J. Johnson BMus (Hons)
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Joe
Johnson was born in Rotherham in 1974 and became a member of Whiston Brass
Band as a bass player in 1987 at the age of twelve. Joe soon developed into a
very talented musician and in 1982 he went to study music at the University
of Wales College of Cardiff, where he graduated in 1995. On returning from
university he became the Musical Director of Barn Brass, the junior section
of Whiston Brass, and in 1996 took over the Musical Directorship of the
Senior Band. Joe is an accomplish player, conductor and composer and the band
are most proud of his achievementsCompositions
Village Suite
Composed for and dedicated to the people of Whiston, Village Suite musically depicts the main features of the picturesque village of Whiston and the rural, slow and friendly way of life conducted by the village residents.
Millennium
Millennium is a celebration piece written to commemorate Whiston Brass Bands successful application for National Lottery grant through the Arts Council of England. As this grant will ensure a bright future for the Band, I thought that a piece describing the future would be appropriate, thus Millennium was born
In style this piece is quite modern and not unlike many new pieces composed for Brass Band. Although the piece is tonal and maintains a key signature, there are unusual chord progressions and unconventional modulations, which add to the modern sounds, and the feeling of austerity is created by the use of 5th intervals in both the principal melody and the underlying harmonies.
The piece describes the approach of a new Millennium and is divided into four sections depicting in turn the present, anticipation of the future and a new age. The first movement Salute to the Past is homage to the past Millennium, which is now reaching its close. This homage is heralded by the opening fanfare passage sounded by the horns and baritones and is later echoed by the cornets and trombones. After this opening, the music passes into the Uncertainty section, the austere and the bare harmonies here reflecting the feeling that no one knows what the new Millennium will bring. If this section is somewhat pessimistic, then the next one, Awakening describes the anticipation and excitement generated by the coming of a new age. This section reaches its climax in the last two bars, which represent the actual eve of the new Millennium. This is indicated by the descending passages in the bass and euphonium lines, followed by a break and a moment’s silence, which places a question mark on what is to come both on music and in the future.
Suddenly, the opening theme is heard again in its original form, but this time in celebration of the birth of a new era – a joyous acknowledgement of what is to come. The theme depicting the last Millennium and that to come are the same, which suggests that after all the excitement and furore, things may not be any different in the future. However, the final modulation to the key of E major from the original key of G major suggests that the future may be brighter.
Joe Johnson – 2000
This Page is Still Under Construction
September 2005