Roy Hopp is the director of music at Zion RCA, Grandville, Michigan, and the composer of over twenty hymn tunes that have been published in the united States and Great Britain.
Articles by this author:
-
Alternatives to 'O Perfect Love'
By Roy HoppA collection of recent hymns that invite the congregation to celebrate
-
Hymn of the Month
By Roy HoppDecember
Psalter Hymnal 194
Rejoice in the Lord 169
Trinity Hymnal 148Isaiah 40 is often read and sung during the Advent season. It's a passage that speaks of the peace and comfort that the coming Messiah will bring. The prophet encourages the people of Israel to prepare a way for the Lord: to "make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (RSV). The first three movements of Handel's Messiah are taken from Isaiah 40:1-5.
-
Writing Hymn Tunes
By Roy HoppI began writing hymn tunes the same year that I began directing my first church choir. I was looking for hymns that would serve as choral closings for a service, and I grew frustrated. Although I found some excellent evening hymns, they were set to some very disappointing tunes. So I brashly decided to do something about it: I composed my first hymn tune for "The Day Is Past and Over," a song I found in The English Hymnal.
