In honor of Ma
rtin Luther King Day, I’m offering my advanced intermediate solo piano arrangement of “We Shall Overcome” as a free download. Of course I’m also hoping you’ll like it so much that you peruse my website for similar arrangements but that’s up to you. Here it is with no strings attached: We Shall Overcome Free Download
I wrote this collection in 2008 and forgot about it. I found it on a shelf in a recent cleaning of my studio and decided to make it available. I think of it as supplementary teaching materials though church musicians may find the latter two useful as well.
Led By: Bradley Sowash
Registration Fee: $120 general
Dates: Wednesdays, February 8 – April 4 (no class on March 21)
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 pm
Registration Deadline: February 1, 2012
Age Recommendation:
Registrants will need to know how to read basic treble clef music notation and a bit of bass clef, know how to construct a C, F and G chord. Some previous piano study or completion of Creative Chord Style program is suggested.
More info
“I want to see music education become comprehensive so the next generation can enjoy more versatile creative music making.”
Read PDF —> Twinklestar Nov
In case you missed the recent premier of my holiday suite, “The Spirit of Christmas,” watching these videos is the next best thing.
I got this short email with a BIG question today from a student:
My sister Sarah is trying to do some arrangements of Christmas carols for piano in the jazz style. She’s having trouble with figuring out what chords and musical nuances to use to make an arrangement sound ‘jazzy.’ I was wondering if you had any basic tips that might be helpful to her.
My short answer:
Melody:
Rhythm:
Harmony:
I invite my friends to all of my concerts. Sometimes its just a hint, “Come if you can.” Sometimes it’s a plea, “Please come, it would mean a lot to me.” These December concerts are that latter category. They both involve premiers of new works I’ve written for orchestra over the past several months and I’ll be playing for both events. It will be so cool. Please come it would mean a lot to me.
Concert – World Premier!
Columbus, OH
Sunday, December 4, 2011, 2 p.m.
Riley Auditorium at Battelle Hall
Spirit of Christmas by Bradley Sowash
with Bradley at the piano
Westerville Symphony at Otterbein University.
Concert – World Premier!
Delaware, OH
12/11/2011, 2 and 4:30 pm
Gray Chapel, Ohio Wesleyan
Premier of Fiddle Loops original composition
Also O Holy Night and What Child Is This – newly arranged
Central Ohio Symphony
Hey Gang,
Confidence was high last night and the audience noticed. I heard many comments afterward when I circulated around the room. The gist was a reaction to your presentation as much as your playing… things like, “Man, they were really into it” or “You can just tell they really like playing this” and even, “They must’ve been improvising for many years to be able to play like that.” Whether these statements are strictly true or not doesn’t matter. The point is that you stepped up to the plate, played strongly and the audience reacted.
Making music is more than just playing the right notes at the right time – - at the end of the day, it’s about communicating emotions. When you do that, the notes are still important but secondary. Now, I know that each of us can point to some mistake or missed opportunity last night that you wish would’ve gone better and I could certainly give you my own list. We will keep working on those things but it doesn’t matter! Do you hear me? Most of the people sitting there are just plain jealous of what you can do. They think being to play like you do requires talent or magic. Some know that it takes hard work and dedication. Some think it’s a gift. A few even understand that reaching into the fog of the unknown and making up a solo on the spot requires supreme musicianship. And you know what? They’re all right!
Proud,
Bradley Sowash
Watch this concert.
There’s still time to learn jazzy Christmas solo piano arrangements in time for the holidays. All levels.
