I’m almost finished with the handwritten version of “His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Warning:  For the advanced church pianist, LOTS of runs!  🙂

This video gives suggestions on how to ease through an abrupt chord change in a hymn.  The hymn in this lesson is entitled “Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven”.

I had NEVER heard of this hymn until one of my readers recently shared it with me. Thanks Karen!

Download the two pages below before viewing the video. (For ease of reference)

Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (original version)

Where Jesus Is, ‘Tis Heaven (improvised version)

I wrote this arrangement for “Will Jesus Find Us Watching” several weeks ago after someone requested I play it for one of my recent facebook lives.

This particular hymn has a lot of life to it!  The melody and words go hand in hand.  The level of this arrangement looks to be about late intermediate to early advanced level.

I enjoyed creating this simple; straight forward arrangement requiring minimal practice for the early advanced church pianist. The arrangement begins in the key of F Major and ends in G Major. (two verses and choruses)

Time for me to update/revise our church special music schedule!

I want to better utilize my progressing piano students during the service.

Here’s a picture of the updated schedule.

Students will be playing during prelude & offertories to keep in shape!

For those who haven’t heard…I write hymns for my piano students to play for congregational singing or to use as a piano solo for offertory.

Having them play during prelude provides that extra opportunity to keep them well-versed in their hymn playing.

My piano students tell me they are not as nervous when playing for prelude. (Another benefit of using them for prelude music)

Our church family loves seeing the young ones so involved in the music ministry!

Come join me for an evening of Comforting Hymns at 8:30EST   (July 30, 2020)

When you click the following link…you may have to scroll down the page to see me live.

If you show up early….you may have to refresh the page to pull me in.

I start recorded music playing several minutes before 8:30pm to allow people time to find me.

Facebook Live link:  Comforting Hymns with Jenifer Cook

I think I just had my most embarrassing moment as a church pianist during the morning service today!

After the music portion of the service….I usually have to make a bathroom stop and then back into the auditorium for the preaching.

The morning service had flowed a little different since it was Pastor’s anniversary Sunday.

As I was coming out of the bathroom it hit me….oh no!  I forgot to accompany the vocal special which comes right after the offertory.

I almost ran into the female vocalist who was heading to the bathroom to check on me.  I confessed my memory lapse 😉

I felt like crying…feeling so bad for the singer.  She said she had gone up to the pulpit and waited for me a few seconds.  Poor girl!

She was SO sweet and understanding!

Her vocal special would have gone SO well with the Pastor’s message too!   I was happy when Pastor had her sing at the end of the service.  The timing actually worked out because the song just re-emphasized what Pastor had preached!  Hmm…maybe I’ve started a new order of service!

Anyone else have a humorous story to share? (Of course I wasn’t feeling too humorous this morning!)

Just this afternoon I had one of my intermediate students ask me, “What could I play during the echo section in the chorus of “It is Well?”

She enjoyed learning the left hand patterns I entered as a suggested route.  I told her if she would learn to recognize her chords in the hymnal…it would open up a whole realm of  improvising choices!

Click on the title below to download your copy of the chorus ideas for “It is Well.”

It is Well D Flat Major

Answer key for D flat major version (below)

My new sacred piano solos: “My Savior’s Love” arranged for one of my intermediate church pianist students.

“America the Beautiful” ready to use for any patriotic holidays!  Sorry for publishing this too late for July 4th but ideas wouldn’t flow until I got away for a much needed vacation!

I know it’s not the Christmas season but had to share a video of my FREE piano arrangement…”In the Bleak Midwinter” played by Fred, better known as…The African Pianist.  Thanks Fred for your dedication to the keyboard as well as your  contagious inspiration!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85rg5yJ9Nq4&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1plGALMabI54Of495Lxj2GzWUyw2VuajUubILDOEpw8w5SYnXqzI1BedU

I decided at the last minute to record myself playing comforting hymns on the piano this afternoon.

I hope these hymns bring comfort to you all during this season of life.

May God bless each one of you!