The ‘Hymn of Asia’ is a beautiful and magnificent work by L. Ron Hubbard which was found in the Guardian archives in 1969. Glynn Ketteridge put it in full type form. The work was shown to Bobby Richards, Master of the Commodore's music, and, realising its potential as a piece which could be set to music, he started work on it. 14 months later he finished composing the parts for the Saint Hill choir, which they learned virtually as he wrote it and are now ready to perform the ‘Hymn of Asia’ at the Adeline Genée Theatre in East Grinstead shortly. There will be a large attendance as this exclusive work by Ron has never before been known to Scientologists and the music itself is reported to be superb.
What does the Hymn of Asia deal with? Lynn Collins one of the nucleus of the Saint Hill Choir states “It comments on how Scientology fits in with the time track of philosophy,” Bobby adds “It's a work that is typical Ron, it will make you laugh in places and it could make you cry. It's very beautiful.” And the music? Bobby is acknowledged in his field as having great talent and has really excelled himself with the ‘Hymn of Asia’. Bobby says “The Magnitude of the work required all my training and musical experience. It's a big work and it needed big music — there are various shades of music which come from every century — there are Victorian passages and even a Greek passage.”
There are big plans involved for the work. There is a project on to involve the London Symphony Orchestra with its 200 choir members for a large scale production to be given at a London venue.
In fact 4 members of the current Saint Hill Choir are also members of the London Symphony Orchestra choir, Bobby exclaims they are a great asset to the choir as their professional experience is disseminated to the other members.
Bobby continues “The nucleus of the choir is the ‘Chapel Choir’ (The members who perform each Sunday at Saint Hill chapel). These are the ‘hard core of any project because their tech is more advanced”.
Misunderstood word tech has been used broadly as the choir have been learning the Hymn, and has markedly increased the learning rate of the members.
“The choir now has an Org Board. I have a direct line to Ron, and the choir is officially in the office of the Guardian. We have our own recording studio, an engineer, printing machines and we also have an annual general meeting. The whole of the Organisation is run by voluntary members.”
The choir have performed ‘The Factors’ and have been on French and Canadian television.

They have performed at various congresses and the Talk of the Town in London.
Back to the Hymn of Asia, Bobby adds “There are 209 choral score pages. When we put it on in London I'll need a 150-strong orchestra.”
The ‘Hymn of Asia’ is 28 fools cap pages long. The project has nearly been completed. It is hoped that the completed work will be performed in all Scientology countries.