Federation Hymms

Teachers consistently return to Melody Bober's Play Hymns, Book 2 and Play Hymns, Book 1, which offer straightforward arrangements of well-known hymns at late elementary and elementary levels. Tom Gerou's Play Praise: Most Requested, Book 3 serves early intermediate students with a similar approach. Linda Christensen's Play Mormon Hymns, Book 2 provides 12 traditional arrangements at the late elementary level.

Melody Bober studied music education at the University of Illinois and earned a Master's degree in piano performance from Minnesota State University, Moorhead. Her arrangements prioritize students' understanding and love of music, which comes through in how clearly her hymn books progress in difficulty. Her Play Hymns series dominates this collection because teachers trust her balance of accessibility and musical substance.

Tom Gerou has published over 160 works and is known for the range of his output, from reference texts on music notation and orchestration to piano arrangements now standard in many teachers' libraries. His Play Praise series brings that same clarity and variety to hymn arrangements. Carol Matz, who has composed and arranged more than 300 published titles for piano, approaches hymn and sacred music with the same care she brings to her widely-used Famous & Fun series. Her experience teaching and conducting workshops across multiple continents shapes how she structures her arrangements for young pianists.