A Year of Praise

About A Year of Praise

 

A Year of Praise is a heartwarming compilation of early intermediate piano collections especially designed with the church pianist in mind. If you need something without tons of practice time, are a piano teacher of church musicians, or a student just venturing into blessing the church with your music, this series was created with you in mind. My goal is to create early intermediate piano arrangements that are easily accessible, require minimal practice time, and have a beautiful touch.

Each early intermediate piano collection in A Year of Praise features 5-6 hymn arrangements centered on a particular theme or season: Love (Valentine’s Day), Thanksgiving, Easter, Patriotic, and more. This is a series that I am continually growing each year, and I’m excited to bring timeless hymns to life in a format that is both approachable and rewarding.

At a glance, here’s what makes the A Year of Praise early intermediate piano collections easy to play:

  • Key of C major or A minor

  • Simple single-note melody

  • Repetitive left hand patterns for easy learning

  • Note reading up to 2 ledger lines (occasional exception)

  • Basic rhythm (minimal sixteenth notes)

  • Tasteful introductions & endings

  • Beautiful chords so it doesn’t sound basic

  • Minimal page turns

  • 2-3 verses each

Having all of the arrangements in the key of C or A minor means you don’t have to be caught off guard with key signature changes and remembering which accidentals to use. This also means that you can string together multiple arrangements to create a medley smoothly (e.g. play the entire Heartfelt Thanksgiving collection for a special Thanksgiving prelude).

The simple single-note melody is presented clearly and simply so you can focus on expression and phrasing without technical difficulty. The left hand patterns have basic patterns that are repetitive for easy learning. However, I try to use beautiful chords so that they don’t sound like “lesson book” basics. Add a touch of rubato and expression, and this basic structure can sound like it’s harder than it really is!

You don’t have to know extensive music theory to play these early intermediate piano solos. With note reading up to 2 ledger lines and basic rhythms that predominantly features eighth and quarter notes, you won’t be slowed down by counting tricky rhythms or counting notes you’re unfamiliar with.

While the arrangements in the A Year of Praise collections maintain the same basic format (introduction, verse, interlude, verse, ending), each arrangement has its own delightful style. Some are joyful and jubilant while others are reflective and quiet, making these arrangements the perfect selection for a variety of needs.

The church pianist can use these arrangements for all seasonal needs in the church. They offer a quick and reliable option for preludes, offertories, or special music selections—especially helpful during busy seasons like holidays or revival services. My goal is to have a collection ideal for every special church service. 

For teachers, these arrangements are a valuable resource to assign to students who need performance-ready pieces that don’t require weeks of practice. 

If you’re looking for early intermediate piano arrangements that are simple to learn, lovely to play, and worshipful, A Year of Praise offers exactly that.