Thursday, May 26, 2011

Looking for Some Good Church Music Books

One of my students gave me an Amazon gift card as a thank-you gift after last week's recital and I've decided to use it to supplement my current selection of church music. It's been awhile since I added some new books to the mix and I'm ready for some new music to spruce up my Sunday morning repertory selections!

I'm going to be doing some searching over the following week, but I thought I'd also take a brief poll. I'd love to hear from other church musicians with suggestions on:

1) favorite hymn arrangers
2) favorite books of hymn arrangements
3) favorite series of hymn arrangements

So send me your top picks! I can't wait to see what you have to say :)

6 comments:

  1. I used to get a bi-monthly (seasonal) magazine called "The Church Pianist." Edited by Hugh S. Livingston and published by Lorenz Publishing Co. Just Googled it, and you could subscribe for $42.95US for a year. The copy I have in front of me has nine pieces, and they're listed as prelude, offeratory, postlude, etc. A guarantee you'll be pleased is included! http://www.lorenz.com/subscription.aspx?sub=CP
    Other instruments (organ, handbell) and choral subscriptions are available, as well as praise and worship arrangements at an intermediate level.

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  2. You can't go wrong with anything by Mark Hayes. I get the most compliments on his arrangements - very upbeat and occasionally a little challenging. Lorie Line's arrangements are generally quite pretty, too, but I think her books are really over-priced due to the many full-page full-color and totally unnecessary photos of her in each book.

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  3. Thank you all so much for your suggestions! I'll be sure to look into the magazine. I do have several books by both Mark Hayes and Lori Line (the latter are rather image-heavy, I agree) and enjoy both.

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  4. Check out Wendy Stevens hymn arrangements - you'll find her at ComposeCreate.com. Just followed you on GoogleFriendConnect and am adding you to my blogroll!

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  5. I'll agree with Betsy and say that anything by Mark Hayes is wonderful. I also really like arrangements by Marilyn Hamm.

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  6. Thank you both for even more suggestions! I am embarrassed to admit that I haven't yet ordered any music, but it's on my list of things to do over my studio term break!

    Laura- thanks so much for adding you to my blogroll. I've enjoyed reading your posts over the past few months as well :)

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