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Be the Church: Piano Book

$14.99 USD
$14.99 USD
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Be the Church Cover Image
Be the Church: Piano Book

Be the Church: Piano Book

18 Arrangements Inspired by Universal Statements of Faith

Arranged by Albert Mendoza

Level: Early Advanced

Item: 00-47784
$14.99
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Description
These beautiful early advanced piano arrangements of beloved hymns and spirituals were inspired by universal statements of faith: protect the environment; care for the poor; forgive often; reject racism; fight for the powerless; share earthly and spiritual resources; embrace diversity; love God; and enjoy this life. Titles: Amazing Grace * Blest Be the Tie * Heaven and Earth, and Sea and Air * Here I Am, Lord * In the Bulb There Is a Flower * The Lord Bless You and Keep You * Lord, I Want to Be a Christian * Maitland * My Faith, It Is an Oaken Staff * My Shepherd Is the Living God * Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen * Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart * Stars and Planets Flung in Orbit * They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love * Touch the Earth Lightly * We Gather Together (Medley) (Shall We Gather at the River / Let Us Break Bread Together / We Gather Together) * We Shall Overcome * Where Charity and Love Prevail. A Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection.

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Sample Pages

Sample Audio
1 1a Stars and Planets Flung in Orbit --:--
2 1b Heaven and Earth and Sea and Air --:--
3 2a Where Charity and Love Prevail --:--
4 2b The Lord Bless You and Keep You --:--
5 3a Lord I Want to Be a Christian --:--
6 3b Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart --:--
7 4a Maitland --:--
8 4b We Shall Overcome --:--
9 5a Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen --:--
10 5b My Faith It Is an Oaken Staff --:--
11 6a We Gather Together (Medley) --:--
12 6b Touch the Earth Lightly --:--
13 7a They'll Know We Are Christians --:--
14 7b Blest Be the Tie --:--
15 8a Here I Am Lord --:--
16 8b My Shepherd Is the Living God --:--
17 9a Amazing Grace --:--
18 9b In the Bulb There Is a Flower --:--

1a Stars and Planets Flung in Orbit

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Sample Video
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Additional Details
Series: Sacred Performer Collections
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 60
ISBN10: 1-4706-4160-7
ISBN13: 978-1-4706-4160-3
UPC: 038081547978
SKU: 00-47784

More about this title

Why we love this

Mendoza's arrangements honor the theological weight of these hymns and spirituals while giving pianists something genuinely rewarding to play. The early advanced writing sits in that sweet spot where students can access beautiful music without drowning in technical demands, and each piece carries intentional musical substance that reflects its spiritual message.

What to expect

These arrangements breathe with conviction. Whether you're playing a spiritually resistant piece like "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" or celebrating connection in "They'll Know We Are Christians by Our Love," the writing invites you into the theology beneath the melody. The piano takes on the role of both accompanist and storyteller, sometimes supporting the hymn tune and sometimes becoming the primary voice.

Who it's for

Piano students and recitalists working at the early advanced level who want sacred repertoire with real substance. Teachers looking to program music that speaks to faith, justice, and community alongside building solid musicianship will find this collection essential.

How to get the most out of it

  • Listen carefully to the harmonic language Mendoza creates beneath these familiar melodies. Many arrangements shift the harmony in subtle ways that reward a thoughtful approach to phrasing and pedal.
  • Consider the tempo of each piece as a spiritual choice, not just a technical one. A hymn about caring for the poor might need more breathing room than one about celebration.
  • The medley (Shall We Gather at the River / Let Us Break Bread Together / We Gather Together) requires clean transitions between songs. Practice the key changes and registral shifts separately before running them together.
  • Use the printed dynamic and articulation markings as clues to the emotional intent. Mendoza's choices about where to voice the melody or shift it to inner voices carry meaning.

How to use it

Use individual pieces in a recital to anchor a program around themes of justice, stewardship, and faith. The medley works as a powerful closing statement in a church service, and shorter pieces fit naturally into chapel services or peace and reconciliation events. This collection also pairs well with choral or instrumental ensemble performances of the same hymns.

Skills your students will build

  • Voicing hymn melodies across registers and interpreting their harmonic implications
  • Reading and executing clean key changes and modulations
  • Using pedal tastefully in arrangements with rich harmonic textures
  • Understanding the relationship between musical choices and spiritual or emotional meaning
  • Interpreting dynamic and articulation markings that reflect theological intent

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