Flute in Worship, The (v.3) Christmas

The Flute in Worship, Volume 3: Christmas

A collection of 7 solos for flute and piano or keyboard, arranged by Mary Jean Simpson.

Selections include:

• Christmas Medley (Silent Night, Away in a Manger, While By My Sheep, O Come All Ye Faithful, and Joy to the World)
• Gesu Bambino (Infant Jesus)
• Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming (with Still, Still, Still)
• O Come, O Come Emmanuel (with Angels O’er the Fields)
• O Holy Night
• Silent Night, Holy Night
• What Child Is This? (with Joy to the World)

The arrangements in the series “The Flute in Worship” are all pieces which I prepared for my own use in church services.  When I began to create my own arrangements, flute music for use in worship was very sparse, consisting primarily of very simple and usually very basic hymn melodies over a pretty standard accompaniment.  Classical music was useful in services, but I needed additional pieces with which the congregation could relate through knowing the melodies and the works.  Writing my own arrangements also allowed the possibility of selecting well-known church music for special holidays and celebrations.  The flute parts vary from a small number of fairly simple pieces (arranged for my niece and for other students) to medium difficulty (the larger part of the group) and a few that are somewhat difficult.  Knowing that the abilities of church pianists vary widely, I have intentionally avoided difficulty in the keyboard parts for the most part.

The styles and treatments of the flute parts vary, depending upon what the music itself seems to dictate.  It is my hope that these arrangements will bring honor and glory to God through the joy of music in worship. — Mary Jean Simpson