Just a Closer Walk with Thee — Theme and Variations

• Chamber Ensemble: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trombone, tuba, and violin
• Completed: 18 September 2013; Premiered: 24 September 2013
• Sheet Music Plus

This piece was written in memory of my father, John Franklin Bowyer, who passed away on September 25, 2012. The work opens with a trombone statement of the melody, followed by an ensemble variation. Each of the seven members of the ensemble is the featured soloist on one the next seven variations, followed by a restatement of the ensemble variation. The piece closes with a vocal refrain accompanied by tuba, clarinet, and an improvised jazz trombone obbligato. The audience is encouraged to join the performers in singing.

Just a closer walk with Thee,
Grant it, Jesus, is my plea,
Daily walking close to Thee,
Let it be, dear Lord…