I decided to publish my piano solo of  “How Great Thou Art” today since we’re expecting our first grandchild any day now!

What a challenge to write this out by ear!  I played this spontaneous piano arrangement at our local nursing home several years ago…posted the video… and began receiving requests for the music in print.

Keep in mind, I played this straight from my heart “free style”. Therefore, the style of writing is not as structured like the majority of my arrangements. I did my best to stay true to the youtube version.

My favorite part of this arrangement is when I suddenly get soft on the second verse during the words “…then I shall bow…” and then build in excitement on the words “…and there proclaim, my God how GREAT Thou art!”

Thanks again to all who encouraged me to write this advanced piano arrangement of “How Great Thou Art”!  (downloadable only)

How Great Thou Art (NEW!)

Advanced sacred piano solo, 4 pgs. *Audio not included. *See youtube link below.

Price: $3.95

Youtube link of “How Great Thou Art”

After publishing a video of me playing “How Great Thou Art” in a nursing home…I began receiving requests on youtube and my website for a copy of this arrangement.  The funny thing about this arrangement…it was spontaneous.

After at least two years in the make (on and off–during this time frame)…I am about to put the finishing touches on this arrangement. It will be available by March 15th !  I will offer it at a special price for the first two weeks after publication.

Keep in mind…the arrangement of “How Great Thou Art” won’t be exact note for note as played but…will be VERY close It took me about 20 minutes to re-create about 3 measures at a time.  I would watch my youtube video by the piano and pause ALOT to write what I heard.  Fun! Fun!  Actually, it was alot of fun.  Sure stretched me!

Thanks to all who encouraged me to write this arrangement of “How Great Thou Art”.

Sometimes it’s refreshing to hear a simple offertory.  I like to be able to distinguish the melody when hearing an instrumental special. My son, and another gentleman in our church were suppose to play a guitar/harmonica offertory this past Sunday night. Unfortunately, they hadn’t had much time to practice.

They asked if I would play along on the piano with them for support. They wouldn’t be able to practice until Sunday evening before church during the time I had to practice with the vocal special for that night. So…I quickly wrote a simple piano accompaniment that Sunday afternoon and had my daughter-in-law practice with them that evening.  They did great for a last minute ensemble!

Here’s the video of them playing “In the Sweet By and By”.

Click here for free copy of the piano arrangement for this simple offertory  (including melody score for an instrument)

Tip: The accompaniment may also be used to accompany a vocal solo

Just sharing a video of one of my newer arrangements entitled: “Angels We Have Heard on High”.  This piece was written for the elementary level pianist.

Shelley Roberts, one of my students, played it this year for the Christmas recital.

An upcoming young musician, Joshua Harrison, contacted me a while back  about previewing his piano arrangement book entitled: “Christmas Inspirations”. Joshua’s desire is that the Lord be glorified through his playing which is refreshing to hear…especially from a young gentleman

The book consists of nine  Christmas carols as follows:

Joy To The World!
Silent Night
Hark! the Herald Angels Sing!
The First Noel
Away In A Manger
O Little Town Of Bethlehem
Angels We Have Heard On High
O Come All Ye Faithful
I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day

Most of the arrangements are a page and a half and a couple are longer  in length…making for a nice collection of short offertories or recital pieces for students.

After clicking on following link…you must click on individual song titles  to hear sample of each song…not the book cover picture.

Click here to listen to audios of Joshua’s book entitled: Christmas Inspirations

Joshua has generously offered to give away one copy of his Christmas book (pdf format).  Simply leave a comment below to enter the drawing.  Leave a separate comment if you share the link to this article on facebook or your personal blog…allowing your name to be entered twice!

The drawing will be held on December 19th at 10pm EST

The winner will receive his or her free downloadable pdf copy of “Christmas Inspirations” by email from the author of the book: Joshua Harrsion

I’ve had many requests for the written arrangement of “Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know Medley” that is on youtube.  It has just been published in my online church pianist music store.

*The written version does contain some modifications; making it a little different from the youtube version. Why? The youtube version was played ‘by ear’ making it difficult to duplicate it note for note on paper. I did my best.  If I’m able to refine it…I will email the updated arrangement for “free” to whoever purchases this arrangement.

Thanks for your encouragement to get this one down on paper

Here’s a video of my most recently published advanced sacred piano solo of Abide With Me.

The words to this hymn were written from a dying minister, who awakened to the fact that to know Christ was everything…and life was only for a moment.

Abide with me fast falls the evening tide! The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide;

When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy Word before my closing eyes. Shine thru the gloom and point me to the skies;

Heav’n's morning breaks and earth’s vain shadows flee, In life, and death, O Lord, abide with me.

A book  giveaway…compliments of Soundforth (BJU Press).

*This book drawing applies to residents within the US

  “Bless the Lord”, contains ten early intermediate piano arrangements by Gina Sprunger…an excellent addition to any church pianist’s repertoire!

Gina’s  introductions,  interludes and endings are a perfect fit to each arrangement.  I’ll share some of my favorite picks through audio excerpts below. Just click on a song title to hear a sample.

Come, Christians Join to Sing

Take Time to be Holy

Meditations on Praise (Bless the Lord, Holy is the Lord, Thank You Lord)

Meditation on When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

A Shelter in the Time of Storm

The remaining arrangements are:

Open My Eyes That I May See, Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, We Three Kings, I Wonder as I Wander, Showers of Blessing (piano duet)

Book Drawing Guidelines:

1. Simply leave a comment to enter your name once in the drawing

2. To enter your name a second time…share this specific link for book giveaway on your blog, facebook or twitter and leave a separate comment saying you have done so.

*Winner will be chosen on May 2nd, 2011 Monday at 9pm EST

When Ordering Music From Soundforth:

*Special Note: If you order by phone and your order  is under $30…you can request US Mail to receive a cheaper shipping rate.

(Just realize there’s no tracking available with the US Mail rate)

Call toll free:      1-800-258-7288

This is a list of several intermediate sacred piano duet books that I own.  You’ll notice that several of the audio excerpts would be great for Easter!

My Favorite Book List of Intermediate Sacred Piano Duets

(Click on book title to preview book and click on song titles to hear audio excerpts)

1. He Lives arranged by Rebecca Bonam (Soundforth)

 Audio excerpts:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 (Rebecca Bonam) 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(Rebecca Bonam) 

2. Wonderful Grace of Jesus by Various Arrangers (Soundforth) *The following audio excerpts for this book are the only ones in the book that are more late    intermediate. The rest are early advanced.

Audio excerpts: 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(Peter Davis) 

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(Rebecca Bonam)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

(Peter Davis)

3. Sacred Classics arranged by Tedd Smith

Audio excerpt:

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

More sacred piano duet books to preview

I have enjoyed searching out sacred piano duets for the intermediate level.  Here are a few I found online just since yesterday that you may want to check out.

1.Hymn Duets-One Piano-Four Hands-arranged by Sid Richardson (Alfred Music Publishing)

*Audio of sample page shown in the above link

2.Side by Side-arranged by Jeff Bennett (Lillenas Publishing) *Click on this title to hear and see samples and pdf downloads

3. Partners in Praise (Intermediate with Advanced Partner) arranged by Marilynn  Ham (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

4. Piano Duets for All Seasons arranged by Ethel Tench Rogers (Lillenas Publishing) *see samples and pdf downloads

5. Double Blessings arranged by Jolene Boyd (Lillenas Publishing) * see samples and pdf downloads

     *Audio of sample page shown in the above link

I found the first book on the above list at Amazon for only $4 total! I’ll share some audio samples from intermediate sacred piano duet books I own later tonight or tomorrow