Although the melody of this favorite hymn is unchanged, the harmonies have adjusted in several places. Four stanzas are written into this fully orchestrated arrangement — Stanza 1-2 carried by piano and instruments. Stanza 3 gives allows the congregation to sing unaccompanied on “Lord, to be Thine, sin with its follies I gladly resign.” The music offers written harmonies in the piano accompaniment for the option to use soft piano accompaniment if desired. Pianist may quietly “bleed in,” preferably by the second to the last measure of the third stanza, and build strength into the key change with climactic strength. Instruments and voices enter on, “While life shall last, Till safe in glory my anchor is cast.” Set includes piano, strings, winds, and full percussion. (Piano, Flute 1-2, Oboe/Flute 3, Clarinet, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone 1-2, Tuba, Timpani, Bells, Cymbal, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass)
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.
