A Call to Peace: Piano Book

Bober's arrangements preserve the lyrical integrity of these beloved hymns while giving late intermediate pianists genuine musical substance to work with. The collection balances accessibility with artistry; these are not simplified reductions but thoughtful reimaginings that reward careful practice and offer real interpretive choices. Including performance times makes this book practical for church musicians planning liturgical services.

These arrangements offer quiet strength and spiritual grounding. Whether opening with the stillness of "Near to the Heart of God" or the reassurance of "God Will Take Care of You," the collection creates a sense of refuge and continuity with generations of faith. The piano writing is spacious enough to leave room for contemplation, yet never feels sparse.

Church pianists and pianists in training who want substantial hymn literature at a level where they can handle both technical and interpretive demands. This book works well for late intermediate students preparing for recitals with sacred themes and for advanced pianists seeking authentic church repertoire.

• Let the hymn melody breathe. Many of these arrangements place the tune in the right hand against supportive accompaniment; resist the urge to rush through familiar melodies and instead shape phrases the way you would sing them.
• Pay attention to the harmonic color Bober provides underneath the melody. These arrangements often include unexpected chord voicings and resolutions that deepen the hymn's emotional weight.
• Use the approximate performance times as a guide for tempo decisions. A slightly slower tempo often honors the reflective character of these pieces better than moving briskly through them.

Individual selections work beautifully as service music during worship services; the included performance times help you select pieces that fit your liturgical needs. Program a hymn arrangement alongside contemporary sacred piano music to show continuity in the genre, or use these as bridging pieces between hymnal singing and art song in a recital focused on sacred texts.

• Balancing melody and accompaniment across both hands
• Shaping familiar melodies with interpretive intention
• Reading and performing hymn-based harmonic structures
• Managing tempo and rubato to honor the spiritual content of text
• Building confidence with pedal choices in sustaining harmonic resonance