Are there other church pianists besides myself who work with instrumental or vocal groups for special music at your church?

Over the years I’ve developed some guidelines to help us use our time wisely. I know every church has its own level of abilities.  That being said, you may need more or less practice than what’s suggested below.

We stick with unison or two part arrangements for our ladies’ and two to three parts for our men’s groups. You would be amazed at how nice unison can sound… especially if the pianist can make up for lack of harmony by using  chord substitutions…creating a colorful; rich sound.

I try to allow for a total of six rehearsals when the arrangement is new to them. The group just stands around the piano for all but the last practice.  (Details below) In addition, I email practice audios for those wanting additional practice.  With the group providing surround sound around the piano…I’m able to listen to their blend, balance of parts, etc. and better coach them as they sing.  Once the group becomes familiar with the words…say…maybe after the first three practices…I’ll ask them a question about the approaching sentences in the song (while they’re singing and I’m playing)… forcing them to think about what they are singing. I LOVE doing this, because you can hear the difference in their voice expression…making for very effective communication!

For example, I’ll use the hymn “Amazing Grace” since everyone knows it 🙂   While the group is singing the first sentence..”Amazing grace how sweet the sound…”

I’ll ask the following question for the upcoming sentence…”What did God’s grace do for you?!”  They’ll answer in singing response “That saved a wretch like me!”  🙂   The results: A more meaningful delivery!

If it’s an arrangement they have done before…we may only have four practice sessions.

Our practice sessions are generally no more than 10 minutes.

General checklist for carrying out the group rehearsals:

1. Beginning of 1st practice (may need to cover at second practice too in case someone was missing at first practice), hand out practice schedule which includes the date and service for when they are singing.
2. Kindly tell the group that it will work best to attend all of the scheduled practices in order to be adequately prepared. Otherwise…they can wait until the next scheduled time. (Exception: missing one practice due to sickness or other unavoidable reason).
3.  Make following suggestion:  Arrange someone to watch your young kid(s) during these practices. (Our ladies are SO good about doing this)
4. Please remind them that each person is essential to the group as a whole. (Have them stand in the same order for each practice.)  Each person gets accustomed to singing by the same person for each practice so it can throw a person off when they’re missing a team member.
5. The vocal ensemble will practice on stage around the pulpit during the final rehearsal for  a sound check. (Arrange for sound person to be at this rehearsal so he or she can do the sound check.)
6. Our ultimate goal is to honor Christ by being adequately prepared. I Corinthians 14:40 “Let all things be done decently and in order.”*I usually have groups practice around the piano that I’m playing for a more up-close

Most of the above suggested guidelines will also apply to instrumental ensembles….depending on the age of your members.

Hopefully the information above has been an encouragement to other church pianists who work with vocal and/or instrumental ensembles.

*Next article: What details I work on with ensembles during these brief rehearsals

During choir practice yesterday afternoon…our choir was practicing “Faith is the Victory” in unison.

I noticed it was just SO awkward trying to grab all the melody notes…especially during the verse!

Each sentence of the verse starts on a fast note (eighth note) making it almost impossible to keep up with the melody. I thought, “The choir KNOWS the melody…why not delete the first word of each sentence to alleviate the awkwardness!?!  (Exception: I’ll play the first word of the song to allow for secure entry) 🙂

My mind devised a plan to ease up my old moving hands 😉  Time to have some fun!  Just stay within the vicinity of the melody and you won’t get AS lost 😉

Let the singers do the work!

The result: (Download the free pdf version of “Faith is the Victory” below)

Faith is the Victory

Customers from several years ago may have purchased this collection “Congregational Piano Hymn Arrangements Booklet Two”.

I published this collection several years ago but for some odd reason had not been showing up in my store.

I’ve also just published a congregational piano accompaniment for “Great is Thy Faithfulness” thanks to a reader who prompted me to publish it.

Both of these items can be found in my store HERE or you can purchase below.

Congregational Piano Hymn Arrangements (Booklet Two)

10 Late intermediate to early advanced piano congregational arrangements. 37 pages Songs include: And Can it Be, At the Cross, Come Thou Fount, Heaven Came Down, Higher Ground, I Shall Know Him (My Saviour First of All), It's Just Like His Great Love, My Faith Has Found a Resting Place, Near the Cross, What a Friend We Have in Jesus) *Special note: The arrangements in this booklet do not support the four-part singing found in most hymnals. *Other suggested uses: vocal solos, violin specials, unison choir specials. **Another special note: These arrangements can not stand alone as piano solos since some of the melody is absent during the piano accompaniment.

Price: $16.00

Great is Thy Faithfulness

Congregational piano accompaniment, late intermediate to early advanced, 4pgs Contains two verses and two choruses. *Supports unison or soprano and tenor voice parts. Not intended for four part singing.

Price: $4.50

I’m preparing a video tutorial on pedal suggestions for the church pianist who would appreciate some helpful tips on how to sound smooth when playing hymns.

Get ready with these prep tips!

1. Sit elbow length from the keys (knees should be slightly under keyboard.)
2.  Sit on front half of bench

More pedaling tips coming soon!

I enjoy writing  easy three-part arrangements for our Men’s ensemble.  “Are Ye Able” was one of my favorite hymns when growing up in church.

The stirring message of this hymn makes it suitable for a men’s group.  The main emphasis of this hymn speaks of loyalty to Christ…a great reminder for us all.

Our men’s ensemble really enjoyed singing this hymn as you will notice 🙂    Sheet music for “Are Ye Able” is  available below the video:

Are Ye Able Said the Master

Easy three part arrangement for men's ensemble. 4 pages Price covers one copy for pianist and one copy for each member of the group.

Price: $8.00

Just thought I’d share what I’m currently writing. I have been sick since Sunday and itching to get back to writing.  We were out of town all last week on a family visit…so looking forward to getting back to work…writing music!

Over the past several years I have been transcribing arrangements from my “Simply Christmas” CD.  I’m almost done with the handwritten version of “Manger Medley” as played on my Christmas CD.  I would consider this arrangement to be early advanced.

I recently arranged an easy men’s three part arrangement of  the old hymn “Are Ye Able,” Said the Master  The text of this hymn challenges us to live our lives fully for Christ…remembering how He sacrificed all to lay down His life for us. I’ll be publishing a video of one of our men’s group singing this arrangement and the sheet music will be availalble in our online music store at:

Oh how I love hymns with such rich meaning!  May we all focus more on what we’re singing. It’s SO easy to just get caught up on a melody.  (I needed that reminder)  😉

Ever have a hard time trying to figure out what to use for an interlude between verses when accompanying a vocalist or other small ensemble?

Here’s just one interlude method I use to help the soloist find his way back to the next verse…

Reece Yandle, my Dad, wrote “This is America” a patriotic vocal solo, about twenty-five years ago and I just re-discovered it on one of my recent visits to my parent’s house.

I told Dad he HAD to get this one published!

I will try to provide at least a sample video of “This is America” asap.

This beautiful patriotic anthem speaks of our loyalty to America and reminds us that God gave us America and how we need to keep her free!

Click on title to view sample page and audio:  This is America

Dad also has another Patriotic vocal solo available entitled “In God We Trust.” The words of this tasteful melody reminds us to trust in God no matter what comes our way. View sample page and audio:  In God We Trust

Do any of your special music people ask you to help them choose a special?  Over time…our special music people have learned that I ENJOY helping them choose a song.  Watch the video below to learn a suggested tip on how I help them choose their special. (There are other factors too but dealing with the main one first.)  🙂

Looking forward to attending a lady’s retreat to hear Mina Olgesby speak and sing!

If you ever listen to BBN or Rejoice Radio… then you have probably heard Mina sing.

She has recorded 20 Cds which are available on her site. For a limited time…. 3 Cds for only $20!

A nice assortment of Mina’s songbooks are also available for only $1 each (on sale).

One of my favorite songs by Mina is “We Have a Savior Who Cares”…such a comforting piece!

Today I added the solo version arrangement for “The Potter’s Hands” (words & music by Mina and arranged by Jenifer Cook.)

A nice Easter selection by Mina about the Lord’s return is “Rest Will Come in the Morning” …very upbeat 🙂