Any suggestions for music which sounds good on the pipes and which could be played in the context of a religious service (not a wedding or a funeral).
All I know at present is Ar nAthair (the Lord’s Prayer in Irish) which sounds good in G on the pipes.
dont know that one, Ill have to do a tune search
Try:
Be Thou My Vision
How Firm A Foundation
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
Amazing Grace
The Gift Of Love
Ailin
Ailin,
Ta tu go h-ailinn. Thanks a bunch for the suggestions.
Used a concert D set on “Crown him with many crowns” last Sunday - melody runs from D to d and uses both the G natural and also a couple of G# accidentals.
There are a number of other good ones as well as those mentioned above - Trinity Sunday is coming up in a few weeks and would recommend “Song of the Trinity” which is set to the tune of “Come by the hills” which in turn (I believe) is based upon “Buachaill on Eirne”. “Holy Holy Holy” is also good for Trinity Sunday and fits the pipes well.
Can scan and send a copy of “Song of the Trinity” if you cannot find it
If you do not have a hymnal go to one of the internet church music sites e.g. http://www.cyberhymnal.org/ - good selection to choose from.
Chris
Edited to add the following
cyberhymnal and several other sites use a shareware music scorewriting program called “Noteworthy” - a free plug in to enable the files to be viewed is available from www.noteworthy.com
There are two pieces that you could try from Micheal Card’ Starkindler.
Starkindler
Blarney Pilgram (with or without words)
I know what you mean. There are some tunes that sound great on the pipes. But when you do some research about the tunes (to find words etc). Sometimes you find the tune in question is not suitable for church :LOL.
Note: in the Methodist book we have in the Uniting Church. The Blarney Pilgram is in Bb major. From past experiences if you play it in the upper octave only. You should be fine. For some good Irish tunes. Many church books have the most famouse compositions.
Cheers L42B 
Ooh. Ooh. Gotta learn that one. 
“Doxology” is another good one. Kelly Joe Phelps does a nice version of it on the slide guitar.
What is Doxology anyway? Is is the study of weiner dogs?
The shop dictionary (we’s eddicated grease monkeys here) merely says that a doxology is a religious expression in praise of God. I was hoping for something more. Oh, well.
Isn’t that something to do with horses’ tails?
djm
Or marina maintenance…
Jeez, Hip, I just about jumped out of my freakin’ skin!
Sorry. It’s some old French tune name Picardy. I found it easy to play on the whistle, since I don’t have any pipes yet.
Just on the origin of the word “doxology”:
http://mb-soft.com/believe/txn/doxology.htm
The term, which is derived from the Greek doxa (glory), denotes an ascription of praise to the three persons of the Blessed Trinity.
I think, but am not sure, that “Guide Me Oh Thou Great Jehovah” might sound nice on pipes. It moves right along. Also, maybe “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”—it’s like a march. Perhaps you are thinking of more gentle songs though. I don’t know, it’s been a long time.
Seems to me we sang them when it was time to collect the money.
As to the original question:
1)What kind of church is it? Not just denomination.
2)To what will the music be applied? Offertory solo, accompaniment, song service?
“How Great Thou Art” is a song I’ve wanted to do. I think it would sound very wonderful. These aren’t traditional Irish spirituals, but here are some ideas that I think would sound great:
“On Eagle’s Wings”
“Lord of the Dance” (purge the foul images of Michael Flat[line]ley from thine head)
“Here I am Lord”
I’d say pick up a song service book and start playing all the songs until you find something that sounds absolutely amazing.
I’d be willing to bet that there would be all kinds of cool tunes to adapt to UPs within the covers of a typical Hymnal… might be worth a shot for those interested.
But whatever you do, please try and stay away from the music of John Tesh… emmmm… it’s all under copyright. 
Oh man, I don’t know how exactly what you’ve got in mind with ‘religous’, but, my wife & I have played “When I survey the Wonderous Cross” a few times. She on Harp, me on UP.
In “D”
.Killer.
I can be done in total free flowing time(instrumentally), or in a 4/4 thing, with the melody line sort of syncopated.
Anyway, great old hymn.
There are a few that come to mind whihc would be really good, but I’m afraid you may have a harder time finding the music, as they are ‘Vineyard’ tuns(as in Vineyard chuch)
“Be the Center” “D”
http://www.bridgesong.org/mp3s/worshiplive4/10_Be_The_Center.mp3
“Garment of Praise” “D” is a tune on the “Revival in Belfast” CD, & features a vey cool UP introduction, followed by the main tune , which is quite lively.
http://www.firstnetchristian.com/fnc/item_7472011231.htm&ct=Song_List
Oh, and there’s “In Christ Alone”
http://www.grassrootsmusic.com/artist/wtogether/wtogether23
Another great poossibility!
Cheers!
Rich
