Posts Tagged ‘hymns’

Review, Interview, Contest: “Awake, My Soul” by Reba Snyder

Posted: April 15, 2013 in Piano Collections, Reviews
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Reba Snyder headshot

Reba Snyder

Reba Snyder is a name you may not recognize. She’s been a mostly behind-the-scenes member of two evangelistic teams for the past eight years. Accompanying, playing the “invisible” prelude/postlude music, arranging, and quietly underscoring invitations all make up a sampling of what she’s done since graduating from Bob Jones University in 2004 with a degree in church music.

Now she’s making a move into the solo realm by releasing her first self-published book of piano arrangements. “Awake my Soul” is a collection of nine traditional hymns set in her distinct style. I’ve played several of Reba’s arrangements, but they have all been written as vocal accompaniments. This is the first time I’ve seen her songs arranged for solo piano. Read on for my thoughts on her book as well as a podcast with Reba. Plus, you can enter to win a copy of her new book. (more…)

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Keith Getty: Living Legend or Flash in the Pan?

Posted: June 11, 2011 in Philosophy
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Keith Getty publicity photo

Keith Getty

For about the last decade, one songwriter has stood head and shoulders above the crowd of sacred composers struggling to get noticed and published.  Keith Getty, along with his wife Kristyn and frequent collaborator Stuart Townend, has been crafting wildly popular hymns that seem to find a home in contemporary and traditional church worship environments equally.  The Irish-born composer began his rise to notoriety with the release of “In Christ Alone” and continues to churn out solid hymns that are slowly covering the spectrum of Biblical topics.  However, contemporary popularity does not always equal a lasting legacy.  Put the phrase “one hit wonder” in your head and see what or who that conjures up.  Although the Gettys have had more than one “hit,” let’s take a few minutes to step back and gain some perspective on their text and their tunes. Then we can more accurately predict whether the hymns many of us love singing today will still be printed in our great grand children’s hymn books.
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