Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch Cover Image

Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch: Piano Book

$13.99 USD

Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch: Piano Book

Name: Gospel Hymns with a Velvet Touch: Piano Book
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-42873
Price: 13.99 USD
Availability: InStock

10 Elegant Settings of Beloved Hymns

Arranged by Tom Fettke

Level: Early Advanced

Item: 00-42873

$13.99

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These gospel hymns have stood the test of time with their richness of content and profound simplicity. First-verse lyrics (and some refrains) are provided on the first page of each hymn for study and reflection. Titles: Hallelujah, What a Savior! * Jesus, Lover of My Soul with Jesus Loves Me and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring * Lead Me to Calvary with Beneath the Cross of Jesus * Marvelous Grace (Grace Greater Than Our Sin with Amazing Grace) * My Jesus, I Love Thee * No, Not One! * Rock of Ages with Hiding in Thee * Shall We Gather at the River? with Deep River * Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling * What a Friend We Have in Jesus.

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Series: Sacred Performer Collections

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 40

ISBN10: 1-4706-1666-1

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-1666-3

UPC: 038081486437

SKU: 00-42873

More about this title

About the Arranger: Tom Fettke

Tom Fettke has spent more than five decades creating music for worship and education, with hundreds of published compositions and recordings to his name. His influence extends across churches and schools worldwide, most notably through The Majesty and Glory of Your Name, a choral staple performed by thousands of ensembles annually. He holds teaching credentials in secondary music and spent years directing choirs in both church and school settings, including his role as Director of Choral Activities for the Redwood Christian School System in California.

Fettke's editorial vision shaped two major hymnals that have profoundly influenced contemporary worship. The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration, which he created and edited beginning in 1986, has distributed over three million copies into churches across North America. He later served as Senior Editor of The Celebration Hymnal, recognized as one of the most transformative resources in modern church ministry. Now based in Nashville with his wife Jan, Fettke continues to blend his deep pedagogical experience with his gift for crafting accessible, spiritually resonant music.

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Why we love this

Fettke's arrangements respect the melodic and harmonic integrity of these beloved hymns while adding sophisticated voicings and textures that keep them fresh. The inclusion of first-verse lyrics on the opening page invites pianists to engage with the text and meaning, transforming practice into reflection. Early advanced pianists get genuine musical substance here, not dumbed-down simplifications.

What to expect

There's an elegance to these arrangements that honors tradition without sounding antiquated. The writing wraps familiar melodies in warm, contemporary harmonies that feel both reverent and alive, inviting the listener into a space of quiet contemplation.

Who it's for

Early advanced pianists preparing for church services, special events, or recitals will find these arrangements immediately playable yet musically satisfying. Music educators building a sacred repertoire for students should appreciate how these pieces balance accessibility with artistic depth.

How to get the most out of it

Study the lyrics on the first page before diving into the music. These hymns carry theological weight, and understanding the text will inform your phrasing and dynamic choices throughout.
Approach the pedal with restraint in the opening phrases. Let the harmonic progressions breathe before you deepen the resonance.
Notice where Fettke pairs two hymns together (like Jesus Lover of My Soul with Jesus Loves Me). These medleys require clear transitions, so practice the key centers and rhythmic shifts separately first.

How to use it

Perform these as preludes or postludes in worship services where the congregation knows these hymns. They also work beautifully on recitals pairing sacred and secular repertoire, or as a complete program focused on American hymn traditions. Several arrangements are substantial enough to stand alone; others pair naturally as medleys that showcase your ability to navigate key modulations.