Just thought I would show you a peek of Allissa, one of my piano students, who I’m training to be a church pianist.

She is doing very well!  I write the songs for her to play at her level so she can already be getting “hands on” experience before she’s even playing out the hymnal. She has been doing some reading from the church hymnal.

In the following raw video…Allissa is practicing with a young girl’s group while the choir loft is being decorated for this Wednesday night’s annual Christmas play by the kids of our church.  Looking forward to the program!  Our youth Pastor’s wife writes a play for each year!  She is very talented!

Here’s a song that one of my piano students wrote two years ago that would make a great Thanksgiving special!

He’s a Wondrous Glorious God.  The sheet music can be found at the following link

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/he-s-a-wondrous-glorious-god-digital-sheet-music/21881166

Warning!  Pause and reverse as needed for this short tutorial!

I felt prone to sit down at the piano yesterday and play several hymns to encourage my Mom who recently had a challenging week.

We miss Dad but will see him again in heaven.  I’m sharing the recording via youtube.

My dad passed away peacefully on June 2nd with most of his immediate family present.

I wasn’t able to get there soon enough before Dad passed but I did get to talk face to face with him on my phone.

How I miss him but know he’s so much better off.   My Mom is doing well. God has brought much peace to our family.

Thank you all for your prayers and notes of encouragement.

Dad & Mom were a big part of my musical training without them even realizing it.  They always brought the hymns and songs to life by singing with such expression as though they were just speaking the words.  Dad always taught me to “feel” the music.

He would say “Singing is just elongated speech”.  How true that is!

Over the years the words to hymns have been such a balm to my soul.  Now…hymns have taken on a deeper meaning.

Mom and I were talking the other night on the phone…trying to come up with a playlist for tomorrow’s facebook event.

We decided to focus on hymns of heaven & comfort.  Mom reflectively said,  “You know…Dad sang more about heaven

recently than any other time.”

I will be playing live on Facebook tomorrow evening June 16, 2022… at 8pm EST.  Anyone on or off facebook can view the video at the following link:

https://www.facebook.com/thechurchpianist

You may have to scroll down to find me at the link above.

Click below for printable version of my playlist for tomorrow…in case you want to sing or play along.

Hymns of Heaven & Comfort Playlist

One of my viewers recently asked permission to play my arrangement of The First Noel for her church since they were livestreaming their service.

She did such a wonderful job that I just had to share it. Tamara played it slower than I would have but I kind of like it that way because it allows for more note clarity and expression.

Thanks Tamara Kim for your wonderful playing.   You are a blessing!  Beautiful expression too!

Sheet music link: The First Noel

Choreo Keeper Notebook Giveaway!

December 10, 2021 – December 19, 2021… 8 pm EST

No Page Turns for the Church Pianist!  

I’m hosting a giveaway for a free Choreo Keeper! (retails for $35.99)

No page turns?!  It’s possible with the Choreo Keeper!  I bought one of these notebooks a couple of years ago and absolutely LOVE it!  I use it for offertories, choir arrangements and funerals, etc.

Meet Catherine, the designer of the Choreo Keeper in the video below.  She will give the best description!

Thanks Catherine for providing this free giveaway!

Giveaway Guidelines: 

Simply leave one comment below to enter the drawing.  The giveaway will last until December 19th, 2021….8 pm EST.

The winner will be announced here on my website by 10 pm EST on 19th.

Please note:  If you’re located outside the US, you can still enter and win, but will be asked to defray international shipping charges by paying $17 (US$). Please remember that the sheet protector pockets are sized for US Letter.

More details on paper size at  https://www.choreokeeper.com/blog/will-this-work-with-a4-sized-paper .

Now hear Catherine give a great description of the Choreo Keeper!

I published this advanced piano solo of O Come All Ye Faithful back in 2016.

Recently, a reader asked if I would share this arrangement on my Youtube channel.

It took a bit of practice for me to work up this recording.  It’s not way difficult but has a lot of four note chords throughout for the right hand.

My favorite part is the soft section on page three leading up to the grand exit!

Sheet music link:  “O Come All Ye Faithful”

I’ve published three of my Christmas piano arrangements since yesterday and today.

The following arrangements were written with specific piano students of mine for this year’s recital.

Most  of my students are playing two specials this year.

Hear “O Come All Ye Faithful”

Hear “Come Thou Long…”

Hear “Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

O Come All Ye Faithful (easy piano)

Easy piano Christmas arrangement arranged by Jenifer Cook 2 pgs. Contains: Trumpet-like fanfare introduction followed by one verse and chorus ending with a big sound! Nice piece for a piano student! I wrote this for one of my grandsons. See video below.

Price: $2.50

Come Thou Long Expected Jesus

Late intermediate Christmas piano solo, three pages. See video below.

Price: $3.25

Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee (Two Pianos)

Two Piano Christmas special arranged by Jenifer Cook Price includes Piano One Part and Piano Two Part (one person per piano) This piece consists of an introduction, verse & chorus. A great piece for short offertory or recital special. See video below.

Price: $3.50