Sunday Solos for Piano: Preludes, Offertories & Postludes

There are so many reviews for this wonderful book of piano solos for church use, I hesitated to add yet another. But I do want to comment on those who implied these weren't full-sounding pieces or challenging. True, it depends upon your skill level, taste, expectations, and other personal factors, but for the pianist who isn't concert quality, I believe these will be eminently usable. While for many years I have been organist at both morning services each Sunday, we now have twice-monthly traditional evening services, mostly for our older people who built up a dedication over the years for a.m. and p.m. church. Several folks purposely arrive early, to listen to what amounts to almost a mini-concert. As I try not to repeat music within a year and sometimes two, it is a challenge constantly to be on the lookout for new, interesting piano arrangements suitable to this age bracket. I use at least 6-8 pieces for this prelude time, meaning I need quality pieces I can learn quickly, generally at the upper-intermediate or moderately-advanced levels. "Sunday Solos for Piano" has been great. There are a number of truly lovely arrangements and, as in all music books, some that are less special. In most things I buy, there are several I won't use at all, but that is not the case with this volume. I have already played almost every piece at church, though I have only had the book a few weeks. Styles are varied. For example, "Blessed Assurance" seems almost jazz or ragtime in rhythm (and I didn't do it justice last Sunday night!), "Be Thou My Vision" hauntingly beautiful--purposely not a "full" sound--done with interesting chords and note progressions that are not at all difficult. Minor and major key changes also provide originality in a few instances. Similarly, whether a "grand old hymn of the church" or more recently-written music, each arrangement seems designed for the pianist who wants lack of extreme difficulty, with interesting music content that will thrill believers.

This book has a few intermediate level music to help you play in churches. You're not required to be an expert piano to play them. As your piano teacher already told you, you have to practice.

I'm using over 1/2 of the songs listed. Great book!

Perfect when you are asked to fill in at the last minute.

I am always looking for new books of hymn and worship song arrangements to use as offeratories at our church. This book was a pleasant surprise: it has a nice variety of both worship songs and hymns, nice harmonies, not too difficult, but not too simple. I have used one almost every week since I got the book. The book is a good value for the money because of the number of pieces and the excellent selection offered.

This book is at moderate to upper intermediate level, nice selection of songs. Selection includes familiar hymns and more contemporary songs. I was sold on this book when I saw "I Can Only Imagine" listed, beautiful rendition. Will definitely use in church worship services.

An excellent resource for all the service music opportunities of the pianist or organist. I've used and depended upon this book and appreciate the compositions.

Just what I needed for our church services.

Perhaps this is quite beyond my grade 4 sight reading level but I was disappointed in its level of difficulty.

Good variety, appreciate this series of books.

Good choice and nice arrangements.

Excellent selection of both hymns and modern choruses. Choices of both reflect Biblically sound doctrine and solid lyrical content. Excellent aesthetic musical selections also.