I truly appreciate all the kind words of encouragement that I’ve received over the years from my readers.

Just thought I would share a recent note and video from a couple of my  readers.  Loren & Louise are a husband and wife team who volunteer of their time to  minister through music to various churches in their area as needed for Sunday services, weddings and funerals.

I would love to meet Loren & Louise in person just as I would those of you I’ve corresponded with through the years. (We can meet for sure in Heaven)  🙂

Thanks again for all of you encouragers!  That’s what keeps me writing 🙂

Loren and Louise are playing my arrangement of “Draw Me Nearer & Close to Thee” …available HERE

*Loren and Louise apologized for the organ and piano being somewhat out of tune but I could easily overlook that as I heard them play from their hearts 🙂

Just published “Jesus Loves Even Me” as a piano duet (4 hands) and two pianos (4 hands).

Not everyone has two pianos in their auditorium so hopefully this is helpful for both situations.

I wrote the teacher part for our Pastor’s Mom to play with one of  her grand daughters for the first time ever 🙂

It definitely was a special moment as you’ll see below 🙂  *Minimal changes were made to the one piano version.

Jesus Loves Even Me (One Piano 4 Hands)

Student Part: 2 pgs. (Late beginner) Teacher part: 4 pgs. (Early intermediate) *Two Piano Version is also available on Piano Ensemble page (same levels) See youtube video below of the two piano version which is very similar to the one piano four hands version.

Price: $5.00

Jesus Loves Even Me (Two Pianos)

Student Part (2 pgs) Late beginner, Teacher Part (4 pgs.) Early intermediate *Also available for one piano - four hands on the Piano Duet Page

Price: $5.00

I arranged “Jesus Loves Even Me” with a teacher/student scenario in mind which worked well for this Grandma & grand daughter team. This was their first time to play together. Exciting!  (To be published hopefully by this weekend…August 4, 2018)

Pastor’s Mom and youngest daughter, Debra Bixler and Allissa Bixler played for the offertory this past Sunday morning.

It’s a joy to see family take part in the music ministry of the church!

As promised…here’s the impromptu version of “It is Well” which I played by a mountain stream while on vacation this past spring.

It is Well (by the mountain stream)

Late intermediate piano solo; 3 pgs. Approx. length 1:20 *Jenifer's requested version of "It is Well" that she recorded by a mountain stream while on vacation.

Price: $3.75

Busy this morning entering “It is Well” (late intermediate piano solo) into my computer program for publication very soon!

Just finished the handwritten copy of “It is Well”.  Hope to publish it sometime this week! 🙂

Getting excited!  Only two more songs to edit before turning the book into Lorenz Publishing. (Due to Lorenz by July 1, 2018)

The book title is “My Redeemer and Friend” (subject to change if necessary) Early intermediate sacred piano solo arrangements.

Here’ s the official song list for the book.

I confess, I played an impromptu offertory  from the hymnal last night.  Actually, if truth be told, I play simple offertories most of the time.

(We also attend a small country church where “simple” is best 🙂

The older I get….the more simple I become 🙂  (You young ones may understand this later on in life).

I do enjoy playing a nice well thought out arrangement but it’s nice to return to a less crowded piece as well.

In my younger years, I played ONLY pre-made arrangements with LOTS of frills. (We were also in a larger church at the time).

Now…I find it soothing to play a hymn in a less busy style….allowing me to focus more on the message of the song.

Of course, what may seem simple to me may sound fancy to someone else since I do incorporate runs as the need arises 😉

Just curious… what do you play for offertories the most…full-fledged arrangements….simple arrangements…..or a little of both?

Need piano offertory ideas for When I Survey? I just shared a few tips with a skype student yesterday that may be helpful for other church pianists.

Keep in mind this lesson is geared to the early intermediate student but the tips are applicable to all levels of church pianists.

I know…last minute… but needed to write a piano duet for myself and a friend to play this Sunday morning. I kept trying to find an easy one to throw together at the last minute but couldn’t find exactly what I wanted.

So…I created an easy piano duet of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today”.  My life has been crazy busy and haven’t had a chance to practice in advance…so this piece worked out great!

Christ the Lord is Risen Today!

Late intermediate to early advanced Easter piano duet. (one piano four hands) 4 pgs. *Price covers two copies. Written for a fast & easy to learn situation! (for the early advanced pianist)

Price: $5.25