Just finished playing for a creation conference here this week. Due to limited time, I’m sharing a sacred vocal solo by my dad, Reece Yandle.   He wrote this song several years ago entitled “When I Looked Up to the Cross”.  

The following songs  by Reece Yandle, have been published by Soundforth.  Each of these songs are included in a book of sacred solos and or duets.

Who Will Go? (with a misson emphasis)

By the Grace of God

Nevertheless, Thy Will be Done

I recently added another one of dad’s songs, “Cleft of the Rock” to the music store.

Now…on to dad’s video of the sacred vocal solo…”When I Looked Up to the Cross”

I enjoy playing medleys for offertory. The following arrangement entitled “Prayer Medley” contains two hymns that are very dear to my heart.

Link to piano arrangement: Prayer Medley

Every church pianist can use a free piano hymn arrangement:)   “Jesus Loves Me”, although sung mostly by children, is still an excellent hymn to play for offertory sometime.

This arrangement is best suitable for the pianist attending a small church.

I hope you enjoy this simple, homespun offertory.

Click title below to get your free arrangement:

Piano  Hymn Arrangement of “Jesus Loves Me”

Post by Jenifer Cook

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

One of my readers recently asked some excellent questions and thought I’d share them with some answers that may help other church pianists in similar situations.

Question #1

Just wondering how often/how long your groups practice each week….

Answer:

The following answers are not intended to be the best answers for all churches. People and their abilities vary from church to church.

So many of our choir members are involved in various ministries which limits their availabity to practice.

The majority of our choir does not read music but are willing to sing for God’s glory:)  

Our large ensembles (consisting of 6 or more people) practice at least five times before singing.

The practice sessions are usually no more than ten minutes each. Therefore, we learn easy arrangements (no more than two parts). 

Question #2

Do you and the other pianists’ pick the music or the singers?

Answer:

Once again, every church has a different situation. At our church, we have not had a steady song leader for a great length of time.

It seems as though God has called our church to prepare young men going into full-time Christian service:)   We are located a little over an hour from Ambassador Baptist College. Over the past several years, some of the college men have commuted to our church to help out in the various ministries.

 But in time, each of them have been called into full time Christian service elsewhere. It’s hard to see them go but thankful we could play a part in preparing them for what lies ahead in their life.

The pastor is glad to have me and the other pianist work up small and large ensembles for specials.   The pianists generally help choose the small and large ensemble music. Ocasionally, one of the ensemble members will suggest a song and we will use it… if it works well with the entire group.

Question #3

Does your church have a choir?  

Answer:

Yes.  Our choir meets for practice once a week on Sunday nights from 5 – 5:30pm.  Presently, our Pastor, with the help of  another college student, helps lead the choir. 

I will share a video of our men’s large ensemble to give you an idea of what we do.

Here’s a free copy of the music schedule I use for scheduling special music.

We usually insert special music on a Wednesday at least once a month but I left it out of this free handout.

I wish we could have special music every Wed. but time limits adequate practice for that many entries per month.

To prevent excess schedule conflicts, I make a rough draft copy…using a pencil to fill in the slots. Then I email everyone to verify the date works for them.  Several days later, I create the final schedule and email them a copy.The whole process takes at least three to four days.

Click on the following title for free copy of music schedule: January February Special Music Schedule

If you would like a blank schedule (without months and dates)…just leave a comment below requesting a blank template of the music schedule).

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