A great substitute for Graduation music! - The Procession of Scholars, by Joshua A. Idio

This pageantry of fanfares commemorates the grandeur of graduation. Filled with flexible, repeating sections, this piece works as a concert opener and/or commencement march. This ode of rewards will bring pride to the next generations of academics.

I got the idea of writing The Procession of Scholars from listening to other musicians, colleagues, and educators who would joke or are tired of playing and hearing the same music over and over again in graduation. And when people say the same music, they are most likely referencing Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance. It’s been an American tradition since 1905 to perform Pomp and Circumstance for the processional at every graduation, to the extent to where it became de rigueur or the standard.

But because of this, especially in today’s age of the 21st century, it’s become a “meme” of sorts between high school & college musicians who joke about playing it every year. Some of my friends, who just graduated this May of 2019, can be sick of hearing the same commencement music afterwards. This should never be the case for any kind of music, no matter what situation.

And so, I wanted to write something that can be a suitable alternative to perform as a processional in the slight chance that a program or school would like something different. Now, this is by no means a front to Elgar’s magnificent piece. Afterall, I am a huge advocate for these kinds of traditions. But to those who would like a change of pace, this composition is a shout-out to you.

My only wish is that The Procession of Scholars will do justice to what should be one of the most significant events in a person's life, just like Pomp and Circumstance was for me when I graduated college. I hope you enjoy this ode to academics.

To purchase or for more info, click this: https://www.jwpepper.com/The-Procession-of-Scholars/11204556.item#.XuKxzE7K93g.link

If possible, please share this as much as you can! One of the troubles as an unknown composer is that it's hard to get yourself recognized in this big of an industry. I would greatly appreciate it if you could share this with your friends! Especially music teachers and your local ensemble directors! Thank you!

More about the composer:

Joshua Alexander Idio (b. 1995) began his career in music at the William Paterson University of New Jersey where he received his bachelor’s degree in music education in May of 2018. He studied under several field professors, including Dr. Carol Frierson-Campbell, Dr. J. Craig Davis, & Prof. Richard Chiandusse. He also took a semester studying arranging with Dr. Jeffrey Kresky.

But Joshua started composing career in high school after meeting and performing with other well-known composers such as Frank Ticheli. Since then, he composed music for including concert band, marching band, orchestra, and various chamber ensembles. He is also a freelance video game/film composer. In April of 2018, he conducted his premier work Overture for Education with the Union Middle School Concert Band from Rutherford, New Jersey.

He was a composer for Woodson Percussion & Publishing until their dissolution in January 2020. He is currently a member of the National Association for Music Education and the New Jersey Music Educators Association.