AFTER THE STORM for Chorus & Band

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

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

AHAB! for Actor & Symphonic Band (2 versions)

AHAB! for Actor & Symphonic Band (2 versions possible)


Click Here to View Perusal Score for ACTOR & Band

Click Here to View Perusal Score for Music Only Version

 

Description

Actor Kurtwood Smith plays AHAB! on STORMWORKS... Chapter 2 CD. This provides an outstanding model for the Actor in your collaboration.

From the Pagan-like chanting of the driving polyrhythms to the moments of Soul-Stilling calm, to the dramatic death and resurrection, AHAB! is a dynamic, wide-ranged, quickly accessible, always changing Musical journey.

AHAB! is a new-to-our-idiom undertaking composed for ACTOR, not narrator and Band of the 3rd Millennium! It provides the opportunity to combine departments and explore a New medium!

Please visit the Score and Score Notes for more detailed information.

 

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

ESCAPE FROM PLATO'S CAVE

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

In Plato's allegory, THE CAVE, Man is deprived of knowing the Truth, but in this story, we are given the chance to escape the darkness and move with hopeful purpose into the Light! Spine-chilling drama guides us to the Glorious conclusion!

Many interesting and contrasting musical concepts from tuning, phrasing, exploration of rhythmic intensity and vast dynamic changes present themselves for a great learning experience. The piece is deceivingly accessible, while at the same Time demanding a high level of Musical expression and giving.

Please visit the Score and Score Notes for more detailed information.

 

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

FESTIVAL OF LIGHT!

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

As a Conductor programming the Winter Concert, or any concert in which you wish to explore the vocabulary of the Middle East, you will want to know about FESTIVAL of LIGHT! Indeed a Storm Story, the work is a musical retelling of Chanukah, complete with Syrian invasion, Macabeen defense, the Shofar's call to battle and the final victory of the Eternal Light that burned for eight days. The piece is characteristically scored for the oboe, English horn and woodwinds, with plenty of opportunity for all forces in the ensemble to explore exciting new colours, rhythmic ideas and 'exotic' harmonies.

Please visit the Score and Score Notes for more detailed information.

 

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

FINEST HOUR

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

A new member of the Churchill Center, I received a mailing just yesterday... (22 February). The letter indicated that the United States Navy was soon to commission the first non-U.S. citizen guided missile destroyer DDG 81 in the name of Sir Winston S. Churchill! His photograph by Yousuf Karsh hangs over my desk. A single glance had me instantly calling Commander Keller to find out if the Atlantic Fleet Band was playing for the celebration. Indeed they would be... and joined by the forces of the British Royal Marine Band.

So, with precious little Time, this piece, joined thematically to the A WISH to the WORLD suite was fittingly crafted.

"Never, Never, Never... Never give in." So strong was his courage and faith in a new day, that Winston Churchill requested first TAPS... and then REVEILLE at his memorial service in January of 1965. His favorite hymn, Who Would True Valour See opened the tribute.

William Shakespeare in Henry V, summed just part of the essence of Winston S. Churchill in his St. Crispen's Day Speech. For this reason, Winston's Theme is connected to the American Knights. Indeed his mother was an American, and Winston embodied the very alliance that helped to defeat the forces of Tyranny. When you think of truly great Leaders, it is not possible to forget the tremendous gifts of this most influential master statesman.

This piece, connected to Once More Unto the Breach, a theme which embodies Winston S. Churchill, is dedicated to those of us who look to the forever stalwart, past and present. In them, we find the courage to face the insurmountable again and again and again...


Commander Franken's Letter 2 APR 2001

 

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

FURUSATO... Heimat... Home

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

Originally composed by Teiichi Okano (1878-1941), this arrangement of FURUSATO (My Homeland) expresses the common longing for Home. That it comes after Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE and the Japanese rendering of God Bless America is a lasting, lingering statement of Brotherhood. As we recorded this work, which until that moment was always played as a childrenís song, I saw tears in the eyes of the Musicians. What better purpose for Music than to reveal to someone the Beauty of their own Heart...
 

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

GIVING

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

Taking the three notes chosen by Dr. Joe Scagnoli, the subject of Giving's Commission, the work sets out to describe a great phenomenon of Music... that of Giving. For me, this piece is what it feels like... to Give. The piece is richly scored for the double reeds and low reeds, with plenty of opportunity for all forces in the ensemble to explore exciting new drama and colour.

Please visit the Score and Score Notes for more detailed information.

T

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

GOD BLESS AMERICA

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

You will only be able to get a Perusal Score from me unless I have copies of the German Publication on hand. Please call to check.

It begins in quiet, with innocence, then tells the story of longing for home as never before... GOD BLESS AMERICA may well be played alone, but as you will see on the Chapter 5:8 CD and see "literally" on the THAT WE MIGHT LIVE DVD, is a most historic and history-making conclusion to Kakehashi: That We Might Live.

Friends... This much beloved version of GOD BLESS AMERICA, as indeed you will see in the testimonials of VETERANS and Conductors below, is neverthless NOT available in The United States of America. Despite the fact that there are over 100 arrangements which have been granted permission, this one has not. The reasons are left to your imagination.

For those of you who appreciate irony, it is available via Thomas Rundel in Germany.

Forty-five minutes before getting on a plane to France, where GOD BLESS AMERICA would be played on OMAHA BEACH, Thomas was able to secure an international permission and license. As I left for OMAHA BEACH, Thomas sent the following email.

"Viel Erfolg in OMAHA BEACH". (Good luck on Omaha Beach.)

Now, see IN EINEM ANDEREN LICHT and view that in a new light as well.

I DO have hard copies of the German-published traditional music sets. This work is NOT available in PDF, but it is possible to order the German edition from STORMWORKS USA.

 

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

HIM

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

Description

Written as a "warm-up" for Band, this Musical Haiku #19 blends all colours in the ensemble. It is similar in concept to the Three Musical Haikus for Band or perhaps the Function Chorales, but in a more expansive and emotional way. Where words fail, a perusal of the score will reveal the true nature of the piece. Enjoy!


 

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

In Einem Anderen Licht

Click Here to View Perusal Score

 

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

 

"I love this piece and so do the kids. We are going to have a fantastic concert. Your materials are helping this ensemble mature at an incredible rate, and they are EATING IT UP!!! MANY THANKS!!!" Lou Vitello, Clarence HS, NY

 

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