Roger Jones (composer)


Roger William Jones is an English musician and composer of church music. Alongside writing cantatas and hymn tunes he leads workshops and conducts performances of his works both around the UK and in other countries.

Biography

Roger Jones was born in Birmingham on 15 May 1948, the son of Harold and Winifred Jones and studied piano, organ, cello and general musicianship at the Birmingham School of Music. After teacher training at City of Birmingham College of Education, in September 1969 he became Head of Music and then in September 1978 Head of Lower School at Aston Manor School.
Writing songs for the pupils, his first musical, Jerusalem Joy, was performed at the school in 1973. Before giving up teaching in 1984 he wrote 5 more musicals: Apostle, David, A Grain of Mustard Seed about the Sunday School pioneer Robert Raikes, Saints Alive and Greater than Gold. Up to 2025, Roger Jones had composed a total of 25 musicals.
Since leaving teaching in 1984 he has worked full-time in Christian music, and is director of Christian Music Ministries, which publishes his works. A biography was published by Christian Music Ministries in 2015.
He currently hosts '' which is a regular two-hour weekly programme on Brumside Radio. In it he presents church music and chats to what are described by the internet radio station as high-profile guests within this musical genre.
In 2022, Roger suggested the idea of the Appledore Christian Music Festival. Cuurently an annual event, this brought together the Anglcan and the Baptist Church congregations in Appledore village, Devon. This has become an annual event with a wide range of musical styles.
He is a Lay Reader in the Church of England.

Musical works

CantatasJerusalem Joy Stargazers
  • :Updated edition David
  • :Updated edition A Grain of Mustard Seed
  • :Updated edition Saints Alive
  • :Updated edition, new song added Apostle
  • :Updated edition Greater than Gold From Pharaoh to Freedom While Shepherds Watched The Torn Curtain Away in a Manger Mary Magdalene
  • :Additional lyrics by Horatius Bonar, Cecil Frances Alexander and John Greenleaf Whittier Jairus' Daughter
  • :Additional words by Sylvia Bunting and Chris Ellis
  • :Hymn lyrics by Walter John Mathams Angel Voices Pharisee
  • :With other words by Alison Fuggle and Charles Wesley Simeon Snakes & Ladders
  • :Lyrics, narrations and poems by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones and Cardinal John Henry Newman
  • :Opening music by Tim JonesWildfire
  • :Lyrics and Narrations by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, Samuel Crossman and Isaac Watts Jail Break
  • :Additional music by Tim Jones
  • :Lyrics and Narrations by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, Mary Jones, James Grindlay Small and Charles Wesley The Inn Crowd
  • :Lyrics and Narrations by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, Peter H Lawrence, Edith Margaret Gellibrand Reed and Reginald Heber Rock
  • :Lyrics and narrative links by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, Augustus Toplady, E Mote and traditionalTwo Sisters and a Funeral
  • :Three songs by Tim Jones
  • :Lyrics and narrative links by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, Robert Grant, Samuel T. Francis and Henry Francis Lyte Barnabas
  • :Lyrics and narrative links by Alison Fuggle
  • :Additional lyrics by Roger Jones, J H Samis, William Whiting and Bishop Walsham How Torn Curtain
  • :Revision and expansion of The Torn Curtain without communion service settingTorn Curtain Communion setting Three Wise Camels Zac
Hymns and CarolsThe Roger Jones Hymn Collection published by Kevin Mayhew Ltd
  • : Revised edition published by Christian Music MinistriesThe Roger Jones Psalm CollectionThe Roger Jones Christmas Collection The Roger Jones Song CollectionSeasons & Reasons hymn collection in collaboration with Bishop Timothy Dudley-SmithSongs of ChristmasSongs of Easter
CD albumsJones! Got Rhythm
  • : featuring Tim, Michael and Roger Jones performing together
  • All the published musical cantatas are available on CD.

Books

Worship Works by Roger Jones, Annie Routley and Helen Pollard. Cartoons by Tim Stanyon. Paintings by Ruth Butler.Spirit Works by Roger Jones, Annie Routley and Helen Pollard. Edited by Helen Pollard.

Awards