For SATB Chorus and Piano
Testimony.pdf (Piano-Choral)
A missionary serving in my home ward gave me the idea of combining these two hymns as representing the foundation of testimony and faith. I first put this together while on my own mission (about a year later); handwritten on manuscript paper, it was barely legible (those poor missionaries from the Scotland Edinburgh Mission were gracious enough to take it seriously and performed it nicely). A few years ago (well, nearly 10!) I re-worked the arrangement for Soundsmith Music.Working with these two melodies is difficult; in some areas they neatly fit into harmonic thirds and sixths, in others they create boring unisons or rough seconds. This arrangement provides a fairly smooth combination which I think works (mostly) in context of the accompaniment. Since its debut, I’ve grown a bit as a composer and I’d prefer some revision; I’m still waiting for that spare time. Meanwhile, I’ve gotten a few requests to re-post this. Enjoy!
I love this piece! I will be singing it as a SA duet (bringing up the mens parts an octave) and I think it’s beautiful! I love it when I can find a great medly so please keep making them!
Thank you so much! Now that we’re getting more settled in our new home, I think I’ll have more time to arrange…
Is there an accompaniment MP3 available for “Testimony”?
Sorry, Marsha, but I don’t have one … yet. I will try this year to create accompaniment files as I go along. Thanks for asking!
I’d like to experiment arranging hymns.
Is there an easy way to get popular LDS hymn notation into the Finale Music software?
Hi Ken,
I’m not exactly sure what you mean by “popular LDS hymn notation.” If you mean “what’s the easiest way to get hymns (or other sheet music) into Finale” there are a couple of options. First, you can enter the notes in “one by one” using the Speedy Entry tool and a keyboard connected via MIDI. If you don’t have a MIDI/Keyboard, you can also enter the notes in with the Simple Entry tool (where you drag and drop notes and chords to your liking). Finally, you can also try scanning the music in with SmartScore (choose Scanning from the File menu). The scanning does it’s best to convert to a Finale music file and it works fairly well with printed music but you still have to do some cleanup. Of course, when you are arranging you will end up moving things around a bit, changing harmonies, adding your own accompaniment, etc. So it might be easiest to add notes as you go while arranging. Hope this helps. If I totally misunderstood your question, please try again!
Hi… My name is Marilia and I’m from Brazil. I just wanted to say thank you for this music sheet. I love it! This was the first arrangement i got to play in sacrament meeting as an accompaniment to the choir,,,, i had to work hard on it though it’s quite easy…. but since i’m just a beginner it’ was hard to me.. but i got it!
thank you!!!
Thank you so much, Marilia. Your comments are very kind! Good luck with your new calling – sounds like you’re off to a great start!
I really wanted you to know how grateful I am for your beautiful arrangements! I have an amazing youth choir here in Folsom CA and we have sung three of your pieces. We just sang Testimony on Sunday and I really don’t have words to express how beautiful and how much the youth enjoyed singing it! I have never received so many compliments! Keep arranging you definately have a gift.
Thank you, Sherrie! I really appreciate your kind and gracious comments. I’m glad the arrangements have helped. I’ll certainly do my best to keep it up!
Hi,
I am not very good at reading music, but love to sing. Is there some way I could hear these versions online?
Thank you,
Nanci
@Nanci: I am working on this, but I’m afraid it will take some time before it’s ready. That reminds me: if any of YOU out there have recordings of these, please share! Thanks!