Advanced pianists, don’t be fooled. Simple arrangements can be played very artistically and effectively.

I extended the introduction over eight measures, because I really enjoyed playing the hook for this arrangement, and it helps to set the mood for the song.

You can see a preview of the first page here.

You can also purchase the entire collection for $14.99 (includes 10 songs) here.

Level: intermediate

Pages: 4

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This patriotic selection (also known as, “America”) is bursting forth with energy and excitement. It’s a contemporary arrangement, with syncopated rhythms and rich harmonies throughout. I’d classify it as a late-intermediate arrangement, 5 pages in length.

It is premium content, with a price tag of $3.99. But I have good news for you! In celebration of recently launching the site’s new online store, I’m providing a discount code for this song for the month of May. This month only, the following code (use it at checkout) will bring the price down to $1.99:

MCTOT2013MAY

So what are you waiting for? Pick it up today! And leave me a note below and let me know what you think. Thanks!

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I’m thankful for the rich heritage of hymns I had in the church I grew up in. There were many hymns that bring me a great deal of comfort when I am reminded of them and sing them. Some I don’t hear very often any more.

Our churches have certainly benefited much from many of the modern hymns written today. They are theologically robust, with great depth of meaning.

When I think of modern hymn writers, I of course first think of Keith and Kristen Getty, along with Stuart Townend. Their hymn, In Christ Alone, is a standard and a favorite in our church.

Can’t view the video? Go here: http://youtu.be/JnXv2gAfPpE

Another great set of hymns are those of Chris Anderson at ChurchWorksMedia. He has crafted some great texts that churches all over are feasting on.

There are many others as well. We can be thankful for those who are enabling the church to worship Christ in wonderful–and new–ways.

Who are some of your favorite modern day hymn writers?

He is Koerts baby #4, so there’s a lot of excitement around our house! (As of this writing, our children are ages 7, 5, 2, and 1 day.)

Here are some pictures for your enjoyment:

Mom and baby are doing well!

I call it a step of courage because you never know how your music is going to be accepted, if at all. And there doesn’t seem to be a lot of other people out there doing this (at least on their own websites), so that makes it even more nerve-racking.

I’ve had some friends give me great advice, and others who have listened and been very encouraging. Some have asked, Why do this? Don’t you have good relationships with your publishers? What would make you go in this new direction?

It’s true, I do have great relationships with some excellent publishers. I fully intend to maintain those relationships. (You can still count on some great new Koerts arrangements in the near future. I’m excited about them, but I won’t go into detail now.)

I guess it just came down to asking the question, “Why not?”

Here is more of what went into my thinking:

• Okay, I’m not gonna lie. The idea of receiving nearly 100% of the profit (as opposed to the industry standard 10%) interests me. That doesn’t feel like a very ministry minded thing to say, but one of my most important objectives in life is to provide for my family.
• More and more people are using digital music readers. A couple of us at our church use an iPad to read our sheet music. I happen to know of a lot of people who scan or photograph their sheet music so they can use digital devices to read their music. Let’s face it, the future is here.
• I understand that I don’t have the marketing arms that the established publishers boast, but I believe with hard work and patience, I can get there.
• E-books and e-readers have revolutionized the book industry, but I have to wonder when these changes will start to take place in the music industry. (Maybe it’s just me, but I can’t seem to find any composers who are self-publishing piano music, at least digitally.) I have to admit, being on the front end of something that could be big seems like a neat idea.
• I do follow some musicians (vocalists) who publish their own books, and whenever they come out with something new, I instantly desire to purchase it because I believe it can be helpful in my ministry. If I could do the same for others, I would be humbled and thrilled.

So there you have a little inside baseball about this decision. And so far, it’s been good. I haven’t sold millions yet, but I’ve been pleased with how well it’s been received. And… I have many more ideas for future projects.

What do you think? Am I just crazy? Or is there something to this? Leave a comment below.

Be Still – 10 Songs of Comfort and Encouragement

The first in a new line of “digital download” sheet music, I’m thrilled to offer this new collection of late-intermediate piano solos. Primarily written in a reflective manner, these selections are designed to encourage you and be an encouragement to your audience.

Titles include: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God * Be Still, My Soul * Be Thou My Vision * Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy * He Hideth My Soul * I Am Thine, O Lord * Like a River Glorious * Master, the Tempest Is Raging * My Faith Has Found a Resting Place * Pass Me Not

Click here to preview pages.

Price: $14.99

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Visit the new store to find more sheet music.

Sometimes you just need to simplify the arrangement you are playing. Maybe it’s too technically demanding for you. Maybe you don’t have adequate time to prepare. Maybe you were handed the song moments before the service started (crazy, I know). Whatever the reason, I promise you, there’s nothing wrong with simplifying.

Here’s an example of the refrain of “At Calvary.” Taken at a quick tempo, this right hand could be a challenge to some intermediate players.

Consider omitting the lower octave note in the right hand. It would look like this:

This should make life easier, at least until you have adequate time to rehearse the first example. There’s no reason why everything you play in church has to be difficult to you. Find your “sweet spot,” and play in it. The more you do, the more you’ll be able to effectively minister and touch hearts.

Don’t misunderstand me: I highly value all those other elements of a church’s music program. But in church music ministry, the most essential thing is congregational singing.

In this post, I want to look at the primary types of congregational songs we use in our evangelical churches. What are the different types of songs we sing, and what differentiates them?

Hymns

There are a lot of great hymns that have been written through the years that uses superior poetry and maintains a high level of musicality. In the church, songs that are traditional are typically referred to as hymns. The best of the best have been preserved over the years through hymnal revisions and updates. These songs are typically characterized as songs which proclaim truth about God as it is revealed in Scripture. Here are a few hymns:

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
• Holy, Holy, Holy
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness
• All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name
• All Creatures of Our God and King

Gospel Songs

With the great revival meetings in the 1800′s came a new genre of songs for the church. A desire arose to incorporate songs in revival meetings and services that were easier to sing, and lyrics that were more simplistic (hence the rise of the repetitive chorus or refrain). Gospel songs tend to be more of a personal testimony of a relationship with Christ, and less about proclaiming truth (more subjective than objective). In fact, the appeal to simplicity and testimony gave rise in popularity to some inferior tunes and texts that to this day still enjoy a level of popularity, despite their various criticisms. Titles include:

• Victory in Jesus
• How Great Thou Art
• In the Garden
• Blessed Assurance
• Wonderful Grace of Jesus

Contemporary Songs

The introduction and progress of secular music throughout the 1900′s had its affect on the music of the church. Some have chosen to entirely disregard contemporary songs, whether because of principle or taste. Others have entirely embraced it, to the neglect of any other types of congregational music. Still, others sift through it, evaluating each song based on its content and merit, as well as its test of time, among other considerations. These songs can take on a variety of features found in hymns and gospel songs, and are often first popularized by Christian artists.

• How Great Is Our God
• Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone)
• Worthy Is the Lamb
• Awesome God
• Blessings

Modern Hymns

Perhaps an outgrowth of the contemporary song movement, or a reaction to it, the modern hymn movement seems to be promising much good to congregational singing. With writers such as the Getty team, Townend, the various writers of the Sovereign Grace movement, and others, the accessible songs find dual purpose in artist popularization and church congregational singing. Here you’ll find a rich emphasis on robust theology with a leaning towards simplicity and repetition (much like hymn patterns).

• In Christ Alone
• Before the Throne of God Above
• How Deep the Father’s Love for Us
• The Power of the Cross
• I Will Glory in My Redeemer

Our church has experienced this with several songs, including an arrangement of “Hallelujah to the Lamb,” the Getty hymn, “In Christ Alone,” a Kirkland arrangement of, “Worthy of Worship,” and many others. I’m honored that one of my own arrangements, “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone),” has also made the jump from the choir loft to the pew.

There are obvious benefits in having the congregation sing songs initially introduced by the choir:

• Since the congregation is already familiar with them in a corporate worship setting, they will be able to “pick them up” easier.
• You are providing a unique worship opportunity that your congregation wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate in.
• It sends a subtle message validating the primacy of the congregational singing ministry of the church.
• It adds a new, enjoyable way for your congregation to worship, which can in turn lead to more vibrant singing and a more dynamic service.

Have you tried this? How has it worked?

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Why the new piano arrangement so soon? After receiving a slow and steady increase in Facebook page “likes,” I noticed that we were nearing 900 “likes.” I posted that when we got up to 900, I’d post another free arrangement. Within a few hours we had over 900. Thanks, Facebook friends!