Church solo suggestions

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This topic has 11 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 13 years, 2 months ago by kay-lister.

Viewing 12 posts - 1 through 12 (of 12 total)

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February 1, 2012 at 3:35 am #156383

j-valentine
Participant

I am in need of suggestions for a church solo. It is a contemporary very musical church. I am a beginner and had a lever harp for about two years and have just recently bought a pedal harp. I would love to play any of Frank Voltz but will not be confident enough yet or skilled for most of them.

I just played El Shaddai as a solo for a funeral a few weeks ago and then used Sylvia Woods Hymns for the prelude, the leaving of the family I played Moonrise from the recital pieces by MacDonald ( it sounded heavenly) then used Angi Bemiss/ John Michael Talbot Medley for the postlude.

I need easy and harpy. I have plenty for background/offering/communion but need something special for a solo.

Any ideas?

Thanks a bunch.

February 1, 2012 at 4:45 am #156384

Sid Humphreys
Participant

Julia.

Don’t have it in front of me, but look up a collection called “Serenade For the Soul.” I think I purchased from Melody’s Music in Houston. But I think L&H

February 1, 2012 at 2:27 pm #156385

kreig-kitts
Member

Salzedo’s arrangement of “I Wonder as I Wander” is written for pedal harp in C-flat, but it has no pedal changes so you can play it on a lever harp in C if you leave out a couple notes on the bottom and top or take them down/up (they’re played in octaves). It’s not

February 1, 2012 at 5:20 pm #156386

Rachel
Participant

Many of Kathryn Cater’s works are fun, harpy, and just 2 pages long, and her pieces are in all different styles.

February 4, 2012 at 11:49 am #156387

Jessica A
Participant

February 4, 2012 at 12:47 pm #156388

sherry-lenox
Participant

I would use the Salzedo arrangement of “I Wonder As I Wander” in a Lenten service without hesitation. If your pastor would enclose a quarter sheet in the bulletin with a copy of the entire text, your contribution could generate plenty of discussion about the life of Christ.

I’d do it.

February 4, 2012 at 8:41 pm #156389

j-valentine
Participant

Thank you for all the suggestions.

These are the ones in the running for the end of April solo.

Amazing Grace from A Serenade for the Soul by Rhett Barnwell, very lovely book, thank you for the suggestion, there are many more for future solos as I increase in skill.

Great is Thy Faithfulness from Beside Still Waters by Joanna Mell. Wonderful solos in this book

Peace Be With You by Frank Voltz (I can’t wait until I can comfortably play more of his)

Thank you for all your suggestions, I never would have thought of Kathryn Cater or I Wonder as I Wander. I have both of these.

February 4, 2012 at 9:55 pm #156390

sherry-lenox
Participant

As I was thinking about the pieces that were mentioned I remembered an old rule that someone gave me about choosing instrumental pieces for use during worship. The rule was, “Don’t ever play something they can hum”, the point being that if you’re supposed to be doing something for contemplation or setting a mood, the congregation shouldn’t be hearing something they recognize.

Not really and truly a hard and fast rule, but worth a bit of thought.

February 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm #156391

shelby-m
Participant

I actually like playing pieces in church that I know people will recognize because they will probably be thinking the lyrics while I play, which will make them ponder Christ (or whatever God they worship).

February 23, 2012 at 6:39 pm #156392

kreig-kitts
Member

For my next church solo, I’m going to play a 25-minute meditation in which I run a spoon across my strings

February 24, 2012 at 4:09 am #156393

Katherine Denler
Participant

mmmm honey baked ham….nothing says Easter Harp Solo like spiral sliced ham 🙂

February 24, 2012 at 1:17 pm #156394

kay-lister
Member

NOT funny Kreig!

K
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