In response to how hard it was becoming to find substitute organists at church, I started learning to play the organ and too soon began playing church services around Portland, having to quickly adapt piano skills to the organ and prepare substantial amounts of music under too short deadlines. Out of necessity I started simplifying and arranging music.
I began by making the harmony and pedal lines of common hymns easier. Then I wrote short chimes and interlude pieces to fill out time. I started arranging favorite chamber and orchestra pieces to increase my repertoire and then redoing existing organ and piano pieces to make them more interesting . I discovered I enjoyed this kind of work, and thinking others might like the pieces, began putting together collections: The Overnight Organist, Quick Keyboard, Chimes and Interludes. Printed versions of these will be available on Arrangeme.com. Various audio clips are on my Facebook page: Eagle Music Northwest.
