This arrangement begins with several bars of a 5-note motif in the piano that reappears during the transitions, and key change. The harmonies toggle between familiar (traditional), and added-tone chords and substitute harmonies. The keys are lowered from the typical standard, going from E-flat to F, so that all voices can easily adapt to the melody. Instruments build with the piano as the arrangement develops momentum and texture. Pianist should keep in mind rubato and contour phrasing throughout in order to infuse beautiful musicianship for all involved. Complete set includes piano score and all individual idiomatically-written parts: Flute 1-2, Clarinet 1-2, Trumpet in B-flat, Horn 1-2, Trombone 1-2, Tuba, Violin 1-2, Viola, Cello 1-2, and Percussion.
Real Responses from Congregations
Molly plays for the church my mother-in-law attends. The congregation becomes like a big choir with her arrangements. I’ve enjoyed the music when we’ve visited!
The beautiful accompaniment and the unison congregation could be used both congregationally and chorally (as we did)… For small to medium-sized choirs on low attendance Sundays these could be effective choral pieces or as a way to develop choir and orchestra when (as is our case) some choir members are also instrumentalists. We used three pieces as part of our Easter celebration. All were very well received. We were able to include our developing orchestra with all of it. So, thank you!
We love using these arrangements at Valley Community Baptist Church in our worship setting, regardless if we are using just piano and organ on a particular Sunday, or our full orchestra with choir and congregation. As the organist, the conductors score offers a great organ score option as an asset for churches using organ with these settings without revamping the piano score, making it quite easy… Thank you, Molly!
Molly’s congregational accompaniments add a freshness to treasured hymns of the past that enables a cross-generational congregation to join together in passionate worship of a great God.
