Play Praise: Most Requested, Book 5: Piano Book

These arrangements respect the character and emotional weight of songs that have become central to contemporary worship settings, making them feel genuine rather than simplified. The late intermediate level means students encounter real pianistic challenges—voice leading, harmonic density, rhythmic precision—without losing the singable, familiar melodies that draw them in. You'll find these titles work equally well as performance pieces for recitals or as repertoire that connects students to the music they hear in their own faith communities.

These arrangements maintain the emotional directness of worship music while adding pianistic depth. You'll encounter lush harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and textural variety that feel contemporary without being overly complicated. The melodies remain singable and clear, but the harmonic language and accompaniment patterns give the pieces a fuller, more sophisticated character than basic arrangements.

Late intermediate pianists who are ready for more sophisticated voicings and want to play music that resonates with their own musical world. This collection also serves teachers looking for contemporary Christian repertoire that bridges the gap between simple hymn arrangements and advanced concert pieces, offering both musical growth and personal relevance for students.

• Pay attention to the harmonic movement underneath the melody. Gerou's arrangements often use chromatic bass lines and jazz-influenced voicings that require careful voice leading to maintain clarity and prevent muddiness in the lower register.
• Approach the rhythmic patterns with precision, especially in pieces with syncopation or off-beat accompaniment figures. These aren't just decorative; they're essential to the contemporary feel of the arrangements.
• Balance the melody line against accompanimental textures. Many of these pieces work best when the primary tune sings clearly over supportive but not subordinate piano writing.
• Pedal thoughtfully. The harmonic richness of these arrangements benefits from selective pedal use, but clarity suffers quickly if you hold the pedal too long through chord changes.

Include this collection on student recitals where you want to balance classical or traditional repertoire with pieces that connect to students' lived experience. Several titles are Federation Festivals selections, making them suitable for competitive performance contexts. You might also pair these arrangements with choral worship services or community events where a pianist can lead singing.

• Voice leading in jazz-influenced harmonic progressions
• Pedal control and awareness of harmonic density
• Rhythmic independence between hands (especially with syncopated accompaniment patterns)
• Dynamic shaping and balance of melody against accompaniment
• Reading contemporary harmonic notation and extended chord voicings