Classical Hymns is a collection of calming and thoughtful orchestral arrangements of sacred music, as well as original works, designed to heal and enrich the soul. Composer Shane Mickelsen leans on personal experience to create and share music that he believes has the power to heal the mind and invigorate testimony. Shane has worked with The Piano Guys co-arranging piano music for their piano book "Covers" and as album orchestrator/arranger/conductor for Paul's Cardall's album "A New Creation." His compositional style has its roots in his love of the classics from Bach to Brahms, whose rich harmonies he fuses with New Age styles to create emotive modern orchestral music. Subtle dissonance permeates the arrangements rendering them more expansive, thought-provoking, and intimate. This enriching music is perfect for peaceful listening, but is also engaging to the analytical listener. This album addresses the struggles of an imperfect world and how we can find peace in it. This concept of “Peace” recurs throughout the album in the form of it’s Latin term, “Requiem.” This motif occurs at the beginning of the album in a sorrowful manner reminiscent of death, then appears in the middle striking a mysterious yet hopeful tone before returning on the final track that culminates in a gorgeous and hopeful finale foreshadowing the resurrection of the dead. Intermingled with these pieces are hymns that focus on God’s love for each of us. "We Stand all Amazed" at His "Amazing Grace", we plead for him to "Abide With Us,” and God shows us His love in the form of His Son, Jesus Christ who gave His life for us a long time ago on a “Green Hill Far Away.”