Several years ago, I shared a post about The Role of the Church Pianist.

I thought I would add a few extra thoughts on our role as church pianists.

I need to remember I am a servant of the Lord no matter what ministry I do.

Paid or unpaid…we are servants of the Lord.

Suggested tips for coaching vocalists:

1.  Build a trusting relationship with someone before dishing out advice.  Careful to admonish in a constructive manner. For example,  “You have a wonderful voice but this particular song (though a great song) is outside your vocal range.  Would you mind trying another song that better suits your voice? You will be so much more effective when you’re not having to struggle to reach real high or low notes.”   * Sometimes high notes can be altered to make a song within means.
2.   One thing I like to do when rehearsing with a vocalist is to call out question phrases ahead of each phrase being sung…forcing the singer to focus on the message of the song…thus making it more meaningful to them.  * I do this more with ensembles.

One of my readers asked me how I keep my music organized for services.

I just came up with a more reasonable way this past Sunday.

I created two sticky tabs to use in the hymnal for our two congregationals per service. The third sticky tab marked with a “C” stands for choir special.

Our choir typically sings a song from the hymnal for Sunday mornings because we don’t have everyone with us until Sunday night service.  Quite a few of our choir members either work in our children’s ministry or work in the nursery.

That’s just part of having a small church 🙂

My son, the choir director, has a notebook full of our 8.5 x 11 sheet music for the choir.  I have the same type notebook.

I think we’re going to create a hanging file for each of our notebooks because the notebooks are getting full!

We already have all of our choir music in hanging file folders in alphabetical order.

I also carry around a two pocket folder that houses my AM & PM sheet music for upcoming vocal & offertory specials.  Works great for me!

It’s also been helpful to have a hanging file folder for each person who sings on a regular basis.  They can always fall back on a song they’ve done before  in case they’re filling in at the last minute.

Here’s how my pianist hymnal would look like on a typical Sunday morning.

I included a pic of our “order of service” which the Pastor provides for us.

I LOVE meeting with my piano friend, Meryt Wilson, at least once a year for a time of encouragement and to share offertory resources and other ideas.

Do you ever do the same?  I live in a rather sparse land of church pianists and long for someone I can confer with to revitalize my playing.

It’s SO easy to get in a rut!

Meryt is such an encourager!

We usually sit down and play spontaneous hymns together.  This time we talked more and heard each other play.

Meryt previewed my new Congregational Piano Hymns Booklet Three….which I’m getting ready to publish.

We both were classically trained in our younger years.

Meryt is much more advanced than me in the area of classical music.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her play some of her own hymn arrangements.  She definitely writes VERY advanced hymn arrangements!  She has a way of weaving in classical melodies with hymns as though they truly belong.

My top favorites of what I heard her play was  “I’ll Fly Away” (my top choice!) and Who Is He in Yonder Stall (amazing! and VERY challenging!)

Meryt just published both of these pieces today!  You can find them on her Sheet Music Plus page at the following link:  Sheet Music Plus (Meryt’s page)

She has about 31 hymn arrangements on Sheet Music Plus ranging from level one to level 5.  Go take a peek at the link above and  see sample pages of her music.

In my next post, I’ll share my little  odds & ends list I compiled during our visit this past week.

A piano friend of mine requested a create a video of me just playing like I would for prelude at my church.

This is a sampling of what I would do.  See if you can spot some of my chord substitutions during this short prelude excerpt.

Or…try out the stepping octave fillers!  They are fun to play!

I typically play at least six to eight minutes before each service.

Thinking about Dad a lot lately. He’s been in heaven a little over a year now. (June 2)

I will always remember how Dad sang with gusto not only in his vocal solos but also while leading the congregational singing.
He truly felt the music.

The following tip is for church pianists who accompany vocal or instrumental solos. This pertains to soloists who are comfortable “taking the lead”.

It’s helpful to slow down prior to a fermata or slower section for emphasis.  Also, I try to keep the music moving forward during a held word to keep the music alive.  Basically,  FEEL the music with the soloist to give he or she the best “behind the scenes” support.  Remember to constantly monitor your accompaniment volume so as not to drown out the singer or instrumentalist. Have someone sit out toward the back of the auditorium during practice… to check volume between pianist and soloist.

Here’s Dad directing the congregational singing at the South Carolina Association of Christian Schools 50th Teacher Convention in 2017. The second video is me accompanying Dad.

Here’s a list at what I’ve been writing and hope to publish very soon!

One Day (congregational) *early advanced

Wonderful Grace of Jesus (congregational)* early advanced

My Country Tis of Thee (piano trio) Levels:  Early elementary, Late elementary & early intermediate

My grandson and two other pianists will be playing My Country Tis of Thee for July 2nd am service.

I just wrote two piano hymn arrangements yesterday with my students in mind. They’re still in the handwritten stage right now.

The names of the pieces are All Hail the Power (late elementary)  and Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (early intermediate)

These two arrangements came about after turning up a limited supply of hymn arrangements at these levels.

I’m sure there are more nice selections at this level depending on what style you’re looking for. I prefer to expose my students to different arrangers for a more diverse experience at playing the piano.

Some of my favorite books near the late elementary to early intermediate are…  (Click on book images to view more information)

Maybe some of you could suggest your favorite books or sheet music at these levels for us to glean from.  Thanks!

Here’s a free arrangement of Christ Arose for the early intermediate church pianist.

Most hymnals offer this  Easter hymn in the key of C Major.  I’ve provided this arrangement in a lower key…B flat major.

This early intermediate piano arrangement was written for one of my students who is the church pianist for her church.

Just click the following link to print this arrangement:

CHRIST AROSE (early intermediate congregational arrangement)

About a month until Easter to learn this very advanced piano solo.

I like how this hymn summarizes Jesus’ life.

This would make a great Christmas or Easter arrangement!

We use this hymn all year round in our congregational singing or for a choir special.

One Day!

Very advanced sacred piano solo arranged by Jenifer Cook Two verses and choruses. Begins in C major and ends in E flat major.

Price: $5.25

Surprise!  “One Day” is public domain!  Here’s the note I received last week giving me the green light to publish this beautiful Easter hymn.

From CCLI Song Select (customer service).

I will publish “One Day” advanced piano solo tomorrow March 10th 2023