DECEMBER SONG  -- An intermediate solo piano piece with a thoughtful, lyrical melody.

The Beethoven score is available at:

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION by Wilfire-- An album I co-created with flutist Bonnie Insull in 2014. This is our contemporary take on traditional American contra dance and English country dance music, with guest artists Dave Bartley and Shira Kammen. Listen to the sampler here, or follow "FULL CD" link here to hear the full album and download if you're interested. Bonnie and I are quite proud of this piece of work.

LULLABIES FOR OUR TIME No. 2 -- This nocturne has the rolling, watery feel of a Romantic Era barcarolle. It is lulling as well as thoughtful.

CHORALE THEME & VARIATIONS  -- An intermediate solo piano piece with a thoughtful, lyrical melody.

LULLABIES FOR OUR TIME Nos. 1-3  

A single SoundCloud playlist.

THE MESSAGE IS LOVE -- This is my Al Green record from 1986. I co-wrote and co-produced this track with 80's remix producer Arthur Baker. This song was a European hit and still gets airplay and new recordings, but it never made it in the U.S.

​EVOCATIONS FOR VIOLA AND PIANO
Here is a set of expressive movements for viola and piano -- alternately brooding, passionate and triumphant.​

THREE HAPPY BIRTHDAY HACKS, in the style of 1) a piano sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven  2) a symphony by Gustav Mahler  3) a Klezmer band. Here's the YouTube playlist for all three.

​DARKNESS AND THE LIGHT: Fughetta and Fantasy for Piano
This piece is my contemporary take on the Baroque genre of Fantasy and Fugue. It begins with a rather somber and anxious four-voice fugal statement, followed by fantasy episodes that endeavor to move beyond the darkness to a more transcendent spirit. .

SECOND THOUGHTS -- Valse Romantique
A newly composed, old-fashioned waltz for piano, complete with Viennese schmaltz. Dance around your living room, (but watch out for the tempo changes!)

INTROSPECTIONS: Musical Moments from the Heart

1- Gratitude 2- Uncertainty 3- Exuberance

This is the first set in a series of cameos for the piano based on emotions and states of mind..

​​WALTZ SUITE #1 FOR PIANO AND VIOLIN -- A three movement suite of romantic style/Eastern European inflected waltzes. 

I - SHTETL WALTZ 

RICHARD C. SCHER

II - WALTZ MYSTERIOSO

SIX SOLEMN MOMENTS -- Six brief improvisations in simple natural minor mode, invoking the autumn darkness outside my window

THE LOST PARADE -- A piano improvisation inspired by the recent Ken Burns documentary on the war in Vietnam.

LULLABIES FOR OUR TIME No. 3 -- The closing piece of the set has a peaceful melody and texture with undertones of struggle and resolution.

Recordings, Videos and Sheet Music

SANCTUARY - For mixed choir, piano and viola. Text by Ethel Gullette ​and Richard C. Scher. Performed by the Virtual Choir of First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon.

III - J'INSISTE

NOCTURNE Opus 10 No. 1 - A new contemporary/classical nocturne, with varying moments of peacefulness, thoughtfulness and affirmation.

TRANSCENDENCE--A solo piano piece that attempts to express my feelings about this moment in time (April, 2020).

LULLABIES FOR OUR TIME No. 1 -- This is the first of a set of mini nocturnes that are grown-up lullabies-- calming but thoughtful, sleepy yet aware.

Copyright 2020     Joy In Music    All rights reserved

MUSIC FOR HEALING AND CONTEMPLATION - A playlist of recent piano compositions

I SPECIALIZE IN LOVE-- And now for something head-scratchingly different... my first hit record in 1982, a chart topping dance/club/R&B track.

MEDITATION #1-- A piano improvisation which I transcribed and was performed by pianist Signe Lusk at First Unitarian Church,  Portland in 2017.

IMAGINE - Here's my eclectic take on John Lennon's iconic hymn, in the style of a late romantic era rhapsody with jazz harmonizations. 

HYMNS OF HOPE -- Two miniature pieces improvised with hopeful spirit.