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"Dear Steve, The emotions that CUBA brought to my heart are impossible to explain.
It was like seeing myself there with all the natural beauty surrounding me, the ocean, the sun, the palm trees...
The beautiful people...friends...family...
Childhood dreams shattered by the tyrant.
I remember fear, sadness, tears, anger, and then good-byes.
It was the little girl standing at the beach, at the sand kneeling down for the last time and saying goodbye...
It was the plane rushing on the runway taking me out of my land, away from my people.
It was the sadness of not knowing if I was going to see that land again.
It was Hatred, despair, and it was hope...
Too many emotions that at that time I could not understand.
Today. While listening to your Music...all those feelings came back.
I was able to touch them, I was able to feel them...
How on EARTH did you do that???
How on Earth were you able to identify those feelings and put them into Music...You don't even really know me!
I told Wally that I wasn't going to be able to write now...because I felt like I was just back in Novemember of 1970...I was having the same feelings. I was able to touch those feelings.
My love for Cuba has never diminished.
Cuba is in my heart and your Music has given it a new meaning.
Thank you. I know my father would have loved hearing it...but I know that from Heaven, he blessed you too.
Thank you on behalf of my fellow Cubans.
And of behalf of all those who suffer oppression and strive for Freedom.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Amelia Avellaneda

"PS- I have attached a PDF of a presentation I made during this past school year on my life in Cuba. One day I will hope to explain it to you. I was going to show it to you when you were here but sometimes pictures can tell stories better then words. Many people in those pictures are known to me and the person executed there was my Grandfather's childhood friend....the day he was executed he called his grandchildren and said " Watch this...and don't forget it...Don't EVER forget it..." Amelia Avellaneda

Testimonials

"Stephen's new CD, Chapter 5:8 "Writings on the Wall" is indeed a historic groundbreaking album and a total artistic triumph. The Japanese military band and American voices superbly deliver a phenomenal performance of music that is at once gripping and spellbinding! From the moving mega work Kakehashi to the great uplifting rendition of God Bless America this double CD set is packed with masterworks. Cuba skillfully weaves music which creates two distinct atmospheres - one of the fun party nature of Tropicana - like casinos and the other of the oppression of the island's present dictatorial regime. Melillo migrates back and forth between these two moods with absolute musical mastery and with the full command of all his instrumental resources. The Violin Concerto, on the other hand, symbolizes the utmost in modern Romanticism. It is an outstanding expressive work which puts the violin through a myriad of expressive and technical paths. Bravo to Melillo on this fantastic achievement!" -Aldo Rafael Forte, Composer

"Steve, I talked to the audience a bit before we played CUBA. As you know, you are well known here, so the audience was expecting something big and powerful. And they got it. It was a tremendous concert to a capacity audience. The applause, yelling and screaming from the crowd, which began about 5 seconds after the "Cuba's" D major triad was concluded with the lone timpani note, was something I wish you could have heard and I will remember forever. All I can say is THANKS! We are so fortunate to have you and your unique approach to the world of wind bands. From the heart and from the Cal Poly Wind Ensemble." Dr. William Johnson, Cal Poly Tech, San Luis Obispo, CA