Pharisee
a Musical by Roger Jones

CFN Music Week 21-24th July 2008

Performed at Christ for The Nations, 24th July 2008

I had heard of Roger Jones but had never seen or listened to any of his work and was completely bowled over by Pharisee - the story of Nicodemus who came to Jesus under cover of night - so much so that before leaving the production I purchased the CD!

I learnt that Roger Jones first began composing in order to involve as many as possible in music-making and in telling bible stories and Christian truths in a fun and accessible way. In 1984 he gave up teaching to become involved in full-time Christian Music. In addition to writing and performing musicals, Roger also directs Christian Music Ministries. CMM lead music workshops, conferences, courses and seminars about worship, praise and renewal throughout the country and abroad. He  has composed some 20 musicals and regularly tours the UK and abroad. His latest musical 'Rock' based on Simon Peter is being launched in November this year.

Pharisee was the third musical workshop that Roger and his team have done for CFN.

The idea of a musical workshop through the week for an assembled choir and instrumentalists to rehearse the musical Pharisee and then stage it later in the week (free of charge!) for family and friends was a terrific idea. The performers arrived at the hotel on Monday evening for a sing-along and then on Tuesday and Wednesday there were slots for bible reading and morning and evening rehearsals of the musical. On the Thursday there were afternoon and evening rehearsals with a performance to an absolutely packed audience at 8:00pm.

I didn't join the party until the Thursday and by then the production was well sorted and I was intrigued how this all came together.  It became clear that an old friend of mine Geoffrey Porter was very instrumental in putting together the choir and had a big following of devotees to  Roger Jones Musical workshops which he had arranged many times. Roger also brought down with him professional singers  Helen (also trumpet) , Annie and Bill  (also backing tracks and sound).

Worthy of special mention were local musicians and singers Peter and Christopher Hopkins. I doubt if there was a dry eye when the choir sang 'The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me' when the younger one, Christopher came to the microphone and sang 'Out of my heart shall flow living water'. Wonderfully uplifting.

The musical was made of eighteen songs in total interspersed with short narrative pieces and following the journey of discovery of Nicodemus from the baptism of Jesus to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. I was amazed how musical and tuneful the score was in a  modern and very approachable style. Song seventeen was based on the words by Charles Wesley 'And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood?' (one of my favourite traditional hymns) but with music by Roger Jones it was absolutely magnificent - so much so that after the end of the performance we just had to do it again!

I was pleased to see friends from St. Wilfrid's in the appreciative audience including Richard and Cynthia. Richard could not believe that it was a free concert and felt that it justified a sizeable donation. I tackled Judith about being free - and of course I had forgotten that  the reason d'être for the whole event was outreach. And here everyone was - singers, instrumentalists, family and friends all uplifted by this wonderful musical. So it succeeded sublimely - some things really are above price.