This particular hymn has a festive quality, a sparkle that energizes singers, and should come from the character of the accompaniment. The piano styling and instruments for this hymn does just that! With a natural, yet fluid, 4-bar entrance for each stanza, the voices (and instruments) will know exactly when to sing on each entrance. As shown here in this video, all cues are clear and reliable. The arrangement offers 3 stanzas total, with the chorus omitted after the first stanza, but repeated after the last stanza and chorus. New, accented rhythms are notated in the final chorus for a final refrain and added variety. Final chorus is at the height of the dynamic level, yet decrescendos at the final line, “Oh, our hearts always hunger for.” This arrangement could be a great service opener, or works well as a last song in a hymn package on any given service. Includes a full score, a piano score, and all individual instrumental parts: treble clef C instrument, treble clef B-flat instrument, horn, and bass clef instrument.
Real Responses from Congregations
The beautiful accompaniment and the unison congregation could be used both congregationally and chorally (as we did)… For small to medium-sized choirs on low attendance Sundays these could be effective choral pieces or as a way to develop choir and orchestra when (as is our case) some choir members are also instrumentalists. We used three pieces as part of our Easter celebration. All were very well received. We were able to include our developing orchestra with all of it. So, thank you!
Molly plays for the church my mother-in-law attends. The congregation becomes like a big choir with her arrangements. I’ve enjoyed the music when we’ve visited!
It is with the greatest enthusiasm that I recommend the hymnody work of Molly. Whether you are looking for accessible yet creative arrangements to new hymns or seeking to add energy and a fresh approach to hymns you have sung for years, herein lies your answer! Our people love to sing and the material found on this website has brought life to our singing that was not there before.
Molly’s congregational accompaniments add a freshness to treasured hymns of the past that enables a cross-generational congregation to join together in passionate worship of a great God.
