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

From an accompanist’s point of view..

I like it when a person looks me up at least two weeks in advance to practice their scheduled vocal or offertory special instead of waiting until the last minute to rehearse.

This doesn’t include those who have to fill in at the last minute.

Which brings me to another topic…

It would be great if we all had a standby song/arrangement ready to play at a moment’s notice.  People do get sick or have other unavoidable circumstances arise that makes for last minute cancellations. If we could get all of our special music crowd (vocal or instrumental) to do this (including ourselves).

Which reminds me…it’s time for me to rehearse standby offertory specials! 🙂

What I’m reviewing: (Click on titles to go to source of arrangement)

“It is Well” arranged by Faye Lopez (my favorite “It is Well” advanced arrangement!)

“I Am Thine O Lord” arranged by Faye Lopez

“Jesus Paid it All” arranged by Mary Lynn Van Geldren (beautiful arrangement!) *Checking on availability

“Rescue the Perishing” arranged by Jenifer Cook (practicing for upcoming mission’s conference)

My daughter-in-law, Jackie Cook and I finally got together to create this video of my sacred violin arrangement of “Nearer My God to Thee.”

Thank you Jackie for suggesting that I create a violin arrangement for “Nearer My God to Thee”.  It was also a blessing to hear you play this piece!

I am not a violinist by nature 😉 so….Jackie gave me several great pointers in order to maintain the intermediate level of this arrangement.

I hope this arrangement of “Nearer My God to Thee” is a blessing to you as well.  Sheet music available HERE

Side note:  Jackie’s next violin solo request “This is My Father’s World”.