Roger William Jones (born 1948) 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.
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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 (now Birmingham City University Faculty of Education, Law and Social Sciences), in September 1969 he became Head of Music and then in September 1978 Head of Lower School at Aston Manor School (now Academy).
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 (Roger Jones Musical Man by Graham Allen: ISBN 978-1874594864) was published by Christian Music Ministries in 2015.
He currently hosts 'Heart and Soul' which is a regular two-hour weekly programme on Brumside Radio (formerly called South Birmingham 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. Currently 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
Cantatas
Jerusalem Joy (1975)
Stargazers (1976)
Updated edition (2017)
David (1976)
Updated edition (2004)
A Grain of Mustard Seed (1976)
Updated edition (2006)
Saints Alive (1982)
Updated edition, new song added (2022) (ISBN 978 1 8380007 8 3)
Apostle (1982)
Updated edition (2013)
Greater than Gold (1983)
From Pharaoh to Freedom (1985)
While Shepherds Watched (1987)
The Torn Curtain (1988)
Away in a Manger (1989)
Mary Magdalene (1990)
Additional lyrics by Horatius Bonar (1808–89), Cecil Frances Alexander (1823-95) and John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–82)
Jairus' Daughter (1992)
Additional words by Sylvia Bunting and Chris Ellis
Hymn lyrics by Walter John Mathams (1853-1931)
Angel Voices (1993)
Books
Worship Works (2013) ISBN 1-874594-76-7 by Roger Jones, Annie Routley and Helen Pollard. Cartoons by Tim Stanyon. Paintings by Ruth Butler.
Spirit Works (2017) ISBN 1-874594-88-0 by Roger Jones, Annie Routley and Helen Pollard. Edited by Helen Pollard.
Awards
2018 Mary Jones Prize from the British and Foreign Bible Society for Greater than Gold
2019 The Thomas Cranmer Award for Worship