Nearer, My God, to Thee: Revisited

I know I've done an arrangement of this in the past, but I just couldn't rest without having an arrangement for four trombones.  This is usually such a gentle hymn, but I realized that there are exclamation points in every verse.  It is such a heartfelt and fervent prayer set to music.  And through what better medium than the sound of trombones?  The last verse of the arrangement was inspired by the seldom sung, triumphant fifth verse of the hymn:

Or if, on joyful wing

Cleaving the sky,

Sun, moon, and stars forgot,

upward I fly,

Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer, my God, to thee,

Nearer to Thee!

Two of the topics this hymn is listed under in the LDS hymnbook are adversity and hope.  We can take comfort in knowing that through our stony griefs, the dark nights, and while bearing our own cross, we will be brushed off and lifted up.  

"[We] cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for [He] will lead [us] along." (D&C 78:18)

Abide With Me

Abide With Me is one of my favorite hymns.  I still remember  a powerful scene with this hymn in A Bridge Too Far, a WWII film.  Wounded, surrounded and trapped in enemy territory, a group of allied soldiers give a simple but stirring rendition of Abide With Me.   In their time of despair this was their plea:

Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

So can we all call to Him in our time of despair and trouble.  When we do then comes His answer "lo, I am with you always, even unto the end" (Matt. 28:20)

This arrangement is for trombone quartet

The First Noel

 A recent arrangement of one of my favorite Christmas hymns.  This is for oboe and piano.

   The First Noel by Kevin Stephenson

Lead, Kindly Light

 There are times in life when we are lost in the darkness, seeking for a way out.  Often we look above for divine guidance.  Other times we refuse any help, preferring to figure the way out on our own.  Hopefully we all can turn from our pride to humbly ask for help.  Such is the message of this hymn.  Amidst the encircling gloom, when the night is dark, when we're far from home the fervent plea comes, "lead thou me on!"

This arrangement is for trombone trio.


  Lead, Kindly Light Trio by Kevin Stephenson

Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide

This hymn is arranged for piano and french horn.  This has always been a hymn of comfort and consolation for me.  As the darkness falls, we have the abiding, lasting love and support of our Father.
Abide With Me 'Tis Eventide by Kevin Stephenson

Hi I'm Kevin

Christ the Lord is Risen Today

I wrote this arrangement a couple months before I left on my mission.  I wrote it in a week, learned it the next week then performed it in church.  I definitely had help in writing in.  At one point I was stuck not knowing how to modulate to the final section.  So I was sitting on a chair at my house wondering what to do and suddenly I heard in my head what is now the transition to the last verse.  It quotes a hymn; see if you can figure it out.

This is my testimony in music that Christ lives.  He conquered death and sin and paved the way so that all mankind may be saved.  He lives, and because he lives we too will all live.



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