Awhile ago, one of my readers asked if I had a congregational arrangement for “A Might Fortress is Our God.”

I didn’t at the time but decided to tackle it this week.  This particular arrangement is for the late intermediate church pianist.

What a challenge to stay within the written chords from the hymnal! Maybe I need to come up with a piano solo for this hymn too.

Important Notice!

This arrangement was created for congregational style only.  If  you insert the melody in measures #16 and #20…it can be used for a piano solo.

Print your own copy for free and then listen to the audio while you’re holding the music!

A Mighty Fortress is Our God (FREE PDF)

 A Mighty Fortress is Our God (audio)

Be on the look out for a free sacred congregational piano arrangement!

I’ll give you a couple  hints:

1. I’ve NEVER arranged this hymn before.

2. It’s a very stately old hymn that speaks of God’s protection

Just throwing a quickie your way!  Here are a couple left hand improvising tips for the hymn…Praise Him! Praise Him!

The tips can be applied to hymns in different time signatures.

I have a student who is late intermediate level and she wants to learn congregational style so bad! So…I’ll be walking her through different hymns and giving her improvising tips along the way.

Let me know if you all want more of these quickies along the way.  Click on this title to download your free copy of this page.  PRAISE HIM! PRAISE!

I’ve been busy creating this collection of early intermediate piano congregational arrangements!

More details soon!

Add a sparkle to your hymn playing with this simple right hand run!

I picked up this four note run idea from my piano teacher, Judy Andrews years ago!

It’s a neat sounding idea that adds sparkle to a hymn.

Just reminding you all that the promo sale expires for the Congregational Piano Hymn Arrangement Booklet Three at 10pm this evening. (EST time)

Thanks for those who have purchased this collection.

Specs for this book:

1. All but one of the arrangements are transposed down at least two half steps.  “Like a River” is the only one in the original key of  F Major
2. All but one of the arrangements have two verses worth of accompaniment.
3. These arrangements cannot stand alone as a piano solo due to missing melody notes. The notes were deleted on purpose since we’re dealing with accompaniment.
4.  The arrangements in this collection can serve two purposes:  accompaniment for congregational singing or vocal solo specials

Congregational Piano Arrangements Booklet Three

11 Different congregational arrangements ranging from Late Intermediate to early advanced. 37 pages of music. He Leadeth Me with fill-ins for the fermatas is the bonus piece! These arrangements do not support the four vocal parts from the hymnal. Most of the songs are also lower in key by at least two half steps. Titles: At Calvary, Crown Him, He Leadeth Me (with fermatas), He Leadeth Me (without fermatas) I Must Tell Jesus, It is Well, Like a River, One Day, Stand Up for Jesus, Tell it to Jesus and Wonderful Grace of Jesus.

Price: $16.00

Can’t wait to publish my Booklet Three of Congregational Piano Hymn Arrangements today!

Here’s a sneek peek of the first page of each arrangement.  More details soon!

I also play live on facebook tonight at 7:30pm this evening.  Much to do!

Oh!  Did you notice there are 11 different songs instead of just 10? Notice anything else?  I’ll explain soon!

Jenifer

I’m working on the final congregational arrangement for my third volume of piano congregational arrangements!

This volume is geared to the church pianist at the early advanced level. Check out Piano Congregational Arrangements Volumes One & Two.

This collection will be published on July 20, 2023 at a special rate of  $13 (sales price good for July 20th (3pm EST)  through July 22nd (10pm EST)  After this time, the regular price of $16 will apply.

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.