Welcome! Please browse around. There are .mp3 samples of most of my music. Just select a title and follow the link to the preview.
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Shalom, and thanks for visiting!
Visit my website at contzius.com for music previews and more information!
I write music primarily for the synagogue. I believe in creating music which is prayerful, expressive of the text, and has a Jewish sound. Most of all, I like to write music with which I would pray myself! Although I enjoy sometimes writing esoteric music, I really like creating works which I would like to sing or pray with over and over. I hope you find the same! If you have questions, or if you are interested in commissioning me to compose a piece for you or your organization, please let me know!
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Download: $0.99 NEW! This Solo Voice, Congregation & Keyboard setting was written especially for the Society for Classical Reform Judaism (renewreform.org) for the text of the Union Prayer Book Sinai Edition. An English setting of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 with an easy Hebrew refrain for the congregation.
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Download: $2.99 NEW! A setting of my Shehekheyanu (blessing for reaching a new season) now set for solo voice, SATB choir, and keyboard!
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ShehekheyanuShehekheyanu (multimedia download)
Download: $0.99 NEW! For voice and keyboard. A lyrical setting of the Jewish prayer for giving us life, for sustaining us, and for enabling us to reach this day. Written in honor of the 50th wedding anniversary of Cantor Helene and David Reps.
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Download: $0.99 NEW! A setting of the Shabbat Evening Candle Blessing for 2 part choir and keyboard (women and men). If you're looking for an alternative to the Binder setting, this is it! Makes musical reference to the Hashem Malakh mode!
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Download: FREE A setting of Mi Khamokha using the "Shira" tune for "Shabbat Shira" as well as the music of "We Shall Overcome" and the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Download for Free |
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Download: $2.95 NEW! A setting for voice and keyboard of I Samuel 1:13, 2:1-4; 8-9. One of the first documented prayers of the Bible. Recently a finalist selection at the 2008 Shalshelet Liturgical Music Festival!
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Download: $5.95 NEW! For high solo voice and Soprano/Alto choir. A setting of the 23rd psalm in Hebrew and English. The Hebrew phrases sung by the solo are translated by the choir into English.
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Download: FREE A FREE sampler of my composition work. Please download and peruse!
The preview below is of my Hineh Ma Tov, published by Transcontinental Music Publications. Download for Free |
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Download: $3.95 for Cantor, S.A.T.B. choir, and Keyboard, this is a setting of the Candle lighting blessing for the evening of Yom Kippur, with additional text for when the holy day falls on Shabbat. Based on traditional motifs.
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Download: $2.95 for voice and keyboard, a musical setting of the poem by Leah Goldberg.
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Download: $2.95 for Cantor, congregation, and keyboard, a setting of the traditional Hebrew healing text. The refrain is based on the "Bonei v'rakhamav" of Ellstein. Easily sung by the congregation!
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Our TaskOur Task (e-book)
Download: $6.95 for Solo, S.A.T.B. choir, and keyboard. Text taken from Pirkei Avot 1:14, 2:16, and Micah 6:8
Pirkei Avot 1:14
"He used to say: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am for myself only, what am I? And if not now, when?"
"He would say, 'It is not up to you to finish the work, yet you are not free to avoid it.'"
"It has been told to you, O mortal, what is good, And what God requires of you: Only to do justice And to love goodness, And to walk humbly with your God."
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Download: $6.95 for Cantor, S.A.T.B. choir, and keyboard, a setting of the traditional "T'fillat HaDerekh," or Travelers' Prayer, in Hebrew.
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Download: $2.95 NEW! For Cantor, congregation, and keyboard, a setting of one of the traditional prayers for the three pilgrimage festivals of the Jewish calendar. The text is from the Reform rite, and the music is based on the traditional mode for the day.
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Download: $1.95 for Cantor and keyboard, a setting intended for a baby naming or bris ceremony. Very much like a lullaby. Can also be used at weddings.
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Download: $4.95 for Cantor, Congregation, and Keyboard, a setting of the 150th Psalm in Hebrew. A fun and energetic setting.
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Download: $6.95 for S.A.B. choir (with divisi), a challenging setting of the poem by Eliezer Azkari (Safed, 16th C.). Not for the faint of heart--it will need some rehearsing!
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Download: $4.95 for Cantor, S.A.T.B. choir, and keyboard, a driven setting of the Shabbat evening Mi Khamokha.
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Download: $1.95 for Cantor, S.A.B. choir, and keyboard, a nice congregational setting.
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Download: $6.95 This collection includes the following pieces (also available separately): Adonai S’fatai Tiftakh, Avot v’Imahot, M’khakel Khayim, Ata Kadosh for Cantor, S.A.T.B. choir, congregation, and keyboard. Descriptions and previews of each are found under their separate title.
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Download: $1.95 for Cantor, Congregation, and Keyboard, this text opens up the T'fillah (main Jewish rubric of prayer) in a reverent manner.
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Download: $4.95 for Cantor, S.A.T.B. choir, and Keyboard, this is a setting of the first prayer of the Jewish Shabbat evening T'fillah.
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Download: $3.95 for Cantor, congregation, and keyboard, a lively setting of the G'vurot (second blessing of the T'fillah). An alternative to the "traditional" setting!
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Download: $2.95 for Cantor and Keyboard, a setting of the "K'dushat HaShem" for the Shabbat evening service.
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Yism'khuYism'khu (e-book)
Download: $1.95 an arrangement of a Slonim Hassidic Niggun used for Yism'khu. Heard from a former member of the Slonim Hassidim
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Download: $2.95 for Cantor and Keyboard, a setting of the traditional "Holiness of the Sabbath" prayer in the mode for the Sabbath Evening.
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Download: $0.99 for Cantor, congregation, and keyboard, a setting of the prayer for peace for Shabbat morning. In Hebrew and English.
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Download: $0.99 for Cantor and keyboard, a simple meditation
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Download: $2.95 for S.A.T.B. choir and Keyboard, a rousing rendition of a Jewish hymn.
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