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About Me

…and my musical friends

Having grown up on rock ‘n roll, traditional church music, choral and pop vocal music, it was natural for me to get involved in playing with the worship band at church. I joined the worship team at CLC (Covenant Love Community Church, near Ithaca, NY), in the mid 80’s, and began writing worship songs in the late 90’s.

Upon retiring from my job at Cornell University in 2016, I turned my attention to fulfilling a long-held dream of making studio recordings of my songs to share with others. Fortunately, I have friends with technical and musical gifts who are willing to help me improve on what I am able to produce alone. Song credits and background information can be found on the song pages.

Keith at the board and Rick on the Rhodes.

Keith at the board and Rick on the Rhodes.

Bill on the sax.

Bill on the sax.

I will briefly mention three of them here, all of whom I have known for decades:

  • Keith Kopatz, from Minneapolis, is a professional “sound guy” and a talented musician on multiple instruments. I send all my rough tracks (“stems”) that are recorded in my home studio in Ithaca to Keith, and he sometimes adds more instruments and then mixes and produces the final product.

  • Rick Drake, also (conveniently) living near Minneapolis, is an excellent keyboardist, arranger and choral director. Rick and I began working together on worship teams and on recordings in the 80’s when he was a member of our church. 

  • Bill Cushman, from the Ithaca area and a fellow band mate at CLC, plays saxophone, arranges music, recruits other great players, and produces notation and lead sheets of my music. And, Bill and I both love Cornell hockey!

I am deeply indebted to these great friends and many others for helping me to realize my dream. 

Now, if you can’t find me in Ithaca – you might try looking in Minneapolis! 

Enjoy the music!

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Writing and recording worship music, by John Miner                                   

A Higher Call

from Psalm 150, King James Version (KJV)
“Praise ye the Lord… Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness... Praise him with stringed instruments and organs… Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.”

from “Bless the Lord”, by John Miner (ref. Ps. 103)
“All that I am, everything in me, with my whole being, praise His Holy name.”

I am…
·    Created by, and in the image of God, my Heavenly Father, who has provisioned me with good gifts for musical creativity, all for His glory.
·    Redeemed by the blood of Jesus, my Lord, whom I serve and follow.
·    Energized by Holy Spirit, my inspiration and constant companion, who nourishes, strengthens, and guides me along life’s way.

God has enabled me to write songs intended for worshipping Him. Each song is a gift from God that I now pass on to others. They have come to me in a variety of ways from spontaneous revelation, from life experiences, from reading of scripture and study of the Bible. 

My purpose for writing and recording worship songs is:
·    To be who God made me.
·    To obey God, to glorify Him, and to serve His people.
·    To testify as to “the hope that is within me” that will transcend my years. 
·    To be evidence of God’s goodness and giftings to me.
·    To share my passion for musical expression and the exuberant joy that fills my life through the gift of music.
·    To demonstrate how these songs can be played and heard, not just for listening, but primarily for use in worship, both in individual and group/corporate settings.
·    To inspire others to shape and modify these songs for use in their own style and expression.
·    For posterity and as part of my legacy and inheritance that I leave for my children, grandchildren, and (if the songs survive) for future generations.

My recorded worship songs are “housed” on my music website: TreasureFieldMusic.com where the written and recorded songs can be downloaded.