Songs by UMobile alums, students to be published

Music that will soon be performed by church choirs across the nation, including two songs by a University of Mobile (UMobile) student and an alumnus, were introduced to more than 200 worship pastors in Mobile on April 20–21.

The music ministers came to Mobile for “The Retreat,” a conference presented by the UMobile Center for Performing Arts, the Fisher-Brewer Worship Institute and Prism Music Publishing. The conference included two free concerts that were open to the public.

A highlight was the release of “How Excellent,” a book of worship music for choirs, praise teams and church orchestras from Prism Music Publishing in Nashville, a leading publisher of Christian church music. The music was premiered publicly by the UMobile Center for Performing Arts choir and orchestra in concert April 21 at Dauphin Way Baptist Church, Mobile.

UMobile connections

Roger Breland, executive director for the Center for Performing Arts, said the school’s music program was selected by Prism Music to make the live concert CDs that will accompany the book. Those recordings primarily were made during the Tuesday night concert.

Two songs selected for the music book, “My Savior My King” and “Song of Grace,” have UMobile connections.

UMobile senior Ryan Jackson, of Crestview, Fla., wrote “My Savior My King” two summers ago and it was initially included in the album “Hymns and Worship” released in 2014 by the university’s record label, 8Eighty Records.

Jackson’s song, along with another by alumnus Jarod Espy, was selected by Prism.

“I’m blown away by the opportunity and the goodness of the Lord,” said Jackson, who will earn royalties from the song that has the potential to be performed worldwide.

Jarod Espy, a 2008 graduate with a bachelor of music degree, also has a song selected, “Song of Grace.” Espy is a music ministry assistant worship leader for First Baptist Church, Spartanburg, S.C.

Espy said “Song of Grace” is a corporate worship song written in the style of a hymn as a response to God’s grace.

“The initial spark of it was the idea that even when we bring our best, even then, we’re still in need of His grace,” he said.

Espy said he is humbled and excited that his song was chosen for publication.

“My prayer is that through this God will receive the glory and the Church will have another way to respond to Him and respond to His grace,” Espy said.

(UMobile)