Just re-published “Then Sings My Soul” formerly known as “How Great Thou Art”.
I was asked by the music company that owns the lyrics to the words of “How Great Thou Art” to rename this arrangement or otherwise pay royalties for the use of the phrase “How Great Thou Art”.
I personally don’t feel they can universally own the phrase “How Great Thou Art” but sincerely want to stay above board on this issue. (It’s been and is still a very controversial issue with others besides myself).
The reason for my delay was trying to locate the original file to rename the arrangement. I just found the file this morning while rummaging through old files that I had searched before numerous times. (I was thinking the file had been lost a couple years ago when I accidentally deleted alot of my music files)
I’ve had MANY requests for this arrangement since taking it offline for awhile during the re-naming process.
Thanks for your interest! I truly enjoy writing for you all!
I just published an early advanced piano arrangement of “O Come All Ye Faithful” and a beautiful rendition of “What Child is This” for violin solo w/ piano accompaniment.
“O Come All Ye Faithful” is written in more of a prelude style but can suffice as a Christmas offertory. This particular arrangement was also one of my homespun pieces…featured on the Christmas CD entitled “Simply Christmas”. I did make harmonic corrections here and there in the written version because I couldn’t help myself! 😉
We hope to create youtube videos for both of these arrangements by the weekend.
Violin solo w/ piano accompaniment, 4 pgs. *Price covers two copies
*Written for my daughter-in-law...Jackie, who likes the lower register of the violin for a more mellow sound.
Many church pianists have already been practicing for their church’s Christmas program.
In many cases, the church pianist IS the choir leader and has the task of deciding what to do for a Christmas program.
My son is our choir director. He works at least 50 hours a week and the father of three small children. Needless to say, I help out by coming up with a simple program to fit our 40 minutes per week choir practice time. (this accounts for starting roughly two months in advance; which may vary from church to church depending on your choir’s ability)
My son and I have about a 40 minute commute to church so we’re very time conscious!
Our most-involved Christmas program back in 2011 was entitled “Christmas at Home” by Ron Hamilton. We used the “readers theatre” version due to limited time. The main actors were acting their first play ever. (Part Two sampler of our Christmas at Home)
In recent years, we have experienced a much more pleasant, relaxing time through having easier Christmas programs.
I have written two VERY easy Christmas programs…one of which is FREE HERE. I’m still editing the second FREE Christmas program.
Now…ideas for enhancing your Christmas Program…
Lyrics taken from cantata books make for great narration when coordinating a chronological list of songs together for a short choir concert. (That’s what we’re doing this year)
Include congregation by having them sing a song in the program. ( the choir could sing a descant taken from a hymnal while the congregation sings the melody) Another neat idea…have Pastor lead congregation in reciting Luke 2:14 at the appropriate time during the program. Very effective! (Tip: Include Luke 2:14 in the Christmas program bulletin)
The congregation could also stand and sing a song following their verse (Luke 2:14) Song suggestions: Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Joy to the World (include lyrics in the program bulletin)
Easy Christmas Program Suggestion:
Several different adults recite the Christmas story(Luke 2:1-19) in microphone off stage while children in appropriate costume act out the narration.
Stage setup: Only two scenes: Manger scene center stage, shepherd scene on left or right of manger scene. (props for shepherd scene not necessary).
Songs can be inserted appropriately throughout the narration.
Extra tip:Remind children that they must listen to what’s being read so they can act accordingly…to avoid appearing mechanical
Also a good idea to remind narrators to read with conviction! It brings the story to life!!
Hopefully this will help church pianists or choir leaders trying to find last-minute ideas for an easy Christmas program.
Please feel free to leave comments or ideas below.
A reminder: I do have over a dozen FREE piano and vocal Christmas arrangements available HERE.
Sharing a few links that may give you an idea as well (don’t fully endorse all the ideas at these links… but you can sift out what you like)
By now…most church pianists are busy practicing for their church’s Christmas program But…does anybody need some ideas for a last minute Christmas program…or maybe you just need one more poem or reading to complete your program?
I look forward to sharing a list of simple ideas this coming week on ways to enhance or create a last minute simple program.
I’ve provided the recent “broadcast” from facebook. *See written article below for essential information that goes with the video.
On a lighter note….”Don’t you just LOVE my piano?! It’s one of a kind…..treble is at the bottom…bass at the top! (Just kidding) *The dilemma was a front facing camera.
Jenifer Cook is going live on Facebook this Thursday at 8 pm EST. (November 10, 2016)
Ever notice how a lot of Christmas hymns have frequent
accidentals…the makings for awkward hand movements…
Hear Jenifer’s suggestions in dealing with accidental passages. She’ll be showing her note changes on the handouts listed below…feel free to either print them or have them on a screen for viewing purposes for tonight’s session. So much to share in a short time span!!
Copy and paste this link in the URL field at the top of your browser page: https://www.facebook.com/Jenifer-Cook-602815303135832/?fref=ts
Print the following FREE music example pages for tonight’s “going live on facebook” session with Jenifer
One of my readers shared this video with me this week…of her son playing my free piano arrangement ofJesus Paid it All. I also enjoyed hearing the cello play along with it too! ( I liked how she changed registers for variety)
What a blessing to hear my music can reach as far as Romania and beyond. 🙂
So thankful God can use me through the ministry of music.
Prima Music has extended their fall festival sale to September 19th! You receive 25% discount on all their music. They even have an overstock sale going on with up to 35% off! I’ve already found some things in the overstock bin 🙂 Free shipping but there is a small handling fee of $2.99 per order
It’s a good time for church pianists to stock up on Christmas piano music too! I just purchased a Christmas Piano Duet book from the overstock bin which looked interesting. Remember….now through September 19, 2016.
I also wrote this two piano arrangement of Brethren We Have Met to Worship….years ago for the same student who played “Come Ye Sinners Poor and Needy”.
We enjoyed playing this duet. Here is his younger brother playing Brethren We Have Met to Worship with one of our college students.
The simplicity of the piece benefited their minimal practice time 😉
