I have been spending time adding a few things to my music store. Several audio samples have been added to existing arrangements.

The newest piano duo arrangement was just added today. It’s a piano duo of “Since I Have Been Redeemed”.

This arrangement is one of our church’s favorite offertories.  The piano duo is very lively and easy to learn in a short amount of time.

Sample audio of page one

Click below for audio of this free vocal arrangment:

The Haven of Rest (part one two three)

Click here to print copy of music:  Haven_ of _Rest _Vocal_ arrangement_part_three

The Haven of Rest (part three)

 The Haven of Rest is such a comforting hymn.  Part two of this vocal arrangement contains the first part of  the chorus. 

(It would be beneficial to print the music (both pages) so you can see it as I describe the piano accompaniment.)

Special note: I forgot to include the last word and notes on page one.

I have included page one (part one) again with the correction…as well as page two (part two).

Click here to print: The Haven of Rest part one and two

Description of the piano accompaniment for page two:

The chorus reveals the result of salvation…the sweet assurance that comes from asking Jesus to be your Saviour.

The beginning of the chorus begins with an upward movement in the right hand on the word “I’ve”…to portray an overwhelming sense of joy as the lost soul accepts Christ as their Saviour.

Then…a full chord in the right hand on the word “anchored” to depict a steadfast, secure sound.

Notice the upward sweep of sixteenth notes in measure___for a vivid picture of the word “sail”.

Part three will start with a troubled tone…”The tempest may sweep o’er the wild stormy deep–In Jesus, I’m safe evermore.”

 I can’t wait to share this contrast in part three of “The Haven of Rest”.

It’s fun making the old hymns come to life with descriptive accompaniment.

“The Haven of Rest” is one of my favorite hymns. I usually hear this hymn performed as a vocal solo.

As a pianist, we must learn to make the text come to life by animated accompaniment…making the message even more real and meaningful.

The first verse begins with a troubled scene of a lost soul but ends with the rescue by the Saviour!

So…we begin with a mood of turmoil. I use an up and down pattern in the right hand to depict the boistrous waves of the sea.

Then…the waves suddenly grow calm…when I hear the sweet voice of my Saviour. ( Notice the movement lessens in the accompaniment.)

I just want to keep going and explain the next part of the accompaniment because the mood of happiness increases… creating a cascading wave of crescendo as Jesus floods the ‘saved’ soul with unexplainable peace!

You’ll have to wait…part two will reveal this joyous picture of salvation.

Click here for Haven of Rest (piano accompaniment~~~part one)

I enjoyed creating this sacred piano arrangement of “To God be the Glory”.

Part one of this free arrangement is available at the following link:

https://thechurchpianist.com/free-piano-arrangement/the-church-pianist-free-sacred-piano-arrangement-part-one/

Click here for part two of “To God be the Glory” arrangement

It is getting closer to Thanksgiving and thought I would share a free sacred piano arrangement of “To God be the Glory”.

This piano arrangement would work for a short offertory or prelude.

I usually play this style for prelude.

Remember, this is only part one of this  free arrangement.

Click here to download:  To God be the Glory part one

I’m working on several future articles at the moment and thought I’d share a video of one of my piano arrangements: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2veeUKNkTb8

Once again, you’ll observe how the personal interpretation (variable speeds and volumes) brings the message of the song to life.

This piano arrangement of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” can be downloaded for free at:

 https://thechurchpianist.com/fill-ins/the-church-pianist-what-a-friend-we-have-in-jesus-interpretation/

Finally! Here is part two of the free piano offertory
for this week.

This piano offertory is an old hymn reminding us of what
a special place heaven must be. 

The text depicts a happy mood. I tried to make it simple
but peppy.

Notice the bouncy rhythm in the left hand on page one
used to convey a cheerful message.

Audio sample: (Complete audio of this free piano offertory)

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_Medley

Click here to print music: How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be_page_two

I enjoy simple offertories…meaning…piano arrangements with a clear melody presentation.

Here’s part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this piano selection;

giving you explanations for my improvising ideas in this free offertory.

I don’t normally do this, but I’m creating this piano medley as I go. Part two

will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the “Heaven Medley”.

Hope you all had a great Sunday serving the Lord.

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Part Two

This easy offertory idea works great for two pianos

without the need for a fancy arrangement written for

two pianos.

I just type a simple layout of a hymn from the hymnal and

the other pianist and I play from the hymnal…adding our

own embellishments. This works well if both pianists can

improvise comfortably.

Here’s one we just did last Wednesday for an easy offertory.

In _Times_ Like _These