The Church Pianist » Offertories

Simple Offertory

Jenifer Cook — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:27:48 +0000

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

Angels We Have Heard on High (Piano Solo)

Jenifer Cook — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:42:05 +0000

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.

Christmas Piano Book Giveaway!

Jenifer Cook — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 00:38:59 +0000

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

Jesus is the Sweetest Name I Know Medley (now available!)

Jenifer Cook — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 02:17:13 +0000

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

Video: Abide With Me (sacred piano solo)

Jenifer Cook — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 20:44:50 +0000

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.

Bless the Lord arranged by Gina Sprunger (Book Giveaway)

Jenifer Cook — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 01:04:11 +0000

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, 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

Intermediate Sacred Piano Duets

Jenifer Cook — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:33:41 +0000

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: He Lives (Rebecca Bonam) Jesus is Coming Again (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: Bringing in the Sheaves (Peter Davis) Overshadowed (Rebecca Bonam) We Gather Together (Peter Davis)

3. Sacred Classics arranged by Tedd Smith

Audio excerpt: Hallelujah, What a Saviour (Man of Sorrows)

More sacred piano duet books to preview

More Piano Duet Books to Preview!

Jenifer Cook — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:45:02 +0000

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

Resources for Sacred Piano Duets (Intermediate)

Jenifer Cook — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 01:43:30 +0000

One of my readers recently sent in the following question concerning intermediate sacred piano duets. I thought I would also share the answer with my readers who may be searching out sacred piano duets at the intermediate level.

I was wondering if you and/or Mrs. Hamilton have a book of intermediate piano duets done with one piano. I saw that you had arrangements for 2 pianos but I don’t have that luxury.

Thanks for any help that you can give me.

God bless,

Karen

My answer to Karen’s question:

I wish I did have piano duets available. Although…I do have one piano duet available in my “Showers of Blessing” book published through Soundforth.

If you’ll tell me what level you’re looking for…I may be able to list some duet books of interest. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Jenifer

Piano Duet Books

Here’s a book I recently purchased from Soundforth entitled: Like a River Glorious (intermediate piano duets arranged by Rebecca Bonam)

Hear the audio excerpts below by clicking on each title. See sample pages by clicking HERE

Audio excerpts:

Like a River Glorious

How Firm a Foundation

Blessed Assurance

More About Jesus

Another nice intermediate piano duet book is “Standing on the Promises” arrangements by Nathan Arnold.

See samples pages HERE

I’ll share several more books as soon as possible.

Free Hymn Piano Arrangement: Power in the Blood

Jenifer Cook — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 01:04:40 +0000

Just thought I’d share a free hymn piano arrangement of “Power in the Blood”. I wrote it for one of my level four students this week to use for offertory or congregational singing.