Quite often, while surfing facebook, I would come across a video advertisement for this Choreo Keeper notebook.

I never clicked on the video until recently and was very intrigued with the idea of no more page turns!

I decided to buy one of these notebooks and try it out for myself.  Absolutely LOVE it!

No more page turns for offertories!  (notebook size paper arrangements fit the page protectors for this notebook)

More details soon!

I confess, I played an impromptu offertory  from the hymnal last night.  Actually, if truth be told, I play simple offertories most of the time.

(We also attend a small country church where “simple” is best 🙂

The older I get….the more simple I become 🙂  (You young ones may understand this later on in life).

I do enjoy playing a nice well thought out arrangement but it’s nice to return to a less crowded piece as well.

In my younger years, I played ONLY pre-made arrangements with LOTS of frills. (We were also in a larger church at the time).

Now…I find it soothing to play a hymn in a less busy style….allowing me to focus more on the message of the song.

Of course, what may seem simple to me may sound fancy to someone else since I do incorporate runs as the need arises 😉

Just curious… what do you play for offertories the most…full-fledged arrangements….simple arrangements…..or a little of both?

So…I admit…I’m a church pianist in a rut! What to do?  Time to surround myself with different arrangers’ music….which means….sightread!

Do you have a collection of books that you use mainly for sightreading purposes? I do.  Most of the arrangements in these books are too long for our offertory time. I could shorten some of them but that’s not always the best option since the arrangement usually builds in intensity and I don’t want to interfere with a well-rounded presentation of an arrangement.

It seems like the longer offertories are a lot of times the more challenging ones. I NEED that extra challenge to keep my fingers limber.

Occasionally, I’ll play a longer arrangement because I REALLY like the arrangement and want to share it.

Have you heard of  Abiding Radio? I’m listening to it (online)… for musical inspiration 🙂

I’m curious….what do other church pianists or pianists in general do to get out of a rut?  Would love to hear your ideas!

 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.