Arland D. Williams, Anthem for the Souls You've Never Heard

 

Click Here to see a View the Perusal Score

 

Recording Coming Soon.  It will be a part of the STORMWORKS Chapter 55: Way of the Wanderer.

ESCAPE FROM BA-TAAN!

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description: ©1997 IGNA 2-3 Millennium

STORMQUEST is an interrelated and progressive suite of 16 pieces for Young Band of the 3rd Millennium. Spanning grades 1-2+ (maybe a 3), the series is the first ever to be offered on CD-ROM with tailor-to-your-situation capabilities. Each piece, while exploring the sonic scape of a new frontier for young band also embodies a specific Musical concept that is offered as a Teaching Strategy in the score notes.

STORMQUEST is:

    - Inspiring Music for young band!
    - A motivating & pervasive learning tool.
    - 16 interrelated and progressive pieces, all of which are playable across an entire Music Program.
    - STRING PARTS are included on the CDR for String Ensembles, Orchestra and Special-Event Ensembles.
    - Band Directors & Music Administrators can acquire 19 pieces... (3 are added to the cost & space-efficient, ground- breaking 1997 CDR)... at less than $8 per minute!


Each STORMQuest chapter is preceded by a specific teaching strategy, which addresses a carefully plotted Musical concept. Student parts contain alternate and side-to-side fingerings, slide position suggestions and more... all to provide a multi-useful addition to any school and/or school system's Music library!

STORMQuest takes grade 2 to a new level and speaks for itself.

 

To listen to this track, click "View Track List" in the player below.

 

"We rendered By Love Compelled... with my freshman band at last week’s winter concert. I cannot begin to describe to you what a success it was! The group played more musically and more in tune than I’d ever heard them play. They understood how important it was to make the music and not just play – the results were amazing - the crowd went wild afterward! The comments I received from parents and students were nothing but shock and awe. Comments such as:
“That piece didn’t sound like BAND music!”
“They were only ninth graders playing that music?!?”, and
“That was the best piece of the night”
These were the most common – I lost track of how many times I heard these things (and variations of them). The students would like me to share the recording with you (I’ve never seen a group more proud of their work) and if you don’t mind, I’ll send it along as soon as I process it. I can’t thank you enough for all you do for music education. You’ve helped me to motivate and inspire a whole new class of kids. Sincerely," Aaron Datsko, PA.

"As an introduction to your truly unique writing for wind groups, I used Truefire! on our Holiday Concert a couple of weeks ago. It was the hit of the concert. The audience response was tremendous and the aftermath was incredible. Since we live in a small community, I often see parents at the store, etc. Without exception, they all made a point of telling me how much the loved Truefire!" Scott Humphries, Covington, VA

"Mel, I'm listening to the Stormquest CD, and felt compelled to write of the incredible first steps in what is no doubt an amazing journey. If only there were words, my friend, to describe how each segment, each moment, each note is presented with amazing care and attention. Musical shadings, emotional phrase shaping, nuance, dissonance with a purpose, intensity, love. Every sense is jolted. And this is just the beginning! Can't begin to imagine where it will lead, but have a sense that the ride will be amazing. Your intro to directors is SOOO on point. If only. . . If only they will be musicians, educators and leaders of quality music education. Yes, bands can play this music. If only . . .Thank you for sharing the journey. Godspeed, my friend." Don Jemella, Conductor

"O Steve,there were really funny and great things with your pieces:
I did "Time in the Balance!" with my youth-band, the kids are about 12 and 13 years old. I wrote a 20/8 measure on the board and explained the rhythm "ta-mh-mh-ta-mh-mh" and so on.... and the kids could play the piece!! That was unbelieveble for me!! The next concert of this band is at the end of November, but "Time in the Balance!" is for the concert in January. But the kids don´t want to play the pieces for November-concert - they want only play this "cool new piece"!! Thank you!" Andreas Grandl, Germany

"I just wanted to tell you that a group of Norwegian band children under my baton performed nine movements from Stormquest on Aug. 3. The performance found place in Bø in Telemark. They had been on a band camp from Monday and had about 10 full band rehearsals to prepare. After some struggle to get things going I was amazed at how well they were able to give a moving performance of the selected movements. One of their favourite movements was Time in the Balance. This music really works! I hope to bring some of your music to a bandcamp in Finnland next summer. Thank for writing really good music for younger people!" Hilsen Egil J. Lysebo, Norway

"Last night, I rendered Search for Truefire and By Love Compelled with this year's Symphony. I came away even more awestruck and amazed than last year. Your music is such an inspiration for the kids (and for me) At the end, I stood on the podium with such respect for what the kids had accomplished. I turned around to announce the next piece and suddenly realized that I was unable to talk because of the lump in my throat. The kids rendered the pieces with such intensity, love, and total giving... I wish with all my heart that more orchestra teachers discover your music and have the opportunity to experience what I had the privilege of being a part of last night. Thank you! Again!" Scott Hensil, Pennsylvania

"Steve: Rehearsed "By Love Compelled..." This piece should be played by EVERY junior high and high school band in the country. It is one of the most *musical* pieces at that grade level I've ever heard! I thought maybe the high school kids wouldn't respond to the StormQuest stuff so well, thinking they were beyond it. That has not been their reaction at all, as I'm sure you know from other experiences with other bands! *I* wasn't sure (I have to be pretty solidly convinced of things, seeing and hearing on my own) until I started working on the pieces. Your music doesn't *sound* like other music they've played, from inside the ensemble as well as from the front. It's making them listen to each other more already. We read the last section of "Aurora" first, since that's what we had duplicated first. It went very well at the first reading, and is very accessible technically while requiring listening and musicality. We'll read the rest on Monday. More and more, other things in a school setting interfere with our teaching. We need music that will involve the student and help them push the distractions out of their minds. I always tell student teachers that their most challenging task as educators is to choose appropriate literature for their bands. Your music is doing all of that. Keep up the good work! " Jeff Waggoner, Music Department Chair. Hinsdale Central High School

"As you know, at the middle school level, it is often hard to get the students to enjoy slower music. We rehearsed Truefire! about three days. Amazingly, the last two rehearsals, several kids have been requesting it! A true compliment to you and your music. Besides sensitivity and truly playing with heart, we have learned some valuable technical aspects. Most of my flutes, heck all of them, have never played those upper register notes in a piece. Also, the band now understands music in threes spread over not only quarter notes but half notes and eighth notes. Concepts through Music!!!! Amazing!!!!! It's much better than saying "Line 83, and lets be excited about it." Eric Wells, Kansas City, Missouri

"Stephen, Yesterday we played Forbidden Fortress at junior high band contest. Parents told me afterwards that the judges were standing up, trying to figure out what various sounds coming from the percussion section were. When the piece was over, the audience went totally crazy, applauding and shouting. I have been to numerous contests over the past eleven years of teaching and have never had a response like this to a band, or to a piece of music. Both the judges and other band directors who heard our performance were asking, "where did you find that piece?" Our students were very excited about both their performance of the piece and the reaction that they received. Thank you again, for writing music like this that takes away any stigma from the phrase,'junior high band music' ". George Caton, Havana Junior High School, Havana, Illinois

"Stephen, For our third concert in a row our bands (Middle School) played some of your music from STORMQuest. Not only did I get a lot of music for my money, but the kids love it. They keep asking for more! You got their attention last year when they played Under Cover of Night & Into the Light of Day, then they sat up straight when the STORMQuest came. You won their respect with Defenders of Truefire, but tonight you won their HEARTS when they performed TRUEFIRE! The soloists were wonderful. Steve, these kids were so inspired with what you wrote. They have grown from section members into soloists right in front of our eyes. Again, I thank you for your spirit, your focus, and your insight. Our students are changed forever. Thanks." Steve Dingledine, Muncie Indiana

"My experience in adjudicating and listening to young bands today is that most are attempting literature which is beyond their grasp, or they are playing watered down arrangements of some kind. Steve's STORMQUEST collection is the perfect answer. The Music is challenging, but very playable. It invites, no, INSISTS on emotional/musical expression. It is original and makes young bands sound great. Steve... I really love your new STORMQUEST collection. I recommended it to at least a dozen bands at the last concert festival I judged in Massachusetts. Godspeed." Larry Lang, Commander/Conductor US Air Force Heritage of America Band

"The chance for my students to work on your music has turned them from note players to young musicians. They must play with the heart if their music, your music, is to be understood. Because of your music we now have three French horn players and two keyboard players that we didn't have at the beginning of the year. I am very proud of them and grateful to you for this life changing opportunity. Thanks again." Richard H. Lewis, Hoover Middle School Band

"We also listened to, and then read through TRUEFIRE! in 8th grade band. In my career, as short as it may be, I have never had a group of students so excited about playing a piece of music. They did not have the music in front of them as they listened, and, as you may have guessed, they said "We won't be able to play this." But then, I put it in front of them, and barring all of the sight-reading jitters that we are still working on, they really could! After the cut off, they were silent... then they looked around at each other and broke out into a thunderous "YEAH!". I can hardly wait!" Susann Hubbell Blair, Ohio

"I need to tell you that you have a new fan club at Central Cambria High School. In one short day, my band program was rejuvenated by your music!! I passed out "Courage... at the Wall of Fire" and "Revenge of the Darkseekers" and minutes later the band was on fire! The sounds that they were getting, not only excited me, but more importantly, excited them. A student raised a hand and proclaimed "Let's scrap the rest of the folder and do all 15 movements of STORMQUEST"! Of course, as much as I would have liked to do the same, it was not educationally sound! We performed those two movements at our Winter Concert, to great acclaim from parents and community members." Tom Nagy, Edensburg, Pennsylvania

"Your music has made a profound effect on my middle school students. Playing the STORMQuest selections has brought out musical expression that didn't exist before. Just got home from our middle school concert. We did STORMQuest with our 8th grade band. The audience went nuts! On the same program we did C, H, S and S. The audience was polite. When we played your Music they felt the energy. The kids feel it too. Way to go! You have done it again! We all can't wait to explore the rest of STORMQuest!" Steve Dingledine, Muncie Indiana

"Great musical works that must be performed with true passion. I really like that challenge!" Shirley M. Robertson, Oxford, IN

"Steve, Your deal for STORMQuest sounds like a deal that is hard to refuse. What band director of any sensibility can refuse great music which is connected to a clear pedagogical vision? What school administrator, holding the purse-strings can refuse the logic of thinking large-scale and long-term? Fascinated by the CD/CD-ROM idea. How does it work? The idea of customizing music for young bands in order to give them the best possible musical experience, is something that many of us who write have always tried to find the time to do. Making this kind of thing accessible to ALL band directors is a great mission." Scott Rogers, Norway

"First I was just amazed at the synchronicity of arriving at work today (11/3/97) to the amazing sounds of STORMQuest, then I was blown away by the level of freakish focus and detailed creative insanity within the package, and now I lay here rendered useless by the overpowering amount of material and cutting edge nature of the Web Page (the sauce is on the stove and I'll take TWO of those cats!)." JP Kiernan, Bergenfield, New Jersey

" I would like to tell you how pleased we are with SCENES FROM STORMQUEST. The writing, the pace, the many emotional levels, and the textures all make up an exciting and educational score. It truly is a "quest" as we discover the many messages brought forth by the Music. After winning the state championship in 1996, I was concerned about how I could take my students to a new level - have them reach for a more lofty and worthy goal. You have made that possible. The kids at Mercer County High School have been truly blessed with an unforgettable experience." Rob Bryant, "newly converted STORMDirector ", Mercer County, Kentucky

"Dear Steve, I just thought I would write and tell how much the students are enjoying playing Integrity's First Stand. They wanted something different and they got it. We will definitely be using more of your music in the future. I really want to get Stormquest for our middle school bands. Thanks for innovation." Mark Vittetoe, Horton High School

"Dear Steve, Last year my 7th grade band played STORMQUEST. We played these at home concerts and city wide band festivals. The kids were excited by the music, the parents were very impressed, and everyone loved the music. I have found a large drawback though -- my band members DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANY OF THE TRADITIONAL BAND LITERATURE!! They could play STORMQUEST all class, all week, all year! Thanks for the great music!" Walter Coker, Gruening Middle School

"Steve, There are several things that I'd like to say. First, after months of having your "music" sit on the shelf, I finally passed out several sections of STORMQUEST. Wow! Everything that other directors have been saying is true. My kids love your music. We are currently working on Time in the Balance, and while challenging, it's been real fun to watch them work! I was at the Naval School of Music last spring and caught your SCALEWorks clinic. I use the knowledge that you gave us to teach scales now, and it is highly successful. Thanks for everything! Jim Paxton, Andrew Lewis M.S. Band, Salem, Virginia.

SOME COMMENTS FROM THE KIDS!

"Hi! My name is Janice and I am in 8th grade. My Wind Ensemble (Director; Jeff Fudale) is playing pieces from STORMQuest, and we love it!! I am the first chair French horn and the music is phenomenal! It gets our entire band excited and we look forward to playing it everyday. We'll be playing it at contest, and I know that the judges will be blown away. Your music is kind of like an escape from the entire other music world. Its like a whole different species of music, and I like a change like that. I really appreciate all the hard work that you put into these pieces. Please Write Back!" Janice, 1st Chair French Horn, Roehm Wind Ensemble, Berea, OH

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." Confucius "I know that you are likely busy with more E-mails than one could 'Shake a stick at' so to speak, so I'll make it brief. I merely wished to state that your pieces are a welcome refreshment from the casual ones with predictable lines and unexciting rhythm. So far we've played Stormquest, Revenge of the Darkseekers, and The Search for Truefire. Being the only Baritone Saxophone within the band... it is difficult to be excited with the music, in that it is usually slow half note or quarter note harmonies that have little power behind them, little purpose. But I am happy to be able to say that I am proud to play a series of music that has a homish welcoming feel to all instruments, where each has an important message, and not just part of the chord. And each day I've tried harder. There's a concert Tuesday, I hope the audience enjoys The Search for Truefire as much as we have, with a great Alto Saxophone solo and Flute solo, I doubt they can do little less than sit at the edge of their seat anticipating the next well crafted measure." Stephen Morgan, 8th Grader, Berea, OH

"Hey Steve... May I call you Steve? You're music brings meaning into so many people's lives, including mine. Anyway, I just thought that I'd tell you how much your job means to us "common folk" Keep up the good work and like you've always said..."Godspeed" Thank you for the awesome music. Sincerely," Natalie Davis, 8th Grade, Roehm Middle School

HOW? "There's a composer who has created a state-of-the-art system whereby Music is delivered in an extremely space-efficient and cost-effective manner... the CD-ROM. I intend to take some of the kids, turn them into computer librarians, have them interact with the technology and produce the necessary hard copy for the instrumental program. He's also got parts for strings on the CD-ROM and the original MIDI files so that the Music can be easily adapted to the specificity of the group. Should the kids experience any snags, they're invited to go up on the Internet and interact directly with the composer." This paragraph as well as a representation of ALL the things STORMQuest is, has gotten many directors the tools they needed! Here now, are the words of our colleagues!

 


FLIGHT OF THE TRUEFIRE RAIDERS!

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description: ©1997 IGNA 2-3 Millennium

STORMQUEST is an interrelated and progressive suite of 16 pieces for Young Band of the 3rd Millennium. Spanning grades 1-2+ (maybe a 3), the series is the first ever to be offered on CD-ROM with tailor-to-your-situation capabilities. Each piece, while exploring the sonic scape of a new frontier for young band also embodies a specific Musical concept that is offered as a Teaching Strategy in the score notes.

STORMQUEST is:

    - Inspiring Music for young band!
    - A motivating & pervasive learning tool.
    - 16 interrelated and progressive pieces, all of which are playable across an entire Music Program.
    - STRING PARTS are included on the CDR for String Ensembles, Orchestra and Special-Event Ensembles.
    - Band Directors & Music Administrators can acquire 19 pieces... (3 are added to the cost & space-efficient, ground- breaking 1997 CDR)... at less than $8 per minute!


Each STORMQuest chapter is preceded by a specific teaching strategy, which addresses a carefully plotted Musical concept. Student parts contain alternate and side-to-side fingerings, slide position suggestions and more... all to provide a multi-useful addition to any school and/or school system's Music library!

STORMQuest takes grade 2 to a new level and speaks for itself.

 

To listen to this track, click "View Track List" in the player below.

 

"We rendered By Love Compelled... with my freshman band at last week’s winter concert. I cannot begin to describe to you what a success it was! The group played more musically and more in tune than I’d ever heard them play. They understood how important it was to make the music and not just play – the results were amazing - the crowd went wild afterward! The comments I received from parents and students were nothing but shock and awe. Comments such as:
“That piece didn’t sound like BAND music!”
“They were only ninth graders playing that music?!?”, and
“That was the best piece of the night”
These were the most common – I lost track of how many times I heard these things (and variations of them). The students would like me to share the recording with you (I’ve never seen a group more proud of their work) and if you don’t mind, I’ll send it along as soon as I process it. I can’t thank you enough for all you do for music education. You’ve helped me to motivate and inspire a whole new class of kids. Sincerely," Aaron Datsko, PA.

"As an introduction to your truly unique writing for wind groups, I used Truefire! on our Holiday Concert a couple of weeks ago. It was the hit of the concert. The audience response was tremendous and the aftermath was incredible. Since we live in a small community, I often see parents at the store, etc. Without exception, they all made a point of telling me how much the loved Truefire!" Scott Humphries, Covington, VA

"Mel, I'm listening to the Stormquest CD, and felt compelled to write of the incredible first steps in what is no doubt an amazing journey. If only there were words, my friend, to describe how each segment, each moment, each note is presented with amazing care and attention. Musical shadings, emotional phrase shaping, nuance, dissonance with a purpose, intensity, love. Every sense is jolted. And this is just the beginning! Can't begin to imagine where it will lead, but have a sense that the ride will be amazing. Your intro to directors is SOOO on point. If only. . . If only they will be musicians, educators and leaders of quality music education. Yes, bands can play this music. If only . . .Thank you for sharing the journey. Godspeed, my friend." Don Jemella, Conductor

"O Steve,there were really funny and great things with your pieces:
I did "Time in the Balance!" with my youth-band, the kids are about 12 and 13 years old. I wrote a 20/8 measure on the board and explained the rhythm "ta-mh-mh-ta-mh-mh" and so on.... and the kids could play the piece!! That was unbelieveble for me!! The next concert of this band is at the end of November, but "Time in the Balance!" is for the concert in January. But the kids don´t want to play the pieces for November-concert - they want only play this "cool new piece"!! Thank you!" Andreas Grandl, Germany

"I just wanted to tell you that a group of Norwegian band children under my baton performed nine movements from Stormquest on Aug. 3. The performance found place in Bø in Telemark. They had been on a band camp from Monday and had about 10 full band rehearsals to prepare. After some struggle to get things going I was amazed at how well they were able to give a moving performance of the selected movements. One of their favourite movements was Time in the Balance. This music really works! I hope to bring some of your music to a bandcamp in Finnland next summer. Thank for writing really good music for younger people!" Hilsen Egil J. Lysebo, Norway

"Last night, I rendered Search for Truefire and By Love Compelled with this year's Symphony. I came away even more awestruck and amazed than last year. Your music is such an inspiration for the kids (and for me) At the end, I stood on the podium with such respect for what the kids had accomplished. I turned around to announce the next piece and suddenly realized that I was unable to talk because of the lump in my throat. The kids rendered the pieces with such intensity, love, and total giving... I wish with all my heart that more orchestra teachers discover your music and have the opportunity to experience what I had the privilege of being a part of last night. Thank you! Again!" Scott Hensil, Pennsylvania

"Steve: Rehearsed "By Love Compelled..." This piece should be played by EVERY junior high and high school band in the country. It is one of the most *musical* pieces at that grade level I've ever heard! I thought maybe the high school kids wouldn't respond to the StormQuest stuff so well, thinking they were beyond it. That has not been their reaction at all, as I'm sure you know from other experiences with other bands! *I* wasn't sure (I have to be pretty solidly convinced of things, seeing and hearing on my own) until I started working on the pieces. Your music doesn't *sound* like other music they've played, from inside the ensemble as well as from the front. It's making them listen to each other more already. We read the last section of "Aurora" first, since that's what we had duplicated first. It went very well at the first reading, and is very accessible technically while requiring listening and musicality. We'll read the rest on Monday. More and more, other things in a school setting interfere with our teaching. We need music that will involve the student and help them push the distractions out of their minds. I always tell student teachers that their most challenging task as educators is to choose appropriate literature for their bands. Your music is doing all of that. Keep up the good work! " Jeff Waggoner, Music Department Chair. Hinsdale Central High School

"As you know, at the middle school level, it is often hard to get the students to enjoy slower music. We rehearsed Truefire! about three days. Amazingly, the last two rehearsals, several kids have been requesting it! A true compliment to you and your music. Besides sensitivity and truly playing with heart, we have learned some valuable technical aspects. Most of my flutes, heck all of them, have never played those upper register notes in a piece. Also, the band now understands music in threes spread over not only quarter notes but half notes and eighth notes. Concepts through Music!!!! Amazing!!!!! It's much better than saying "Line 83, and lets be excited about it." Eric Wells, Kansas City, Missouri

"Stephen, Yesterday we played Forbidden Fortress at junior high band contest. Parents told me afterwards that the judges were standing up, trying to figure out what various sounds coming from the percussion section were. When the piece was over, the audience went totally crazy, applauding and shouting. I have been to numerous contests over the past eleven years of teaching and have never had a response like this to a band, or to a piece of music. Both the judges and other band directors who heard our performance were asking, "where did you find that piece?" Our students were very excited about both their performance of the piece and the reaction that they received. Thank you again, for writing music like this that takes away any stigma from the phrase,'junior high band music' ". George Caton, Havana Junior High School, Havana, Illinois

"Stephen, For our third concert in a row our bands (Middle School) played some of your music from STORMQuest. Not only did I get a lot of music for my money, but the kids love it. They keep asking for more! You got their attention last year when they played Under Cover of Night & Into the Light of Day, then they sat up straight when the STORMQuest came. You won their respect with Defenders of Truefire, but tonight you won their HEARTS when they performed TRUEFIRE! The soloists were wonderful. Steve, these kids were so inspired with what you wrote. They have grown from section members into soloists right in front of our eyes. Again, I thank you for your spirit, your focus, and your insight. Our students are changed forever. Thanks." Steve Dingledine, Muncie Indiana

"My experience in adjudicating and listening to young bands today is that most are attempting literature which is beyond their grasp, or they are playing watered down arrangements of some kind. Steve's STORMQUEST collection is the perfect answer. The Music is challenging, but very playable. It invites, no, INSISTS on emotional/musical expression. It is original and makes young bands sound great. Steve... I really love your new STORMQUEST collection. I recommended it to at least a dozen bands at the last concert festival I judged in Massachusetts. Godspeed." Larry Lang, Commander/Conductor US Air Force Heritage of America Band

"The chance for my students to work on your music has turned them from note players to young musicians. They must play with the heart if their music, your music, is to be understood. Because of your music we now have three French horn players and two keyboard players that we didn't have at the beginning of the year. I am very proud of them and grateful to you for this life changing opportunity. Thanks again." Richard H. Lewis, Hoover Middle School Band

"We also listened to, and then read through TRUEFIRE! in 8th grade band. In my career, as short as it may be, I have never had a group of students so excited about playing a piece of music. They did not have the music in front of them as they listened, and, as you may have guessed, they said "We won't be able to play this." But then, I put it in front of them, and barring all of the sight-reading jitters that we are still working on, they really could! After the cut off, they were silent... then they looked around at each other and broke out into a thunderous "YEAH!". I can hardly wait!" Susann Hubbell Blair, Ohio

"I need to tell you that you have a new fan club at Central Cambria High School. In one short day, my band program was rejuvenated by your music!! I passed out "Courage... at the Wall of Fire" and "Revenge of the Darkseekers" and minutes later the band was on fire! The sounds that they were getting, not only excited me, but more importantly, excited them. A student raised a hand and proclaimed "Let's scrap the rest of the folder and do all 15 movements of STORMQUEST"! Of course, as much as I would have liked to do the same, it was not educationally sound! We performed those two movements at our Winter Concert, to great acclaim from parents and community members." Tom Nagy, Edensburg, Pennsylvania

"Your music has made a profound effect on my middle school students. Playing the STORMQuest selections has brought out musical expression that didn't exist before. Just got home from our middle school concert. We did STORMQuest with our 8th grade band. The audience went nuts! On the same program we did C, H, S and S. The audience was polite. When we played your Music they felt the energy. The kids feel it too. Way to go! You have done it again! We all can't wait to explore the rest of STORMQuest!" Steve Dingledine, Muncie Indiana

"Great musical works that must be performed with true passion. I really like that challenge!" Shirley M. Robertson, Oxford, IN

"Steve, Your deal for STORMQuest sounds like a deal that is hard to refuse. What band director of any sensibility can refuse great music which is connected to a clear pedagogical vision? What school administrator, holding the purse-strings can refuse the logic of thinking large-scale and long-term? Fascinated by the CD/CD-ROM idea. How does it work? The idea of customizing music for young bands in order to give them the best possible musical experience, is something that many of us who write have always tried to find the time to do. Making this kind of thing accessible to ALL band directors is a great mission." Scott Rogers, Norway

"First I was just amazed at the synchronicity of arriving at work today (11/3/97) to the amazing sounds of STORMQuest, then I was blown away by the level of freakish focus and detailed creative insanity within the package, and now I lay here rendered useless by the overpowering amount of material and cutting edge nature of the Web Page (the sauce is on the stove and I'll take TWO of those cats!)." JP Kiernan, Bergenfield, New Jersey

" I would like to tell you how pleased we are with SCENES FROM STORMQUEST. The writing, the pace, the many emotional levels, and the textures all make up an exciting and educational score. It truly is a "quest" as we discover the many messages brought forth by the Music. After winning the state championship in 1996, I was concerned about how I could take my students to a new level - have them reach for a more lofty and worthy goal. You have made that possible. The kids at Mercer County High School have been truly blessed with an unforgettable experience." Rob Bryant, "newly converted STORMDirector ", Mercer County, Kentucky

"Dear Steve, I just thought I would write and tell how much the students are enjoying playing Integrity's First Stand. They wanted something different and they got it. We will definitely be using more of your music in the future. I really want to get Stormquest for our middle school bands. Thanks for innovation." Mark Vittetoe, Horton High School

"Dear Steve, Last year my 7th grade band played STORMQUEST. We played these at home concerts and city wide band festivals. The kids were excited by the music, the parents were very impressed, and everyone loved the music. I have found a large drawback though -- my band members DON'T WANT TO PLAY ANY OF THE TRADITIONAL BAND LITERATURE!! They could play STORMQUEST all class, all week, all year! Thanks for the great music!" Walter Coker, Gruening Middle School

"Steve, There are several things that I'd like to say. First, after months of having your "music" sit on the shelf, I finally passed out several sections of STORMQUEST. Wow! Everything that other directors have been saying is true. My kids love your music. We are currently working on Time in the Balance, and while challenging, it's been real fun to watch them work! I was at the Naval School of Music last spring and caught your SCALEWorks clinic. I use the knowledge that you gave us to teach scales now, and it is highly successful. Thanks for everything! Jim Paxton, Andrew Lewis M.S. Band, Salem, Virginia.

SOME COMMENTS FROM THE KIDS!

"Hi! My name is Janice and I am in 8th grade. My Wind Ensemble (Director; Jeff Fudale) is playing pieces from STORMQuest, and we love it!! I am the first chair French horn and the music is phenomenal! It gets our entire band excited and we look forward to playing it everyday. We'll be playing it at contest, and I know that the judges will be blown away. Your music is kind of like an escape from the entire other music world. Its like a whole different species of music, and I like a change like that. I really appreciate all the hard work that you put into these pieces. Please Write Back!" Janice, 1st Chair French Horn, Roehm Wind Ensemble, Berea, OH

"Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it." Confucius "I know that you are likely busy with more E-mails than one could 'Shake a stick at' so to speak, so I'll make it brief. I merely wished to state that your pieces are a welcome refreshment from the casual ones with predictable lines and unexciting rhythm. So far we've played Stormquest, Revenge of the Darkseekers, and The Search for Truefire. Being the only Baritone Saxophone within the band... it is difficult to be excited with the music, in that it is usually slow half note or quarter note harmonies that have little power behind them, little purpose. But I am happy to be able to say that I am proud to play a series of music that has a homish welcoming feel to all instruments, where each has an important message, and not just part of the chord. And each day I've tried harder. There's a concert Tuesday, I hope the audience enjoys The Search for Truefire as much as we have, with a great Alto Saxophone solo and Flute solo, I doubt they can do little less than sit at the edge of their seat anticipating the next well crafted measure." Stephen Morgan, 8th Grader, Berea, OH

"Hey Steve... May I call you Steve? You're music brings meaning into so many people's lives, including mine. Anyway, I just thought that I'd tell you how much your job means to us "common folk" Keep up the good work and like you've always said..."Godspeed" Thank you for the awesome music. Sincerely," Natalie Davis, 8th Grade, Roehm Middle School

HOW? "There's a composer who has created a state-of-the-art system whereby Music is delivered in an extremely space-efficient and cost-effective manner... the CD-ROM. I intend to take some of the kids, turn them into computer librarians, have them interact with the technology and produce the necessary hard copy for the instrumental program. He's also got parts for strings on the CD-ROM and the original MIDI files so that the Music can be easily adapted to the specificity of the group. Should the kids experience any snags, they're invited to go up on the Internet and interact directly with the composer." This paragraph as well as a representation of ALL the things STORMQuest is, has gotten many directors the tools they needed! Here now, are the words of our colleagues!

 


HEART OF THE HERO

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Description

A Concertino in F for Piano and Band. Across the suite A Wish to the World, we have paid tribute to unsung heroes, described situations a hero must face and told a story about the not-too-distant past... and future. In Heart of the Hero, we discover that quiet and relentless song, that quality which is forever held in the Heart of such an individual. Innocent, perhaps humorous, the Hero faces adversity often... but in the hero's heart, a courageous theme plays without bounds. The hero prevails.

This work was composed for that situation where you have a fine pianist who might not otherwise have the chance to shine and be brought to the forefront of your Music program.

The many concepts provided within this work can be investigated in the Score Notes.

A Wish to the World is a series of pieces written to inspire the next generation of Heroes. These pieces can be played as a suite across the Music Program in the manner of THE FOUNTAINHEAD and STORMQUEST, or they can be rendered individually.

A Wish to the World is commissioned by Barry Wentz and the Alpena High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble with Ray Reynolds, Director of the Thunder Bay JHS Band, and Keith Hodsgon & The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, Mr. Larry White & The Rancho Buena Vista Wind Ensemble in California, Mr. Paul Holzen & the Parkway Northeast Middle School, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

 

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IF ... Musical Haiku #27

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Testimonials

"Dear Steve, I never had the chance to talk to you about Last World Standing world Standing. I have played your Last World Standing three times in the last week. What Brilliance! what work! a true masterpiece and the work of a musical genius!" Tom Walsh, Executive Producer, EnterAktion Studios

"Dear Stephen! Great, wunderbar!! It¥s a special sample of very emotional music. It¥s very extraordinary!! I guess thats a new step in instrumentation and arrangement of your great works, but each composition is typical for "Stephen Melillo"!! Very deaply sound, the track with Martin Kiener sounds like an Symphony Orchestra. Sorry, I¥m not able to describe it in english, but this CD takes the Concert Band Music in a new dimension. In my opinion, the great bands and band directors like this music and the people in the concert halls would be touched by such wunderfull music all over the world!!!!! Godspeed" P.S. The Beginning of our last concert with SBO Ried an 26.10. was with your opus 1... and now, it is on Chapter 13. That`s great of you, to give your first, wunderfull work to your new CD!! Gerhard Reischel, Conductor Landesmusikschule Leonding, Austria

"Composer Melillo is gifted and blessed with a God-given talent he gives and shares with the world. When one listens to his music, an intense spiritual statement immerses one into his beautiful world of musical expression. Melilloís compositions are different from all other composers! Immediately one is captivated by the depth and soul of his craft. I encourage you to listen and view his Last World Standing. This is a monumental piece of music that delivers a most profound musical experience about our life and the wars that we have lived through. Thank you, Steve for the massive contributions you are making to our musical world." Edward S. Lisk, Clinician, Conductor, Author

 

 

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QUERENCIA!

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Description

New Mexico has been a Spiritual Home for me ever since I met the Souls of Bataan. When I was recently conducting the New Mexico All-State Band, a gentleman came up to me and said, "Querencia! That's what you're asking from the kids!" He explained that QUERENCIA was the word that was shouted out as the bull got closest to the bullfighter. It is the idea of COURAGE, but Courage as a function of how close one allows Danger to get near. In that Real Life closeness to Danger and in that Metaphor, this work is humbly offered as a fun gift to the young Musicians who will explore it and render it!

A Wish to the World is a series of pieces written to inspire the next generation of Heroes. These pieces can be played as a suite across the Music Program in the manner of THE FOUNTAINHEAD and STORMQUEST, or they can be rendered individually.

A Wish to the World is commissioned by Barry Wentz and the Alpena High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble with Ray Reynolds, Director of the Thunder Bay JHS Band, and Keith Hodsgon & The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, Mr. Larry White & The Rancho Buena Vista Wind Ensemble in California, Mr. Paul Holzen & the Parkway Northeast Middle School, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.
 

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Those Who Serve

Those Who Serve Free Score

Those Who Serve Free Parts

STAR! Free Score

STAR! Free Parts

STAR! Free STRING Parts

Jefferson's Vision Free Score

Jefferson's Vision Free Score

 

 

Description:

THOSE WHO SERVE will be given to as many conductors who will download and print the Music. Other free downloads include JEFFERSON'S VISION and STAR! and more, all which is "free" right here.

Beginning with USA stated in a rhythmically energized Morse Code, the piece quotes each of the military themes positioned against each other and the Star Spangled Banner.

THOSE WHO SERVE may serve you for concert and/or parade situations where a tribute to ANY branch of the military is in order. This tribute is composed and scored in such a way as to provide a Grade 3 opportunity for a wide variety of scenarios.

THOSE WHO SERVE is free with A Wish to the World, a series of pieces written to inspire the next generation of Heroes. These pieces can be played as a suite across the Music Program in the manner of THE FOUNTAINHEAD and STORMQUEST, or they can be rendered individually.

A Wish to the World is commissioned by Barry Wentz and the Alpena High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble with Ray Reynolds, Director of the Thunder Bay JHS Band, and Keith Hodsgon & The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, Mr. Larry White & The Rancho Buena Vista Wind Ensemble in California, Mr. Paul Holzen & the Parkway Northeast Middle School, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

WU: Technesophia, a Dance of the Wu Li Master

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Testimonials

"I am the director that commissioned "Wu" for my 7th-grade band this year. "Wu" was the best composition I've performed in 15 years of teaching. Most importantly, it will be the best purchase and teaching tool you'll give to your group - REAL music for a young ensemble! Sincerely," Andrea Runfola, Clarence, NY Andrea Runfola, Clarence, NY

Check out the "Stories" craeted below...

 

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On 18  Apr 2017, at 10:30 AM, James Byrn <jbyrnmusic@gmail.com> wrote:

Sir Stephen,

I backed into a dumpster in the park after Grayson's baseball practice on Saturday. I had to take yesterday off to get my car into the shop. I gave my students a writing assignment. The assignment was to write a story that is to be accompanied by WU. I have picked the top three stories and attached them to this e-mail. Could you please read them and pick your favorite?



1.  Sorry about your accident.

2.  I am absolutely floored by these Stories.

3.  Although, yes, I do have personal favorites… there is no way I can “decide” who who should “win.”  Why?  Because it is Music.  And Music, the same piece, has triggered all of these immensely cool thoughts!  I mean some of these should be filmed!  So, I would say this:

4.  From adversity has come coolness.  A car accident has delivered Creativity.  I think everyone should be given “the award.”

5.  Here are the honorable mentions!

Dalea:  For observing Kindness in Music.  "The Kindness in Music Award."

Carrie:  For observing that Music, like Love, exceeds the surface.  “The Nobility of Music Award.”

Rian: For creating a darned Cool Story!  “The Dance of the Wu Li Masters in Music Award."



Dalea's Dragon Story

     Once upon a time, there was a dragon with a beautiful tail. His tail was long and decorated with beautiful jewels. All the townspeople were jealous of the dragon because of his tail. They wanted to kill the dragon so that they could gain the jewels of his tail. They plotted against him and made plans.
     One day, the dragon was sleeping peacefully in his cave. All of the sudden, the townspeople rushed in with pitchforks and torches aimed towards the dragon. The dragon did not want to hurt any of the townspeople so he tried to fly away. As he took off, a pitchfork was thrown into his wing injuring him. He tried to get as far as possible, but eventually had to settle down. Luckily, the townspeople were unable to find the dragon where he had relocated. As the dragon heard the people yelling and searching for him, he began to weep. However, one townsperson suddenly emerged in front of him. Worried, he backed away and stood firm against the person. It was a little girl. The girl simply smiled full of joy and ran to the dragon to hug him. Surprised, the dragon accepted her hug and tore off a jewel from his tail to give to her. Then, he urged her to return to her family. After she had left, the dragon became sad at realizing the friend that he could have had if the girl had stayed with him.
     Suddenly, all the townspeople emerged surrounding the dragon. At first, the dragon got ready to take off, but then he saw the little girl. She waved at him excitedly telling the people how great he was. When she showed the people, they all got happy seeing how kind the dragon had been to the little girl. Because of this kind act, the townspeople decided to accept the dragon. He promised to defend their town and even offered a free jewel to each family. However, all the people denied his offer of a jewel in order to repay the damage which they had inflicted upon his tail. Instead, they bandaged his tail and helped him to heal it. Both the dragon and the townspeople helped each other to better their lives. And they all lived happily ever after.



Carrie's Warrior Story

Once upon a time, there was a great warrior. He defended the land with all of his might, defeating all who challenged him. At least he thought that he could defeat everyone. One day a beautiful woman came to challenge the warrior. He thought nothing of her because of how weak she appeared to be, and quickly dismissed her with a wave. She told him to not be deceived by appearances as she turned into a glorious dragon with jade scales.
The warrior was quick to raise his sword and fight her, however, he was quickly outmatched by the dragon. The dragon breathed flames at the warrior before he had time to raise his shield, but to his surprise the flames were not hot. When he opened his eyes, he too was a large dragon with brass scales. The sorceress dragon turned back into a beautiful woman and told the warrior, “when someone learns to love you past your appearance; then you will turn back into a man.”The dragon, grief-stricken at his predicament, stayed away from civilization for many years until everyone had thought the great warrior had died in the wars waging in the north.
However, one day a wounded young soldier came across the warrior’s hut seeking shelter. The dragon came back from his day roaming the forest to find the soldier, soundly sleeping in the warrior’s bed. He woke to a giant eye peeking through the window at him. He was surprised and afraid, but to his surprise the dragon nudged a bundle of cloth and leaves through the window. The soldier took the items and applied them to his wounds. He found he dragon to be careful and gentle and stayed with him for protection against the troops of enemy soldiers that patrolled the woods while he healed. After healing, the soldier decided to stay with the dragon, as he had grown to enjoy his company. As he told the dragon this, the dragon turned back into the warrior that he once was. As soon as he could walk and talk, the warrior enveloped the young boy into a hug and started to cry. “My son.”


Rian's Dance Story

A Dance of the Wu Li Master

   Sophie had been training for a moment exactly like this. All those years practicing martial arts and light magiks, fusing the two separate fighting styles and creating a hybrid kind of art. It was almost like dancing, according to some people. Using movement and word, she could defeat any opponent. She always had. She wasn't arrogant about it though. She learned from every opponent, finding flaws in what she did and correcting them. She was trying to become a master in her own unique art that was devoid of masters. And now, a great challenge had appeared. It was the only thing she could think of as a test to become a master. Now was the time to prove herself.
   A mysterious force has presented itself. It's been tormenting the people of the city for awhile now, but was only just found to be an actual person. A man was terrorizing the citizens, and had to be stopped. Sophie's mission was to stop this man. Intel has suggested that he has set up base in an old abandoned church, away from the city. She began her trek awhile ago, and will arrive soon. The church was even in her sight. A large, gray, gothic church, with crumbling columns and shattered windows.
   She approached the church, only to have the doors swing open by themselves. Inside, she saw a single man, standing below a statue of the churches god. It was just a large room that separated them. "Come on in," she heard him say from across the room. She didn't have any other choice really, so she did as he said.
   She approached the man and asked him,"Are you the one who's been terrorizing the citizens?" The man remained looking away and said,"Yes, that was me. I'm not afraid to admit it. I'm needed to test myself." Sophie was confused by this."What do you mean you needed to test yourself?" She inquired.
   The man stood up and turned around. When he did, she could see his eyes. They were completely black and soulless. The tips of his fingers had turned a deep purple color, and he seemed to give off a blackish mist from his feet. He smiled and said,"My name is Hei'an, and I've been waiting to for you to arrive. I've trained myself in the magiks of darkness, and through the darkness, I've seen you. I decided that defeating you would prove that I am a master of the dark magiks. So I lured you here by using our common goal; to become a master of our invented art. Do you accept my challenge?"
   Sophie could see that this man was strong, but she knew that he needed to be stopped. And he was right, she wanted to be a master, and fighting a dark magiks user, the opposite of light magik, would surely be a challenging enough feat to do it. He was smart. He knew this would work. "I accept your challenge Hei'an. What are your conditions?"
   He held up two fingers. "I have two simple rules for this. One; don't hold yourself back. Two; only one of us can leave this church alive." He grinned, eager to show his skills. "Shall we start?"
   She gave a short nod, and prepared her stance. They didn't need to speak anymore. They both knew why they were there, and both knew the stakes. Now, it was simply a matter of who has trained themselves better. He prepared himself as well. It was time.
   Sophie always thought the analogy of her fighting style to dance was as accurate as you can get. Especially since every time
She fought or sparred, a song would always play in her head. A strange song, that went always went with her movements. A song popped into her head now even. One she'd never heard, but she went along with it.
   Hei'an began swaying and chanting words. Then, a black miasma poured from his hand, enveloping his legs and making him float. They then circled around each other, each waiting for the first move. He made the first attack, shooting a clump or dark miasma at Sophie. She dodged, only to have to dodge another. Another two flew by, each only barely missing her. Then, she shot a beam of light out of her hand, colliding with a dark ball. It hung in place, both magiks trying to overpower the other. Then Hei'an shot another ball and canceled out both attacks.
   Sophie went on the offense. She shot a burst of light, temporarily blinding him, and closed the distance between them. Then she started to attack him head on, fists flying. She got a few hits in before he started retaliating. He defended himself from her rain of blows, and waited. Then, he found an opening and struck her, sending her back a little. Then Sophie charged her fist with light energy, and punched forward. Hei'an responded with his own charged fist, colliding the two between them. She panicked; she could feel him beginning to overpower her. She tried to punch while they were locked, but he matched that punch perfectly as well. Then he pushed out a sudden burst of dark magik, sending her stumbling back and giving him an opportunity. He got up close, and punched as hard as he could, sending pain through Sophie's ribs. She pulled back, stunned and out of breath.
   Hei'an took this opportunity. He rushed forward, and struck her arm. Then he punched her chest. It was a flurry of punches, some charged and some not. Then he slowed down for four punches, and uppercutted her across the room using a punch and darkness hybrid attack. She fell on the ground, unable to get up. Hei'an was disappointed. "I thought I said no holding back. I've seen you do better than this! Get up! Prove yourself worthy of the power and skill you possess!"
   The song in her head slowed down and got quiet and soft. She was face down on the floor, in too much pain to get up. She thought to herself, "Is this the end? The hero goes to save the citizens and fails? She stayed where she was. Does she even have the power left to stand up? She could feel the dark power crawling up her, destroying her will. Can she even go on?
   She opened her eyes, determined to get a view of the world before going, when she noticed something. She wasn't bleeding at all. Miasma flowed where she should be wounded. She knew what was going on, and she knew how to stop it. She radiates her light from her body, dimming the miasma. Hei'an stopped, surprised. Then she multiplied her light, blowing the miasma away and brightening her confidence again. She stood up, and looked him right in the eye. "I am worthy of my power. I honed it myself, and built on it from scratch. I made myself I to what I am today through hard work. Im not done yet Hei'an." She shot a beam of light at his feet, dispersing the darkness and bringing him back down. He tripped and fell. He got back up quickly, but she could see a spark of fear in his pitch black eyes. "I was holding back. But not any longer." She said. The music got louder again "Prepare yourself for round two!"
   Hei'an hurriedly prepare himself, then shot forward, striking harder and faster than before. She mirrored him, dodging and attacking. Then their fists collided again. This time, she didn't feel a resistance, and punched him backwards. She advanced, raining down light and strikes. He defended himself, but he was breaking.  She knew how to finish him off. She turned and stepped back a bit, then flipped around and shot a light beam forward. Hei'anan mirrored it, colliding with each other. They each pushed for dominance. Then, she seperated her hands, and hit him with another beam. Once, he was surprised. Twice, he was scared. Fourth and fifth, he was terrified. Then, one last burst threw him back, tiring him and knocking the black right out of his eyes. She walked forward, and stared down at the defeated warrior, the music in her head ending.
   "You weren't your best, I can tell. Since you violated a rule, I call this match off, and shall leave. Hone your strength, and face me again." She said. Then she walked away, finished with her mission. She was a true master of her dance.

Antipanico (Soloist & Band Version)

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Description

An easy piece to put together if you have an outrageous guest artist in town. See the score notes and enjoy!

 

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