I know it has taken me a while on the piano invitation collection… but I’m VERY picky about my writing!  Sorry….but I want to do my best 🙂

The piano invitation collection (pdf format)  should be published by this Monday!  The level of the songs are late intermediate to early advanced.

While you’re waiting….listen to a sampler of the invitation collection…

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Returned from trip to my parent’s and working on the piano invitation collection.

Oh…there will be thirteen arrangements instead of twelve.  I had been overlooking one other song in my file collection while working on this project. It’s actually a medley of “Draw Me Nearer with Close to Thee”.

Just wanted to let my readers know my dad has had some health issues so I’m going to spend some time with my parents this week.

In addition I will be tweaking several of the invitation arrangements when I return.  I just don’t want to do a half way job.  My husband is always reminding me…”It’s quality…not quantity”.

I will take the time to at least share something with you before I leave.  Below is a video of a vocal solo sung recently at our church.  What I like best about this song is…it’s a mission-based song.  It’s hard to find a lot of music on this theme.  The song was written by a friend of ours here in our home town.  I hope to see it published one day!

I don’t know about other church pianists…but I find myself in the role of “encourager” many times!  I love to get our young people involved in the music ministry.  In order to fully utilize them, I find or write music with their level in mind; prodding them along…equipping them for the ministry.

It’s a rewarding experience.  Any other church pianist having similar experiences?

 I’m re-structuring one of the invitational arrangements into a medley.  “I Must Tell Jesus” flows nicely into “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.

Just inputted one of my most recent invitational arrangements today to Finale…”I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”.  (great for messages with a mission’s emphasis)

The invitation collection will consist of twelve arrangements and the pieces mentioned above are the last two!

I REALLY like this particular sacred piano duo arrangement book entitled “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”!

The book contains eleven arrangements. The “Children’s Medley” is one of my favorites!   “Softly and Tenderly” is one of the easier ones but yet SO pretty!

I always buy two copies of piano duet books or piano duo (two pianos) books to prevent illegal copying of music.  Buying multiple copies can be rather expensive so I try to buy when on sale.

Just found out this book is on sale right now…an “ongoing” sale 🙂

You can purchase two copies of this book plus a CD containing all the arrangements for only $24.95 from Bible Truth Music’s website.  Head over and get your copies before the sale expires!  You can also hear audio samples of each arrangement on the sale page!

Date of article:   May 20,2014

Down From His Glory requires ALOT of ad lib from the church pianist when accompanying someone to sing this hymn.

I could not help but add runs during the chorus due to the frequent held words. The fingering for the runs is included 🙂

I plan to create an audio of the piano accompaniment as time allows.

Click here to download “Down From His Glory” in E Flat Major

Click here to download “Down From His Glory” in F

Just wanted to let my readers know I’m working on the 11th invitation song now…only one more to go!  My invitation collection will contain 12 arrangements designed as “background invitation” music.

One of my favorite pieces in the collection is “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”. I got a little carried away with this particular one but REALLY enjoyed creating it!

What’s neat about this collection is that the arrangements can also be used for offertories!

“Down From His Glory”…a challenging piece for many church pianists!

Many of you requested that I share improvising tips for this very piece as recently discussed in a video from last year’s Wild’s Music Conference.

In this particular video, Faye Lopez shared several tips for dressing up the accompaniment such as adding right hand echoes during held words for the first half of the verse and then broken chords for the second half of verse.

As stated in a recent article…the following free download of “Down From His Glory” is similar to Faye’s accompaniment but not an exact replica 🙂

Tip: Watching the related video to this article would be beneficial while looking over the free download below. Click here to see: VIDEO

 Complete arrangement of Down From His Glory

Yes, I’m still here!  We have had a very hectic schedule for the past three weeks and just getting back to our normal (we hope) routine.

I’m working on this week’s article right now which is a free sheet of improvising ideas for accompanying a vocal solo to “Down From His Glory”.

The ideas will be similar to Faye Lopez’ spontaneous arrangement which took place at this past year’s annual Wild’s Music Conference.