What a Friend We Have in Jesus - Double Saxophone Quartet w/ Rhythm Section

Joseph Scriven endured more than his fair share of tragedy during his life in the 19th century. His misfortunes included the following events: a fiance who drowned on the day before the wedding, a second fiancé who succumbed to pneumonia, and the death of his mother who passed away without him at her side.

Born and educated in Ireland, Scriven moved to Port Hope, Ontario after the death of his first fiance, and it was here where he penned the words to What a Friend We Have in Jesus as a letter to comfort his ailing mother back in Ireland. This simple hymn has resonated with many and stood the test of time. A testament to its popularity is the diversity of the numerous recording artists who have put out their own version. From Ella Fitzgerald to Dolly Parton and Alan Jackson to Aaron Neville, a web search of this hymn will yield a surprising assortment of musicians who have found the hymn flexible enough to work in a variety of musical settings.

When I asked Professor Brad Leali of The University of North Texas to join us for our performance at Midwest, I told him of the idea to use two quartets and a rhythm section to close our concert. I remembered that the Texas Tech Jazz Ensemble performed at TMEA with a gospel choir, and I loved it! I asked him for a hymn and he later got back with me, “How about What a Friend We Have in Jesus?”

Little did I know that the fall of 2013 would bring its own set of tragic circumstances to Spring High School and the Spring community. In helping us cope with the after math, our principal, Donna Ulrich, has been everything one wants in a leader: courageous, decisive, compassionate, and full of integrity. This is dedicated with much love and admiration to her. It was commissioned by the Spring High School Saxophone Quartet and director Jason Smith in commemoration of their selection to perform at the 67th annual Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December 2013. – GM

Instrumentation:

• Quartet 1:
• Soprano Sax
• Alto Sax
• Tenor Sax
• Baritone Sax
• Quartet 2:
• Sopranino Sax
• Alto Sax
• Tenor Sax
• Baritone Sax
• Bass Guitar
• Drum Set

Includes score and parts.