The Best Hymns of All Time
Arranged for Strings by Colin Kirkpatrick

Book 3

We?re really excited to present the third and last book of our collection of sixty of the best-loved hymns ever composed. The hymns are scored in four parts and could be used with virtually any combination of stringed instruments: string quartet or quintet or any size string ensemble. They are presented in a set of three books and include full four-part instrumental scores plus four separate parts for 1st violin, 2nd violin, viola and cello (and double bass). The bass part is also optional because it doubles the cello part an octave lower. There?s also an optional but useful simplified keyboard part intended for less experienced keyboard players. The left hand plays only the bass part most of the time, with the right hand part kept as simple as possible. The piano part too means that you can use the arrangements as solos, duets or trios. To make the music accessible to less experienced players, the range of the notes has been kept fairly low so that many of the arrangements can be played in first position. However, to produce a brighter and richer sound, a few of the more experienced violinists could play an octave higher. You can hear this effect in the audio samples.

These arrangements are intended either as stand-alone pieces that could be used as interludes in a service, or they could be used to accompany solo, choral or congregational singing. This is essential music for schools and many churches and contains probably all the hymns you?ll ever need. The scores and all the parts of Book 2 are contained in a single 65-page PDF file.

Book 3 contains the following twenty popular hymns: All Hail the Power of Jesus? Name (Miles Lane); All things Bright and Beautiful (Bright and Beautiful); Alleluia, Sing to Jesus (Hyfrydol); Blessed Assurance (Assurance); Come, Ye Thankful People, Come (St George?s Windsor); Father, Hear the Prayer we Offer (Sussex & Gott Will's Machen); For the Beauty of the Earth (Dix); Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken (Austrian hymn); How Firm a Foundation (Foundation); Jesu, Lover of my Soul (Hollingside); Jesus Loves Me, This I Know (Jesus Loves Me); Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee (Hymn to Joy); Kum Ba Yah (Afro-American folksong); Mine Eyes have Seen the Glory (Battle Hymn of the Republic); O God, Our Help In Ages Past (St. Anne); Morning has Broken (Bunessan); Praise to the Lord the Almighty (Lob den Herren); Shall We Gather at the River? (Hanson Place); The God of Abraham Praise (Leoni); When Peace Like a River (Ville du Havre).

The audio samples include (1) All things Bright and Beautiful, (2) How Firm a Foundation, (3) Kum Ba Yah and (4) Morning has Broken. The music has been set in string-friendly keys so they are not compatible with the brass collection of the same name.

If you're looking for another bland, soul-less transcription of a pop song for strings to collect dust in the back of your gig book while you idle away your hours providing background music behind the potted palm, this is NOT the arrangement you are looking for.

However, if you are looking to liven up your ensemble's repertoire with a hip arrangement of the summer's biggest smash from the world's bubbliest boy band... then look no further: THIS is the tune you need to take your performance to the next level! This spicy new take on the Jonas Brothers' latest jam includes an extendable solo section (in case that wedding party is taking too long to make their appearance at cocktail hour), chopping grooves that will land your quartet securely "in the pocket," a couple slick reharminizations to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, and enough flashy licks to finally prove to all those naysaying guitar players that yes, string players can be real rockstars!!!

That being said, if your ensemble is already forward-thinking enough to have brokered peace with those fret-loving, stick-twirling showboats that we know & love, this arrangement also includes an optional rhythm section lead sheet for performing with additional musicians. So whether you're striking up the band for a showcase, or simply providing the ambience for your next dinner party, reception, or corporate function, this arrangement has everything you need to keep your audience, and your ensemble, entertained.

Performance time - 3:44 without vamping solos, 5:00 if you wanna take another round, or 9:35 if the head table starts yelling "Free Bird"

Questions? Feel free to contact me via my website, www.kylepudenz.com/ or on the 'Insta @theviolinvagabond