I was thrilled to find out that I was receiving one of Steve Sensenig's music CDs for review. I was even more thrilled when the CD arrived, and I popped it into my CD player! 'Tis So Sweet is a collection of 19 all-time favorite hymns beautifully arranged and skillfully played by Steve Sensenig. As I listen to him play, not only do I feel a sense of peace and calm come over me, but I am transported back in time to the days of my youth--when hymns were all we ever sang in church and a love for the piano was instilled in me at school.

Each song on the CD just seems to blend into the next, making it very soothing and easy to listen to. Some of my favorite hymns on the CD are "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," "How Great Thou Art," "It Is Well with My Soul," and "In the Garden." Steve plays with such feeling that I find myself listening with my eyes closed at times (hence the reason I suggest not listening in the car!).

Something that really impressed me was Steve's recommendation to read along in a hymnal while listening to his "interpretations of the melodies." My kids and I have taken this one step further--we have decided to commit one new hymn to memory each week as part of our homeschooling. We listen to Steve's arrangement of the hymn, sing through the hymn together, and follow up by researching the story behind the hymn. So far, we have really been enjoying this! I hear my girls humming the tunes during the day, and I find myself singing them to the baby when I rock him at night.

Steve reminds us of Paul's instructions to the Ephesians and the Colossians to "include 'psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs' in our interaction with other believers as well as with God Himself." I see the church of today pushing the old hymns aside for more upbeat praise songs (which I also love), but I think it is important to share the hymns of old with our children as well. I desire for my children to have an appreciation for a variety of music, not just what is "in style" today.

I cannot say enough about this CD. It is simply phenomenal! I look forward to adding more of Steve's CDs to my music collection and will highly recommend them to everyone. If you appreciate beautiful music, then I'm sure you will love 'Tis So Sweet.

Product review by Heidi Strawser, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, October 2007