It always excites me to have young people wanting to get involved in the music ministry.  Our church family is so supportive of their  young people’s endeavors to serve the Lord.

Hannah and her family have recently joined our church and they are a blessing.  Hannah hasn’t had lessons in a little while and is a level one student.  She is anxious to begin lessons this fall and is ready to  serve in the area of music.  Amen!

I recently gave her one of my beginner arrangements of “Nothing But the Blood“ along with an audio to help her out.  To my surprise, she had it down in a short time.  (It’s always encouraging to work with self-motivated young people) 

As a church pianist, I try to encourage our youth to get involved in the music minstry.  I’m thankful that our young people are interested in doing so. The younger they start, the easier it becomes as they gain experience and much practice.   I usually schedule the younger ones for a Wednesday or Sunday evening until they feel more comfortable.  (Sunday mornings require longer offertories due to a larger attendance.)

Here is a video of her playing the offertory at our church this past Sunday night. (Notice the encouraging responses at the end)

I’m also providing this arrangement free…with this article.  I plan to offer more of the beginning student hymn arrangements as time allows…in the music store.

Just been under the weather a little bit this week.  I’m looking forward to sharing part one of a free arrangement with you by tomorrow.  I’ll keep you guessing for now

A couple of  hints…it’s a hymn that just seems too high  for the  smaller congregation. I transposed it to a lower key providing a basic piano accompaniment.

This particular hymn is rather long…so I  will publish the first part tomorrow.

I’ve been working on a new advanced piano offertory for church pianists. ”There’s Within My Heart a Melody” is a very uplifting hymn.  I plan to publish this  arrangement in the music store by this weekend.

The story behind ”There’s Within My Heart a Melody” is not what you would expect.  I will share this amazing  story very soon.

As a church pianist, I’m always seeking new piano offertories. I’m sure you all have the same need. Therefore, I’m trying to provide more offertory arrangements as time permits.

July 4th is almost here!  Do you have a patriotic piano arrangement ready?

We’re using the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” piano duo arrangement by Glenn & Jan Christianson.  Audio excerpt

A nice patriotic piano solo is “Onward Christian Soldiers” arranged by Elmo Mercer.  Audio excerpt

Just two weeks until July 4th!  I know at least  “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is available for download.

I’m adding a new website to my blogroll list!  Bible Truth Music contains a nice selection of resources  that will benefit the church pianist.

I recently purchased one of their new piano duo books entitled Wonderful Grace of Jesus.  The arrangements are fairly easy to learn but sound wonderful! The piano arrangements can also be purchased individually from this book in downloadable pdf format!  Sunshine and I are playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”  for July 4th Sunday. I will provide sample audios of this book in an upcoming article.

Here’s a list of audio excerpts from several of their piano books:

Audio Excerpts:

Playing Piano Praises   (early advanced) arranged by Glenn & Jan Christianson

In the Garden 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Joyful Melodies Three   (early intermediate)  arranged by Jennifer Hall

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Power in the Blood

Songs of Invitation  (early advanced) arranged by Harold DeCou

Almost Persuaded

Just as I Am

More sample audios and book titles will appear in the next few articles.  Bible Truth Music plans to have all of their piano books available in pdf format very soon!  Hop on over and see what they have as of now.  I plan to purchase several of their books very soon to add to my offertory repertoire.

Church pianists of all levels will benefit from this website! 

I’m excited about tomorrow’s article!  I’ll be sharing a website of piano resources for the church pianist.

Busy times…but still here    I’d like to share a free patriotic  piano arrangement with my church pianist readers.  My Country Tis of Thee is a very old hymn. The author of the melody is unknown but the words were written by Samuel Francis Smith.  

My Country Tis of Thee (Audio of free piano arrangement)

One of my church pianist readers recently asked if I knew of any nice intermediate level piano offertory books.

Try the following…

Lost in Wonder by Jim Lucas

Intermediate Collection #1 by Jenifer Cook

Hymn Medleys by Phillip Keveren  (recommended by a friend)

A Sacred Collection by Ken Renfrow

Hymns with Style by Jerry Ray

Sacred Silhouettes by Dennis Alexander

I had did have good intentions to post this week but it’s just not going to happen

Hopefully, I will be able to post an article next week sometime amongst my annual spring  recital preparations.

Have a wonderful Lord’s Day tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Jenifer

I’ll be posting  a free piano arrangement of “Like a River  Glorious” sometime this week. This free arrangement will  be written in a prelude/congregational style for the church pianist. 

“Like a River Glorious” is a beautiful hymn….speaking of God’s wonderful, everlasting peace that He gives to those who have trusted in Him.