minor (2008). How Native American flute music might sound if Bach played it on an organ. This short and easy piece moves through several meditative sections, with some pauses for the sounds to echo; rather than building to a climax. Included are solo, canon and fugal sections with peaceful, healing chords at the end. I recommend this piece.
  • Prelude in C (2008). One of my typical jaunty themes, together with several more-or-less related motifs, and some razzle-dazzle, make up this fun, short (3 pages), but grand-eloquent piece. It is of moderate difficulty with lots of chords and an almost-continuous pedal part. There is a short cadenza at the end written out in small notes, but the performer can do something different if it seems better. One of my better pieces. As one review suggested, it has no time signature or bars, but is really 4/4. I suppose I will add them later.
    Reviews Received for Prelude in C
  • Fugue on the Spirit Chant (2006). This is my first fugue, and it worked out well; it has some eloquent moments. The second theme is rather simple, but ends up forming a good climax. We sing the first theme, the spirit chant (which I didn't write), each week now in church, and it seemed like a good one to write a fugue around. It is in F major, and after I wrote the fugue, I realized that the first theme in Bach's Fugue in F Major (S. 540) is similar. There are no words to my fugue though (unless you request the words to the spirit chant); it is not specifically religious music. Moderate difficulty.
  • Hallelujah (2005). There is a book of "Joy Songs" circulating among New Thought groups. They are freely distributed, anonymous, and have no copyright. Some are words written for familiar tunes, but some are just lyrics. Only a few of these Joy Songs are really worthwhile, and one of them was called "Hallelujah." I like hallelujahs anyway, so I told my minister I would write a tune for it so we could sing it. That's what I did, editing the original words to make them scan better, and I added two instrumental variations. The last one is sort-of like Ave Maria. I like the result, though it is a bit more difficult to sing and to play than I thought it would be.
  • Twelve Variations on an Original Chorale (2004). I hadn't composed in a minor key for a while, so I was glad when this theme in d minor occured to me. No new-agey woo woo stuff or flights of fantasy here! This is solid, meat-and-potatoes music. It seemed time for a sterner piece for the sterner times we have entered. Most of the variations flowed easily to me from inspiration, and they vary from quiet to majestic to florid to passionate. I had just heard one of Franck's great chorales based on original themes, which inspired me; though my piece takes a more typical theme and variations style. That it was influenced by Bach goes without saying. This piece is well constructed, but the variations are better than the theme itself. It is not real easy, but not too difficult to play.
  • Toccata in G (2003). This is my first foray into the French toccata style, with exotic melodies in the pedal, and repeating and shifting rapid accompanying figures in the treble or tenor. Widor and Vierne were the principal creators and composers of this style, also inspired by some of Wagner's famous pieces. I was also inspired by Peter Michael Hamel's more recent work in this style on "Organum," as well as by Bach's Fantasy in G. It is smooth and moves well, though it doesn't measure up to its models. This toccata is played more slowly than most others, and overall this piece is moderately easy to play.
  • Fantasy in D and C (2002). As with the Toccata in C below, this piece (like many others) is really in more than one key, so why not say so? This is a smoothly-flowing work that aims to be something of an ambient organ piece, although the organ cannot duplicate what can be done on electronic synthesizers, and it is fast. It is not profound, but it has a scenic quality. It is based on a very simple motif. A simple and grand theme appears in counter-point; then takes the lead role. This piece is of moderate difficulty; though the pedal parts are relatively easy.
  • Fantasy in C (2001). Bright and cheerful, with an enchanting kind of clock-like rhythm. It has lots of neat and charming melody lines and counterpoint. A few soft shadows are cast by sections in the Mixolidian mode (b-flats). Chimes or bells are called for beginning on page 3 of this 4-page work, written at Christmastime. There are a few new-agey, ambient-style drones and repetitions, which work surprisingly well; but overall the style is pretty traditional. Fun, and moderately easy to play. Definitely one of my best pieces; I recommend this one! People like it when I play it.
    Reviews Received for Fantasy in C
  • Toccata in C and Several Other Keys (2001). This is a takeoff on the great F Major Toccata of J.S. Bach (which really was in about 7 keys; it only started and ended in F). Bach's Toccata itself was based on the earlier ones by Pachelbel and Buxtehude. However, Bach's was much more elaborate. Mine is a step or two down from Bach's, which is too difficult for most organists to play. So if you can't play Bach's F Major, you can probably play mine! Moderately difficult level. Although this piece can't be compared to Bach's toccata, it has some inspired moments. It is 6 pages long though, and I only have single 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheets, so you'll have to figure out how to organize them to put on the organ for easy page-turning!
    Reviews Received for Toccata in C and Several Other Keys
  • Meditation (2001). This has a melody similar to the Jewish kol nidre, and a haunting second theme. The themes blend at the end in a grand climax. I like this one quite a bit. Moderate difficulty.
    Reviews Received for Meditation
  • Prelude and Toccata (2000). A somewhat jolly, not-very-modern theme is followed by an attractive arabesque which moves into an elaborate final section with the theme in the pedals. Difficult to play, because of the last section.
  • Bells are Calling Today (1999). A Christmas-like tune (which also has words) is developed and moves toward a grand climax. Bell-like figures are built-in, which sound great using bell stops. Similar to my 2001 piece Fantasy in C, but not as good. Moderate.
  • Witches Walk (1999). This is my first foray into the bewitched genre of spooky, ritualistic music. A quiet introduction with strange chords leads into a dark, gently-rocking theme, followed soon by another more-compelling theme with stronger base-line rhythms. Revised (and definitely improved) in Nov. 2009. OK, Toccata and Fugue in d Minor it's not; it might not make it as powerful background music for a horror flick, but bewitched is usually more gentle than that anyway. It is spooky, a bit wierd, and dissonant or spacey in places, but has pleasant moments too. Basically in d minor, it moves around in a sort of atonal way, with no key signature. 4 pages; easy to moderate difficulty.
    Reviews Received for Witches Walk
  • Fantasy in F (1999). A simple, short, lively and happy piece. Moderately easy.
  • Musette (1999) Short and simple, in a minor key, with a light but grand and thoughtful tone. Easy to play.
    Reviews received for Musette
  • Fantasy in e Minor (1990). Meditative theme, blended in counterpoint with a rhythmic second theme. This one is well constructed and I like the themes. One of my best; I recommend it! Now available in computerized print in pdf. Easy to Moderate.
    Hear Fantasy in e on You Tube
    Reviews Received for Fantasy in e Minor
  • Prelude in d minor (1985). Dark, sort of like monster music. It has more dissonance than my other pieces. Though interesting with a fine climax, the theme is not especially inspired. I think it is based on some incidental music from "The Prisoner" ("The General" episode), although I intended to model it after Vierne's Maestoso. Moderate.
  • Toccata in d Minor (1984). Still one of my favorites among my compositions. It was the most inspired, in the sense that the compelling, manic, frenetic, gigue-like main theme came to me in a flash, after first hearing the music of Vierne, while on my bike on the way to practice at church. I then in a frenzy wrote out the first few pages there. Several more themes follow the first in rapid succession. A few days later the quiet, repetitive middle section came to me in a dream, like the serenity of a beautiful sunrise. The climax is compelling, with a tease at the end. A good work, although some sections are reflections of Bach's d minor toccata-- not the famous one, but the dorian one. It is now available in a neatly-handwritten pen version. It is 7 pages long, and moderately difficult.
    Reviews of Toccata in d Minor
  • Fantasy in G (1983) My first organ work, it is short, simple and gently pastoral. The theme came to me while in rapt meditation sitting at the organ bench. I liked it enough to encourage me to write more! The longish coda is similar to Bach's "Sheep May Safely Graze," so the appellation "little pastoral" fits well. Slightly revised in April 2010. Easy.
    Reviews received for Fantasy in G
transcriptions
  • Fanfare for the Common Man (1986). Transcription of Aaron Copland's great work. Moderately easy. Please note that this transcription is only available to organists, for whom it was written. If you wish to transcribe the piece yourself for another medium, please obtain the original music. This one is now available in: a) a pdf of a printed version from a computer program, b) a jpg of another computer printed version (smaller print), or c) my original hand-written version.
    Reviews Received of Fanfare for the Common Man
  • Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah (2012). Transcription for organ only of the great uplifting masterpiece by Handel. There are a few versions in print, but you have to buy them as part of expensive collections; single versions seem not to be available. They don't necessarily conform to the original very well either, and often leave out the best parts. So in this transcription I referred to the original score for chorus and small orchestra, making adjustments and shifting octaves as needed to make it sound better on the organ and bring out the main melody lines, but keeping any changes in accord with the original, not adding my own notes, and also keeping it to at least moderate difficulty level. I used a computer program to make this version available in a printed form, rather than hand-written. Please, this transcription is written for organists only. It probably sounds better if you have more than 2 or 3 ranks in your instrument.
  • Alla Hornpipe, from Water Music (2011). Transcription for organ of the first part only (so far), 39 bars, from Suite #2 in D Major from Water Music by Handel. One of many versions, this one is easier to play than some, but not as easy as others that are based only on the bare score, or which don't have a pedal part. More elaborate and difficult versions (with chords played by both hands, and bass parts in the pedal) probably would work better only on large organs; otherwise mine might be better. Written on computer and available in pdf
  • Within Love (2010). Transcription of a great work by Robert Carty. When asked to play a piece about "love", I could think of no better piece to play than this one, so I had to write out the notes. It was hard to hear all the notes to transcribe them, but I think I got it, as near as they are practical to play. The piece, originally for synthesizer, sounds great on the organ, especially if you add a reverb or a chime. I highly recommend this one! Moderately easy. Hear the original on you tube.
  • Dona Nobis Pacem (1985). Transcription of Bach's final movement from the B Minor Mass, which is also a movement from the Gloria section. I am proud of this transcription and think it sounds great on the organ. Moderate to difficult, but it looks and seems at first much harder to play than it really is. Note that, at this time, this one is the most neatly written! I actually made a copy in pen.
    Reviews Received for Dona Nobis Pacem

Reviews

Reviews of Prelude in C
I liked the Prelude in C, but didn't know about the time signature. I like the majestic quality and the movement. -- L. Blackmon, SC USA

Reviews of Fantasy in C
Hello Eric, I thought that it was nice... I would be very interested in seeing more of your pieces.
--- A. Dries, PA USA.
"Spectacular"--- Rev. Christine Emmerling, CA

Reviews of Toccata in C and Several Other Keys
Eric, everyone thought the toccata in c and several other keys was an awesome song; now they still would like me to play more of your music. --- K. Krommer, MA, USA
Very nice pieces and I will probably end up using one.--- C. Gay, AL USA

Reviews of Meditation
It was a pleasure to play "Meditation." The piece has good structure and nice themes. I particularly like your use of the two manuals for voice crossing, making use of the unique capabilities of the organ for contrasts of tone color and to highlight the voice leading. The non-standard and somewhat daunting notation may account for some of your non-responders... You've got good musical material and have developed it nicely.
--- M. Hauff, OR USA

Reviews of Witches Walk
Witches Walk is a hoot to play. Love all the tritones.-- J. Hennes, Cleveland OH
Note also I got a less favorable review of this piece (in its pre-revised version), basically saying it didn't fit the need for Halloween music.

Reviews of Dona Nobis Pacem
Very nice pieces and I will probably end up using one.--- C. Gay, AL USA

I finally performed the dona nobis pacem and the congregation really enjoyed it and I will be using it more often now. --- K. Krommer, MA, USA

A very nice arrangement; it was much more colorful than the others I had found. --- N. McClellan

I love your transcription; have you done any other movements? -- J. Revie, Pasadena

Reviews of Fanfare for the Common Man


Your transcription was wonderful and the people were absolutely amazed by the piece. I have a very good tympany on the midi addition to the organ and it worked great for the opening part.... It was a wonderful start to the service.
D. Spreeman, Calgary


It is very gracious of you, Eric, to share your creative work with others. I was pleased to receive your fine organ arrangement of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man. While some may find patriotic uses for this piece, I will be playing it at the beginning of our Palm Sunday service, as the style of music and Copland’s purpose in writing it fit very well with our liturgical intent and the story of Holy Week. The incorporation of the percussion parts in the pedals is helpful, since our instrument has access to realistic sampled timpani and tam-tam sounds. Your voicings in the brass parts are clear and quite manageable at the console. Thank you for your generous spirit.
D. Melhorn-Boe, Ontario Canada


Your transcription of "Fanfare for the Common Man" was the perfect postlude for the July 4 weekend. My congregation does not typically stick around for the postlude, but last Sunday they did!.... I took it slightly slower than your quarter note at 60, but that's just a matter of taste. Thank you for sending it to me. It's a keeper!
Karen, Anchorage AK


I requested Eric's transcription of Fanfare for the Common Man and received it within twenty minutes (if not sooner) of requesting the score. When I sat down to play through the piece for the first time, it was incredibly articulate and easy to read, and is impeccably accurate to the orchestral store. Registration suggestions are well done and all orchestral articulation is well marked. This is a fun transcription to play featuring all the various trumpets/reeds on any organ.
B. Ball, Florida


Eric's arrangement is faithful to the original and works well on the organ. Just what I needed, and I'm looking forward to using it soon - thank you!
Amos G


Excellent arrangement! The Audience really enjoyed it. This arrangement sounds "big" but is still very accessible to the organist. The arrangement captures the essential spirit of the original and is well adapted for the organ. Superb!
B. Brown


It sounds good, is easy to play and a very good transcription!!
Joachim, Luneburg Germany


Thank you for the wonderful organ transcription of "Fanfare for the Common Man". I played it at church as the postlude the weekend of the closing ceremonies of the Sochi games and received many compliments. Some were from folks who have never commented before. It was fairly easy to learn with just a few transitional measures needing extra attention. Thanks again for transcribing this wonderful piece.
Ayn P


I requested a copy of Mr. Meece's transcription of Copland's "Fanfare for a Common Man." It arrived via email the next day in pdf file format, and the score looked like a score from a professional music publisher. I'm not an expert organist, mostly self-trained, but I was able to learn the piece rather quickly, and it sounds great on the 3 manual pipe organ I play. I plan to use the transcription for church service Sunday during the July 4th weekend. I'll use it as a an introductory prelude to an improvisation of "America the Beautiful." The Fanfare is certain to get everyone's attention. Thanks, Mr. Meece, for making the score available to all of us!
Ed A., TX


I am a pianist and a beginner organist, and Mr. Meece's transcription of "Fanfare for the Comman Man" allowed me to play an awe-inspiring piece of music on the organ. I did not find it too difficult, what took me the longest to learn was the pedal-manual synchronization because I am a beginner coming from the piano. Although the piece is accessible for the common organist, I feel that this arrangement is still able to convey the power and meaning behind the song, which becomes more apparent through research into Copland's composition of the music.
--Stuart V.


Thank you so much sir for your transcription of "Fanfare For The Common Man." It truly is an amazing and wonderful piece and quite easy to learn. As a pianist learning the organ, I felt blessed that I was able to learn this specific transcription in such a small amount of time. It has been well received by our church pastor and our choral members and congregation. I thank you for the time you invested in this arrangement. Blessings always.
--D. Ramirez, AZ


You helped make our wedding a grand affair. We and our organist loved your work.
--J. Fikuart


The pastor at my church asked for it be played as a prelude for our 9/11 10th Anniversary Memorial Mass. The pastor and congregation alike were moved by this piece and it really set the tone for the entire service. Your arrangement is true to the original work; the pedal line captures the percussion which is crucial in this work. Thanks so much for sharing! I would love to play more of your compositions.
-- Sandra, Holy Child Music Ministry


I played your arrangement of "Fanfare for the Common Man" for my congregation for the first time today, the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I played it during the Offertory, and when I finished there was this strange moment of silence. Later they explained that they weren't sure if it was appropriate to applaud. The music was so beautiful and meaningful at that moment, they just wanted to take it in. I assured them that it was okay not to applaud, because that would have shifted the attention to me and away from the Heroes of 9/11. After the service many people approached me. They could not believe how beautiful the piece was. We have an Allen Renaissance Quad 4, so I put solo trumpet on the Swell, Brass Ensemble on the Great, and Timpani on the Pedal. I highly recommend this piece to anyone. It took some practice (for me), but was well worth it. The transcription worked (it made sense) and was very playable. For me it was extremely moving to play on this special day. Thank you for your work; please put me on your list if you need further recommendation.
-- J. Turner


The pedal part you wrote is an nice organ pedal bass and an excellent timpani/bass drum percussion score. Thank you for the care you took to write the pedal/double pedal part for organ. I plan to use the arrangement with our high pressure Trompette Royale and percussion on the 10th Anniversary of 9-11, Sunday, September 11, 2011. I deeply appreciate the quick reply and the generosity of your arrangement.
-- S. Shaner, Arlington VA


Your arrangement of the Copland Fanfare was well received. Our Pastor wanted it for the Prelude. I used the Orchestral specification on our Allen Organ and we were all very impressed. Thanks!
--- V. Hayes


BRAVO, I used your organ arrangement of Fanfare for the Common Man by A. Copeland with our new three manual Allen Organ. In the orchestral suite there is a Timpani, paired with the Solo Festival Trumpet and the Brass Ensemble I and II. They had people looking around the church for the Trumpeter and Percussionist. The piece is well arranged and accessible to even the average organist.
The comments I received after the service are as follows:

  • Wonderful, gave me chill bumps.
  • Love this piece, so beautiful it brought tears to my eyes.
  • Please play this piece at least once every month.

You surpassed yourself in arranging this piece. God bless you, continue to use that wonderful talent you have been given.
---S. Craver


Thank you so much!! I played through the first two pages before I got kicked off the organ and sent to bed, and they're fantastic. Definitely recommend it to anyone that needs a quick-learning opener!
---A. Ferguson, TX


Nice job on this transcription. I thank you for sharing with me. It is a joy to play it and I have heard nothing but praise for it. ... With the voice of the festival trumpet on the Rodgers this is AWESOME. -- Thanks for your great work and talent.
--- A. Bertrand, Cherokee, IA


I have had great enjoyment playing your transcription. I am sure it will be well received when I present it later this year.
--- J.Stoebe, Milwaukee WI


I really, really, really enjoyed the transcription. It is very workable even for an organist like me... When I was practicing last night, I had several people stop in the sanctuary because they heard me playing and love the piece.... I have been looking for this for years... you definitely should be published!
---H. Neely, Monroe LA


The arrangement is very well crafted; the fanfare passages are true to the original orchestral arrangement, and the harmonies in the middle and last passages are very good. I am making use of this arrangement, Eric. It is well done.
--B. Elms, Western Austrailia.


Your work on this piece was wonderful. I played it at a Fourth of July recital and several peers were there - and loved it. Thank you - it received rave reviews.
---S. Jensen, Milwaukee


Thank you for supplying me with a copy of your wonderful arrangement for organ of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare For The Common Man". Your transcription is elegantly executed, thus making the organ performance of this impressive orchestral work incredibly seamless and natural. One could believe that the piece was originally written for organ.
---B. Starcevich, IL, USA


I performed your transcription of Fanfare for the Common Man this morning in church and it was very well received. Our music director took the time to compliment the piece after the service and said "as soon as you started everybody perked up and heads turned around - it was wonderful accompaniment for the procession of pastors & acolytes". From a musical perspective I think your transcription is perfect and captures all the tonality of the (original) orchestra arrangement.
---R. Grasier, Torrance CA

The Congregation loved it and are looking forward to having me more, just so I can play that song for them. Do you know any other good Classical Tunes that sound good on an organ?. Thanks a lot for the Fanfare and I'm looking forward to having more good tunes to pick from you.
---K. Krommer, MA, USA

the Copland is exactly what I wanted.
---J. Hennes, Cleveland OH

Reviews of Fantasy in e Minor
It's interesting... Ideal for communion, great, thanks. Anything else would be really appreciated.
---Mike W, UK

Reviews of Musette
I have played them both (Musette and Fantasy in G). I loved them ... for a prelude for my little church it worked well. Thanks again.
--- Jeff K., Mississippi

Reviews of Toccata in d Minor
The toccata has got a tremendous interest amongst my friends organists since it sounds very "spectacular", yet very accessible -with a bit of practice though...- Also the rhythm is quite joyful so people do "feel it".
F. Rama, Mazarin France

Reviews of Fantasy in G
I have played them both (Musette and Fantasy in G). I loved them ... for a prelude for my little church it worked well. Thanks again.
--- Jeff K., Mississippi

LINKS


Eric Meece's homepage
Louis Vierne
Organ Historical Society has organ CDs and sheetmusic for sale
Bach's Toccata in F for organ; the most significant piece in the world