Words and Verses
Contact
Pre-Order
Subscribe
Composers
Albums
About
A Biblical Music Project
The first release of The Words and Verses Project is currently in development. Not only is it the first collection of works in the project, but (as the name implies) the goal is that over the course of twelve compositions, multiple core foundational verses will be explored, setting the stage for future albums and themes.
To help bring this premier album of "Bible music" to life, we are currently accepting pre-orders that will help to make both the crowdfunding campaign and the album a success, so that the Word can reach as wide an audience as possible.
Pre-Order NowThis list is subject to change, but the tentative list of verses selected for Foundation is as follows:
Previews of the music will be made available on this website in the near future.
If you'd like, you may request a verse for a (potential) future album!
Several tracks are currently in development, primarily still in the "chiptune rendition" phase. As further composing takes place, works in progress of both the 8- and 9-bit versions, as well as the fully orchestrated pieces, will be made available. Please subscribe to be kept up to date, as website updates (and announcement showcasing those updates) along this topic will be a priority in the days to come.
The Words in Verses Project in general has been a long time coming, and as a result this album by connection has quite the history. A few notable milestones are shared below.
2015
Project director Christopher "Mazedude" Getman received the idea to take Bible verses and transform them into original music. From the beginning the premise was to take verses that are abstract and thematic in nature, as opposed to anything cinematic or story-driven. The concept wasn't to write music that could sound like a film score, rather, to compose music that would represent a core Biblical premise or ideal as represented in scripture: faith, love, hope, power, forgiveness, prosperity, joy, eternity, and much more.
The idea stuck, and didn't let go. At the time, Mazedude was still finishing his American Pixels project, but wheels were turning and he knew that someday in the future he would start this project.
2018
In 2017, American Pixels was released. What followed was a time of completing commission requests for the project, among some original composition for video games. Mazedude met a bucket list goal by composing a full-length soundtrack for the game MazeQuest 2, an indie RPG that was released in 2018 for both iOS and Steam. Then, towards the end of 2018, he felt the nudge to commence production on Words and Verses. Composition began on a few select themes, and in a parallel path a lot of planning was taking place.
2019
In 2019, the project officially started, but a lot had to be done before it could be shared. For one, our project director wanted to thoroughly understand every verse that he had identified as ideal candidates for this foundational album. Thus began a time of Bible study, exploring several translations of the selected verses, including a deep dive into the original Greek and Hebrew, where appropriate. Additionally, Christopher met with leaders and pastors of his local church so that he could get their guidance, input, and blessing on the venture. Some additional teaching on select verses was received, and the project was met with much enthusiasm.
With utmost confidence in the project concept, and the support of his local pastors, it was time to start building. This very website was next on the list (again, in a parallel path to the music itself), and with it a huge chunk of the branding, style, and design. It took a while to establish a look and feel that could quickly and effectively carry the mission of the project visually, but we are quite happy with the initial style. It's certainly likely that the website will evolve as the project does, but for the sake of the site launch and announcement of the project, this version/release does the trick.
(On a side note, Mazedude completed yet another original game soundtrack in 2019, although the release of the game itself was pushed into 2020.)
2020
The first few months of 2020 were spent developing this website, crafting the content, finalizing the pages, and planning for the project announcement. It's funny how the entire project scope evolved over time; the first version of the idea was a simple album, to be released by one composer. Yet, between 2018 and 2020, the idea kept getting... bigger. During prayer on the subject, our project director was given the idea of releasing several versions of Foundation, not just one... and these versions also included a vocal rendition that would involve singers and the development of select Bible-music themes into worship tracks (which is a huge step outside the comfort zone of our director). Additionally, he was given the idea that over time this endeavor could turn into something that not just one, but several composers could contribute to, establishing the basis for a project that could eventually deliver several albums to the world that all transform Bible verses into music, in a variety of flavors, styles, and genres.
Even this website was originally meant to be a one-pager! But, after much thought and meditation it was decided that a single page just wouldn't be enough. Every verse needed a page, it needed to be structured in a future-friendly format that would be able to handle multiple albums and composers, there needed to be multiple ways for supporters to help bring the project to life, and more.
Now, with the website launch happening during the COVID-19 phenomenon (which is a total coincidence, April 26, 2020 was the target website launch date regardless of the quarantine), things are underway and the deep dive into composition is happening. And while the music comes together, the Kickstarter campaign is being drafted, scripted, and planned, with a launch planned towards the end of the year.
October-November 2020
Unfortunately, the Kickstarter campaign was not funded successfully. The project moves forward, but on a smaller scope than originally hoped for.
Currently this album only has one composer attached, who is also the Words and Verses Project director and founder, Christopher "Mazedude" Getman. It is Christopher's plan to draft all compositions in 8- and 9-bit fashion, for the sake of ironing out all the themes, counterpoints, melodies, harmonies, etc., before commencing any sort of production or orchestration. (According to Christopher, per this approach the music itself can be declared as 100% solid, not hiding behind fancy samples or effects. The same process was applied, successfully, to the MazeQuest 2 Original Game Soundtrack.) Then, per the available funding and interest, the music will then be fully realized in his trademark style of electronic fusion, marrying digital tracker-heavy elements with live, classical instruments. This way more than one release of the same compositions can be accomplished: an album of pure chiptune goodness, and a second album of fully fleshed out electronica and instrumental. As hinted above he is also considering bringing in vocalists for a third album, transforming the applicable themes into worship songs. (However, the themes need to be finished before this possibility can truly be explored.)
Additionally, there have already been requests for Bible study / meditation renditions of the music, so that listeners can enjoy the compositions in a fashion that will be perfect for reading. Beyond that, even more potential album releases per the foundational twelve are possible: solo piano versions, string quartet arrangements, remixes... time will tell, but there sure is a lot of potential, eh?
(and anyone else who wants to help bring this project to life)
This project is too great for one person alone. While Foundation is primarily being developed by Christopher “Mazedude” Getman, there is room for many, many more to join the movement and contribute to future releases. Things are wide open in terms of genre, instrumentation, mood, and style, and the hope is that if you’re reading this, that the concept might be speaking to you too. If that’s the case, please use the form below to express your interest, and we will be in touch when the time comes!
Additionally, if you’re not a composer, but would like to contribute in some other way, please let us know. Given the potential scope of this project, there may be an opportunity for you to lend your skills in any of the following:
If you fall into any of these (or other) categories, please, don’t be shy. This project is meant to honor the Word. If you have talents and you want to be a part of this, you'll be contributing to something great.
There are a few different ways you can support this project!
Regardless of your level of interest, whether this is something that you’d like to be a part of, or if you just want to be kept in the loop once updates are available (track previews, behind-the-scenes material, etc.), simply use the form below. We will keep you posted, and promise to keep your information private and confidential.
We also invite you to follow us on Facebook for regular updates via social media.
Your time is valuable. We appreciate you taking a few minutes to learn about the Words and Verses Project. Please, if you know anyone else that might be interested in learning about and/or supporting the concept, use the links below to share:
Check out the conversation! Facebook quick links:
#biblemusic #wordsandverses #mazedude
What are people saying? Twitter quick links:
Words and Verses: a Biblical Music Project
ABOUT ALBUMS COMPOSERS SUBSCRIBE PRE-ORDER DONATE PRIVACY POLICY CONTACT
© 2020 Words and Verses Project and Mazedude Music. All Rights Reserved.
