Finally! My first time to play for the Bridal processional without having to condense off the top of my head!

The Bridal entrance and then the introduction of the couple followed by recessional… are what I consider the highlights of a wedding ceremony.

Both of these highlights are so short lived…making it a challenge for the pianist or organist who usually have to condense or shorten the music selection.

One of my dear friends just got married this past Saturday and wanted Canon in D as the Bridal song.  I tinkered around with an intro and also tried making Canon in D sound regal instead of laid back.  Of course the idea for an intro didn’t hit me until a few hours before the wedding rehearsal.  I am so use to playing the traditional version…so I had to write out the condensed version.

This particular arrangement was meant for the Bride only….so it’s shorter than most wedding selections.

*Tip: I like to taper off (play gradually softer) when the bride gets closer to the front of the auditorium.

Canon in D (Bridal Procession Only)

Piano arrangement; Bridal processional only. Approx. 40 seconds. One page. Ever had trouble condensing the traditional Bridal March? Look no more! This short and to the point selection fits the occasion! A nice trumpet fanfare for the piano introduction...makes for an exciting grand entrance.

Price: $1.75

Just to remind my readers about the recent publication of “He” (early advanced piano solo) and “Were You There” (advanced piano solo)…both have been entered in the Sacred Music Contest on Sheet Music Plus’ website. The song with the most profit through April 11th, 2017…wins the cash prize.

Thanks to those who have already purchased one or both of these arrangements!

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Special deal for those who purchase either or both contest songs from Sheet Music Plus during the Sacred Music Contest selling period…now through April 11, 2017.

You can choose one free arrangement from our music store for each contest song you purchase. (Maximum: two free arrangements) *Doesn’t include offsite arrangements.

Just email us your receipt from Sheet Music Plus and your choice(s) of arrangements from our music store.

The contest selling period ends April 11, 2017 and you have until April 20th to email your receipt for your free arrangement(s).

If I win either or both categories….I’ll be using the cash prize to help towards attending the annual Composer Symposium in Atlanta, Ga. this June.

Faye Lopez highly recommended this event to me several years ago and I’m finally going! 🙂 Very excited about learning more to enhance my music writing!

“He” early advanced piano arrangement can be reviewed or purchased HERE

“Were You There” very advanced piano arrangement can  be reviewed or purchased HERE

Special note: “He” is under copyright so unable to provide video of entire arrangement.

Video of the Very Advanced Version of Where You There…

I keep forgetting about sharing this advanced piano arrangement of My Savior’s Love.   Thought I’d better do so in time for some of you to  learn for Easter 🙂

I published this one in 2009…yeah…and forgot all about it until recently when one of my facebook friends mentioned liking the arrangement  and someone today asked if it was available. That put me on a search!

It took a while for me to locate the original file but came across it tonight.  So…hope it can be used by some of you church pianists out there! 🙂

My Savior’s Love (advanced sacred piano solo)

The contest I entered on SMP Press begins tomorrow…March 1, 2017!   I entered “Were You There” very advanced arrangement and “He”  early advanced arrangement.

Audio sample for “He”  HERE

Both songs are available on SMP Press right now but please wait if you can… to purchase starting tomorrow. The contest selling period ends on April 11, 2017.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Special deal for those who purchase either or both contest songs from Sheet Music Plus during the contest selling period…

You can choose one free arrangement from our music store for each contest song you purchase. (Maximum: two free arrangements) *Doesn’t include offsite arrangements.

Just email us your receipt from Sheet Music Plus and your choice(s) of arrangements from our music store.

The contest selling period ends April 11, 2017 and you have until April 20th to email your receipt for your free arrangement(s).

Click on the song titles in the first paragraph to view on Sheet Music Plus (the location of the contest).

Here’s a video of the very advanced version of Were You There.

Clarification: The early advanced version…the 2nd video below….is not part of the contest and it’s available in our music store now

For those of you who play early advanced level…this arrangement of Were You There is for you 🙂 (available HERE or below)

Special note: The early advanced arrangement of Were You There is not a part of the contest mentioned below.

For those of you who don’t know…I’ve entered  the 2017 Sacred Piano Music Contest hosted by SMPress (aka Sheet Music Plus).

I’ve  just submitted a VERY advanced version of “Were You There” and early advanced version of “He” to SMPress.

I’ve actually entered two categories this time.  1. Public domain hymn 2. Pre-approved Copyrighted Hymn

The selling period for the contest runs March 1st through April 11, 2017. The composer who generates the most profit during the selling period wins $300 per category and a badge is applied to their composer page giving them more credibility and exposure. See my SMPress composer page here. 

Those of you who can wait to purchase the VERY advanced “Were You There”  and/or “He”….during the contest selling period (March 1st through April 11th) can receive up to two free arrangements of your choice from our online music store *One free arrangement per song purchased. (Doesn’t include offsite arrangements)

All you need to do is…forward us the email receipt from Sheet Music Plus (SMPress) along with your free arrangement(s) request(s).  We will then email your free arrangement(s) the same day or the following morning.

Special note: I will provide the links to the competition arrangements once they are available.

Were You There? (Early advanced)

Early advanced sacred piano solo, 4 pgs. This intense arrangement paints a vivid picture of the death and resurrection of Christ. Your congregation will be greatly moved by this rendition of Were You There.

Price: $4.95

For those of you who don’t know…I’m entering the sacred piano writing contest hosted by SMPress (aka “Sheet Music Plus“)

I’ll be entering two categories with REAL advanced arrangements:

1. Public Domain Category: “Were You There”

2. Copyrighted Hymn: “He”

Both of these arrangements will first be available on Sheet Music Plus… the duration of the contest selling period which is March 1st through April 11th, 2017.  After April 11th…it will also be available on our site.

Basically, whichever contestant sells the most copies of their arrangements during March 1st through April 11th …wins!

But wait! There’s a catch. You will see these arrangements on SMPress’ site as early as February 21st but please wait to purchase March 1st through April 11th… IF you don’t mind helping me win the contest. My website gains more exposure if I win.  Thanks to you and many others…I won first place last spring with  “God Bless America” arrangement… seen HERE.  (only available on Sheet Music Plus due to copyright laws).

Chance to receive two free piano arrangements from our music store! How?

For those of you can wait to purchase during the contest selling period of March 1st through April 11th…will  receive up to two free piano arrangements (if buying both songs). Just email your receipt of purchase from Sheet Music Plus to receive two free piano arrangements of your choice! Or…buy one of the contest songs and received one free piano arrangement of your choice from our music store 🙂

I will post the Sheet Music Plus link to both of these songs by February 28th 🙂

Special note: The early advanced version of “Were You There” (not being entered in contest) will be available on our site beginning February 21st.

Audio sample for “He”

Audio excerpt for “He”

Special note as of February 7, 2017… Thanks to all who voted for the best ending.  Ending #2 is the winner! 🙂

I need your help!  🙂  Which ending sounds best for “Were You There?”

I’ll be publishing this Easter advanced piano solo very soon but need to settle on which ending to use.

Thanks for your input!  I will be asking for input from my Facebook readers as well.

Please comment below!  Thank you 🙂

Ending Choice #1

Ending Choice #2

The following excerpt was taken from my Easter arrangement “Were You There” (to be published sometime in Feb. 2017)

Many have asked how I play runs so fast and smooth.

My answer: fingering and body movement are important factors in creating a smooth and fast run.

Keep hands close to keys…wrist level with hands. Allow hands to follow shape of the note groups….turning thumb ahead of time to make smooth transition into next group of notes. (The thumb starts each group.) The body…waist up… should also follow the run….bend slightly at the waist to the right… and lean toward keys a little for full body support.

(Watch this video for demonstration of body support movement during similar runs) *Start about 1:10 on this video

Use fingering that follows the natural shape of the run…allowing for ease of movement throughout the run. ( suggested fingering for right hand run at measure 48… 1-2-3-5)

Notice the loose wrist and arm movement as I cross into each group. ( I prefer to play 4 groups of this run instead of 3 but trying to be reasonable 😉

The following video samples begin at measure 47  (first time…fast….second time…slow)

Fast Run

Slow Run

One of the many activities of a church pianist may include playing for weddings. I enjoy finding fresh new piano music that truly fits the occasion.

A couple of weeks ago while playing through  James Michael Stevens’ recently published collection entitled… “Dreams of Jewels”… I realized the songs would be perfect for a wedding! All of the pieces are lovely but I especially like “Opal Dreams” and “Aquamarine Dreams”. (I’ve always loved James’ style!)

“Dreams of Jewels” would make a nice piano collection for any church pianist needing prelude or reception music for a wedding.  The collection provides 15 pages of music.  James has other collections as well that would probably be very appropriate for a wedding.  His music can be found at the following link: SMPress

Samples of my favorite selections from “Dreams of Jewels”…

Opal Dreams

Aquamarine Dreams

Sick all last week so….

Been at my working station wee hours of morning into the afternoon working on:

“Jesus Paid it All” Ladies’ 2 part arrangement

“The Cleansing Wave” choir 2 part arrangement

“Were You There” advanced piano solo (VERY INTENSE due to nature of lyrics)