Tomorrow is the second and last one hour class for hymn playing this summer.  The first class dealt with five part congregational style playing, phrasing and learning the different types of hymns/songs from the hymnal.

I will continue to develop my curriculum during this  school year as I share the lessons with my students.

Tomorrow’s session will cover fill-in notes for the dotted quarter note, half note and dotted half note.

I’m in the beginning stage for working up a tutorial book for hymn playing. Here’s one of the many examples I will be sharing tomorrow.

The class is made up of my early intermediate to intermediate students.

(Keep in mind this project is still under construction).

Recently, one of my daughter-in-laws was searching for a piano arrangement of “Praise to the Lord the Almighty.”

She needed an easy enough level to learn in time to play for her brother’s wedding during the candle-lighting.

I searched and didn’t find a version she could learn in time. My answer….I wrote a fairly easy arrangement….knowing she could easily embellish on her own. I plan to publish this easy-to-play arrangement ASAP!

Just as a reminder. The hymns in a hymnal are written for voice parts only.  The pianist has to adapt the hymns to sound more piano-like.

Play the hymnal version vs. the revised version to feel the difference. The revised version should feel smoother and sound less mechanical.

All you’re doing is creating tied notes for the repeated alto notes and half note octaves for the left hand.

The timing of publication for this arrangement was good for me.

I needed the reminder of seeking God’s comfort…a place of quiet rest…near to the heart of God.

May this arrangement be used to encourage others.

Near to the Heart of God

Early advanced sacred piano solo arranged by Jenifer Cook A very devotional setting for this well loved hymn. Christians can find a place of quiet rest ...only found in Jesus.

Price: $3.75

I’m unable to publish my arrangement of Near to the Heart of God today.

Our internet service is the cuplprit.

Hopefully I will be able to publish the arrangement tomorrow.

I will keep in touch.

I was able to at least publish the video of the arrangement.

Just finished creating an early advanced piano hymn solo entitled…”Near to the Heart of God”.

There is truly a place of quiet rest, a place of comfort sweet and a place of full release!

We can find peace and comfort if we stay “Near to the heart of God.”

Here’s a glance at the first page of this heart-felt arrangement.  Take your time as you travel across the keys… with a message of hope.

I will publish this arrangement by June 9th 2025

When I first started out with my website, I didn’t always publish a youtube video for each arrangement.

So…I’m now creating youtube videos for the arrangements lacking a video.

Here are the first four…

I’m working on a late intermediate piano solo of “Christ Arose”.  I will use B flat and C major in this piece.

I created a poll on my facebook musician’s page yesterday with a choice of three different Easter songs.

So far…”Christ Arose” has the most votes.  Over half of the arrangement has been created…in handwritten form.

It takes a lot less time inputting the song into my software than it does to initially create it by hand.

Trying to finish asap.

Update:  Publishing this arrangement tomorrow (March 29th 2025)

My sickness has slowed me down but getting better.

I will be publishing “The Holy City” very advanced piano solo tomorrow by 8pm! (EST)

This has been the most challenging arrangement I’ve ever written!  I tried to stay true to the original texture of this piece.

Since the original arrangement is public domain, I was able to adapt and rearrange this piece for a piano solo.

Hope some of you are able to learn this in time for Easter!

Special note:  The entire arrangement is eight pages.  For a shorter version:  Omit pages three and four.  My recording is the shorter version.