I keep forgetting about sharing this advanced piano arrangement of My Savior’s Love.   Thought I’d better do so in time for some of you to  learn for Easter 🙂

I published this one in 2009…yeah…and forgot all about it until recently when one of my facebook friends mentioned liking the arrangement  and someone today asked if it was available. That put me on a search!

It took a while for me to locate the original file but came across it tonight.  So…hope it can be used by some of you church pianists out there! 🙂

My Savior’s Love (advanced sacred piano solo)

Ever wondered what makes a grand piano sound better than most uprights?  Robert Estrin with LivingPianoVideos does a wonderful job answering this question.

I’m in the market for a new piano and educating myself before making such a large investment. Here is what Robert has to say about the upright piano vs. a grand piano.

The contest I entered on SMP Press begins tomorrow…March 1, 2017!   I entered “Were You There” very advanced arrangement and “He”  early advanced arrangement.

Audio sample for “He”  HERE

Both songs are available on SMP Press right now but please wait if you can… to purchase starting tomorrow. The contest selling period ends on April 11, 2017.

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

Special deal for those who purchase either or both contest songs from Sheet Music Plus during the contest selling period…

You can choose one free arrangement from our music store for each contest song you purchase. (Maximum: two free arrangements) *Doesn’t include offsite arrangements.

Just email us your receipt from Sheet Music Plus and your choice(s) of arrangements from our music store.

The contest selling period ends April 11, 2017 and you have until April 20th to email your receipt for your free arrangement(s).

Click on the song titles in the first paragraph to view on Sheet Music Plus (the location of the contest).

Here’s a video of the very advanced version of Were You There.

Clarification: The early advanced version…the 2nd video below….is not part of the contest and it’s available in our music store now

Many of you have asked about how to finger the runs and glissando in Then Sings My Soul piano arrangement.

Here’s a demo of the glissando on the last page of Then Sings My Soul.

Tip: I began the glissando with my 2nd finger…then immediately turned 2nd & 3rd finger under… and glazed across the keys…no need to batter your fingers with too much pressure 😉

I will give fingering tips soon for the runs in Then Sings My Soul.

Video Tip: If you pause and drag the timeline on video …you can watch in slow motion for a better look at the glissando.

Special note as of February 7, 2017… Thanks to all who voted for the best ending.  Ending #2 is the winner! 🙂

I need your help!  🙂  Which ending sounds best for “Were You There?”

I’ll be publishing this Easter advanced piano solo very soon but need to settle on which ending to use.

Thanks for your input!  I will be asking for input from my Facebook readers as well.

Please comment below!  Thank you 🙂

Ending Choice #1

Ending Choice #2

Just re-published “Then Sings My Soul” formerly known as “How Great Thou Art”.

I was asked by the music company that  owns the lyrics to the words of “How Great Thou Art” to rename this arrangement or otherwise pay royalties for the use of the phrase “How Great Thou Art”.

I personally don’t feel they can universally own the phrase “How Great Thou Art” but sincerely want to stay above board on this issue.  (It’s been and is still a very controversial issue with others besides myself).

The reason for my delay was trying to locate the original file to rename the arrangement.  I just found the file this morning while rummaging through old files that I had searched before numerous times.  (I was thinking the file had been lost a couple years ago when I accidentally deleted alot of my music files)

I’ve had MANY requests for this arrangement since taking it offline for awhile during the re-naming process.

Thanks for your interest!  I truly enjoy writing for you all!

Then Sings My Soul

Advanced sacred piano solo, 4 pgs. One of Jenifer's best sellers! See video below

Price: $5.00

The following excerpt was taken from my Easter arrangement “Were You There” (to be published sometime in Feb. 2017)

Many have asked how I play runs so fast and smooth.

My answer: fingering and body movement are important factors in creating a smooth and fast run.

Keep hands close to keys…wrist level with hands. Allow hands to follow shape of the note groups….turning thumb ahead of time to make smooth transition into next group of notes. (The thumb starts each group.) The body…waist up… should also follow the run….bend slightly at the waist to the right… and lean toward keys a little for full body support.

(Watch this video for demonstration of body support movement during similar runs) *Start about 1:10 on this video

Use fingering that follows the natural shape of the run…allowing for ease of movement throughout the run. ( suggested fingering for right hand run at measure 48… 1-2-3-5)

Notice the loose wrist and arm movement as I cross into each group. ( I prefer to play 4 groups of this run instead of 3 but trying to be reasonable 😉

The following video samples begin at measure 47  (first time…fast….second time…slow)

Fast Run

Slow Run

Gearing up for Easter music!  Planning ahead is the key! How many of you church pianists are involved in planning for your church’s Easter service?

I’m trying to decide on a nice Easter ensemble medley for maybe three to four pianos, flutes and clarinet for an offertory. Feeling the creative juices flowing too! I think I’ll adapt my trio piano version of “Power in the Blood Medley” for this group.

Concerning choir music…we usually don’t have a full-fledged program due to time limitations but try to learn new songs for these special occasions.

One of my favorite Easter cantatas is “The Bread of Life” by Lloyd Larson. All of the music is very well done!  I found a fairly decent recording of this very cantata on youtube.  It helps to hear a good representation of the music before tackling a new song…also provides the director with the interpretation ideas of the song such as word coloring (emphasizing certain words to elevate the meaning of the text)…. and also….what tempo is most effective.

At this point, the one song we’ll be learning from this cantata is “Taste and You’ll See” a nice upbeat piece on the Christian’s experience  of God’s salvation.

I’m sure I’ll be sharing other resources for Easter offertories and vocal specials along the way as we look towards an effective Easter service for God’s glory!

So…start getting ready now for your Easter service while you have ample time! 🙂   Not counting the last week of December….Easter is 15 weeks from now.

Sounds like a long time but not when you’re preparing new music or a cantata….even if it’s an easy program.  Have fun as you seek out Easter music!

Many church pianists have already been practicing for their church’s Christmas program.

In many cases, the church pianist IS the choir leader and has the task of deciding what to do for a Christmas program.

My son is our choir director. He works at least 50 hours a week and the father of three small children. Needless to say,  I help out by coming up with a simple program to fit our 40 minutes per week choir practice time. (this accounts for starting roughly two months in advance; which may vary from church to church depending on your choir’s ability)

My son and I have about a 40 minute commute to church so we’re very time conscious!

Our most-involved Christmas program back in 2011 was entitled “Christmas at Home” by Ron Hamilton. We used the “readers theatre” version due to limited time. The main actors were acting their first play ever. (Part Two sampler of our Christmas at Home)

In recent years, we have experienced a much more pleasant, relaxing time through having easier Christmas programs.

I have written two VERY easy Christmas programs…one of which is FREE HERE.  I’m still editing the second FREE Christmas program.

Now…ideas for enhancing your Christmas Program…

• Lyrics taken from cantata books make for great narration when coordinating a chronological list of songs together for a short choir concert. (That’s what we’re doing this year)

• Include congregation by having them sing a song in the program. ( the choir could sing a descant taken from a hymnal while the congregation sings the melody) Another neat idea…have Pastor lead congregation in  reciting Luke 2:14 at the appropriate time during the program. Very effective! (Tip: Include Luke 2:14 in the Christmas program bulletin)

• The congregation could also stand and sing a song following their verse (Luke 2:14) Song suggestions: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World (include lyrics in the program bulletin)

Easy Christmas Program Suggestion:

1. Several different adults recite the Christmas story(Luke 2:1-19) in microphone off stage while children in appropriate costume act out the narration.

2. Stage setup:  Only two scenes: Manger scene center stage, shepherd scene on left or right of manger scene. (props for shepherd scene not necessary).

3. Songs can be inserted appropriately throughout the narration.

4. Extra tip:Remind children that they must listen to what’s being read so they can act accordingly…to avoid appearing mechanical

Also a good idea to remind narrators to read with conviction! It brings the story to life!!

Hopefully this will help church pianists or choir leaders trying to find last-minute ideas for an easy Christmas program.

Please feel free to leave comments or ideas below.

A reminder: I do have over a dozen FREE piano and vocal Christmas arrangements available HERE.

Sharing a few links that may give you an idea as well (don’t fully endorse all the ideas at these links… but you can sift out what you like)

Possible lyrics for poems

Creative Church Idea Attic

I’ve provided the recent “broadcast” from facebook.  *See written article below for essential information that goes with the video.

On a lighter note….”Don’t you just LOVE my piano?!  It’s one of a kind…..treble is at the bottom…bass at the top!  (Just kidding)  *The dilemma was a front facing camera.

Jenifer Cook is going live on Facebook this Thursday at 8 pm EST. (November 10, 2016)

Ever notice how a lot of Christmas hymns have frequent
accidentals…the makings for awkward hand movements…

Copy and paste this link in the URL field at the top of your browser page: https://www.facebook.com/Jenifer-Cook-602815303135832/?fref=ts

Print the following FREE music example pages for tonight’s “going live on facebook” session with Jenifer

O Little Town of Bethlehem (verse only)

O Little Town of Bethlehem (verse only w/ application)

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

There’s a Song in the Air

Have a pencil handy too!