What Praise Can I Play on Sunday?, Book 3: May & June Services: Piano Book

Tornquist's Book 3 gives busy church pianists exactly what they need: ten substantial arrangements that cover the May and June liturgical calendar without requiring sight-reading beyond late intermediate skills. Her harmonic palette transforms these beloved contemporary Christian songs and timeless hymns into fresh, singable accompaniments that enhance congregational participation rather than overshadowing it. This is a book that earns its place on the piano bench week after week.

These arrangements honor the emotional and spiritual core of each song while wrapping it in sophisticated, singable piano writing. You'll hear modern harmonic color alongside the melodic clarity that makes congregational singing possible. The book balances contemplative moments with joyful, energetic sections that respond to the themes of spring and early summer worship.

Church pianists who lead worship weekly and need reliable, musically satisfying arrangements they can learn and execute without extensive preparation time. This book also serves late intermediate and early advanced students preparing recital repertoire in the contemporary Christian and sacred genres, or building confidence with pieces rooted in congregational singing.

• Balance your registration so the melody remains clear to singers. Tornquist's left-hand voicings are rich; resist the urge to voice it louder than the tune.
• Notice where rhythmic figures repeat across arrangements. Identifying these patterns helps you internalize the book's stylistic language and builds confidence in unfamiliar pieces.
• Prepare the key changes and modulations that anchor these pieces. Many of these songs gain energy through strategic harmonic movement; playing them precisely supports the congregation's momentum.
• Explore the optional dynamic and articulation markings as tools for variety across multiple Sunday services. Small changes in touch make repeated repertoire feel fresh.

This collection maps directly onto the liturgical calendar, making it ideal for churches planning May and June services that observe Mother's Day, Ascension, Father's Day, Pentecost, and Trinity Sunday. You can rotate through the general praise songs on weeks without specific holidays, building a sustainable repertoire that grows familiar but never stale. The book also serves as a text for pianists preparing repertoire for festival or competition (it's a Federation Festivals 2024-2028 selection).

• Playing contemporary Christian harmonies and extended chord voicings within an accessible technical range
• Balancing melody and accompaniment in left-hand-driven textures
• Interpreting dynamic and articulation markings to shape phrases in congregational singing contexts
• Reading and executing key changes and modulations that create harmonic momentum
• Developing sight-reading and preparation skills for weekly worship leadership