Just a Closer Walk with Thee
Traditional, arranged by Don Gillis, adapted by Calvin Custer
General Info
Year: 1990
Duration: c. 3:30
Difficulty: III (see Ratings for explanation)
Original Medium: Hymn
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Cost: Score and Parts - $75.00 | Score Only - $7.50
Instrumentation
Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute III
Flute I-II
Oboe
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
E-flat Alto Clarinet
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
String Bass
Timpani
Percussion I-II-III, including:
- Cowbell
- Crash Cymbals
- Drum Set
- Orchestra Bells
- Suspended Cymbal
- Wood Block
- Xylophone
Errata
None discovered thus far.
Program Notes
Probably the most popular Canadian Brass concert opening number, Just a Closer Walk with Thee retains the famous, slow, New Orleans-style introduction. In true Canadian Brass style, this one really lets loose for some great Dixie fun.
- Program Note from publisher
Just a Closer Walk with Thee is a traditional gospel song that has been performed and recorded by many artists. Performed as either an instrumental or vocal, A Closer Walk is perhaps the most frequently played number in the hymn and dirge section of traditional New Orleans jazz funerals. The title and lyrics of the song allude to the Biblical passage from 2 Corinthians 5:7 which states, "We walk by faith, not by sight" and James 4:8, "Come near to God and He will come near to you."
- Program Note from Wikipedia
Media
State Ratings
None discovered thus far.
Performances
To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project
- Watsonville (Calif.) Community Band (Eugene Smith, conductor) - 9 December 2022
- Cleveland (Ohio) Youth Wind Symphony Group II (Mark Awad, conductor) – 1 May 2022
- University of Minnesota (Minneapolis) Symphonic Band (Mary Grace Shearon, conductor) - 10 June 2021
- McClellan College (Waco, Tx.) Wind Ensemble (Jon Conrad, conductor) - 20 February 2020
- Truman State University (Kirksville, Mo.) Honor Band (Dan Peterson, conductor) - 18 November 2019
- Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Randy Schwalbe, conductor) – 10 November 2019
- California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, Brass Quintet – 7 June 2019
- Strafford Wind Symphony (Sanford, Me.) (Bruce Gatchell, conductor) – 25 May 2019
- Henderson State University (Arkadelphia, Ark.) Symphony Band (Steven M. Knight, conductor) – 12 March 2017
- Atascadero (Calif.) Community Band (Ron McCarley, conductor) - 21 June 2016
- Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble (Oneonta, N.Y.) (Scott Rabeler, conductor) – 24 January 2016
- Keene (N.H.) State College Concert Band (Glen D’Eon, conductor) - 10 April 2014
- John A. Logan (Carterville, Ill.) Community Band (Michael Hanes) - 27 October 2013
Works for Winds by This Composer
Adaptable Music
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger; adapt. Brown) (1990/)
All Wind Works
- Bach Chorales for Brass Choir (as arranger)
- Ballet for Band (1965)
- Ceremony of Allegiance (1965)
- The Coming of the Kings
- Downbeat (1958)
- Hymn Song for Sunday (1963)
- The January February March (1950)
- Just a Closer Walk (as arranger; adapt. Barnes) (1988)
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee (as arranger)
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee (Flex instrumentation) (as arranger; adapt. Brown) (1990/)
- The Man Who Invented Music
- Rompin' Stomp, The
- Saga of a Pioneer (1966)
- Short Overture to an Unwritten Opera (1944)
- Spiritual? (arr. Bainum) (1947/1954)
- Symphony No 5 1-2 (arr. Ford) (1947/1954/1967)
- Tulsa (1957)
- Variations on a Kitchen Sink (1958/1970/2017)
Resources
- Gillis, D.; Custer, C. (1990). Just a Closer Walk with Thee [score]. Hal Leonard: Milwaukee, Wisc.
- Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Wikipedia Accessed 30 July 2020