A Hymn for a Beloved Professor

8/16/2026

Every day of my freshman year at Oklahoma Baptist University, I arose early for an Honors Music Theory course with beloved professor, Kathryne Timberlake. I immediately followed her class with an Old Testament course taught by her husband, James Timberlake. Both Timberlakes (of blessed memory), were longtime, revered educators at OBU, and were pivotal to my growth and preparation for music ministry.

Mrs. Timberlake's effective teaching of Music Theory with its Sight-Singing and Ear Training components transitioned my musicianship to undergraduate level, laying a solid foundation on which to build. The understandings and skills gained in her class were paramount to success in my scholastic and creative future. In the same way, her husband and other OBU religion faculty of the early 1980's significantly enlarged my understanding of the Bible. Presenting important truths at the outset of Bible coursework, they included in every syllabus an article by Chevis F. Horne,* entitled: "The Language of the Bible: Literal or Symbolic?" (The Baptist Program, February 1977). This article provided instruction on the symbolic and metaphorical language found throughout the various literary genres of the Bible’s many books. It encouraged students to explore the Bible beyond a literal understanding. I'm grateful for this kind of mind-stretching education that was offered to me through these formational courses and gifted instructors.

In addition to her teaching, as Kathryne Timberlake's youngest student (having entered college a few months before my 17th birthday), I knew firsthand the sincere care for students she extended beyond the classroom. As I was preparing to graduate college and enter seminary, Mrs. Timberlake called me into her office to catch up and bless me on my way. She was even somewhat of a prophet as during that visit she predicted I'd meet my future wife at Southern Seminary - which, indeed, I did.

Years later, it seemed fitting to compose a hymn text and tune in honor of Kathryne Timberlake for her 85th birthday. The resulting hymn text, Composer of All the Music We Hear, images the divine as a musician.** The hymn's harmonic tune is aptly named, "TIMBERLAKE." It celebrates God's gift of music known in the foundational sounds and systems of melody, harmony and rhythm, in music’s ability to gather instruments and voices together, in its mysterious power to comfort, heal, and express deep emotion, and in its enrichment of mind, body, soul, and strength throughout life. This music-themed hymn could be meaningfully used in services celebrating music and the arts.

I was honored to hear from Mrs. Timberlake how her 85th Birthday hymn (framed as a gift by her friend and colleague, Mary Kay Parrish) was displayed in the entryway to her apartment where she viewed it each day. She told me how her grandchildren surprised her by singing it on her 90th Birthday, and I was deeply moved when it was sung by the congregation gathered for her Celebration of Life Service in 2019.

Kathryne Timberlake with roses sent by friends and colleagues for her 90th Birthday

Preview Recording & Score

Composer of All the Music We Hear is available as a single hymn with harmonic descant and is also included in the song collection: Inclusive Hymns for Liberation, Peace, and Justice.

Composer of All the Music We Hear [ONE LICENSE]

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Composer of All the Music We Hear [Single-Use License]

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Inclusive Hymns for Liberation, Peace, and Justice [Digital Download]

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*Chevis F. Horne was educated at Wake Forest University, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with postgraduate studies at Yale University and Union Theological Seminary. A preacher, professor, and author, Horne was also the pastor of First Baptist Church, Martinsville, Virginia, for 4o years. He was known for his pursuit of social justice when church and society opposed it.

**The hymn also incorporates a "trinitarian formula" in its first three stanzas with the "Composer" representing the Creator, the "Conductor" representing Christ, and the "Conveyor," representing the Comforter.