Generally on Sunday nights…Pastor has the church sing two choruses or hymns from the hymnal right before his sermon. (We don’t have a special every Sunday night).

This particular Sunday night he started talking about something else and so I thought maybe he wasn’t going to do the extra songs.

So…I began to prep my orchestra for a last minute offertory because the person lined up for offertory wasn’t able to play. (I had forgotten to check my texts or I would have seen the offertory cancellation. I had told the person they could just text me yes or no and I would fill-in if needed)

The orchestra sits right beside me so it was easy to be discreet.

All of a sudden it grew quiet…I looked up to see all eyes looking my way. “Uh oh,” I humbly replied. “What song?”

I had missed hearing Pastor call out the song for the church to sing and they were waiting on an introduction.

Needless to say, everyone laughed! How embarrassing!  My husband who does the sound…thought it was hilarious!

He later told me, “Oh well…maybe everyone needed a good laugh!”

I’ll try to do better! 😉 I’m sure other church pianists have humorous stories to tell!  Please feel free to share your stories below!

I have fifteen copies of the Christmas cantata “Herald the News” in fair condition as described below:

Covers and pages are in great shape! CLICK ON IMAGE TO PREVIEW ON YOUTUBE

Most books have a minimal amount of pen or pencil markings

Three of the books have name in pen on front cover (small writing)

One copy has a blemish with small amount of a scratch in cover

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We also have eleven more copies of this cantata but most books either have worn binding; two have no covers

These eleven copies are well-used but in readable condition

Price for the fifteen in fair but good condition: $15 plus $5 shipping

Price for the eleven in well-used condition: $10 plus $4 shipping

Price for both sets: $30 (includes shipping)

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

I enjoy playing through this nice sacred piano book “Lost in Wonder, Love, and Praise” by Mary McDonald and published by Lorenz.

My most favorite one in the book is Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy. It’s just…..beautiful!  I always have a soft spot for minor key songs.

Listen to several excerpts from the book below.

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)  😉

Hey! Just played a medley for offertory tonight that I REALLY enjoyed (homespun of course;)

Oh How He Loves You & Me (followed by…..)
O How I Love Jesus (chorus only)
Tag: the last line of Oh How He Love You & Me

Busy times here lately so just barely time for a quick video tutorial on In the Sweet By and By.

One of my readers recently requested piano solo ideas for In the Sweet By and By and here’s what I had time to share.

Editor notes for first half of verse: 

Left hand (eighth note movement to produce a flowing affect)

Right hand used one four note fast passage (16th notes) for dressup….see if you notice where it occurred 🙂

Editor notes for second half of verse:

Left hand pattern changed for variety (Eighth note…quarter note…eighth note…..etc.) *See above picture for illustration of rhythmic pattern.

Right hand: I added alto note for more fullness

Chorus:

Less movement for variety

Occasional rhythmic dress-ups in right hand

I truly appreciate all the kind words of encouragement that I’ve received over the years from my readers.

Just thought I would share a recent note and video from a couple of my  readers.  Loren & Louise are a husband and wife team who volunteer of their time to  minister through music to various churches in their area as needed for Sunday services, weddings and funerals.

I would love to meet Loren & Louise in person just as I would those of you I’ve corresponded with through the years. (We can meet for sure in Heaven)  🙂

Thanks again for all of you encouragers!  That’s what keeps me writing 🙂

Loren and Louise are playing my arrangement of “Draw Me Nearer & Close to Thee” …available HERE

*Loren and Louise apologized for the organ and piano being somewhat out of tune but I could easily overlook that as I heard them play from their hearts 🙂

Just published “Jesus Loves Even Me” as a piano duet (4 hands) and two pianos (4 hands).

Not everyone has two pianos in their auditorium so hopefully this is helpful for both situations.

I wrote the teacher part for our Pastor’s Mom to play with one of  her grand daughters for the first time ever 🙂

It definitely was a special moment as you’ll see below 🙂  *Minimal changes were made to the one piano version.

Jesus Loves Even Me (One Piano 4 Hands)

Student Part: 2 pgs. (Late beginner) Teacher part: 4 pgs. (Early intermediate) *Two Piano Version is also available on Piano Ensemble page (same levels) See youtube video below of the two piano version which is very similar to the one piano four hands version.

Price: $5.00

Jesus Loves Even Me (Two Pianos)

Student Part (2 pgs) Late beginner, Teacher Part (4 pgs.) Early intermediate *Also available for one piano - four hands on the Piano Duet Page

Price: $5.00

I arranged “Jesus Loves Even Me” with a teacher/student scenario in mind which worked well for this Grandma & grand daughter team. This was their first time to play together. Exciting!  (To be published hopefully by this weekend…August 4, 2018)

Pastor’s Mom and youngest daughter, Debra Bixler and Allissa Bixler played for the offertory this past Sunday morning.

It’s a joy to see family take part in the music ministry of the church!