Utah composer blends faith, storytelling, and rich harmony to bring new life to traditional hymns.
For John Meservy, the piano did not begin as a place of comfort.
As a child, he often sat at the instrument frustrated. Practice did not always feel rewarding, and progress sometimes seemed slow. There were many moments when effort did not appear to match results. More than once, a practice session ended in tears.
Looking back, those difficult hours were quietly shaping something deeper. They built patience, discipline, and a sensitivity to the way music can affect the human heart over time.
Gradually, something changed. The instrument that once felt like a source of frustration became a place of steadiness.
Sacred hymns, in particular, began to matter more. In moments of joy, they gave language to gratitude. In moments of uncertainty or fear, they offered quiet assurance. Over time, the piano became less about performance and more about expression.
Today, he writes sacred piano arrangements that seek to draw listeners deeper into the message already present in the hymns themselves.
Finding the Meaning in the Music
While many arrangements begin with harmonic ideas or virtuosic flourishes, his approach starts somewhere else.
The starting point is the text.
Rather than simply reharmonizing a familiar melody, he studies the words of the hymn first. The message of the text shapes the harmony, pacing, and emotional development of the music.
Moments of struggle, awe, reverence, and hope are reflected intentionally in the musical architecture.
“If the message changes from verse to verse, the harmony should change too,” Meservy said.
The result is music that unfolds almost like a narrative, with harmonies and textures shifting to illuminate the meaning of the lyrics.
Where the Music Took Shape
His musical influences are rooted deeply in sacred music traditions.
Church hymns formed the soundtrack of much of his early musical life and eventually became a lasting source of inspiration. Their melodies carry both familiarity and depth, allowing new layers of meaning to emerge through thoughtful arrangement.
That tradition continues to guide his work today. Rather than reinventing hymns entirely, the goal is to uncover new colors already present within the melodies.
For him, arranging is less about decoration and more about discovery.
A Hymn Reimagined
One example of this approach can be heard in the arrangement of Beautiful Savior / He Is Risen.
The piece begins with a sense of quiet reverence before gradually expanding into fuller textures and richer harmonies. As the music develops, the emotional intensity grows, reflecting the profound message of Christ’s resurrection.
For the composer, that message lies at the heart of the music.
“There is nothing more beautiful in the history of the world than Christ’s victory over death,” Meservy said.
By allowing the harmony and structure of the music to follow the meaning of the text, the arrangement becomes more than a simple variation on a familiar hymn. It becomes a musical reflection on the message itself.
Try the Music Yourself
Readers can download the arrangement of Beautiful Savior / He Is Risen free at:
The piece is available as a digital sheet music PDF.
He is also preparing a larger collection of sacred piano arrangements for publication. The project brings together several pieces developed with particular care, each shaped by the same text-first approach that guides his writing.
A Continuing Journey
For him, arranging hymns is not simply about embellishing familiar melodies. It is a process of listening carefully to the words and allowing the music to grow naturally from their meaning.
In doing so, ancient hymns continue to speak with renewed depth to modern listeners, reminding them that the messages carried through generations still have the power to inspire today.
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.