Jay Brian Ballard – Composer/Arranger/Piano Technician

HolySheetMusic welcomes Composer/Arranger/Piano Technician, Jay Brian Ballard.

For many decades, Jay has been composing music.  For Thanksgiving, HolySheetMusic is publishing his fun arrangement “Praise and Thanksgiving”.  The three hymns he incorporates in this arrangement are: For the Beauty of the Earth, Come Ye Thankful People, and We Gather Together (Prayer of Thanksgiving).

Brian Ballard was born in Oakland California 1957 to musical parents. He lived in the bay area for 18 years. He started the piano at age 5. He began dabbling in songwriting when he was in Jr. High School. By the time he was a senior, he had about 50 songs to his credit. After graduation, he served a mission in Seoul, Korea. Upon returning, he met Kathryn Buhler in college and they married in 1979. Brian received a Bachelor of Music Composition and Theory degree from the University of Utah in 1989. Brian then entered piano technology courses and became self-employed as a piano technician in 1994. 20 years later, he tunes for the 4 major school districts in the Salt Lake Valley and has thousands of private customers. On the side, Brian continues to compose. He and friends have been at Pitchfork Studios recently, owned by Clive Romney, recording 2 soon-to-be cd and sheet music releases, “THE COMING OF OUR LORD” cantata (lyricist: Dr. Victor W. Harris) and ‘NEPHI, AND HIS UNSINKABLE DREAMBOAT” (lyrics and music by Ballard) Kathy and Brian have 6 children and 6 grand-children and reside in West Valley City, Utah.

Link to:  Praise and Thanksgiving