Hymn book features a touch of Delph

A new hymn book which will be used around the world features music from Delph composer Dr Alan Williams.

Dr Williams, a member of Oldham Unitarian Church, is Reader in Music at the University of Salford.

He has had numerous pieces performed including full orchestral works and a euphonium piece for a local brass band musician.

But his latest works are two completely new hymn tunes named “Adelphi” and “Caleb”, which are in the new Unitarian hymn book, “Sing Your Faith”, published on April 16. He has named them after the street where he works, Adelphi, and his youngest son, only 15-months-old.

Dr Williams said: “I’m very proud. New hymn books don’t come along very often.

“I think the last one was when I was a boy, so you know that generations of people will now sing those tunes.”

Dr Williams, who is currently composing an oratorio for the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, which will be premiered in November, dashed his hymn tunes off in an afternoon.

Adelphi is a new setting for harvest words by the well-known hymn writer, Frederick Pratt Green’s “For the fruits of all creation, thanks be to God”.

Caleb is a setting of “I stand outside your door, Will you admit me?” a new hymn by Sheila Clabburn.

“Sing Your Faith”, the first Unitarian hymn book for 18 years, is a collection of 220, all written in the 20th or 21st century.