JimBennettPiano.com - Jim Bennett - News

Annual Conference

Sat, 19 Feb 2011 00:00:00 -0800

I am in the process of putting together a band to help me lead music for the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church's Annual Conference. It is to be held at the Roanoke civic center. Attended by approximately 3500 clergy and lay delegates, the conference meets June 15-19. I'm delighted to have several very fine musicians joining me: Drew Wilson, Kevin Davis, Caleb Brown, Greg Jarrell, and Charles Arthur. It is an honor to have been asked to lead music for this event. It is also a huge undertaking. Never having led music in a space as big as the civic center (it seats 10,000) has me thinking long and hard as to how it can best be accomplished. I've settled on a fantastic group of musicians joined by a large body of singers---dubbed The Whoever Singers. As the name implies, anyone can join in singing with us---no audition needed.

The next step is choosing the perfect songs and hymns for the event. No small task and one with which I struggle. I invite the guidance of the Holy Spirit---trouble is, she doesn't show up on cue! However, I am beginning to finally trust the process (I begin my 51st year this month...)

Again, what an honor to be asked to lead music for this conference---I still have doubts that they made a good choice. I will do my best to be worthy of the task. With the musicians I have invited to join me, it will be a much easier task, that is for certain!

New Project

Sat, 01 Jan 2011 00:00:00 -0800

Happy New Year! Yesterday I had an inspiration to record one hymn per day during 2011. My plan is to keep it simple by using my keyboard at home (rather than an acoustic piano in a studio.) These arrangements will be available to download for free. They will be hymn tunes which are in the public domain so as have no royalty costs. Please feel free to download and share the recordings. They will by necessity not be studio quality and may, due to time constraints, be a bit rough. I hope you like them anyway! If you do---please let me know by leaving a comment.

To download the song, use the Music link. To learn more about the tune, go to the Blog.

New Christmas CD available!

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 00:00:00 -0800

My newest recording "He Is Born" is now available. I was very pleased to discover a great studio right here in Richmond--Soundog Recording Studio www.soundogrecording.com run by (father and son) Bruce Olsen and Adrian Olsen. The studio has a wonderful Steinway grand. I welcome your feedback and comments. There will be a Christmas concert/CD release show next month. Check the calendar for more info.