Joshua

Wind Orchestra

9' 13"

Sketches commenced in November of 2005, completed during the trip to the USA in December of that year. The manuscript score was completed on the 15th of June 2006.

Commissioned by Chatswood High School for the Chatswood High School Symphonic Band Gavin Staines - Conductor.

The work comes from the interest in my music from both the conductor, Gavin Staines, and his school band community. Gavin had students and parents say what works of mine they liked and why. The idea for me was to garner some sort of concept of what type of work was required. The interest shown in Masada, I work I wrote in the 1990's, is clearly part of the reason to go back Jewish history to write a new work. Insight into that interest from parents, students and conductor can be found in the following:
Staines - Hultgren email
Hultgren - Staines email
Chatswood parents
Gavin's support for my work is an inspiration to me. He took the qualities of and responses to other works of mine, garnered interest for a commission and then set about finding the funding.

Chatswood High School for the Chatswood High School Symphonic Band, 8th of April 2006, the composer conducting.
Subsequent performances:

• Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra, Gold Coast Queensland - October 2006
• Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra - November 2007
• American Band College, Ashland Oregon, USA - 26 June 2008

Manuscript - In press Studio Music London

Sketch, Manuscript Score, Engraved score

Program note

USA premiere program

The premiere of the work in Sydney was very well received. I know that a usual reaction to a premiere, especially in a school location, is one of excitement and sense of satisfaction at a 'job well done'. The reaction to player-conductors at the American Band College program, where it received its USA premiere, was enthusiastic and animated. A number of them have obtained copies of the work and performed it (or endeavoured to).
Koch - Hultgren email
Hultgren - Koch email
Chatswood parents

This is a solid and evocative narrative piece which, I believe, captures the character of the Biblical hero, Joshua. I am unsure as to whether it will actually be published. It has been 'in press' for some time but I believe it has a solid commercial value and would be worth the effort to deliver it into the market place. I enjoyed evoking images of priest and worship, battle and victory and the battle for Jericho (with no 'spiritual' quoted!)