Of course, you do! It’s December and most of you have already been playing Christmas and Advent music for weeks or months!

However, just in case you have fallen into the last minute category this year, help is on the way! Our home page has just been redesigned thanks to Anita Daneker (completefaithwebdesign.com) and features some of my more recent seasonal solo arrangements available from Alfred Music. (And it’s not too late to check them out!)

CHRISTMAS CAROLS FOR TODAY
MEDLEYS FOR BLENDED WORSHIP – Christmas
POPULAR PERFORMER – HOLIDAY HITS
PIANIST PLUS FOR CHRISTMAS (includes duet parts for both C and B flat instruments)
PURE & SIMPLE CHRISTMAS
PRAISE SOLOS FOR CHRISTMAS (part of the Professional Soloist Series)
WHAT PRAISE CAN I PLAY FOR CHRISTMAS?
WHAT PRAISE CAN I PLAY ON SUNDAY? (Book 6)

(You may also find a complete listing of my Alfred Music books under the PRODUCT MENU.) And as always individual solos to download for just $3.50 each under the CAROL’SKEYS MENU.

So . . . it’s really hard to believe that today is the beginning of August and, once again, life seems to be moving at a record pace here in Music City. (‘Record’- what’s that??)

For most of us certain recurring summertime JOYS bring back precious memories. For me, that translates to events like celebrating my parents’ wedding anniversary each July 31st, annual trips to Niagara Falls (the Canadian side, of course), the annual conference of the Methodist Church in Findley Lake, New York) and summertime concerts at the Chautauqua Institution – a short drive from my Alma Mater: State University of New York at Fredonia. (The short list!)

I’m sure that most of you could finish this sentence!

But, if not, here goes: "the best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” (Poet Robert Frost)

The four-word phrase: of mice and men first appeared in John Steinbeck’s novel of the same name and beloved poet Robert Frost uses the entire sentence in one of his most well-known poems.

Simply said, it just means that, even with our best intentions (best laid plans), things don’t always go the way we plan. Not sure about the relevance of the mice, but I will investigate! (Maybe one of you can enlighten me.) :)

Anyhow, for me the month of April was a lot like the sentence from Robert Frost’s poem. No matter how much multi-tasking and plate-spinning I did, I still didn’t quite achieve my goal. However, as with life, there is always next month – right? This website remains a work in progress. (And the same is true about our FB page!)

When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God,
All the vain things that charm me most – I sacrifice them to His blood.

See, from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown?

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.

 

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