Richard L.Van Oss (b. Grand Rapids, MI, 1953) composed MAPLE AVENUE in 1984 for this text; it was first sung in 1985 by the senior choir of Maple Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Intended for unison singing, this tune consists of four phrases, the fourth being a repeat of the second. The repeated phrase has in its cadence an F-natural that singers and instrumentalists will want to observe carefully to preserve the tune's minor tonality. Keep the tempo somewhat stately.
Van Oss was educated at Grand Rapids Junior College and Hope College in Holland, Michigan. He served as music director at Maple Avenue CRC (1973-1985) and since 1985 at the First Reformed Church, Holland, Michigan. Since 1975 he has been a music and classroom teacher at the Ravenna (Michigan) Elementary School. Van Oss also served on the committee that compiled the children's hymnal Songs for LIFE (1994).
--Psalter Hymnal Handbook