Last month we introduced the fourth of five finalists in the Walter Hussey Composition Competition, Gerson Batista. Our final competition finalist is Justin Walker.
Justin Walker (b.1991)
Entry name: Eldorado
Text from Eldorado by Edgar Allan Poe
Justin Walker is an American choral composer based in Louisville, Kentucky. Justin studied performance in voice for his bachelor’s degree at the University of North Florida and completed a master’s degree in choral conducting at the University of Louisville. While his performance experience has taken him throughout the United States and across the globe, he is just beginning his career as a composer, combining Renaissance, modernist, and non-classical influences to create a unique style of choral music capable of reaching beyond traditional choral audiences.
About the Walter Hussey Composition Competition, Justin said:
‘As a young composer in the early stages of his career, I am always looking for interesting opportunities to develop as a composer. The competition’s requirements gave me the chance to utilize my experience with choral music while challenging me to portray a specific theme, and allowed me the freedom to fully convey the meaning of the text. Being a part of this competition has been a great experience, and I feel honoured to have been selected as a finalist.’
What our judges said about Edmund’s entry:
- Worthy of consideration, start and end rhythmic sections are very effective
- Rhythmically very exciting
- With rehearsal time the choir would deliver this with conviction and fluidity
- Each individual vocal line is rewarding to sing
- Really fun and interesting
- Dramatic and vibrant climax at the end
- Characterful, dynamic and punchy
To find out more about Justin Walker:
Website: www.justinpwalker.net
Listen: SoundCloud
Watch: via website
Contact: via website and Twitter
Justin is the last of our five finalists to be profiled. The winning piece for the inaugural Walter Hussey Composition Competition will be revealed and performed at Reading Phoenix Choir’s Golden Phoenix Concert at Reading Concert Hall, Saturday 9 March 2019. Tickets are available from Reading Arts. We hope to see you there!