There is more to Come

Dear Fellow Pipers and Drummers,

This is a way for us to become acquainted.  “Music of Paradise” had been sold out for about three years and many were asking for it to be reprinted, which it was indeed.  The format was made to match other music books in the series.  A short article was added; “Be Still and Know” and the music was re edited.  The new name, "Music of Paradise,” was given to make “The Church Piper” title available for the entire series.
 
My excitement also stems from events between November 1997 and Christmas, 1998, when there were three books published in short succession.  They were, “Hymns of Discovery,” with its Seafaring theme, “A Piper's Garden,” based on a gardening theme and the restoration of  "Music of Paradise," in response to requests. 

I look to God and say, “Thanks, You have done more for me and Christian pipers than I had asked or thought.”  That is my real reason for writing to tell you.  It is to share my excitement, and let you know that I acknowledge the inspiration and help from God, to share this beautiful music with you.
 
This web site also affords me the great opportunity to tell you what my plans are for developing more church music for Christian pipers.  These plans depend upon what God has for me.  You will be interested to know that the next volume, “A Sojourner's Joyful Adventure,” one I worked on all one summer, was published in 1999.  “A Sojourner's Joyful Adventure” contains the theme hymn for the IFCPD, which is, “If The Whole World Knew Jesus.”  In fact, this volume is dedicated to the International Fellowship of Christian Pipers and Drummers.  There are 72 hymns in it, with 16 articles based on our walk through life, with our Guide.

“Wedding Music” was next.  Many pipers asked for it, but the classical selections arranged to suit the bagpipes, needed more time.  It now satisfies the need of those who frequently pipe for weddings.

If you are wondering about “Christmas Music,” it was reedited like “Music of Paradise,” because of its popularity; something I appreciated.  With the addition of many more carols and devotionals with respect to the birth of Jesus, it was republished as, “Christmas Carols.”  “Heavenly Music” is also a popular music book for pipers who play in church.   It is interesting to speculate on what Heaven will be like.  In contrast, one doesn't have to wonder about the conditions in Hell because they are well delineated in the Bible.  “Heavenly Music,” contains an article on Hell to compare the two.  Telling of Heaven only is not to clarify what Hell must be like.  Apparently, it is not a nice place. Thanks to our wonderful God, a place is reserved for us in “My Father's house.”  “If it were not so,” Jesus would have told us.
 
Occasionally, as I play for a funeral service in which there is no other music but that of the bagpipes, I think how gratifying it is to rely upon one's repertoire, and be able to play exactly the music everyone wants to hear.  Hymns are beautiful.  So is an assortment of Scottish songs that were favorites of the deceased.  Eventually, “The Church Piper” will offer pipers a collection of suitable Scottish songs, ones to be played upon many occasions. 

Years ago my mother suggested that I should share my music with others so they too could feel the exhilaration from piping for call to worship, to lead a bride in a processional or pay a last tribute to a loved one.  In Heaven, from where she sees all that is going on, Mom will be pleased to hear pipers all over the world, playing hymns.
 
Ultimately, you will have music for all special occasions such as Easter and Communion, Thanksgiving, Call to Worship, Morning and Evening services, Patriotic celebrations, and occasions when you will remember Jesus’ command to us all.  “The Great Commandment” is, "Go ye out into all the world, and preach the Gospel."  Begin where you are, and then go farther afield.

Actually, there are several new music books in “The Church Piper” series.  There is, “Friends & Neighbours,” with its patriotic music and “Sacred Memories,” replete with the right music to play for funerals, as well as articles that pertain to the piper’s deportment.  The Easter and Communion book “Wondrous Love,” otherwise called, “Hymns of Eternal Love,” was published in the fall of 2004.  Besides the wonderful music it contains, there are explanations concerning the celebration of communion and why we Christians consider it a sacred occasion.  “Thanksgiving Hymns,” a collection of hymns that pipers have been anticipating, was published in the fall of 2005.
 
It has been a pleasure to share my excitement with all of you.  I will tell you about subsequent music books through the news pages of the IFCPD.  However, I have been wanting to contact you personally, so you’ll know what to expect from “The Church Piper,” and acknowledge that to publish a new music book is not the result of working alone.  It is with the assistance of our Great Saviour and the encouragement of pipers across the world.