As a Christian school, we are committed to educating the whole person, and music plays a key part in both its worship and curriculum. This album is the second in a series celebrating some of the great hymns of the Christian church. ‘All Praise to Hymn’ is named after the hymn ‘All Praise to Thee’, whose lyrics form the foundation of this album: ‘Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost’.
Featuring a greater variety in composition, including the Primary School Choir and a 7-part acapella arrangement, as well as more student involvement with gifted students performing in 5 works, this album includes 10 hymns. We hope that you are blessed by the music and that the words direct your heart and mind to worship the One who alone deserves our praise.
By purchasing a CD, not only will you get your hands (and ears) onto this great album, but you will be supporting the music program at Tweed Valley Adventist College so that more music can be produced in the future.
All Praise to Hymn
If we ever lived in a time when the measure of a person was by clicks or likes – that time is now.
In the 17th century, Bishop Thomas Ken penned the words of this hymn as a prayer of reflection to be sung at the close of the day. It is possible that even 300 years ago there was a bias towards self-exaltation. Ken’s words remind us that our life is always subject to a bigger story and a greater God. A life lived with this in mind will be happier and holier than one lived with self at the centre.
Artist: Thomas Ken
Vocals: Secondary Choir
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Stuart Townend is a contemporary Christian song writer who lives and worships in Brighton, England. This well loved song extols the depth of God’s love for us. A love so great that God would bear the cost of sin Himself for us. Such love is beyond imagination and vast beyond measure.
Ruby Grace, a 2022 graduate, perfoms this song for you with the hope that you too will sense it was your voice among the scoffers, and your sins that caused the Father, for a time, to hide His face from the Son.
God the Father and God the Son did not go to the cross unwillingly. Their love for you and all humanity is simply beyond belief. And yet, it is real and freely offered to all who will simply accept it as a gift.
Artist: Stuart Townend
Soloist: Ruby Grace
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
In 1771, William Cowper penned the words of this well loved hymn. It is based on a passage from the prophet Zechariah:
“On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.” Zechariah 13:1 (NLT)
Today there is an increased emphasis on embracing who we are and diminishing any need for a conversion. But for those who still accept there is something wrong at the core of our being, these words bring comfort and hope.
David Williams features in this powerful hymn. David is the music teacher at Tweed Valley Adventist College and has also contributed extensively to the arranging and producing of this collection of hymns. He knows his life has been transformed by what Jesus has done to provide a way for all to be healed and restored.
E’er since by faith I saw the stream Thy flowing wounds supply, Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die
Artist: William Cowper
Soloist: David Williams
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Sometimes our own lives become so tangled and complicated that we feel unable to express any clarity of what we feel or need. There exists a longing in our heart for a friend who can help us make sense of things – and perhaps even speak to God on our behalf. While some throughout history have appealled to saints and priests to perform this role, the Bible tells us that Jesus is the One who has our back. The oldest book in the Bible is believed by many to be the book of Job. Job experienced terrible hardship and during this period, longed for a helper.
“There must be Someone in heaven who knows the truth about me, in highest heaven, some Attorney who can clear my name…” Job 16:19 (MSG)
2022 graduate, Sarah Tucker, sings this tribute to our Great High Priest. Written by Charitie Lees Bancroft in 1863, it is a powerful reminder that our future is guaranteed if our trust is in what He has done for us.
Before the throne of God above I have a strong, a perfect plea; a great High Priest, whose name is Love, who ever lives and pleads for me. My name is graven on his hands, my name is written on his heart; I know that while in heaven he stands no tongue can bid me thence depart, no tongue can bid me thence depart.
Artist: Charitie Bancroft
Soloist: Sarah Tucker
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Are you a spectator or a participant? For many people, life has become more about observation than participation. Social media, and the endless amount of content available to us on mulitple devices, has made it possible for us to simply follow the lives and stories of others. But to really live and to fully experience all that life has to offer, we need to find the courage to move beyond observation and fully participate.
Were You There? is an African-American spiritual first printed in 1899. The suffering experienced by Jesus was something with which many slaves could identify. Sharing in suffering makes the hope of a resurrection much more real.
Year 9 student, Nela Breski, sings this evocative spiritual inviting us not just to observe from a distance, but to get close to the action. Close enough in fact to be personally changed. The Cross, the Gospel and the hope of resurrection are not just to be scrolled past or glanced at from our peripheral vision.
They are truths that need to be immersive – and to cause us to tremble. It is in them that we experience the life-giving power of the Gospel.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord? (Were you there?)
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
O sometimes it causes me to tremble! Tremble! Tremble!
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Soloist: Nela Breski
Instrumental & Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
It is easy for us to resent “the boss”. In fact it is almost a given that in a workplace the boss becomes a target for joking and jest. But in times of crisis and when the chips are down, a boss who is wise and capable can hold things together and guide an organisation safely through troubled times. We often wish for the privilege of the boss – but who would really want the responsiblity?
This hymn is a favourite of many. It is a reminder that God is sovereign, but is also our friend. In times of challenge, we look to Him and know He is in command. We need not be afraid of the storm, our Captain can navigate through it safely.
Year 12 student, Sheliya Cobacoglo, features in this offering of This is My Father’s World. The hymn was published by the wife of Maltbie Babcock after his death in 1901. The final verse reminds us that God is Ruler – even in those times when wrong seems to triumph.
This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
Artist: Maltbie Babcock
Soloists: Sheliya Cobacoglo
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Stanford F Bennet wrote this hymn in 1868. This was four years after enlisting to fight in the American Civil War. The Christian’s privilege, when faced with present and proximate challenges, is to remember that the here and now is not what will always be.
The primary choir sings this well known hymn for you. Whatever life looks like for them, they know at the end of their story, the last chapter is one of bliss and blessing.
Artist: Stanford Bennet
Vocals: Primary Choir
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
According to Greek mythology, the last (and perhaps greatest) of 7 evils in Pandora’s box was the evil of “hope”. The wisest among the Greeks believed humanity was afflicted with the sense of a better life and future. This was something to be feared or even derided. Life, according to their narrative, is best understood when we dispense any foolish ideas of a better day and a brighter hope.
When Jesus came to Earth, He challenged this idea and presented a compelling and contrasting
counter-narrative. By taking on death and sin, and being raised to life, Jesus speaks to you and to all humanity. We are saved by hope and in hope.
Our school choir director, Johanna McKay, is the soloist in this rendition of John Clements evocative hymn, No Night There.
God shall wipe away all tears;
There’s no death, no pain, nor fears;
And they count not time by years,
For there is no night there.
What an amazing privilege we have to fix our hope on that day when God interrupts this world too comfortable with death, pain and fear. By beating death at the cross, we have compelling evidence that death and sin are not to be normalised, but rather to be seen as temporary and transient. May God grant all who hear this song be part of that community who experience the reality of the Christian’s hope.
Artist: John Clement/Johanna McKay
Soloist: Johanna McKay
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: Johanna McKay
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Carl Boberg wrote the words for this favourite Christian hymn in 1885. Carl was hurrying home to avoid a thunderstorm looming on the horizon. The storm soon passed and as he opened his window towards the sea, he was amazed to see clear skies. Humbled and moved by the power and might in nature, he wrote the original Swedish words, O Great God. Later translated into English by Stuart Kine, How Great Thou Art is one of the most popular Christian songs of all time. The author credits Psalm 8 as the inspiration for this song.
Psalm 8 (NET)
For the music director, according to the gittith style; a psalm of David.
O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!
You reveal your majesty in the heavens above!
From the mouths of children and nursing babies you have
ordained praise on account of your adversaries,
so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy.
When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made,
and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,
Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them?
Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,
and make them a little less than the heavenly beings?
You grant mankind honor and majesty;
you appoint them to rule over your creation;
you have placed everything under their authority,
including all the sheep and cattle, as well as the wild animals,
the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea and everything that moves through the
currents of the seas.
O LORD, our Lord, how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!
Artist: Carl Boberg
Vocals: TVAC Vocal Group
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams
Frances Havergal wrote this hymn of consecration in 1874. Frances was the daughter of an Anglican clergyman who was also a gifted musician. Frances came to believe that a Christian could only be truly happy when they were wholeheartedly committed. The closing verse emphasises the totality of committment:
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure-store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever – forever, and only – completely and without reservation, All for Thee.
The Tweed Valley Adventist College choir sings this for you and their prayer is that you too will come to know the joy of a deep and lasting consecration to the One Who has given all for you.
Artist: Frances Havergal
Vocals: Secondary Choir
Instrumental and Vocal Arrangement: David Williams
Mixing and Mastering: David Williams