To all the Players and Conductors from the 2007 CALPOLY Music Festival. Thank you SO much for great Music-making. A parent summed it up when he said, "It sounded like a Studio Orchestra"! Wow! Way cool! Godspeed!

To the 158 Members of the 2006 NY All-State Band. I wish it was easy to compress, but it isn't. It was a long, interesting Journey that found me finally back to New York. Home. And finally, I could speak in my native tongue! 8 - ). You guys are the Best. Our short Time together was timeless. It was really very cool testing the structural integrity of the Eastman Theater... especially when , at one point, all had dissolved in the long decay of tumult, only to give Birth, indeed, as the Music "called" for. With skill and Heart, Music was made... not played mind you, made. For that alone, and much more, I will always Love you. Godspeed... Steve PS: You are the new record holders: learning Marches in 7:38. And there was so much more. Godspeed!

To the SBO-Ried Orkester. One longs for professional Musicians to have the great Heart and Giving of eternal Children. LAST WORLD STANDING, rendered in the Brucknerhaus on 22 October was a special moment in Time. It is not possible to thank you for your great talent and Giving. Vielen Dank mit grosse lieben. Stefan

To the Musicians of Troy University who recently recorded the STORMWORKS Chapter ONE Prime CD: WISH to the WORLD. On behalf of all the students who will come into your care as Music Educators of the not-too-distant Future, Thank You. Your work ethic, rigor, discipline and enthusiasm have truly made the recording significant. This will no doubt be one of the best STORMWORKS CDs because of all that when on during its making. History is Made... and yes, You made it well! I am forever grateful. Godspeed! S

To all my many new Friends from Germany, Deutschland Tour 2006, Vielen Dank! The Violin Concerto with Andrea Tyniec was really fantastiche! David with Barbara Sauter was wunderbar! And every group, from SUDWIND to Tobias' fine Band to the National Police Band was part of a great and unforgettable experience. Danke soviel für was nicht in den Wörtern gesagt werden kann, ist sie Deutscher oder Englisch. Godspeed! S

To the 115 Members of the 2006 New Mexico All-State Band. Flying out to Albuquerque, I sat next to an Architect and flying back to Atlanta, I sat next to a Mathematician! Just when you think you can get some sleep, all these interesting people have to come along! 8 - ) ! Thank you so much for allowing me the honor and privilege of serving as your 2006 Conductor. SO many things were unique about our brief Time together. Our connection to Mr. Hugh M. Stuart... whose letter I will soon post here, was timely, significant and definitely within the realm of what I call SYNC. Our calling Aldo Forte on the cell phone and playing him his own 1st movement was really neat. He loved it! Your premiere of his work was really well done! Bravi! Of course I can never thank you enough for playing Mr. Stuart's Music... and mine the way you did. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for all of your many efforts to Give the best of yourselves. I miss you already! Godspeed! S... and from Aldo Forte: "Your rendition of my Danzas Brillantes with the 2006 New Mexico All-State Concert Band is simply fantastic. You captured every nuance in the piece and so much more. The excitement of the outer movements comes through with the utmost energy and you navigate through the wide changes in mood of the second movement seamlessly and with the utmost artistic expression. Your performance is a great tribute to the memory of Maria Diaz to whom this work is dedicated. You led this wonderful group of musicians in a magnificent way. Melillo, you are a superb musician of the highest order! - Aldo Rafael Forte, Composer

To the Members of the SPRINGFIELD YOUTH ORCHESTRA. Though our Time was very brief, thank you so much for what you gave. I enjoyed working with you very much. Godspeed! S

To the 143 Musicians of the Japan Self Defense Force, the Musicians of the Japan Air Self Defense Force Band, to all the Officers, recording staff, Vocalists from Old Dominion & Shenandoah Universities, the fine Shakuhachi, Koto and Piano & Percussion players, to Tia Stanhope, Ichiro Asuke, Maki Sakakimoto and to ALL involved with the Miracle of History made in Japan this May of 2005... dare I even utter the words, "thank you"? Maybe that's why so many close friends had to be there with me. All of us know that what happened is Beyond Words. That we did all of this for the sake of others... THAT is what makes this truly wonder-filled and a worthy Gift back to those who have given so much. So, for all that you have done and given, thank you. The CD Set we produce, STORMWORKS Chapter V∞: Writings on the Wall, will long stand as an important document and a personal memento for you. Listen to it 10, then 20, then 30, then 40, then 50, then on and on years from now. It says it all. Godspeed. S

To the fine Musicians of Norway. Thank you so much for your hard work and for your bravery in Re-Hear-sing! It was a truly Glorious concert! I hope we can do this again one day! Godspeed! Steve!

To the members of the Louisiana All-State Band 2004. I pulled into the driveway a little over an hour ago at exactly 3:33. (STORMPhone photo above...). It is now the 2nd day of being re-routed and delayed and coming to Dallas via Corpus Christi... the name of the school I attended as a boy, and the church Father Rinaldi pastored. But being rescheduled to gate C33 had me think, well this was all supposed to happen. I need to get home and forget sleep and tell those Louisiana kids what I think. So. There is nothing better than TRUE DARING, and a risk-taking willngness to re-hear. You guys did that with the best of bravery and I am honoured to have been a part of such courage. Thank you for your hard work and your opened hearts and minds. The many hours in travel gave me the time to read THE TIME OF OUR SINGING. What a masterful work and one I will recommend to you. It speaks of Music as you and I did just moments ago. And to the amazing and dedicated Louisiana Band Directors who stayed up for a second clinic... (no nail polish)... until 1 AM, what can I say except "thank you"? Thank you for your tremendous example to the student Musicians and thank you for your willngness to try new things in their behalf. I sincerely hope that what you had seen and heard on Monday morning will live with you always. I am honoured to know all of you and if I can ever help you in any way just let me know. Remember to check out THAT WE MIGHT LIVE!... and Godspeed! PS: You are now the official record holders for learning "the March"... 8:50!

To the Members of the World Youth Orchestra from Schladming, Austria's Mid-Europe 2004 Session, and to the bands which took part in the Tuning Sessions... You already know that I Love you. I am so grateful for your hard and dedicated work. Yes... there were many Beautiful moments in our Rehearsal. And special thanks to Thomas Beiganz... who helped create still yet another Voice. Thank you. Danke und Godspeed. I can only Hope that I will once again be asked to share Music with such fine young people.

To Karl Geroldinger and the SBO Band from Reid, Austria. WOW! MUSASHI was serious fun. I thank you for our instant connection and look forward to many magical and Spiritual moments in the forever unfolding Future! Thank you for such Beauty and Friendship. Godspeed!

To the members of the Alabama All-State Band 2004. There is much to thank you for. Before I visited Alabama, I was in New Mexico for the premiere of THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. In spite of many obstacles and in defiance of having created an extremely lofty goal, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE accomplished everything it was meant to. In my mind it created a Moment in Time which could never be reached again. As good as the Alabama All-State experience might be, I thought as I was flying in... it could never be anything like THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. I was suffering, in advance of our meeting a kind of post-mortem depression. We met. Music was missing. The usual obstacles planted. Fortunately, Mr. Dexter Greenhaw stayed in the Battle and helped get things right. Then... there were American Flags to find and set up amidst the many hundreds of Musicians on the floor. The sports arena became something different as so many Veterans stood... and then the best thing possible happened. You Rehearsed! It was brilliant. The minor imperfections and tiny exposure of nerves was plowed under by moments of Real Music, mathematically "pure" and filled with Giving. Wow! At Atlanta Airport, I sat in waiting with a dozen deaf and mute kids. I had worked with such students when I was interning in Boston. There was the small intrusion of sadness... but just a moment. I thought, "They could not have enjoyed that Moment... at measure 68... measure 34 twice in the 3rd movement." But I was wrong. Here now is the new lesson which you have inspired and which I leave with you as the greatest of all the lessons over the past few hours. Had those deaf students been there... on that day at that Time they would have indeed experienced the Music. Why? Because Music is not so much "sound" as it is Vibration... and in one glorious moment, there achieved in the most adverse conditions was an ascending spiral of Vibration that even the deaf would have heard, that even the Souls no longer with us must surely have felt touching them in Heaven. So how does one thank someone for such a Moment? Words fail... indeed. Only more Music can express the thought. I only wish that somehow all of our combined experiences with THAT WE MIGHT LIVE and the Alabama All-State experience and on and on could be joined and shared. Alas, that is why I continue to Dream, and Hope... but on this 24th day in April of 2004, a Prayer was answered by your great Giving. Thank you.

PS: You now hold the record for the March, 11:20, and the Timepiece was a Perfect Gift! Thank you!

Of all the groups I have ever conducted, the student-Musicians in the Roswell District Honour Band rose to the greatest level, playing Music that lasted 65 minutes and doing it with great Heart and Giving. THEY CHANGED LIVES as a result of their efforts, and there is no cause for Music beyond that. So, humble though the words be. Thank You. See the Photos, read the articles. Enjoy. YOU did this. AND...

... on 9 April 2004 is the 62nd Anniversary of the Bataan Death March. On this day, the Shenandoah University Chorus directed by Karen Keating has become the Official STORMChorus. It is not possible to thank these valiant Souls enough. They boarded buses just1 day before the first and last evening "hearsal". The trip took 30 hours The first time we read the piece from top-to-bottom... was in Concert, the very next day. After the 2nd Concert, they were once again on a bus... another 30 hours and a return to Virginia. YOU guys make me proud to be a Virginian! YOU changed those Men. You earned their words of praise and of Love. So, See the Photos and read the articles. These are yours.

To the Musicians of the Virginia District II Honour Band... Thank you for sharing the many messages of Hope.

To the Musicians of the Mississippi State University Band, my many thanks. For me, one of the best things that happened was experiencing your very different approach, in front of an audience, to making the Music. Especially the Nocturne. One could hear the French Horn players thinking through the notes.. and so quickly, after only a brief exposure via our clinic. THAT was the summation needed for the Band Directors to realize. It was happening in your Minds. Wow! Cool. And of course, making The Universe Below was great fun. Thanks so much, Merry Christmas and Godspeed in 2004!

To the fine Composers from Marktoberdorf, Germany... To Maurice Hamers and his very fine Ensemble, to all the directors, student Conductors, and Musicians involved in this absolutely Great project... DANKE UND GOTTSCHNELL!!! Wow! This is such a Great model of all that is possible with and in and because of Music!

To the members of the Patriot Symphonic Band. Thank you for your many efforts and for a great rehearsal. I look forward to a revisiting of Part One... and of course a journey into Part Two. Godspeed!

To the members of the Arkansas All-State Band. I'm glad that Spencer's first concert was with you guys, even if it was in a huge, echoey hall. We made the echo part of the Music... and that was what re-hearing is all about. I'm glad that he came up on stage and looked at you and applauded! None of that was planned. You deserved his Love and more. I'm glad that you got a standing ovation after the 2nd piece, and that we began the concert in a "quiet" way. It was a great honour to work with people so willing to work hard and explore the great Adventure of Music. Thank you for a fun re-hear-sal on stage. The reason the audience loved you so much, is because you gave so much to them. Bravi & Godspeed... always.

To the members of the MSU Mississippi Honor Band. I hope that there was enough Time to share the Music with you. I greatly appreciate your hard work and many efforts. What happened on Saturday morning between us and the few directors on stage is what Music is ultimately about. Thank you for making every effort to find what is Real. And to the MSU College Kids... Whew! That was fun! Thank you.

To the members of the 4-State Honour Band from Texarkana, Texas. Interesting story #107-A, Paragraph B. En route home, I sat in row 3, and watched the right propeller quit about 33 minutes away from Dallas. Here is the sequence of thought: 1. Will my wife and son be okay? Yes. 2. Can I do something to protect the only other passengers? A mother and her 4 children. I ran down the scenario in my mind. 3. Did I share enough with those fantastic, hardworking, loving kids from Texarkana? See, even then, I was still with you. Thank you for your great Hearts and Giving. Godspeed!

To the members of the Nassau All-County Band from Long Island, New York. Thank you for allowing me get to Musical matters I rarely have the opportunity to discuss... and a very special thank you to your Teachers. This was one of the first such events where so many directors watched and studied and took notes. The way you played that 2nd movement is evidence of your great Hearts and your Teachers' great Giving. Thank you and Godspeed!

To the members of the Royal Dutch Military Orchestra and Residence Bach Chorus... Thank you for a great 3 days. The Chapter ZERO CD will be the best yet! Thanks for all your emails and of course your fantastic Musicianship!

To Andrea C, Andrea, Andreas, Bernard, Heidi, Ludwig, Marco, Markus and the Musicians, Conductors and staff from the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktobersdorf, Germany... Thank you for a fantastic week. In spite of all the languages and translations, we became Friends as we shared in Music. I shall see you again next year, and look forward to an exciting reunion! Godspeed! See photos.

To the many Students & Directors who attended the Hampton University Band Camp 2002. Thanks so much for your hard work! Fantastic! And special thanks to the Band Directors who were so open and dedicated! Bravi & Godspeed!

To the members of the Bay Shore Wind Ensemble and those who premiered THE UNIVERSE BELOW. Great premiere! All of the things the piece was meant to convey definitely reached the audience because of your efforts. The most important moment? In the band room... when we talked about "Tuning". Take that message and feeling and practice in small groups and sections, and "Let's find out!" Godspeed!

To the members of the New Mexico All-State Concert Band. Thank you for "rehearsing" on stage. It was one of the best rehearsals I have yet conducted and I was honoured to share Music with you. Your efforts in Giving to the many new discoveries... in front of people... was powerful indeed. I am QUITE sure that Aldo Forte would have been ecstatic about your work on Olympus. And as for ESCAPE... well, something happened after the concert which may be one of the most profound responses from an audience yet. I wish all of you could have seen what you brought about... but such a moment is better left to the unspoken. Know that your Giving was not left unanswered. Godspeed!

To the members of the West Georgia State Honor Band. Thank you for tireless Giving. Bravi! I hope you received well deserved feedback from your family and friends.

To the members of the Rundfunk Blasorchester Leipzig. Thank you for your Friendship. More than anything else, this is the most welcomed joy. The concert in the Gewnadhaus was the most wonder-filled and special Music making event in my Life. The audience was silent and in complete union with our 8-movement Journey. If Music is for Touching Souls, then 24 October 2001 will live on and on. Thank you for your incredibly dedicated and focused Giving during the 2-day recording session and thank you for your kindness and Love. We will always be Friends. I look forward to our next concert in Leipzig and to many more recordings. Danke und Godspeed!

To the members of the North and Central Hinsdale Schools. Thank you for an audience uplifting first rendering of ONCE MORE UNTO THE BREACH! Much Heart! Bravi & Godspeed!

To the members of the Hampton University Band. There's something really special about you guys. You are so open to "standing in the Gap". It's always a great honour to share Music with you. Bravi!

To the members of the South Jersey Are Wind Ensemble and to Keith Hodgson, thanks so much for a really special evening. My very special thanks to Ben (we'll get your picture up soon), the 10-year old Boy-Soprano who is yet further proof that "He" is really there! Godspeed!

To the members of the Russian Admiralty Navy Band and to Alexei Karabanov, thanks so much for bringing the message of DAVID to the people of Russia! Godspeed!

To the members of the U.S. Military Academy Band, to Colonel Dietrick and Major Garlette! Thank you for a "Glorious" Day! It was a great first rendering!

To the members of the United States Navy Atlantic Fleet Band and the British Royal Marines. What a tremendous and humbling honour to have been a part of the commissioning of the USS WINSTON S. CHURCHILL. To have met such fine leaders, the Sea Lord of the Royal Navy, Admiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh and Admiral Robert J. Natter, Commander of the US Atlantic Fleet and to have paid homage to one of the centuries greatest leaders was indeed a special moment. I'm honoured to have shared it with you. And to Commander Keller and Mr. Sid Davis... thanks so much for the opportunity to become a small part of such a great story.

To the members of the Tallwood High School Band and to Steve Panoff for offering such a great tribute to the families of the USS COLE. Four of the 17 families were in attendance as well as 30 shipmates. Thank you for your Giving. You guys were fortunate, indeed... to have been conducted by the finest conductor in the Air Force, Major Larry Lang. Godspeed!

To the members of the Goddard High School and Roswell High School Bands. Wow! That was great for the audience to ask for an encore rendering wasn't it? I felt many eyes (and ears) open during our short Time together. Bravi! I'll see some of you next year! Godspeed!

To the members of the Continental League Honour Band from Denver, Colorado. It's one thing to talk about Rehearsing and then another to actually do it! I am so very honoured to have shared our brief Time together. I respect you so much for your giving and exploring and trying. Bravi Bravi!

To all the fine Musicians at Troy State University, to Robert W. Smith, Ralph Ford, Dr. Johnny Long, Colonel Bourgeois, Colonel Shelburne, Keith Mann, all the Directors and Musicians from all the many fine ensembles... thanks SO much!!!

To the members of the First Hampton University Honour Band, to Dr. Barney Smart and Lt. Keelan McKamey. Thank you for an actioned packed 2 days! All the best as you carry your many experiences into the future and back to your classmates.

To the members of Lakota West High School Band and to Greg Snyder. You know what you did. It was fantastic... but for me the highlight was Wednesday night... and everything you guys were doing was embodied in Mr. Snyder. "Losing" yourself to something worthy enough to serve, elevates in ways that can only be described in Music. Thank you for that level of Giving. Godspeed!

To the members of the USAF Heritage of America Band and to Major Lang & Lt. McKamey. Thanks so much for your powerful rendering of Festival of Light! I so much appreciate your many years of dedication and Music-making. Godspeed!

To the Georgia Honorable Band: Thank you for your great effort and Giving. Thanks so much for your kind letters and your Friendship. Godspeed!

To the many fine student musicians and their directors from WIBC! Wow! So much fun. I look forward to more adventure in the years ahead! Godspeed!

To the St. Charles Bands from Illinois. The Fountainhead with 400 strong was pretty amazing. Thank you for a great experience. All the best always. Godspeed!

To the 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade and High School Bands & Chorus from Spencer, Iowa. Wow! What a night! A 24-year-old dream came to Life! Thank you for everything. Godspeed!

To Davis Middle School: There are no words, except to say... What you accomplished was something many professionals are still trying to find. Godspeed.

To Tallwood High School: It was a great privilege to be involved in a concert which paid homage to our Veterans. So many Defenders of Freedom were there. It was special... and sad, and powerful in many ways. Please continue to thank them again and again at every opportunity... and Godspeed.

To the Nebraska Music Educators. Thanks so much for allowing me three opportunities to share with you. That so many of you came again... even when it was "all over" says a great deal. You are a unique Team and your kids are lucky! Godspeed!

To the members of the Kentucky All-State Band... 2000! Thank you for your hard work. Aldo Forte LOVED your rendering of OLYMPUS! Right from STAR! on there were some truly sensitive and potent moments! Many new colours, many things explored and accomplished. I hope we'll one day meet again. Bravo and Brava! Godspeed!

My profound thanks to the Musicians of the Rundfunk Blasorchester Leipzig. My real statement of thanks will appear in the liner of the STORMWORKS... Chapter TWO CD, a document which has been given great meaning by you. Danke & Godspeed!

To the many students from the Northwest Missouri schools and all the Teachers who took part in the MIDI-Music-Mathematics-Science Clinics... Thanks and Godspeed in 2000! The premiere of The Nature of Hope was timely . Bravo.

To the members of the US Navy Atlantic Fleet Band and to Commander Keller. There is nothing greater than maintaining that "Heart of the Child". Thanks for your great Giving and Heart!

To the Bands from Vancouver, Washington. Time was short. Thank you for your efforts. Godspeed.

To Oregon Middle School Honorable Band, Dallas High School Band. Thank you for your great efforts and accomplishments. Bravo.

To Hofstra University and participating bands. Time was short... but thank you for your openness.

To South Bend Honour Band! Way to go, you guys. The curve of improvement was steep indeed!... and yes... you rehearsed! I sensed the courage, the daring in the concert! Bravo!

To Kempsville High Band. I hope you enjoyed your new look at STORMWORKS! Thanks for allowing me to come down! You've got many good things going on there! Godspeed!

To the Scottsburg High Band. ERICH is in fine hands, belonging to people of magnificent Heart. Thank you so much for your great Giving, and for allowing me to share in your Musical Lives. Godspeed!

To the Hancock Honor Band. WoW! Talk about pressure! You guys truly did "step up to the plate", and deliver a fine premiere, despite limited Time! Way to go! My many thanks to Mary Evans and the wonderful Chorus! Godspeed!

To the members of the 4 bands of Liverpool High School. Thank you so much for your great Musicianship, for your efforts and giving. Special thanks to the Wind Ensemble for doing the best thing possible. You revisited, you discovered anew... as if for the first Time... what that Music *really* was, and you did it, BRAVELY, and ever so nobly, in front of people. You have given new meaning to *ReHearsal*. Beyond all words... Bravo!

To the members of the PMEA District 7 Band. I'm sure that Dr. McBeth would have loved your rendering of Beowulf. Needless to say, I very much enjoyed all that you brought to ESCAPE... I appreciate your "giving" and your politeness, and your character in the face of adversity. Godspeed!

To the Ledford High School Band. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The improvement in that short time was PHENOMENAL! Keep it going, okay? You deserve to experience the rewards I'm sure your hard work and dedication will bring!

To the fine student Musicians of the Northwest Missouri Music Camp of Excellence. WOW!, Huh? You were truly awesome. You helped me to Teach the grad course! Bravo and Brava! Godspeed in the Post-Steve-Period!

To the grad students at Eastern New Mexico University. Thank you for enduring my rantings and ravings. All of us could have been the "guy in front of the class". Everything's up for downloads!

Central Cambria Musicians... Remember now, "take that dime"! That's what will make everything that follows have more meaning! Thanks so much for the shirts! A STORMFirst! Godspeed!

Nassau Suffolk Band. WOW! DAVID was AWESOME! Great job!

To the members of the Western Nebraska Community Band. Thanks for "breaking the code!"

To the Alpena High School and Thunder Bay Musicians. Thanks so much for being pioneers. Godspeed!

To the Virginia Military Music School Musicians. I was honoured to share as much with you as Time allowed. Godspeed in all you do.

To the members of the Georgia District 9 Honor Band. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and Giving. I felt something special happen on Saturday morning, and I hope you will carry this with you always. I hope we'll share Music again one day. Godspeed!

What a great time I had working with the fine Musicians from North Dakota. I admire the way you worked and gave of yourselves. You truly DID meet the wall of fire... with Courage. Thank you so much for allowing me the opportunity to share Music with you. Bravo to you. Also, to Denis DiBlasio and the North Dakota All-State Band... You guys were absolutely fantastic. It was a great pleasure to watch and hear you guys do the "real" thing. Bravo to you! Denis... you are a true jazz educator and Musician. I'm glad you're Italian!

To the 206 Norwegian Musicians who played in the European premiere of STORMQuest... I say TAKK! Wow, you guys did a really great job. It was a great privilege for me to share such emotion with you. I got a copy of the great News article they did on us, none of which I understand save for the colour photos, and framed it. I'll always remember this very special trip. My seat on the way over was 33B! On the way back, I was in railcar #33! Godspeed!

To the students at Kansas State University... I never really said such personal things like that before. I think it's a testament to the kinds of individuals you are. I appreciate your great willingness to join with me on what turned out to be a really great journey.

To the students from Middle Tennessee State University... Thank you so much for all you gave. Ed Lisk said, "You played with great courage!" What a neat thing to say. I agree to that and much more! Godspeed to you.

I was recently at a number of high schools and colleges. To the students at Northwest Missouri State and the Missouri Honor Band, I say thank you. To Give with such Heart, Mind and Soul... is a thing unmentionable except in the torrential whisper of Music. Thank you so much for your work, your Time, your effort and Giving. You are all fine people who have graced my Life. Godspeed!

To the members of the Mercer County HS Band. Thanks so much. I wish you the best on your... Quest.