Awhile ago, one of my readers asked if I had a congregational arrangement for “A Might Fortress is Our God.”

I didn’t at the time but decided to tackle it this week.  This particular arrangement is for the late intermediate church pianist.

What a challenge to stay within the written chords from the hymnal! Maybe I need to come up with a piano solo for this hymn too.

Important Notice!

This arrangement was created for congregational style only.  If  you insert the melody in measures #16 and #20…it can be used for a piano solo.

Print your own copy for free and then listen to the audio while you’re holding the music!

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (FREE PDF)

 A Mighty Fortress is Our God (audio)

Here’s a visual aid for measure #34 in my advanced version of “Holy Holy Holy”.

I used eighth notes instead of sixteenth notes to give a clearer presentation of the RH run layout.

I created this for a reader that was asking if some of the notes were wrong in the right hand run of this measure.

I’m not surprised. It’s a tricky measure!  I had to practice and practice this page!

Download this visual aid HERE

Promo Sale!  The collection is on sale through August 21st, 2023 until 10pm.

I had a person contact me recently requesting another collection of early intermediate congregational arrangements.

One of my daughter-in-laws will also benefit from this collection.

I decided to add an introduction to each arrangement.  Also, most of the arrangements would make nice short piano solo offertories.

You could also use these arrangements for accompanying a soloist too!

Only two of the arrangements wouldn’t be able to stand alone as a piano solo…..”Are You Washed?” and “Sweet Hour of Prayer.” The reason why is because the melody is not supported throughout the entire arrangement.  Some church pianists may be comfortable adding the missing melody in the few places per arrangement.  Otherwise, these two arrangements are missing the melody notes here and there since it’s more of an accompaniment style.

Easy to Play Congregationals Collection TWO

Early intermediate congregational arrangements by Jenifer Cook. Ten hymns: All Hail thePower, Are You Washed?, Have Thine Own Way, Higher Ground, I Love to Tell the Story, Revive Us Again, Sweet Hour of Prayer, Tell it to Jesus, Tis So Sweet, Where He Leads. Most of these arrangements can stand alone as a piano solo with the exception of: Are You Washed and Sweet Hour of Prayer. View the first three hymn arrangements by clicking on the COVER PHOTO

Price: $14.00

I’ve been busy creating this collection of early intermediate piano congregational arrangements!

More details soon!

One of my viewers recently requested fingering suggestions for my free arrangement of “The Old Rugged Cross.”

I added the suggested fingering by hand.  This is just the fingering that’s most comfortable for me.

Here are two different free PDFs for The Old Rugged Cross…

The Old Rugged Cross without fingering

The Old Rugged Cross WITH fingering

I’m working on the final congregational arrangement for my third volume of piano congregational arrangements!

This volume is geared to the church pianist at the early advanced level. Check out Piano Congregational Arrangements Volumes One & Two.

This collection will be published on July 20, 2023 at a special rate of  $13 (sales price good for July 20th (3pm EST)  through July 22nd (10pm EST)  After this time, the regular price of $16 will apply.

One of my readers asked me how I keep my music organized for services.

I just came up with a more reasonable way this past Sunday.

I created two sticky tabs to use in the hymnal for our two congregationals per service. The third sticky tab marked with a “C” stands for choir special.

Our choir typically sings a song from the hymnal for Sunday mornings because we don’t have everyone with us until Sunday night service.  Quite a few of our choir members either work in our children’s ministry or work in the nursery.

That’s just part of having a small church 🙂

My son, the choir director, has a notebook full of our 8.5 x 11 sheet music for the choir.  I have the same type notebook.

I think we’re going to create a hanging file for each of our notebooks because the notebooks are getting full!

We already have all of our choir music in hanging file folders in alphabetical order.

I also carry around a two pocket folder that houses my AM & PM sheet music for upcoming vocal & offertory specials.  Works great for me!

It’s also been helpful to have a hanging file folder for each person who sings on a regular basis.  They can always fall back on a song they’ve done before  in case they’re filling in at the last minute.

Here’s how my pianist hymnal would look like on a typical Sunday morning.

I included a pic of our “order of service” which the Pastor provides for us.

I’m sharing a brief list (below) of some of the ideas I walked away with after my annual meeting with my piano friend Meryt Wilson.

Hopefully they are a benefit to you as well.

Before I forget, one of the sacred piano books I recommended to Meryt was “Sacred Reflections” by Virginia Halberg.

This book has my favorite arrangement of “Great is Thy Faithfulness”  Suggestion:  I delete measures 45-50 and I end earlier at measure #91. (see image below)

I ended earlier because I didn’t feel the need to continue any further with the extra triplet note section. (personal opinion)

Thinking about Dad a lot lately. He’s been in heaven a little over a year now. (June 2)

I will always remember how Dad sang with gusto not only in his vocal solos but also while leading the congregational singing.
He truly felt the music.

The following tip is for church pianists who accompany vocal or instrumental solos. This pertains to soloists who are comfortable “taking the lead”.

It’s helpful to slow down prior to a fermata or slower section for emphasis.  Also, I try to keep the music moving forward during a held word to keep the music alive.  Basically,  FEEL the music with the soloist to give he or she the best “behind the scenes” support.  Remember to constantly monitor your accompaniment volume so as not to drown out the singer or instrumentalist. Have someone sit out toward the back of the auditorium during practice… to check volume between pianist and soloist.

Here’s Dad directing the congregational singing at the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools 50th Teacher Convention in 2017. The second video is me accompanying Dad.

Here’s a list at what I’ve been writing and hope to publish very soon!

One Day (congregational) *early advanced

Wonderful Grace of Jesus (congregational)* early advanced

My Country Tis of Thee (piano trio) Levels:  Early elementary, Late elementary & early intermediate

My grandson and two other pianists will be playing My Country Tis of Thee for July 2nd am service.