Tag: christian

The Lord is My Shepherd (Crimond) – String Quartet Arrangement

by Ben Clapton, posted in Videos, Arrangements

Looking for a beautiful and soulful string quartet arrangement of the hymn “The Lord’s My Shepherd“? Look no further than Ben Clapton’s rendition of this timeless classic, set to the hymn tune Crimond.

At Joyful Noise Music Studio, we’re proud to offer this stunning arrangement, which features all instruments sharing the melody, as well as a modulation to the minor key and a key change for the final verse.

The hymn tune Crimond has a rich history dating back to the 19th century, when Scottish church musician Jessie Seymour Irvine composed the melody. Since then, it has become one of the most beloved and widely recognized hymn tunes in the world, with countless artists and ensembles performing their own interpretations over the years.

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and reverence to your next religious service or special event, Ben Clapton’s string quartet arrangement of “The Lord’s My Shepherd” is the perfect choice. So why wait? Order your copy today and experience the beauty and power of this timeless hymn like never before. And remember, with Joyful Noise Music Studio, you’re always in good hands.

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Now The Green Blade Rises – String Quartet Arrangement

by Ben Clapton, posted in Arrangements, Videos

Looking for a timeless and beautiful string quartet arrangement of the Easter hymn tune, “Now the Green Blade Rises”? Look no further than the stunning arrangement by Ben Clapton of Joyful Noise Music Studio!

This arrangement is a wonderful showcase of Clapton’s talents as a composer and arranger. He has taken the old French tune Noel Nouvelet and created a lush and harmonious piece of music that is perfect for Easter services, weddings, and any other special occasion. The piece is scored for two violins, viola, and cello, making it a perfect choice for a skilled string quartet.

This arrangement of “Now the Green Blade Rises” starts with a standard hymn tune arrangement, with the melody in the first violin. However, as the piece progresses, Clapton expands on this basic arrangement with more ornamentation and a greater use of harmony.

About halfway through the piece, the tune is transformed into compound time, which adds a whole new layer of complexity and depth to the arrangement. The tune is passed around the quartet, with each instrument taking a turn at playing the melody and adding their own unique ornamentation.

Finally, the piece returns to simple time for a joyous finish to the arrangement, with all four instruments playing together to create a beautiful and uplifting finale.

This arrangement of “Now the Green Blade Rises” is not only beautiful to listen to, but also fun and rewarding to play. Musicians of varying skill levels will find something to enjoy in this arrangement, from the simple and straightforward beginning to the more complex and challenging middle section.

If you’re looking for a beautiful string quartet arrangement of a classic Easter hymn tune, look no further than Ben Clapton’s arrangement of “Now the Green Blade Rises”. Available for purchase from Sheet Music Direct and Sheet Music Plus, this arrangement is a must-have for any string quartet looking to add a beautiful and uplifting piece of music to their repertoire.

Buy IT at Sheet Music Plus
Buy it at Sheet Music Direct

Abide with Me

by Ben Clapton, posted in Arrangements, Videos

Experience the beautiful and timeless hymn “Abide with Me” like never before with our string quartet arrangement. Composed by the English organist and composer Henry Francis Lyte in 1847, this hymn has been beloved by generations for its poignant lyrics and soaring melody. This arrangement is not suitable for singing, but it is perfect for adding a sense of reflection and beauty to any church service as background music. Arranger Ben Clapton has brought a fresh and dynamic interpretation to this classic hymn, ensuring that it will be a highlight of any service. Whether you are looking for music to accompany a reflective church service, funeral, or other special occasion, our “Abide with Me” string quartet arrangement is sure to add an extra layer of meaning and emotion to your event. With its rich harmonies and soaring melodies, this arrangement is sure to be a hit with both musicians and music lovers alike. So why wait? Add this beautiful piece to your service today and bring a touch of timeless beauty to your next event.

Buy it at Sheet Music PLus
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Silent Night

by Ben Clapton, posted in Arrangements

This is a string quintet arrangement of the beloved holiday classic, “Silent Night.” This arrangement features violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello, and double bass, and is perfect for use in worship settings. The included lead sheet allows for easy integration into a worship band setting. Our arrangement captures the peaceful and serene atmosphere of the original song, while adding a lush and full sound through the use of the full string quintet. The piece is suitable for intermediate to advanced musicians, and is sure to be a beautiful and meaningful addition to any holiday service. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to add this stunning arrangement to your holiday repertoire. Purchase “Silent Night (String Quintet)” today!

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The Power of Jesus Christ will Reign

by Ben Clapton, posted in Compositions

A fun, boppy, composition suitable for performance in church. The lyrics of the Chorus read:
And we thank you Lord Jesus for the things you’ve done,
We’ve got a new heart from you and a new spirit too,
and we will shout all your praises from the highest of heights
For we are cleansed of our sins by the Lord Jesus Christ.

This is an original composition by Ben Clapton. It was written with a Salvation Army Songsters group in mind, but is suitable for all choral groups.

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The Prodigal Story

by Ben Clapton, posted in blog

As has been my tradition, every sermon that I preach will be posted here. This sermon, The Prodigal Story, was given at The Salvation Army Rochester on Sunday March 31, 2019. The Reading was Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.

Missing the Story

Our bible reading today is the Prodigal Son.

How many of you would switch off at hearing that? That you’re so familiar with the story that you don’t actually need me to read it out? I’ll admit that I did that. When I saw what was the bible reading for today, I initially skipped it and didn’t read it through.

We all know the story. The son asks his father for his half of the estate, goes and loses it all, comes back, and asks to be a slave, and the father welcomes him back into the family. In the mean time, the elder son hears there’s a party happening, and refuses to come back in, and so the father goes out to him.

And we’re so familiar with this story, that we’re probably very familiar with the interpretation. The Father is God. The prodigal son is the Christian. The elder son is the Jewish people.

But if we believe that scripture is the living word of God, and that it continues to teach us and continues to show us new insights into the nature of God, then we have a duty to read it and hear it through fresh eyes.

And so, I’m not going to read our reading for today. Not right now. I’m going to shake things up – give my sermon first, and then we will read the scripture. Because I want to give you some information about the three characters that may change the way you hear this story.

Continue reading “The Prodigal Story” →

Wonder-working Power

by Ben Clapton, posted in Arrangements

A driving arrangement of this wonderful hymn. The inspiration for this version came from playing this hymn at a young men’s spiritual retreat, where they would shout out an echo of the word “Power” in the chorus. This arrangement is an attempt to capture that passion and energy.

The choral parts include some syncopation, but the higher difficulty is due in the most part to the piano accompaniment.

SATB and Piano. List price: US$4.99. Buy it here.

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God’s Kingdom is Mercy

by Ben Clapton, posted in blog

As has been my tradition, every sermon that I preach will be posted here. This sermon, God’s Kingdom is Mercy, was given at The Salvation Army Rochester on Sunday March 3, 2019. The Reading was Luke 6:27-38.

Follow the leader

Our reading today follows on from the reading we had last week, so it makes sense that my sermon should follow on in many aspects. We still have Jesus speaking to his disciples in that level place. But we also need to remember that Luke is writing this gospel for his congregation, and as such, much of what he is writing here are instructions for his church. Just as Jesus is saying this is how I want you to live, Luke is saying to his church “This is how you need to be as a church”.

In Jesus’ day, many groups believed that not only did the individual need to imitate their leader, but the community needed to imitate their leader as well. Therefore, the values that Jesus and God showed and show as central should also be the values that the church holds as central.

For us, in our passage today, that grounding is found right in the center of our reading. It’s a short verse, but it sums up everything that comes before and after it in the passage, as well as being our guide for what we should be as a community. Verse 36 says “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”

Continue reading “God’s Kingdom is Mercy” →

Discipleship amidst the desolation

by Ben Clapton, posted in blog, faith

As has been my tradition, every sermon that I preach will be posted here. This sermon, Discipleship amidst the desolation, was given at The Salvation Army Rochester on Sunday February 24, 2019. The Reading was Luke 6:17-26.

Placing us – Have you ever?

I want to start by playing a little game. I’m going to ask a question, and if it applies to you, I want you to raise your hand.

I want you to think back over the last week. Has anybody paid you a compliment? If someone has spoken some kind words about you in the last week, please raise your hands. (For those with their hands up, you might like to look to those with their hands down and see if you can repay that compliment).

Again, over the last week, if you can think of a time where you have laughed – either a little chuckle, or a full bellied guffaw, then raise your hands.

If you have food in your fridge, which is in a house that you are able to live in and gives you a safe place to sleep and to store the clothes that you are wearing, please raise your hands.

If you have money in your bank, some in your purse or wallet (either actual cash or accessible through a debit card), and some loose change in a dish at home somewhere, raise your hand.

Let me read this passage again.

Then he looked up at his disciples and said:
“Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 “Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
“Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
24 “But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
25 “Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
“Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.

Luke 6:20-26 (NRSV)

Did you know that if you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head with a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of the world.

If you have money in the bank, in your purse or wallet, and spare change in a dish somewhere, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthiest people.

In response to those statistics, how do you feel about this reading?

Continue reading “Discipleship amidst the desolation” →

Teaching, Catching, Calling

by Ben Clapton, posted in blog, faith

As has been my tradition, every sermon that I preach will be posted here. This sermon, Teaching, Catching, Calling, was given at The Salvation Army Rochester on Sunday February 10, 2019. The Reading was Luke 5:1-11.

Big Picture

There are plenty of accounts of boats throughout the bible, and many of them involve fishing of some kind. But do you know where there is strangely no mention of fishing? In Chapter 7 of Genesis. Now, if you’re not up to date with your bible reading plan, and that reference doesn’t come straight to your head, let me refresh your memory. Genesis starts with the creation of the world, of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They get cast out of Egypt, and Cain murders Abel, and then civilisation expands, and we get all the descendents from Adam through to Noah, whom we meet in chapter 6. Chapter 7, therefore, is the great flood. And there is no fishing there. Do you want to know why Noah didn’t go fishing while on the ark? He only brought two worms.

Continue reading “Teaching, Catching, Calling” →