Update: Two Piano Christmas Duo!

October 3rd, 2017

glistening blue christmas ornament15

I’m feverishly writing an advanced two piano Christmas duo for another SMPress competition. I have to turn it in by October 10th!
Meryt Wilson and I will be premiering this Christmas piano duo on October 12th at 8pm….live on facebook at the following link…   https://www.facebook.com/thechurchpianist/

Please join us for an evening of fun as other church pianists gather round to learn a few tips on modulation and accompanying 6/8 hymns.

Here’s a sampling of “Gesu Bambino” two piano arrangement (It’s similar to the arrangement on my “Simply Christmas” CD.

GESU BAMBINO

Upcoming Live Facebook Event: Pattern for 6/8 Timing!

October 1st, 2017

I will be sharing how to use this pattern for 6/8 timing at our Live Facebook Church Pianist session on October 12th 8pm EST

Mark your calendars now and join us!  See you soon!

https://youtu.be/KLNg-UzcdGw

Last Day for Suggested Topic(s) for Upcoming Facebook Live Session

September 25th, 2017

Today is the last day to turn in your suggested topic(s) for the upcoming Facebook live session for church pianists on October 12 at 8pm.

The “most suggested” comment will be our main topic. I will announce our topic in a couple of days.

Click “comment” below to leave your suggested topic(s).

Oh…wanted to mention….my friend Meryt Wilson will be my cohost! She teaches piano at Ambassador Baptist College. We’ll open the session with a brand new Christmas two piano number (which I’m working on at the moment for another SMPress Contest).

Excited about this event!  Mark your calendars now!

Facebook Live Event for Church Pianists!

September 24th, 2017

Church Pianist Mini Session: Live on Facebook!

September 18th, 2017

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For those of my readers on facebook….I’ll be going live on Thursday, October 12th from 8-8:30pm (could last longer)

I will make this video available on my website a couple days after the live facebook session.

I’m asking my church pianist readers to give suggested topics. I will choose the “most mentioned” topic for this session…if reasonable enough 😉  You have until September 25th to enter your topic!

Submit your suggested topic(s)  below.  Thanks!  Looking forward to this time of fellowship and learning!

 

Sacred Trio Arrangement: Will You Receive His Gift?

September 17th, 2017
Click here for sheet music.

Click here for sheet music.

Just sang “Will You Receive His Gift?” in a trio for our recent revival with Dwight Smith.

I enjoyed singing this song about Jesus’ free gift of salvation and how one only needs to believe and receive this wonderful gift. This particular arrangement was easy to learn…great harmony…allowing us to focus on the message. Thank you Niki Lott for writing such a  beautiful song!

 

 

“The Potter’s Hands” Words & Music by Mina Oglesby

September 2nd, 2017

Your ladies’ ensemble will love singing this beautiful song by Mina Oglesby.  The text describes how we are just plain old clay and how God is our Potter.  He’s molding our lives to make us vessels of love.

I hope to reunite the ladies’ ensemble I directed years ago that sang this actual arrangement and share it with you all via video.

I do have a youtube video of Mina singing “The Potter’s Hands” and will share below…(THE ACCOMPANIMENT ON THE VIDEO IS NOT MY ARRANGEMENT) *LISTEN TO AUDIO SAMPLE)

The Potter's Hands (duet)
Sacred vocal two part arrangement for ladies' ensemble. Words & music by Mina Oglesby and arranged by Jenifer Cook. *Price covers two or more copies.
You need to have the Audio Player Plugin installed to use this shortcode
Price: $8.00

 

“Nearer My God to Thee” (with added bow & slur marks for violin)

August 24th, 2017

I met a nice young lady at the Composer Symposium this past summer who attends the church where my husband and I were married!

She is a great violinist and offered to add the violin bow & slur marks to my arrangement of “Nearer My God to Thee”.  It has taken me a while to finalize the arrangement but now complete and available in our music store.

A big thanks to Abby Phillips for adding the violin markings! See video of Abby below playing her own arrangement of “I’d Rather Have Jesus” in her home church.

Nearer My God to Thee
Sacred violin solo w/ piano accompaniment; 4 pgs. *Price covers two copies. A nice solo piece for any occasion. The beautiful melody of this hymn flows gently back and forth between the piano and violin. *Bowing & slur marks included for violin.
Price: $4.50

Abide With Me (Critiqued Version)

August 23rd, 2017

The critiqued version of Abide With Me is a result of my critique at the Composer’s Symposium this past summer in Atlanta.

Most of the editing was the result of a private lesson with Marty Parks.  Very thankful for his input! He shared a great pointer on how to better communicate rhythmic interpretation in written music.

(Thanks to Robert Sterling and Brad Nix for pointing out the 9 over the tuplets for clarity). I just honestly had shied away from learning how to input tuplets with Finale and FINALLY learned how! 🙂 Thanks to Joseph Martin for his overall encouragement and teaching spirit 🙂 Also, thanks to John Parker for his written comments on the arrangement!

For example, instead of a breath mark (large looking comma)…just insert a rest…makes a clearer statement. Also, NOT to show key change too early which is what I ALWAYS do! 😉 *See key change illustrations below the video.

Due to requests for the critiqued version…there are now two different arrangements of Abide With Me in our music store…the advanced original version & Critiqued version. Those who like a challenge will enjoy playing the critiqued version….which contains minor editing changes…ending with a run up the keyboard.  Listen to the critiqued version below…

 Now to show you the original and new key change correction 🙂

Original key change:

Abide-With-Me-resized-2

The new key change:

Abide-With-Me-new-pg-2

Abide-With-Me-new-pg-3

 

Sacred Piano and Vocal Music for Sale

August 17th, 2017

Group-Book-Pic

I periodically downsize my sacred music library and have several sacred piano and vocal books available. Just click on image above for more details.