How many church pianists are interested in learning how to add runs to hymns?  Do you ever wonder where the best place is to insert a run?

I consider this a fun topic!  I’ve been wanting to share ideas on adding runs to hymns for quite some time.  This will probably be a series of articles. Each article will contain at least one written example of a run in a hymn.

I’m excited about the upcoming release of my first piano arrangement book being published by Soundforth.  The piano book entitled, Showers of Blessing,  contains seven early intermediate arrangements (six solos and one piano duet).

The arrangements will work well for pianists with small hands.

Audio samples will be provided very soon.  Stay tuned for publication notice.

 It always excites me to have young people wanting to get involved in the music ministry.  Our church family is so supportive of their  young people’s endeavors to serve the Lord.

Hannah and her family have recently joined our church and they are a blessing.  Hannah hasn’t had lessons in a little while and is a level one student.  She is anxious to begin lessons this fall and is ready to  serve in the area of music.  Amen!

I recently gave her one of my beginner arrangements of “Nothing But the Blood“ along with an audio to help her out.  To my surprise, she had it down in a short time.  (It’s always encouraging to work with self-motivated young people)  🙂

As a church pianist, I try to encourage our youth to get involved in the music minstry.  I’m thankful that our young people are interested in doing so. The younger they start, the easier it becomes as they gain experience and much practice.   I usually schedule the younger ones for a Wednesday or Sunday evening until they feel more comfortable.  (Sunday mornings require longer offertories due to a larger attendance.)

Here is a video of her playing the offertory at our church this past Sunday night. (Notice the encouraging responses at the end)

I’m also providing this arrangement free…with this article.  I plan to offer more of the beginning student hymn arrangements as time allows…in the music store.

I just finished the free arrangement of  “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.   It was a challenge having to write this piece at an early advanced level.  I had to leave sooo much out but knew this level would benefit a larger group of church pianists. 

Editor notes for Part Two of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”

Measures 17 & 18:  Left hand begins with melody which is very busy; therefore…the RH remains simple.

Measure 19 & beyond:  RH borrows the rhythm of the LH melody and becomes the leader for variety.

*Overall tip:  This arrangement wasn’t written for too fast of a speed.  I recorded it at the highest suggested tempo. If your church sings it faster than the recording…you’ll need to play less detail (fewer notes) to keep up.

Part One of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” (free arrangement)

Yes….it’s part one of a free piano arrangement entitled: “Wonderful Grace of Jesus”.  This particular hymn can be challenging for a couple of reasons.  The melody has such a wide range..making it a challenge to sing! (I transposed it to B flat Major).  The chorus can also be tricky for the church pianist.

I’ve gleaned ideas from different piano arrangements for “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” and applied them during congregational singing.  It’s a great time to try new ideas while you have the singers for coverup. (ha ha)
The chorus use to be the most awkward part of the song but now has become my favorite over the past few years…once I learned to play in a more user friendly style.  Can’t wait to share the rest of “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” in the next article or two.

One of my favorite arrangements of“Wonderful Grace of Jesus” is arranged by Mary Lynn Van Gelderen. I also gleaned alot of ideas for congregational style from Marilynn Ham’s “Wonderful Grace of Jesus” arrangement.  I could not locate a pdf sample of this particular arrangement but it’s found in her book entitled “Timeless Tribute”.

Wonderful Grace of Jesus (Part Two)

 I always enjoy finding more piano arrangements for offertories!  The following audio samples are taken from the book entitled: Playing Piano Praises Volume One by Glenn & Jan Christianson.  The arrangements from this book are available in downloadable pdf format.  Another neat feature is…you can purchase the arrangements individually or as a whole book!

Come Christians Join to Sing

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Rock of Ages

In the Garden (one of my favorites!)

Medley: Hallelujah for the Cross! with At the Cross (sounds militant enough for a patriotic offertory)   🙂

Hope you enjoy sampling the audios of these  piano arrangements.  Click here to view the actual music…Playing Piano Piano Praises  Volume One.

July 4th is almost here!  Do you have a patriotic piano arrangement ready?

We’re using the “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” piano duo arrangement by Glenn & Jan Christianson.  Audio excerpt

A nice patriotic piano solo is “Onward Christian Soldiers” arranged by Elmo Mercer.  Audio excerpt

Just two weeks until July 4th!  I know at least  “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is available for download.

I’m adding a new website to my blogroll list!  Bible Truth Music contains a nice selection of resources  that will benefit the church pianist.

I recently purchased one of their new piano duo books entitled Wonderful Grace of Jesus.  The arrangements are fairly easy to learn but sound wonderful! The piano arrangements can also be purchased individually from this book in downloadable pdf format!  Sunshine and I are playing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”  for July 4th Sunday. I will provide sample audios of this book in an upcoming article.

Here’s a list of audio excerpts from several of their piano books:

Audio Excerpts:

Playing Piano Praises   (early advanced) arranged by Glenn & Jan Christianson

In the Garden 

Leaning on the Everlasting Arms

Joyful Melodies Three   (early intermediate)  arranged by Jennifer Hall

Crown Him With Many Crowns

Power in the Blood

Songs of Invitation  (early advanced) arranged by Harold DeCou

Almost Persuaded

Just as I Am

More sample audios and book titles will appear in the next few articles.  Bible Truth Music plans to have all of their piano books available in pdf format very soon!  Hop on over and see what they have as of now.  I plan to purchase several of their books very soon to add to my offertory repertoire.

Church pianists of all levels will benefit from this website! 

Busy times…but still here 🙂   I’d like to share a free patriotic  piano arrangement with my church pianist readers.  My Country Tis of Thee is a very old hymn. The author of the melody is unknown but the words were written by Samuel Francis Smith.  

My Country Tis of Thee (Audio of free piano arrangement)

Ken Renfrow is one of my favorite arrangers for sacred piano arrangements. His latest book, Sacred Favorites Book One, is an excellent resource for the church pianist. This book features familiar hymns that are rarely seen in piano arrangement books. 

A  must have for church pianists looking for offertories!

Sacred Favorites Book One  (Advanced piano solos) by Ken Renfrow