Archives for: September 2007

Thank you so much for all the kind comments! And remember - these arrangements are just a starting point. Use your creativity. Concider having the congregation join in on a verse that is unison. Or have someone sing a solo or duet for part of a verse.

Also, what if no one in your ward plays the flute or violin and the piece calls for an obbligato? The obbligato of any arrangement could be played by organ, or even on the piano, duet style.

Thanks for all your comments! It is very helpful to know how the music is being used all over the world!

I’ve written a couple of solo piano pieces that would be perfect for a special number in Sacrament meeting. One is very easy so even those who are not expert musicians can make a contribution. The other a bit more challenging.

It was a lot of fun working on “The Lord is My Light.” This one is partly straight from the hymnbook - partly surprizes. I think everyone will enjoy the movement in this one!

When I first heard the word “Blog,” I thought it was some kind of bizzare torture device. I was right.

I’m working on an arrangement of “Come ye Disconsolate.” The message of this hymn is so beautiful. I hope to give the acompaniment a little more color.

In order to support my “hymn arranging habit,” I plan to publish some piano solos I have written over the years for my piano students. For these, there will be a small charge so I can defray some costs of running a web site.

They are from very beginning levels to intermediate. If you would like more information on these, contact me at linda@freewardchoirmusic.com

I am from the generation that grew up with black and white TV. There were three channels to chose from. If you wanted to watch a show, you knew what day and channel it came on and were in front of your television set to watch it at that time. There was no way to record, rewind, or fast forward through commercials. We had no ipods, mp3s, dvds, pcs, or any other initials that stood for some kind of entertainment. A phone was attached to a wall and was used to talk to people - period. It couldn’t take pictures, play music or direct us to the nearest restaurant.

But I don’t yearn for those days any more than I yearn to go back to outdoor bathrooms and side saddles for women. I think all these changes are good! Look how many more things we can do and how many more people we can touch with just a few minutes and a computer.

Sure, we have to learn new technology every day, but it’s worth it. Besides, if we have trouble, we can always get help from any seven year old. They grew up with all this stuff!