A new work by Josiah Walters, commissioned by The Scottish Brass Band Association for the Challenge Section set work of the 2014 European Brass Band Championships.
Josiah describes his composition ‘The Pilgrim’ as a journey of development and emotion, encompassing three key stages of emotional state: from the opening sounds which are full of anticipation and uncertainty, through to a passage of disillusionment and frustration, then moving on to a concluding stage which reintroduces the positive elements of the opening optimism, yet closing quietly, symbolizing an inner peace and contentment at the end of the musical journey.
The composer’s emotive approach to the creation of the work embraces a wealth of passion, anguish and enlightenment. Through his use of imaginative melody, themes and harmonic texture, Josiah has represented a collection of powerful emotions. Essentially non~programmatic. the piece opens in a contemplative manner. building with enthusiasm, and first introducing the use of bells and bell effects as a musical metaphor which is used throughout the piece to signify the journey‘s destination. As the sentiment continues, the music evolves in to an Allegro Furioso section, opening up a strong sense of frustration. At this section's climax, the symbolic use of the bells is reintroduced to create an over-tone of hope and purpose, although this does not last long as they fade into the Mister/oso Molto Rubalo section.
As the melodies and harmonies develop onwards, ‘The Pilgrim’ evolves into a more reflective phase, reintroducing the sounds and motifs of the more strident opening. This closing section symbolizes the realisation that everything needed was already available to The Pilgrim, but travelling the journey, confronting and overcoming all of the challenges was the only route of discovery — peacefulness prevails, bringing the work to a close with a sense of contentment and enlightenment.
‘The Pilgrim’, highly emotive in its creation, offers a wealth of musical imagery. Even to the uninformed listener, this fascinating, powerful and beautiful work stirs and stimulates a variety of emotional reactions — offering each listener an opportunity to apply the music to their own journey, their own personal pilgrimage.
Josiah Walters Composer Biography
Josiah comes from Carnoustie and started his musical career at the young age ofjust nine when he started to learn the trombone under the guidance of his tutor Michael Robertson. in a very short time, he joined the Arbroath Instrumental Band aged 12 and enjoyed many varied playing opportunities through his school.
Josiah's playing talent continued to develop and by 2007 he joined the European Youth Brass Band on 2nd trombone. Just two years later he joined the NYBBS (National Youth Brass Band of Scotland) on bass trombone, and later took the principal bass trombone chair in 2010. He was also the bass trombone player and founder member of the award-winning Carnoustie and District Youth Brass Band.
Josiah currently studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland on the Blvius degree programme, which he started in September 2011. During his time at the Conservatoire, he has studied under Christopher Steam of Scottish Opera, and also received tuition from players such as Alan Mathlson, Simon Johnson, Lance Green, John Kenny and Ian Bousfield. Since starting his studies, Josiah was awarded the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Award 2013, alter a performance of his own arrangement of Chris Brubecks ‘James Brown in the Twilight Zone’. As part of this. he has performed live on Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Cory Band and the RNCM Brass Band. He has also had the chance to perform with ensembles such as the orchestra of Scottish Opera, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and the Dunedin Consort.
As a composer, Josiah is a self-proclaimed enthusiast of brass band music. ln contrast, he enjoys listening to the work of various rock and pop artists, and he is also very enthusiastic about the music composed for films and video games, which has a great impact on his style of writing. His inaugural published composition entitled "Carpe Diem" was met with high acclaim and premiered by The National Youth Brass Band of Scotland. Later works have included a commission performed at the Scottish Parliament and an award-winning performance of his ownarrangement of the last movement from Brubecks Concerto for Bass Trombone. He is recognised as a talentahead of his years with creative maturity mixed with a freshness of musical perception.
