Home is where the song is

Lutheran, The, Nov 2003 by Favre, Jeff

Stephen Robb's family is so used to his midnight trips to the piano that they don't even notice anymore. Robb is a doctor, but when a tune or lyric pops into his dreams, he becomes a composer, plunking away at the black and white keys until a hymn takes shape.

And though friends, co-workers and members of Transfiguration Lutheran Church, Rochester, N.Y., praise his abilities, it wasn't until six years ago that Robb shared his work publicly. The result has been songs for youth-run services and Christmas pageants. And this spring he released a CD of hymns, Under This Roof.

"Not long ago, I only played the piano for relaxation," Robb said. "But five years ago, the gal who usually does the Christmas pageant couldn't, so they asked me. From then on, I started writing music for special services."

Then his mother-in-law asked Robb if he had a song her congregation could use at the dedication of their first Habitat house. That same day Robb wrote the song "Under this Roof."

"It just came to me all at once," he said. "That's the fastest I've ever written a song. A year later, it was published. I'm always humbled when I hear that somewhere the song was sung."

The success of his Habitat song spurred Robb to record the best of his several dozen hymns. he was introduced to veteran musician Rodney Appleby, who became the musical arranger for the recording. Robb and Appleby co-produced the CD with Bruce Pilato, who has worked with many rock bands, including Foreigner and Emerson, Lake & Palmer.

Under this Roof took Robb more than a year to finance and record. The title track was published in a Habitat for Humanity International songbook, and a portion of the CD's proceeds benefit the organization.

The CD was recorded in Buffalo, a one-and-a-half hour drive from Rochester, which Robb made nearly 40 times over 14 months. "It wasn't easy," he said. "I do have this medical career. At first my patients were worried, but my practice is the priority."

But Robb plans to continue his late-night composing sessions. And his next musical goal is to create sheet music for his services, so he can share them with congregations in other denominations.

"I firmly believe that what Jesus is about is a four letter word-love," Robb said. "And his love is all-inclusive, without barriers or limits. If we can remember his most basic message of love and compassion, we'll be OK."

For more information about Under this Roof, visit www.underthisroof.com or call toll-free (866) 596 - 4494, PIN #5683.

Jeff Favre