User:Helenepollard/Roger Jones

Roger Jones (born 15 May 1948) is an English composer of Christian musicals.

Roger studied at the Birmingham School of Music and the City of Birmingham College of Education before becoming the music teacher at Aston Manor School in 1969. . While teaching music and leading the school choir, he began to compose musicals beginning with "Jerusalem Joy" in 1972, first performed at Easter in 1973. Roger has since written 21 further musicals, and has formed his own organisation, "Christian Music Ministries", based in Birmingham in the United Kingdom. His musicals, according to Wilson-Dickson are "not simply intended as entertainment but are often taken on as part of a ministry of spiritual encouragement and development."

Jerusalem Joy
Jones' first musical, "Jerusalem Joy" (originally named "Jerusalem Jazz") was composed in approximately two days in November 1972. Jones had been searching for music for his school choir when he began composing a song about Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, "Jesus Rode a Donkey". This very first song was quickly followed by eleven more, and the entire cantata was first performed by the Aston Manor School Choir (to whom this musical is dedicated) at Easter in 1973. Jerusalem Joy follows the story of the passion of Jesus from the moment Jesus decides to travel to Jerusalem right through to his resurrection.

The musical was broadcast by Radio Birmingham on Good Friday 1973 and in August of that year was broadcast on Sunday Half Hour. The musical was recorded in early 1975 by Pilgrim Records, with Chris Bowater taking the part of Jesus. It was also broadcast on BBC Songs of Praise on Palm Sunday 1975.

Jerusalem Joy was re-recorded in 1998 at King's Studio, Sutton Coldfield, with narration from Michele Guinness and Devon Brown in the role of Jesus.

Songs

 * 1) Jesus set his face
 * 2) Jesus rode a donkey (Palm Sunday)
 * 3) Get out! Get out!
 * 4) Let's get rid of him
 * 5) Isn't it wonderful (The last supper)
 * 6) God, I'm scared! (Gethsemane)
 * 7) Listen Peter, do you know him?
 * 8) Tell us, Jesus! (The trial)
 * 9) Don't let him go
 * 10) Father, forgive them (The crucifixion)
 * 11) It is over now
 * 12) Where is Jesus? - He's not here, for he is risen!