Based on the wonderful old gospel song, “‘Tis so Sweet to Trust in Jesus” by Louisa M.R. Snead (1850-1917) and William James Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), this solo with instrumental ensemble accompaniment features one verse and two choruses from the song.
After a brief introduction based on intervals from the song, the soloist plays an original melody by the composer prior to a light and energetic rendition of the first chorus. The verse appears in a more sustained style by the soloist, accompanied by a smooth, chorale-like background.
The second chorus is played by the soloist while the opening original theme is juxtaposed underneath. The introduction is reintroduced prior to an ascending finale by the soloist.

African American spirituals are a rich part of our nation’s history – offering songs of hope for the oppressed as well as soulful hymns for the Church. “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me” is one such spiritual. While the text references many trials that must be endured, it maintains a sense of hope. It is a prayer to God to be with us throughout all our life, and with Jesus, we will overcome the trials.

The tune follows a similar pattern. Even though the melody is in a minor key, the repetitive form and quick tempo portray an upbeat thought, despite the trials that are being depicted.

Andrew Young (1807-1891) spent his life in Edinburgh, Scotland where he was a school teacher and head master. Many of Mr. Young’s hymns and poems were published in 1876 as The Scottish Highlands and Other Poems, which included “There Is a Happy Land,” which is included in many hymnals to this day. Its theme of eternal life and peace is summed up in the first verse:

There is a happy land, far, far away,
Where saints in Glory stand, bright, bright as day.
O how they sweetly sing: Worthy is our Savior King!
Loud let His praises ring, praise, praise for aye.

The great Charles Wesley hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today has here been set as a solo for instrument in E-flat or F with ensemble accompaniment by Andrew Wainwright. The hymn is widely considered as the most definitive church anthem for Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

The great Charles Wesley hymn Christ the Lord is Risen Today has here been set as a solo for instrument in E-flat or F with ensemble accompaniment by Andrew Wainwright. The hymn is widely considered as the most definitive church anthem for Easter, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.

Colonel Edward H. Joy (1871-1949) had a long career as a Salvation Army officer who served in several administrative appointments in the United Kingdom, Canada, and South Africa from 1894 to 1938. Throughout his ministry, he wrote the words and music to many well-loved songs, including the melody featured here, “All Your Anxiety.” It is a song of invitation, as stated in the chorus:

All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there,
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus.

Elvina Hall (1820-1889) conceived the words to “Jesus Paid It All” during a church service. As her mind wondered to thoughts of the price Jesus paid for our salvation, the words came to her. Having no paper to write the words down, she wrote these words in the flyleaf of her hymnbook:…

“Kingsfold” is a traditional English melody, possibly originating in the Middle Ages. It was included in an anthology, English Country Songs, at the end of the 19th century. Ralph Vaughan Williams heard the tune in Kingsfold, Sussex (hence its name) and included it as a hymn tune in The English Hymnal (1906) to the words “I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say” by Horatius Bonar (1808-1889).

This popular worship song by the group Elevation Worship topped the charts in 2017 and is still widely sung around the world. The song is something of a modern-day paraphrase of the classic gospel song “Softly and Tenderly, Jesus Is Calling,” and this arrangement interweaves fragments of that melody with the melody of the newer song. The bridge of the song leaves for a moment the invitational quality of the text and breaks into a paean of pure praise – “O what a Savior, isn’t He wonderful? Sing alleluia, Christ is risen!” – making the arrangement particularly useful in the Easter season.

Here is a meditative study on Sir Hubert Parry’s beloved hymn tune, “Repton.” Parry set his melody to the words of American Quaker poet John Greenleaf Whittier, and over many decades it has become a beloved hymn, particularly in the United Kingdom.

This majestic arrangement is based on the well-known hymn, “We Have an Anchor.” Originally written in 1882 by Priscilla J. Owens (1829-1907), the words were set to music by William J. Kirkpatrick (1838-1921), the chorus of which reads:…

The Largo movement from Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony #9 titled “From the New World” has inspired various writers to give Christian words to the theme. The feel of the melody joins well together with the words by William Arms Fisher titled “Going Home.”