I’m feverishly trying to finish my early intermediate  sacred piano solo book for Lorenz. It’s due June 1st. I’m working on the ninth one now.  The book will contain a total of ten piano solos.

Here are some of the song titles:  What a Friend We Have in Jesus, His Eye is on the Sparrow, Jesus What a Friend for Sinners, All the Way My Savior Leads Me and Crown Him with Many Crowns.

I’m also currently working on my next website video tutorial to present a certain fill-in that I LOVE to use!

In my spare time….I need to unveil a nice patriotic vocal solo by my Dad….hope to publish asap!

Need your help! Just need names of at least two hymns that use a 12/8 time signature. Thanks!

I just published an early intermediate sacred piano solo of “Am I a Soldier of the Cross”.  One of my male students specifically requested this song for an offertory arrangement. Knowing this hymn was rather short…I asked him if he would like a medley with this song in it but he didn’t seem interested in my suggestion….so…I had to add an interesting intro, interlude and ending just to make this arrangement last long enough 😉

You’ll notice more structure in this piece since it was written for the student in mind.

Just to let my readers know I have entered a contest with my advanced piano arrangement of God Bless America.

The contest is hosted by Sheet Music Plus.  The name of the contest is ArrangeMe which involves legally arranging copyrighted songs from a select list.

I normally don’t enter music writing competitions but I’ve always wanted to write a piano arrangement for God Bless America.

The contest rules are:  Whoever brings in the most money in sales between June 8th through July 12th 2016….wins $300

No pressure!  🙂  Available for sale at Sheet Music Plus  (Not for sale on our site due to copyright limitations).

Super excited to announce the publication of my advanced piano solo arrangement of God Bless America!  I’ve always dreamed about being able to publish such an arrangement but copyright prevented that.

Thanks to SMP Press, aka Sheet Music Plus,  ( a site I also publish sheet music through) … now offers a chance for its publishers to arrange 1000’s of copyrighted songs through ArrangeMe with SMP Press.  I plan to use this platform of opportunity as time allows.

The advanced piano solo arrangement of God Bless America is only available through SMP Press at the following link:

Just came across this piano book, “May Jesus Christ be Praised” with a nice patriotic medley by Marilynn Ham and thought I’d share it.  You can only view the first two pages but it’s a nice looking piece for offertory! I also like the looks of “When Morning Gilds the Skies”.  These are arrangements are for the advanced pianist.

Sheet Music Plus has it on sale right now for $13.59 plus shipping. I’m buying my copy right now 🙂

Not sure how new this book is but I haven’t seen it before.

My dad, Reece Yandle, wrote this patriotic vocal solo at least eight years ago or more. It has been used as the theme song for a teacher’s convention and sung by dad at different meetings.  People have been asking for copies of the song and now it’s possible.

“In God We Trust” as stated on our American currency…takes on a deeper meaning for those who have trusted in Christ as their Saviour.

I have published this prior to Father’s Day as a Father’s Day gift for my Dad 🙂

Listen to the audio sample below as you sing the following words (wait for the introduction)

“In God we trust no matter come what may,

In God we trust though dark and drear the way.

Always trusting in His love and pow’r we must,

This is our cry, “It is in God we trust!”

In God We Trust

Medium range sacred vocal solo; 4 pgs *Great for a patriotic special! *Price covers two copies.

Price: $6.00

Wanted to share a list of patriotic music resources with my church pianist readers before visiting with my parents starting tomorrow through Sunday. I consider this list of songs a treasure find!

1. I Love America by Frank & Flora Jean Garlock

Published by Majesty Music. Available in “Sing Praises Two” book

*Taken from Sing Praises Two (still in print) If you want multiple copies…Majesty Music ask that you own at least four copies of the book Sing Praises Two, then pay $1.00 per copy made of the song. There is a limit of making multiple copies for up to 3 songs per book.

2. We Pledge Allegiance by Shelly Hamilton

Published by Majesty Music. Available in “Sing Praises Two” book

*Same copying instructions from above apply to this song.

3. If My People by Frank & Flora Jean Garlock

Published by Majesty Music. Out of print. Instructions below.

*Majesty Music provides a way to obtain this song through their office. Call customer service department at (1-800-334-1071) to order copies of this song for $.50 per copy (This song is from the book “Choral Arrangements Everybody Can Sing-Volume 1)  *I love the words to this song…very well-written!

4. It’s Time to Pray by John W. Peterson

“It’s Time to Pray”
vocal solo arrangement

I will be providing the cost details on this asap since I have updated this song to a different arrangement.

*Special note: The words to this song call Christians to the important matter of prayer for our country.

5.  We Stand by Niki Lott  *GREAT! for Men’s group or SATB choir

I just purchased a downloadable SATB arrangement of this song  off Niki’s website called Christian Compositions  This is a very moving piece!

You can view a page of the music HERE

Niki also sells a choral arrangement with piano accopmaniment version HERE

You can also view a youtube video of Niki’s husband and friends singing it for special in church HERE

6.  We Pledge Allegiance by Derric Johnson

Published by Derric Johnson. Instructions below.

Just got off the phone with Derric Johnson. How exciting to have talked with the composer of this well-known tune!  He was very helpful. He said this choral arrangement was available by “print on demand” which means it’s also out of print but you can order a copy of this 14 page arrangement for $5 per copy. I think this arrangement would make a nice mini-patriotic cantata! Here’s my best description of this arrangement:

Chorus (sung twice)

Narration section explains meaning of the flag colors with piano background

Verse of “We Pledge Allegiance” sung slow & reverently by choir

Transitions back into chorus of “We Pledge Allegiance”

Short narration section about heroes/patriots, another song beginning with lyrics “The lawyer came from Georgetown to visit Baltimore….”

Short narration section with choir Ooo’s to transition to next song

Choir begins slow and soft version of The Star-Spangled Banner verse and soars triumphantly into the chorus followed by a majestic ending!

7. In God We Trust by Reece Yandle (my Dad)

*In the works. I will do my best to publish this vocal solo arrangement  by the end of next week.

Click here: God of Our Fathers  (print music and view  while reading the information below)

As promised, here is part two of “God of Our Fathers”.  I used dotted rhythm in measures # 9, 12 and 14 to liven up the accompaniment.

The busy left hand octave movement was also added to give this hymn some driving motion as in measures #11, 12, 15 and 17.  (Also in the  right hand on measure #14)

This free arrangement of God of Our Fathers can also be used as a short patriotic offertory or for congregational piano accompaniment.

God of Our Fathers part one

Complete audio of “God of Our Fathers”  (computer-generated)

Click here to download and print part one of “God of Our Fathers”

“God of Our Fathers” is a wonderful hymn to sing anytime of year, but especially around July 4th. This stately hymn reminds Christians of God as their leader. 

In part one of today’s free arrangement of “God of Our Fathers” I tried to portray the majestic mood of the text by solid octave movement in the left hand and full chords in the right hand. 

The introduction (trumpet fanfare) was doubled (both hands) for a fuller sound.  The octave higher treatment gave it a brighter tone.

In measure five, I added a light touch of syncopation to the left hand  for text enrichment.  The words for this measure speak of God’s  “…almighty hand”.

Congregational singing plays such an important role in the worship service.   As a church pianist, I try to play with enthusiasm, since I represent the Lord in all I do.  I want others to know that I truly believe the words of the great hymns of faith as I play them for God’s glory.

To be honest, I don’t always feel energetic on a Sunday morning when I’ve had maybe a couple hours of sleep… but God is good. He gives me just enough energy to make it through. I’ve found I do better during those times.  I think it’s because I’m relying more on His help…as I should ALWAYS do 🙂

Part two of “God of Our Father’s” will take us up an octave as we prepare for the climax of this great hymn.  Looking forward to sharing the rest!

Click here to read the story behind “God of Our Fathers”

The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is a hymn the church pianist must “dress-up” to enrich the congregational singing. It’s not always easy to grab every note “word” of a hymn when it contains a busy rhythm such as the frequent dotted rhythm in the “Battle Hymn”. Moving from word to word can be quite awkward for the church pianist.

Remember…the hymnal is written for voice parts not the instrument. The church pianist must learn to adapt…creating a simple but full-sounding accompaniment that will support the singers…making them sing out with even more energy and confidence.

Editor notes for Part Two of “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

*Please click here to print part two so you can view the music while you read the following notes:

1. I only added a few of the sixteenth notes from the vocal score into the piano accompaniment…creating a more user friendly hand movement, which in turn helps the pianist maintain a steady beat for the congregation.

2. When I play the chorus…I deviate so much more from the melody–using sprinkles of 3-note triplet chords in the right hand during half notes. But…I kept enough melody in the chorus of this free arrangement for church pianists that may not be use to deviating alot from the melody.

Click here for Part One of Battle Hymn of the Republic