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“If you have a man riding a horse, don’t score the hooves—score the mind of the man.”
— Jerry Goldsmith

There are simply no adequate words to express how deeply I admire Jerry Goldsmith. His spirit, his craft, his fearless musical intellect, these currents run through me and the fabric of STORM Music.

On 10 February 1997, I composed The Search for Truefire, Chapter 3 from STORMQuest. The journey to that work began with an arrangement I created from Jerry’s score to First Knight. When the arrangement was rejected by publishers, thus denying young musicians the opportunity to engage with truly great Music, I chose not to abandon the vision. Instead, I composed something new.

Inspired by the dramatic sweep of First Knight and shaped through a bold, big-band-influenced approach reminiscent of writers such as Sammy Nestico, I forged a fresh path. Drawing on fanfare material from my 1994 work DAVID, I created The Search for Truefire.

The title itself carries the message. “The Search” is universal. It is the pursuit of truth, in Music, in art, in integrity, even in the face of rejection. Every musician, every student, every human being understands that search.

So today, on what would be his 93rd birthday, I offer this work with gratitude and reverence.

Happy Birthday in Heaven, Jerry. I have loved your music since I was twelve years old. Please accept these humble scribblings as a small token of thanks for the fire you lit in so many of us.

Enjoy, and Godspeed.
S

The Search for Truefire (Chapter 3 from STORMQuest) is available on YouTube via CDBaby. In the score notes, you will also find my dedication, far less than he deserves, to Jerry Goldsmith.