A Call to Praise: Piano Book

Bober's arrangements honor the integrity of these beloved contemporary Christian songs while making them genuinely pianistic and musically satisfying at the late intermediate level. The collection avoids oversimplification, instead offering arrangements with harmonic interest and textural variety that reward careful practice. Paired with performance times for each piece, this book serves both recital planning and festival preparation with songs that resonate deeply with students and audiences alike.

These arrangements embody the reverent warmth and emotional directness that define contemporary Christian songwriting, translated through the piano with clear harmonic language and singable melodies. There is a sense of sincerity throughout, whether in the gentle reflectiveness of pieces like "Here I Am to Worship" or the broader joy of "How Great Is Our God." The overall collection invites both performer and listener into moments of musical honesty and spiritual engagement.

This collection is designed for late intermediate to early advanced pianists who connect with contemporary Christian music and want to expand their repertoire beyond traditional classical and popular styles. Students preparing for recitals, church performances, or piano festivals will find accessible yet musically rewarding arrangements here. Teachers seeking repertoire that engages students' musical interests while maintaining technical standards will appreciate Bober's thoughtful approach.

• Balance the melody with supporting voices in the inner parts; these songs work best when all layers of the arrangement are heard clearly.
• Pay attention to the harmonic movement and allow time for chord changes to register, especially in the slower, more meditative selections.
• Explore the dynamic markings as indicated; they shape the emotional arc and help distinguish between verses and choruses.
• Use the approximate performance times as a guide, but allow room for personal interpretation and pacing that honors the song's character.

Program individual selections as recital pieces for students preparing for examinations or performance festivals, or use the entire collection as a thematic concert exploring faith-based music across contemporary styles. This book works well alongside classical repertoire as an offering that reflects students' musical identities and broadens the definition of "serious" piano literature. The Federation Festivals selection designation provides an excellent curricular anchor for goal-oriented practice and performance planning.

• Reading and interpreting harmonic progressions typical of contemporary Christian music
• Balancing multiple melodic voices within a single staff or between hands
• Shaping longer phrase structures across verse and chorus sections
• Executing dynamic control and emotional expression within accessible technical parameters
• Understanding the relationship between melody, harmony, and accompaniment patterns