I enjoy simple offertories…meaning…piano arrangements with a clear melody presentation.

Here’s part one of a free piano offertory.

The lyrics are added to help the church pianist focus on the message of the hymn.

In a future article, I will share the editor notes for this piano selection;

giving you explanations for my improvising ideas in this free offertory.

I don’t normally do this, but I’m creating this piano medley as I go. Part two

will present the rest of this free piano arrangment of the “Heaven Medley”.

Hope you all had a great Sunday serving the Lord.

How_Beautiful_Heaven_Must_Be

How Beautiful Heaven Must Be Part Two

There are exceptions, but these are the general guidelines
coming from my personal experience in the music ministry.

  A. Relationship Between the Song Leader and Church Pianist

   1. Pianist should submit to song leader but still have
      a healthy “working team” relationship.

   2. Of course, during choir is not the time for the pianist
      to make suggestions unless the song leader specifically
      ask for assistance.

   3. The pianist is to follow the song leader during congregational
      singing, choir specials and invitation time.
 
   4. Exception: if the song leader doesn’t direct with his hands…
      the pianist is to establish the singing tempo.

   5. Be willing to accept suggestions

   6. Respect the song leader’s position; allowing him to maintain
      the leadership role.

   7, Open communication between song leader and pianist is of upmost
      importance.

B.  Job Description of the Church Pianist
 
   1. Be punctual
      *I always try to arrive 15 minutes early to all services and
       5 – 10 minutes early to choir practices. This allows time for
      last minute details. (such as: changes to music schedule due to
      sickness or maybe Pastor needed to change order of service for
      some reason.)

   2. Follow the leader 🙂
     
   3. Display a willing spirit

   4. Be flexible!

   5. Be hospitable 🙂
      *Greet the choir members with a smile as they enter for a practice.

   6. Be prepared
      *Practice choir music or other special music in advance if at all possible.

C.  Developing the Special Music Program

    I enjoy recruiting new members for the special music program!
    Does your church or choir contain people that you know could sing a special
    but they are too timid to come forward?

    (Keep in mind..I’m the one who maintains the music schedule which
    keeps me more in tune with this area on a regular basis.)

    Here’s an approach I use to encourage the more reluctant singers.

    Alot of times, one of our special music people will approach me and
    say, “Have you heard so and so sing? He or she does a great job but
    thinks they can’t sing.”
 
    I’ll simply approach that person and ask them if they would mind singing
    in a large ensemble for a special…say…a Wednesday  or Sunday night.

    (Evening services are usually more comfortable for beginning singers.)

   Over time, I’ll decrease the amount of people in that person’s group until
    they’re singing comfortably in a duet or maybe even a solo. Sneaky huh?
    It works!

    I especially like to take a personal interest in children wanting to sing
    for church. They’re the future and need to be trained and encouraged while
    at a tender, workable age.

    Choosing the song for new or old singers is of upmost importance. The song
    must suit their vocal range. For example, you wouldn’t want to choose a song
    with a lot of high notes for a low voice singer.
  
    This can make the difference in whether the person will want to sing. They
    need to feel as comfortable as possible while ministering through song.

    Although this is not an exhaustive list…I hope it has helped to define the
    role of the church pianist. I could only share what I have learned.
   
    As things come to mind…I’ll share more in this area of thinking.

What is the Role of the Church Pianist?

Part One of this article is more of an introduction.

Part two will contain more specific information regarding the role of the church pianist.

Good question!  The role of the church pianist
varies from church to church.

Before I share some thoughts with you….I’ll
explain our church…so you can understand where
I’m coming from.

Our church is a small country church nestled in
the foothills of North Carolina.

The people are very friendly and family-oriented.

Most of the members have lived in the area
their entire life.

What I’m trying to say is….the needs of the church
determines the criteria for the church pianist.

In some churches, the church pianist may be the
only music person available. In this case, the
pianist may have to lead the congregation and choir
in song while playing the piano. What a challenge!
I know at least one of my readers has that situation.
I admire her for her efforts.

At other churches, the pianist may serve the role as
pianist only. (That’s my role).

Whether you’re the main music person or just filling
the role as church pianist…the following tips will
hopefully encourage and direct you as you serve in
the music ministry.

These are things that have personally helped me in my
way of thinking towards serving in the music ministry.

1. I’m a servant..serving the Lord.

2. Not to think of myself above others; no comparsion.
   Every church member is of equal importance to God.

3. Love my church family

   The following are natural outcomes of point #3….

4. Support and encourage those in the music ministry.
     Example: “Your song was a blessing.” or…
     “Thanks for being willing to sing.”

5. Pray for those in the music ministry

6. Always communicate in love

7. Use constructive guidance as needed
     (This can occur only after building a trusting relationship.)
     This applies if the person or persons you’re accompanying
     are seeking helpful pointers.

Please understand…these are just a few ideas that have helped to create

a proper mindset in me as church pianist.

Each church is different as far as their needs. Just ask God for
wisdom as you seek to serve Him where He has placed you.

      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’m looking forward to part two of:  What is the Role of the Church Pianist?

Some of the  following issues will be covered:

*The relationship between  the song leader and church pianist.  (Who’s in charge?)

*Job description of the church pianist (What’s expected of me?)

*Developing  the Special Music Program (How the church pianist can help grow the special music program)

I can’t wait to share these ideas with you in full detail. 

After reading this article, you may come up with your own ideas of ways to become more effective as

church pianist.  Above all else, may God receive the glory of our efforts as we seek to serve Him.

Do you leave your church with no pianist when you go out of town?

Our church has two pianists….me and another lady. Occassionally, we’re

both out of town at the same time.

For some reason, our church doesn’t want to sing acapella….I think they’re

a little spoiled:)

Our church has a digital piano (Kawaii CP 155). It has recording capability to floppy disks.

I simply record music ahead of time on this piano for the congregational singing,
choir numbers, offertories and invitational songs. (each category on a separate disk).

I understand that not every church pianist has this convenience but may consider using
this idea if you have a digital piano.

So…try recording some music in advance if able for the next time your church is without a pianist.

  

Classical Music….a help or hindrance to the  church pianist?

A good question!

The answer is “Yes”…..classical music greatly benefits the church pianist!

How?

Advantages of being exposed to classical music:

*Conditions the ear for well-structured melodies and rhythm.

*Strengthens the fingers

*Demands a need for structured fingering which carries over into proper fingering for hymn arrangements.

*Introduces the pianist to scales and other rhythmic patterns in music that can be incorporated into the
  hymns as well.

*Last but not least….classical music demands disciplinein the areas of technique and interpretation for the
  best results.

Although classical music is vital to all pianists, the church pianist needs a balance of both: classical and hymn training.

I’m thankful for the teachers God provided for me in my early years of training.

I learned alot of improvising by just listening to the different teachers over the years. They also taught me ‘one on one’ how
to add runs and fill-ins. Most importantly, they taught me the theory to back up their training.

I just posted a video on youtube playing a medley
of “Amazing Grace”.

For offertory, I’ll sometimes just play a hymn and tag on a
chorus or verse/chorus of a song with a similar theme.

Click on the link below to hear the “Amazing Grace” medley.

(Maybe it could help give you ideas
for doing one of your own.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ATDkkMgus