PROGRAM NOTE
This arrangement of the well-known song O Church Arise (S.A.S.B. 819) is in the form of an opening fanfare, followed by a three-verse setting of the tune. Hints of militaristic style reflect the imagery of the words of the first two verses. The final verse is presented in a more upbeat and celebratory style, as we look to the future. The words of the song are a call to action – for the church to hear the call of Christ and “to love the captive soul.”
For there to be a revival in the church, there also needs to be revival in our individual hearts, and so there are references to the hymn Arise, My Soul, Arise (S.A.S.B. 242) throughout the piece. It is hoped that this piece will be an encouragement to those who hear it to, “run with faith to win the prize of a servant good and faithful.”
PERFORMANCE NOTE
The opening should be noble in style with a strong, but not harsh approach. Use concert percussion (as opposed to drum kit) whenever possible during the 3/4 section of the piece. Approach the melody with a singing style for the first two verses in particular. Fanfare figures should always be played in a poco marcato style. The transition to the third verse should be seamless and exactly double time as indicated by the metronome markings. The fast section should be full of forward energy, representing the church moving forward into the future. A good drummer should be free to “ad lib” a beat pattern that will give the appropriate feel here. At section F, add tambourine if there are three percussionists. Be sure to allow the melody to come through unforced. Give good weight to the last note for a feeling of finality
ABOUT THE COMPOSER
Philip Rayment is a Canadian performer, conductor and composer from Hamilton, Ontario. Having obtained Bachelor of Music and Education degrees, he has performed in several ensembles as a bass trombonist across Canada, the USA and Europe. As a member of the New York and Canadian Staff Bands, he has had the privilege of sharing the stage with musicians as diverse as Canadian Brass and Sir Elton John. As a composer/arranger, Philip has had his brass band, choral and solo works performed, recorded and published around the world.
Professionally, Philip is a music teacher for the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. In his spare time, he has been on the faculty of several music camps across North America and is the co-director of The Salvation Army’s Ontario Senior Music Camp with his wife Sarah. Philip is currently the conductor of Impact Brass, a composite youth brass band which draws from across Southern Ontario. He lives in Binbrook, Ontario with Sarah and his two children, Micaela and Ethan.