Finished inputting “His Eye is on the Sparrow” (all 6 pages)

I would be to my parent’s house by now for Father’s Day weekend but truck in shop prevented the trip.

So…here I sit catching up on His Eye is on the Sparrow 🙂

This particular arrangement has a very full-sounding accompaniment style which means pretty advanced level.

Now for final editing stage.  Here’s a sample from the piano/vocal arrangement for His Eye is on the Sparrow...(I used a flute for the vocal score in the recording)

His Eye is on the Sparrow

Just to let my readers know I have entered a contest with my advanced piano arrangement of God Bless America.

The contest is hosted by Sheet Music Plus.  The name of the contest is ArrangeMe which involves legally arranging copyrighted songs from a select list.

I normally don’t enter music writing competitions but I’ve always wanted to write a piano arrangement for God Bless America.

The contest rules are:  Whoever brings in the most money in sales between June 8th through July 12th 2016….wins $300

No pressure!  🙂  Available for sale at Sheet Music Plus  (Not for sale on our site due to copyright limitations).

Mina Oglesby, author of many songs such as “We Have a Saviour” and “Rest Will Come in the Morning” is selling her ten remaining song book titles for $1 each plus shipping while supplies last. (Special closeout sale!)

Mina’s songbooks make the perfect resource for church pianists who play for vocal specials.  The arrangements in the books are simplified and perfect for the church pianist who can improvise.

Mina’s songbooks can be purchased on her website at www.minao.com

Congregational playing if done properly, takes ALOT of energy!

Ever feel totally wiped out after congregational playing? If so, you’re doing something right!  🙂

I’ve heard a couple of approaches to teaching exciting congregational playing…first is to play VERY loud the whole time with no room for emotion vs. play with a big sound but leave room for emotion.  Shelly Hamilton refers to this second method as “kneading” into the keys for music quality…you can “dig” into the keys for a big sound-just not banging…to allow room for emotion.  Shelly mentions playing with “back” weight.  After trying the above methods…I prefer the latter way….much more enjoyable; adds warmth…more meaningful way of playing and the congregation responds well to this method!

The church pianist is to provide support to the congregational singing. Play with gusto!  Give solid sounding introductions. Make it sound like you know what you’re doing! 🙂  *It may help to bracket off the section(s) you play for intros in your hymnal or other songbook… so you won’t get lost.

Energetic playing is contagious!  Your congregation will catch on real quick!

Video Example:

Super excited to announce the publication of my advanced piano solo arrangement of God Bless America!  I’ve always dreamed about being able to publish such an arrangement but copyright prevented that.

Thanks to SMP Press, aka Sheet Music Plus,  ( a site I also publish sheet music through) … now offers a chance for its publishers to arrange 1000’s of copyrighted songs through ArrangeMe with SMP Press.  I plan to use this platform of opportunity as time allows.

The advanced piano solo arrangement of God Bless America is only available through SMP Press at the following link:

Just sharing the Mother’s day song that my Dad, Reece Yandle, wrote many years ago.

The sheet music is available in our store at:  https://thechurchpianist.com/music-store/vocal/unison/

or….   

My Mother

Sacred vocal solo or group special; unison. 3 & 1/2 pgs. *Price covers two or more copies. No audio included; pdf only

Price: $6.00

My piano accompaniment isn’t an exact replica of the printed piano score but close enough.

You will enjoy this mission song…”Bring Their Faces into Focus” by James Cordell and arranged by Jenifer Cook.

The song begins with a Christian’s plea to God… seeking a vision for lost souls amongst the busyness of life and its distractions.

A reminder for Christians  to focus on a world full of faces in need of the Saviour.

James shares the story behind this beautiful song…

“The last scene of  Duey Whitfield’s missionary presentation showed an outline of the Unites States filled with faces of people. However, the faces were intentionally blurry. 

Duey made the point that we so often pass people in our lives, but that they are a blur to us.

We do not take the time to focus on their faces and their need of  Christ. Out of that thought, this song was born.” 

James has dedicated this song to his friends, Duey and Melissa Whitfield, missionaries to the Spanish in the United States.

Bring Their Faces into Focus

Sacred vocal solo, Medium voice, 4 pgs. Great mission song! *Price covers two copies. The following audio is a close enough representation of the piano score.

Price: $5.50

I’ve had many requests for this mission song after posting it on youtube a couple of years ago. We’re excited to be publishing James Cordell’s mission piece entitled “Bring Their Faces into Focus”.  Look for this song to be published by noon (EST) tomorrow.

Any other church pianists like myself have a 76 keyboard?  It’s a perfect size for portability without sacrificing too many notes from my repertoire 😉

I take my keyboard to the  local nursing homes for two piano specials and also take it to my recitals if needed.

I’ve been needing a lightweight keyboard cover/case for quite some time…considering I’ve had my Yahmaha keyboard for at least ten years!

Well…I’ve found the perfect case…and very affordable!  Check out this link on Walmart’s site:  KEYBOARD COVER (76 keys)

I thoroughly enjoyed writing the accompaniment for my dad’s song entitled “My Mother”.

A mixed adult and children’s ensemble at our church are singing this on Mother’s Day.

My Mother

Sacred vocal solo or group special; unison. 3 & 1/2 pgs. *Price covers two or more copies. No audio included; pdf only

Price: $6.00