One of my readers asked me how I keep my music organized for services.

I just came up with a more reasonable way this past Sunday.

I created two sticky tabs to use in the hymnal for our two congregationals per service. The third sticky tab marked with a “C” stands for choir special.

Our choir typically sings a song from the hymnal for Sunday mornings because we don’t have everyone with us until Sunday night service.  Quite a few of our choir members either work in our children’s ministry or work in the nursery.

That’s just part of having a small church 🙂

My son, the choir director, has a notebook full of our 8.5 x 11 sheet music for the choir.  I have the same type notebook.

I think we’re going to create a hanging file for each of our notebooks because the notebooks are getting full!

We already have all of our choir music in hanging file folders in alphabetical order.

I also carry around a two pocket folder that houses my AM & PM sheet music for upcoming vocal & offertory specials.  Works great for me!

It’s also been helpful to have a hanging file folder for each person who sings on a regular basis.  They can always fall back on a song they’ve done before  in case they’re filling in at the last minute.

Here’s how my pianist hymnal would look like on a typical Sunday morning.

I included a pic of our “order of service” which the Pastor provides for us.

Thinking about Dad a lot lately. He’s been in heaven a little over a year now. (June 2)

I will always remember how Dad sang with gusto not only in his vocal solos but also while leading the congregational singing.
He truly felt the music.

The following tip is for church pianists who accompany vocal or instrumental solos. This pertains to soloists who are comfortable “taking the lead”.

It’s helpful to slow down prior to a fermata or slower section for emphasis.  Also, I try to keep the music moving forward during a held word to keep the music alive.  Basically,  FEEL the music with the soloist to give he or she the best “behind the scenes” support.  Remember to constantly monitor your accompaniment volume so as not to drown out the singer or instrumentalist. Have someone sit out toward the back of the auditorium during practice… to check volume between pianist and soloist.

Here’s Dad directing the congregational singing at the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools 50th Teacher Convention in 2017. The second video is me accompanying Dad.

Just thought I would show you a peek of Allissa, one of my piano students, who I’m training to be a church pianist.

She is doing very well!  I write the songs for her to play at her level so she can already be getting “hands on” experience before she’s even playing out the hymnal. She has been doing some reading from the church hymnal.

In the following raw video…Allissa is practicing with a young girl’s group while the choir loft is being decorated for this Wednesday night’s annual Christmas play by the kids of our church.  Looking forward to the program!  Our youth Pastor’s wife writes a play for each year!  She is very talented!

Here’s a song that one of my piano students wrote two years ago that would make a great Thanksgiving special!

He’s a Wondrous Glorious God.  The sheet music can be found at the following link

https://www.sheetmusicplus.com/title/he-s-a-wondrous-glorious-god-digital-sheet-music/21881166

“When I Looked up to the Cross”  is one of my most favorite songs written by my Dad, Reece Yandle.

This particular vocal solo is perfect for Easter.  I love the phrase, “When I looked up to the cross and gaze on His face. That’s when I thank Him for His love and His grace.”  It’s such a powerful song about the death and resurrection of Jesus. Click HERE to see Dad singing this piece.

Dad has another Easter type song entitled “Nevertheless Thy Will be Done” that’s also a great selection around Easter time.  I arranged both of these songs of Dad’s. However, this second piece is only available through Lorenz who is now under GIA Publications. The lyrics to this reflective song… opens with a scene of Jesus kneeling in the garden of Gethsemane and his heart-rending prayer…”Let this cup pass from me…nevertheless Thy will be done.”  The final phrase is “Thus cried the Savior God’s own Son, nevertheless Thy will be done.”

Also note, “Nevertheless Thy Will be Done”, is in a vocal book from various authors.

I do have another vocal arrangement in the same book written by one of my youth directors, Rusty Dillard, and it’s also a great song about the story of Joseph.

Click on the following song links for more information:

When I Looked Up to the Cross 

Nevertheless Thy Will be Done (offsite product) The name of this book is called “No Greater Love”.

Here’s the picture of the vocal song book for “No Greater Love”

Finished!  I’ve had this arrangement of “The Cleansing Wave” on the burner for quite some time.

I would like to thank Abby Phillips Lockaby for adding the violin accompaniment. She made it sound SOOOO pretty!

I didn’t do justice to her part but tried my best.

The Cleansing Wave (two to three part mixed)

Two Part Mixed Choir Arrangement (piano and vocal score included. Optional Violin also included. Violin part is geared to the more Advanced Violinist. Listen to the audio which includes piano vocal and violin score. *Special note: SAB on the last page. Piano & vocal score arranged by Jenifer Cook Price covers as many copies as needed for your ministry. Violin accompaniment by Abby Phillips Lockaby

Price: $8.00

I’ve been fine tuning two vocal arrangements to use around Easter time.

The first one is complete!  It’s a fairly easy two part ladies’ arrangement of “Jesus Paid it All” by John T. Grape.

I usually schedule at least 6 practices for this selection to make sure we have time to work on the expression once the notes are learned.

I’ll do my best to provide a video of this piece asap.

The second vocal arrangement of “The Cleansing Wave” is actually a two-part mixed choir piece with an optional beautiful violin accompaniment created by one of my music friends….(Abby Phillips) Lockaby.  She added just the right texture/sound to this flowing arrangement.  I’ll share an audio sample of the piano and violin score this week.

Jesus Paid it All

Sacred Two Part Ladies' Arrangement (for 2 or more vocalists) Price covers as many copies as you need. Great selection for the Easter season. Easy to learn! The most practice your ladies' group would need is maybe five rehearsals.

Price: $8.00

Jenifer’s recent “Comforting Hymns” on youtube

(Aired on July 25, 2021)

There seems to be a shortage of patriotic theme songs.

My Dad, Reece Yandle, wrote both of these soul-stirring patriotic solos that are easy-to-learn in a short time.

Both tunes are very singable.

This is America &  In God We Trust

I’m sharing the rest of “The Call for Reapers” as promised last weekend.

Tips for the complete arrangement:

1. For those who don’t like playing sharp keys…just easily transpose to E flat major. The notes are the same….just think three flats instead of four sharps!
2. Try applying the accompaniment pattern of the chorus to hymns of like nature and chordal structure such as:
3. Measures 25 – 27 would go well for the words “softly and tenderly Jesus is” for the hymn “Softly and Tenderly.”
4. Read the note at the bottom of the sheet music that you’re about to download…

Click here to download the chorus of “The Call for Reapers”

Part One can be found by clicking this line… “The Call for Reapers”