Instrumental


requires little if any preparation by even a moderately- experienced organist; though technically quite easy, these compositions require that both players possess musical maturity in terms of maintaining good tone and balance and executing proper expression at slower song-like tempi. Te soloists – especially teens with a bit of coaching – who have experience beyond commonly-used concert band keys will have the best chance of sounding great. Music leaders in churches with a regular “resident” flutist will also find these worth adding to the repertoire.


Improvisations on Irish Airs,


Eileen Bird, Ian Callanan, and Kate Cuddy, GIA Publications G-10088, 2020. Tese 16 arrangements, transcribed


from improvisations on traditional Irish tunes played on flute and piano by Bird and Cuddy, are, in my opin- ion, best seen as special music for


a summer service. Tat said, suggestions as to how and where each may be used in a church service are, indeed, a part of the informative historical and performance notes on each tune. As transcribed, the tunes seem best suited to flute, but since both reproducible B-flat and C parts are included in the book, other options exist. Neither the piano nor instrument parts are technically difficult, though some knowledge of idiomatic Irish folk styles adds to any performance whether lilting dance, haunting tune, folk ballad or hymn. Te complete collection is also available as a digital download; Callanan’s CD recording of Bird and Cuddy’s renditions may be ordered (CD-1063). Detailed guitar chords are provided as another harmonic option.


O Jesus So Sweet (for organ or


piano with flute), John A. Behnke, Concordia Publishing House 977946, 2021. While the text of the tune, O


Jesulein Süss, suggests Christmas only in its first verse, this arrangement later segues to “Away in a Manger” (Mueller) slanting it toward seasonal


use. Nonetheless, I would use this at any time of the year, especially if there’s a young flutist willing to participate in summer music. It is the essence of simplicity and playable by nearly any good high school flutist with a bit of practice and nearly sight-readable by an experienced organist – and I would tend to use organ if available. What will “make” the arrangement is attention to expression and balance be- tween the instruments. Both flute and keyboard parts are furnished in this useful number – playable also by violin and possibly oboe; it will come together quickly, adding to worship at any time of the year.


Our Great Savior (for Piano Trio:


violin, cello, piano), Duane Funder- burk, MorningStar Music Publishers MSM-25-650, 2021. Hyfrydol may most oſten bring


listeners into an Advent frame of mind, yet the tune has had many textual “lives” across myriad hymnals and over many years. Tus, we keyboardists who


may never have taken the time (or had the yen) to prepare any of the famous piano trios of the Classical or Romantic periods may find fulfillment with this arrangement at any time of the church year! Aſter a generally unison opening, a slower tempo allows for introduction of various flourish- es across the ensemble; there’s a dip into 6/8 meter, a brief imitative section on a melodic fragment which builds to the return of the unison in a new key. Te ending, marked “Triumphant!” alternates between melodic variation and unison playing, closing with a flourish. Score and parts are furnished for all, and all three of the “all” – even the skilled – will need individual and ensemble practice time. Tis is not Brahms, but it is practical, well worth doing, and doing well. Gather up a violinist and cellist and prepare for a great seasonal or summer performance!


AS MARY


PROCLAIMS IN THE


MAGNIFICAT, GOD HAS


SCATTERED THE PROUD IN THE


IMAGINATION OF THEIR HEARTS.


JULY 25–28, 2022


WE INVITE YOU to explore how the power of imagination can challenge, change, and inspire, especially as churches respond to the twin pandemics of COVID-19 and structural racism.


TOGETHER we’ll reimagine what it means to be the people God has called in the church, scattered in service throughout the world.


FEATURING THEOLOGIANS & PREACHERS WILLIE JAMES JENNINGS and EUNJOO MARY KIM


WITH A VARIETY OF MUSICIANS INCLUDING ANTON ARMSTRONG &


TESFA WONDEMAGEGNEHU (CHOIR) JILL MAHR (HANDBELLS)


AND OTHER SPEAKERS, MUSICIANS, AND VISUAL ARTISTS


Check our website for early-bird registration options:


stolaf.edu/cwta


__________________________________________________________________________________________________ January-February-March 2022 • WorshipArts • UMFellowship.org


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