"When Ligonier first approached me about recording, two thoughts entered my mind. Not only would this be a wonderful opportunity to display the grand Aeolian Skinner/Randall Dyer chapel pipe organ at Rollins College. At the same time we could present a musical offering drawing attention to the singularly gracious God whose name we proclaim in worship. With my colleague Chris Dolske I had recently performed a faculty recital of organ and trumpet works. I persuaded Chris to add several new arrangements to our original program, including the title work by Paul Manz, and record it.

Using a few of my own arrangements, especially the J.S. Bach/Virgil Fox setting of "Now Thank We All Our God" from Cantata 79, we forged a different sort of trumpet and organ program. This CD was not designed merely to be a display of musical fireworks, with sizzling tempos and loud blasts. It is a quieter, more thoughtful and deeply moving gathering of composers from the 18th to the 20th centuries. If you want it, there is sonic excitement in pieces like Parry's "Jerusalem," or Mouret's "Rondeau."

My favorite work on the CD is Flor Peeter's "Aria" because I had learned it as a teenager. When Chris gave me his version with trumpet solo, it transformed the piece. Its appeal is a lyric connection that is truly prayerful. For new listeners, I hope the spiritually moving aspects of "God of Grace and Glory" will reach deeply into your soul the way it has dozens since its introduction. If we have done nothing else, it has been to assemble sounds that, at the outset, may merely transcend the ordinary, but ultimately draw us into a deeper application of Philippians 4:8 to our lives. In listening actively, we may suspend our frantic pace, quiet our hearts and contemplate "whatever is beautiful." It is my hope that "God of Grace and Glory" is a lasting tribute to the truth, goodness, and beauty so abundantly provided by our gracious God in his created order."