At Every Turn, a two-part choral piece with text the Reverend Gregory J. Wismar, former pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church in Newtown, and music by Professor David vonKampen of the University of Kansas, was published in April by Concordia Publishing House. The musical tune is called “Newtown.”

Every tune has a story, Rev Wismar explained. “In church music shorthand, every tune in a hymnal has a name, and there is an art and science to those names,” he said. The melody “Newtown” is rooted in this place, a response to the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.

It is a simple melody, said Rev Wismar, and in that simplicity lies its beauty. The words are inspired by the Bible passage Romans 14:8, and were written with that tragic day in mind, he said. Although Rev Wismar had retired the previous year, he was closely affected by 12/14.

In addition to being the spiritual leader for Christ the King for just shy of a quarter-century, one of Rev Wismar’s grandsons was a student in Victoria Soto’s first grade class. The boy was one of the few students who survived the attack on that classroom.

“After that tragedy, we all wanted to do something. We all have different gifts. This was a way I thought I would do something to bring some good out of a great sadness,” Rev Wismar said.

At Every Turn is dedicated “To the students, teachers, and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut — remembering December 14, 2012.”

Prof vonKampen’s young age of 28 belies his talent. He has published more than 40 choral and instrumental compositions and arrangements, and has been the recipient of numerous musical awards. According to Rev Wismar, Prof vonKampen is considered to be “an upcoming national choral composer.”

Rev Wismar’s musical history goes back to his youth, as a piano student, and when pressed into service for a sixth grade music concert at his elementary school in Meriden, a quickly trained string bass player.

“I’ve played ever since,” said Rev Wismar, including in a folk quartet, a jazz band, and in summer stock during his college years. Currently, Rev Wismar is a member of The Village Three folk group at Heritage Village, Southbury, where he now lives.

Though separated by half a nation and a great number of years, Rev Wismar is not surprised to find his lyrics put to music by the younger musician.

“Part of my delight in my active years [as minister] was serving on the national Lutheran commission,” said Rev Wismar. Also serving on that commission was a music professor, Kurt vonKampen — whose son is David. The two older men came to know each other while working on the Lutheran Service Book, published in 2006, as part of that commission.

Rev Wismar has also written for the quarterly publication, Creative Worship for the Lutheran Parish, for many years.

“This publication links writers with music composers, and I have worked on a couple of manuscripts for the Creative Worship Series for the Lutheran parish,” Rev Wismar said. “So when it came time to find a composer for this particular piece, there he was,” he said, referring to the connection with David vonKampen.

An English major in college, Rev Wismar said he has always had an affinity for words. Additionally, his experience with musical literature, especially folk music, has made it easy for him to create lyrics that can be put to music. Concordia Publishing House has published a number of pieces written by Rev Wismar, over the years, he said.

Romans 14:8 has always been a favorite Bible verse in times of sorrow, and seemed a natural source as he tried to find a way to express himself.

“I felt [Romans 14:8] has the sense of reminding us that whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Even in the darkest situation, there is hope,” Rev Wismar said.

The words were already written when Prof vonKampen was asked to compose music to go with them, said Rev Wismar. Both words and music are intended as healing in times of tragedy, he said.

At Every Turn is being used by church and school choirs across the country, Rev Wismar said.

“After I saw the music, I asked [Prof vonKampen] if he would turn it into a choral piece, which he did,” he said. He likes that it is only in two parts, making it ideal for children’s choirs.

The two-year anniversary of 12/14 is a Sunday this year, noted Rev Wismar, and in the life of the church, he said, “The date most closely associated with children and tragedy is another December date, Holy Innocent’s Day, on December 28,” acknowledging the Biblical story of the massacre of baby boys by Herod, in Bethlehem.  At Every Turn would be a natural choice for music on either of those days, said Rev Wismar.

Reverend Robert Morris, the pastor of Christ the King Lutheran Church, said that the choir at that church will perform At Every Turn at a future date to be announced. At St Rose of Lima Catholic Church, choir manager Gerry Belanger said that the choir is looking at the piece, and intends to have it ready for All Soul’s Day 10:30 am Mass, November 2. Additionally, said Mr Belanger, Monsignor Robert Weiss, St Rose’s pastor, has requested that At Every Turn be performed at the Sunday, December 14, 10:30 am Mass, as well.

To hear At Every Turn, visit the Concordia Publishing House website (www.cph.org/musicsearch (type www.jwpepper.com) and type in the name of the choral piece. Choral leaders can find ordering information at this site, or at At Every Turn into the search box).