tag:stormworld.com,2005:/blogs/stories-stormlog?p=6
Stories! (STORMLog)
2024-02-15T02:06:36-12:00
© STEPHEN MELILLO, IGNA 2-3M
STORMStories from Stephen Melillo
Stephen Melillo
false
Stephen Melillo
steve@stephenmelillo.com
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068995
2024-02-15T02:06:36-12:00
2024-02-15T02:06:36-12:00
Never Forgotten… Forgotten?
<p><br><i><strong>Dedicated to "SSIM" and a much larger Story, that one day, must be told.</strong></i> This article appeared in the June 2019 Issue of <i><strong>"The Journal of the Association of Concert Bands".</strong></i><br><br><br><i><strong>“Never Forgotten”</strong></i> has been played around the world. People like it. In every language, people ask, <i>“What’s it about?”</i><br><br>As a high school director during the 80s and 90s, I’d get to school early and challenge myself to write the warm-up for that day. This eventually led to the <strong>Function Chorales™</strong>, an important topic for another article, and very much connected to this one. <i><strong>“Never Forgotten”</strong></i> was never intended for publication. It was/is just one of many simple warm-ups written for the kids one school-day in 1985.<br><br>At some point prior to 2006, an honor-band Musician asked,<i> “What’s this about?”</i><br><br>I said, “<i>You know, I forgot.”</i><br><br>When one writes a piece called, “<i><strong>Never Forgotten,”</strong></i> and then forgets why it was written, there is a disturbance in the “storm!” I simply couldn’t remember, so I created a story to illustrate the Music. Even to this day, I tell the kids,<i> “I’m not saying that this is what the piece is about, but it could be, couldn’t it? It’s Music, a voice for the silent, the wordless syllables of an eternal Poem.”</i><br><br>So here’s the approach. If I ever work with your kids, please keep this process and story secret!<br><br>We’ll read the piece, after which I’ll say, <i>“Okay, that was Take 1. Remember </i>it<i>.”</i><br><br>To set up Take 2, I’ll ask the kids, <i>“What do you think will improve this?</i>” Many discuss understanding the meaning or “story” behind the Music. I nod inconclusively and then ask the students to please honor the following concepts. I’ll specifically list them, mentioning appoggiatura, the use of <i><strong>"purposefuls"</strong></i>, my word for accidentals, and the topic for yet another article, modulation, and the nuances of phrasing and rubato. <br><br><strong>Take 2.</strong> It’s improved. <i>“Good. What do you think will make it better on </i>Take<i> 3?”</i><br><br>Prior to<strong> Take 3</strong>, I tell them a story. I ask them to picture a young Mother, perhaps from another country, sitting in green pastures at the foot of a gravestone. <i>"It is the site of her 17-year-old boy. He was killed in some nameless war. This Music?… these are the Mother’s private, unspeakable thoughts.”</i><br><br>The baton drops… or at this point, the pen since I often avoid using the baton until the Music and the Musicians are ready. We play. Tears form in many eyes. Silence. Connection. The stuff of Music.<br><br>But then the moment is quickly interrupted with a question. <i>“<strong>But</strong> you know, I wrote this in 1985, and to be perfectly honest, I forgot why I wrote it. And! Based on that last, albeit excellent rendering, I would still not remember!”</i><br><br>They look at me with nodded heads and furrowed brows.<br><br><i>“But one day," </i>I continue to tell the kids<i>, "I found myself crying. You see, <strong>I had remembered</strong>. How? Why? Deal. If we have Time before the concert tomorrow, </i>(and we always do,)<i> I’ll tell you what happened. Then you can leave here with one of the greatest lessons in Music!”</i><br><br>In 2006, I was at the Bruckner House in Linz, Austria for the premiere of <i><strong>“Last World Standing"</strong></i>, a 33-minute work that received an 18-minute standing ovation. Conductor Karl Geroldinger had warned me in advance not to expect much from the otherwise reserved, austere Austrian audience. Ha! Karl played a warm-up with his ensemble. I was speaking with someone in the hall when I became eerily aware not just of the Music, but of my visceral, sympathetic response to it. <br><br>At first, I thought,<i> “Wow, this is beautiful. What is this?”</i> Then, I found myself in tears. I felt suddenly hollow. Alone. I trembled. <br><br>Unbeknownst to me, Karl was using <i><strong>“Never Forgotten”</strong></i> as a warm-up. He had been, all year. Without an expectation of any kind, I heard the Music as it was intended. I bowed my head to hide the tears… because I remembered my Grandfather, for whom I had composed that simple piece on that one otherwise nondescript school day. Even now, my eyes water as I recall the moment. <br><br><strong>But WHY? Here now is the crux of this article… one of many possible </strong><i><strong>“Articles of Enchantment"</strong>.</i><br><br>From 1985 until that fateful day in 2006, I had never “heard” the piece, <i><strong>“Never Forgotten"</strong></i><strong>.</strong> I was always busy working the piece, using it as a Teaching Tool, consumed by troubleshooting its problems. For all those years, distracted by the mechanics of music-making, I no longer heard the Music. Now, with all guards down and with such fine Musicians playing it, the most important component of music-making was tacit. Because the Tuning and Intonation were Beautiful and Perfect, I heard the <i><strong>Music</strong></i>… not the notes. </p><p><strong>I remembered.</strong><br><br>The next day, I share this story with the kids and then jump right into<strong> Function Chorales™</strong>. ( stormworld.com/teaching_tools/ There is a free demo download on the bottom.) Across 44 years of international Teaching, the difference is always profound. When Tuning and Intonation are understood by means of providing a specific language and method to address and improve them, the most important path to Music-making is now possible.<br><br>We talk about the journey taken to arrive at <strong>Take 4</strong> and <strong>Take 5</strong>, which is usually in front of an audience and finally with a baton.<br><br>It is NOW that I can successfully share ‘one of the greatest lessons in Music’ mentioned above. I ask them, “Why did the “story” not work, and only seduce us into <i><u>thinking</u></i> it was working? The answer? <i><strong> Because as Musicians we do not use emotion to make Music. We use Music to make emotion. </strong></i> We must, in some truly profound and giving paradox, commit ourselves to the interior workings of Music so that others will be brought to tears of joy.”<br><br>There’s much more to be shared!<br><br>Godspeed! Stephen Melillo<br><br>PS: <i><strong>Never Forgotten</strong></i> was eventually joined by 2 other Musical Haikus, <i><strong>"The Truth About Pirates"</strong> </i>and <i><strong>"The 4th Year"</strong></i>. These Musical Haikus were written as warm-ups for the <i><strong>SSIM</strong></i> kids in the 1980s. Now, they have been played around the world. They are known as "<i><strong>Three Musical Haikus for Band"</strong></i> from the <i><strong>STORMJourneys</strong></i> Chapter. They are inspired by, and forever dedicated to Beautiful people.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7349101
2024-02-10T01:16:41-12:00
2024-02-15T02:06:23-12:00
10 FEB 2024, on the Birthday of Jerry Goldsmith
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/384704b7cf55ff67b3e93f3cea0a8665f3555d30/original/stormquest-poster-2022-for-jerry-goldsmith.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><p> </p><p>10 FEB 2024<br>On the Birthday of Hero, Jerry Goldsmith<br>D-9 for Luxembourg</p><p><br><span style="color:#970808;"><strong>WARNING: </strong></span><i><strong>Much here! Ready for the told and untold stories?</strong></i></p><p><br>Chapter 3 (Grade 2-3) <strong>“The Search for Truefire!”</strong><br><strong>S T O R M Q U E S T</strong> (the complete work is 16 Chapters-Grades 1-3)<br>#822 at 4:33 by © Stephen Melillo IGNA 10 February 1997</p><p>Commissioned by Michele Frankl and Focus on Excellence<br>In Dedication to all those who Search for and Focus on Excellence in Music</p><p><br><strong>From Score Notes:</strong> “The 10th of February is Jerry Goldsmith’s birthday. This work is purposefully and lovingly written into the form of a recent film theme by Mr. Jerry. Why? Because I love Jerry Goldsmith.</p><p>I think I was 11-12 when I first really experienced MUSIC in film. Who knows why we love certain things, but Jerry Goldsmith has been in my Heart for most of my Life. From that first moment of ‘recognition’ on, everything was Music. The moon, the stars, a car weaving in and out of traffic… all was Music. And this was because of him, a Man and Composer I cannot wait to meet in Heaven. Love you, Jerry!”</p><p><i><strong>Now here is the UNTOLD part: </strong></i> </p><p>I had done an arrangement of FIRST KNIGHT by Jerry Goldsmith.</p><p>Sent it to a publisher.</p><p>Rejected.</p><p>Believing it really needed to be shared with young student Musicians, I wrote an “original” work completely as Jerry might have, AND then used my own Theme from “<strong>DAVID</strong>” written 3 years earlier in 1994 as part of the layered, coded meaning.</p><p>Since I had already purchased my own piece back from another publisher, now renamed <strong>“THE STORMQUEST”</strong>, I decided to do an interrelated series of works called <strong>STORMQUEST</strong>.</p><p>I placed <strong>THE SEARCH for TRUEFIRE</strong>… in other words, the Search for <strong>TRUTH</strong>, as the 3rd piece in a series that would span Grades 1 to 3 over a gradient of 15 pieces.</p><p>When the 15 pieces were completed in 1996-97, including a 16th compilation of the suite as an original field show, I made all of this Music available in PDF. </p><p><strong>It was a first. </strong> <i>(Not a “claimed” first, but an <u>actual</u> first). </i>Having invented it in 1996, Adobe PDFs were employed, emailed, and disseminated on CD-ROM.</p><p> </p><h3><strong>Here is the unsavory part now revealed for those who think that our Music world is unsoiled.</strong></h3><p>Let’s call this section: <strong>“Non è tutto oro quello che luccica.” </strong> <i>All that glitters is not gold. (An ancient Roman proverb used by Shakespeare).</i></p><p>For now, I can reveal only part of the Story, the part that relates to Jerry, because there is much, and “the tell-all-novel” is still many years off.</p><p><strong>1. Every </strong>aspect of <strong>stormQUEST</strong>… and <strong>stormWORKS </strong>have been, and still are, “imitated”, though not anything like the upfront tribute paid to Jerry. <i> (Hence “The Parable of the Runner”)</i>. Many directors and composers know this, and if you listen from 30 years ago, and look at the © dates, you will arrive at the same revelations. <i> (In teaching materials, “Why We Teach Music” from 1978, is a small example.)</i></p><p><strong>2. The CD-ROM </strong>dissemination was lied about on Wikipedia. One of the <i><strong>STORMDirectors</strong></i> changed it to reflect the Truth. However, I haven’t checked it in a while. It would be a full-time job chasing down copyright infringements and “imitations”.</p><p><strong>3. Einstein</strong> said, “Truth, unlike the great lie does not increase with repetition.” On my business card, almost as a prophetic warning since 1997, is written, <strong>“Habet Virtus Fine Coronum” - In the End Truth Wears the Crown.</strong></p><h3> </h3><h3><i><strong>See the circle? </strong></i></h3><p>The Search for <strong>TRUEFIRE? </strong> The Search for <strong>Truth? </strong> And that is just one of many layers embedded into this Music for young bands, and why its tagline is, <strong>“Childhood Used to be for Children™”.</strong> Ain’t that the … Truth.</p><p>This tip-of-the-shared-iceberg ALL starts in Jerry Goldsmith’s Music being rejected, and the Birth of STORM <i>(not ——) </i>QUEST. If you really want to go deeper, before the “the-tell-all”, that will require discussions over Pizza and cigars. I have always been open to Friendship.</p><p>Thousands of kids from 28 countries have played this Music and LOVE it!</p><p>That Truth… is what remains!</p><p>Godspeed! S</p><p>#music #musiceducation #stephenmelillo #stormworks #stormquest #JerryGoldsmith #TheSearchForTruefire</p><p><br><strong>The Search for Truefire</strong> (Chapter 3 from STORMQUEST on YouTube)<br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/IUjCU9Cwe58">https://youtu.be/IUjCU9Cwe58</a><br><br>You can find <strong>STORMQUEST</strong> under “Music by Chapter” on the STORMSite.<br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://stormworld.com/stormquest">https://stormworld.com/stormquest</a><br><br><strong>Why We Teach Music (1978)</strong><br><a class="no-pjax" href="https://stephenmelillo.com/blogs/stories-stormlog/posts/why-we-teach-music-posted-after-44-years">https://stephenmelillo.com/blogs/stories-stormlog/posts/why-we-teach-music-posted-after-44-years</a></p><p> </p><p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069004
2024-01-18T03:30:00-12:00
2024-02-03T02:08:06-12:00
Sam Ring
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/c8be129946a756a0fce9c39289ab308c50fbbbcc/original/18-jan-2024-sam-ring-memento.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><a class="no-pjax" href="/files/533939/sam-ring-9-apr-2017-memento.pdf" target="_blank" data-imported="1" title="Sam Ring Mementi"><strong>Photomementi in PDF here.</strong></a></p><p> </p><p><strong>SAM “Uncle Sammy” RING, a Great Man Always</strong><br><br><strong>18 JAN 2024, on the Birthday of Sammy</strong><br><br><span class="text-big"><i>"The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering."</i></span><br><br>Sam Ring’s life is beyond “story.” He was born on 18 January 1927 at Camp John Hay, an Army post in the Philippines. Even with his birth, the stage was being set. </p><p>Pictured above is a photo extracted from an Army Signal Corps Film that Sam had completely forgotten until he saw it<strong> 65 years</strong> later. Seated center is Sam's Dad, Walter Ring, who taught Sammy to ride horses and became a trophy-winning horseman. In 1943, at age 17, Sam joined the Army.<br><br>On his <strong>18th</strong> birthday, Sam was wounded with shrapnel he carried in his body throughout his life and a Japanese machine-gun bullet in his thumb. Just <strong>9 days later</strong>, Sam was in <strong>The Great Raid</strong> <strong>at Cabanatuan</strong> which rescued over 500 POWs. He would not meet these Men until<i> 65 years</i> later. Ironically, they lived just minutes away.<br><br>You recently read my reactions to the<i> “USS INDIANAPOLIS”</i> Movie, and it’s more than upsetting disregard for History. On the <strong>75th Anniversary of the 9 April 1942</strong> Surrender at Bataan, I watched the Director’s Cut version of <strong>THE GREAT RAID</strong>. I was blessed to have seen this movie with my “Uncle Sammy” in the theater. Wrapt and reliving it, he leaned over only 2 times during the film.<br><br>During the film, when the 6th Army Rangers were crawling over grassy flats, he said, <i>“We were actually crawling over dirt dikes.” </i>When the plane flew over the camp, Sammy recalled with a crisp, vivid memory that it was a P-61 Black Widow and not the plane used in the film. Imagine such detail!<br><br>Sammy’s great memory aside, and given what we know about current-day Hollywood, the film’s director, <strong>John Dahl</strong>,<strong> </strong>should be given the greatest appreciation for telling the story in such a way that a 6th Army Ranger who was <i><strong>there</strong></i> would only comment about the plane!? Thank you, John Dahl, for making this film. The many Men we were blessed and honored to know, Men who <i><strong>were in those camps</strong></i>, will also attest to the realism you documented in such a meaningful way.<br><br>Yes, this just 18, scrawny, and recently wounded kid was a part of <i><strong>The Great Raid. </strong></i>But not even the film could portray the <i>impossible</i> odds <i><strong>of Sam Ring rescuing his own Father.</strong> </i><br><br><strong>Walter Ring</strong> was captured by the Japanese years earlier. He was on the Bataan Death March. Walt was assumed dead. When someone called,<i> “Sargent Ring, Sargent Ring!”</i> Sam turned to find out that the liberated POW was calling his bunk-mate, Sargent <strong>WALTER</strong> Ring. Sam stumbled upon his Dad… by<i> "accident"…</i> as he was visiting the field hospital before being shipped out to the front lines again.<br><br>After the WWII, Sammy served as a guard at the Nuremberg War Trials. One day he spotted 2 children playing with a grenade left over from the war. He got to the children and saved them, but the grenade went off and hit him in the face. After recovering, he then served multiple tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam.<br><br>During his time as an Army Ranger, he received the <i><strong>Bronze Star</strong></i> twice, the <i><strong>Meritorious Service Medal,</strong></i> and the <i><strong>Army Commendation Medal</strong></i>. I joked often, <i>“Sammy... you just haven’t done enough for your country!”</i><br><br>He would laugh! His gutsy laugh was like his Soul... hearty, strong, and so alive. When I didn't call him "Uncle Sammy," I referred to him as “Superman.” His stories and those of his wife, Edith are incredible, what all of us would consider <i>impossible</i> and the stuff of improbable novels.</p><p>“Great”, a word like “epic” is often misused to the point of evisceration. But Sam Ring was, and will always remain, a Great Man.</p><p><br>Always. Godspeed! S</p><p> </p><p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7330297
2024-01-08T07:36:56-12:00
2024-01-11T02:02:21-12:00
Only for Now, Only for Always
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/aacfb04f60c94416c2ac6ba1094916100abaef2a/original/excerpts-from-only-for-now.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><h2 style="text-align:center;">
<span class="text-big"><strong>Thoughts on ONLY for NOW</strong></span><br><span class="text-big"><strong>1978-2024</strong></span>
</h2><p><br><span style="color:#970808;"><i><strong>For teens and people who love them.</strong></i></span><i><strong> </strong></i></p><p>There’s only 1 way to be 65 years old and resurrect a book written while you’re a teenager, about a teenager, for the teens you’ll one day have…</p><p>And that’s by being 65 years old and resurrecting a book you wrote as a teenager, about a teenager, for your kids, who weren’t born yet and <strong>NEED</strong> to know the Timeless Message.</p><p>With the sincerity of a kid THEIR age, YOUR teens can get much from <i><strong>“Only for Now”.</strong></i></p><p>To set the tone, here are the Prelude and Epilogue from <i><strong>“Only for Now”.</strong></i></p><p>If you want to share the idea that <i>“growing up need not mean giving in”</i>, read on and then get the book at AMAZON.</p><p>Godspeed! S</p><p> </p><h3 style="text-align:center;">“Prelude to the Prelude” <br>from 11 September 2023</h3><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p>On a single, chilly January day in <strong>1978</strong>, within the dimly-lit, barely-heated confines of Corpus Christi Church in Port Chester, New York, <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> poured out. The work emerged as a raw tale echoing life’s complexities. Self-published in <strong>2004</strong>, its authenticity was deemed too potent—politically incorrect, and too intensely personal. Publishers wielded their editing pens, birthing a diluted version.</p><p>A second incarnation arose in <strong>2011</strong>, cut back even further.</p><p>In <strong>2023</strong>, after uploading another novel and discovering the new possibilities offered by the self-publishing platform, I revisited the past, resurrecting the unadulterated 1978 version. There are still several scenes permanently removed, dialogues and situations I deemed too harsh, too violent, and indeed, too deeply personal for something I had always intended to share with teens… and eventually my own children. However, after 48 years of working with high school students, I know that many will grasp the unsaid. </p><p>In 1978, came <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i>, the novel for young adults of all ages. </p><p>In 1979, came the 9 movement suite entitled <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i>, and premiered at M.I.T. in 1980.</p><p>That moment marked the beginning of a musical-literary odyssey, three more novels beckoning your attention, and a collection of 1,355 pieces <i>(as of today) </i>and counting.</p><p>The images that follow provide a way for you to travel back in Time and prepare yourself for the story of a 17 year-old in his first year at college.</p><p>Enjoy & Godspeed!</p><p>Stephen Melillo, Composer</p><h3 style="text-align:center;">
<br> </h3><h3 style="text-align:center;">A Message from Stephen Melillo on 11 September 2023<br><i>Epilogue</i> & <i>Epitaph</i> & <i>Prelude again!</i>
</h3><p> </p><p>My Grandfather died at age sixty-six. On that same date, my second Son was born. At 8:18:18, on 11 September 2001, my first Son was born. In 3 months, I too will be sixty-six. If you’re a kid, you might think 66 is old. Nah. Read on. This will strengthen you. Embolden you!</p><p>Just a few days ago, I uploaded my novel, <i><strong>Ahab, a Love Story</strong></i>. Please read it! One day prior to that, I had completed over 6 hours of narration, much with Musical scoring, to render <i><strong>Ahab</strong></i> as an Audio Book. Exhausted during the upload, I saw <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i>. Rather than resting, I thought, <i>“Hmm, with many years of new tech since my pencil-scripted writing of this novel, I should plow ahead and <strong>update</strong> this forgotten work!”</i></p><p>I had written the first draft of <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> in 19 hours at age 19, just 2 years after 17 year-old Stephen Rinaldi lived it in 1975-76. After <strong>48</strong> years, approaching half a century, this letter is more than an epilogue and a prelude. It may well be an <i><strong>epitaph</strong></i>. Please take it that way. </p><p>Mere days ago, my Son, Shafer, as if in some strange Timestorm spiral, left for <i><strong>his</strong></i> first year at college to attend marching band camp. Rediscovering <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> during the first days of his regular classes, was, to me, divinely aligned. You see, far in excess of mathematical coincidence, none of this rediscovery and backdating was planned. </p><p>Three years prior, my first Son, Spencer, born 24 minutes before the first tower was hit on 11 September 2001, also left for his first year at college and marching band camp. With <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> fresh in my mind, I saw Stephen’s Sons on a distant college campus. Wow. Timestorm. Circles. Spirals. What did I feel? Right now. Today.<br> <br>In a word? <i><strong>Relief</strong></i>. </p><p>No matter what my kids faced at school, pandemic and all that aside, nothing could <i>possibly</i> be what Stephen Rinaldi faced. Or could it? <i>Inside</i> that is. They’re strong with hearts of gold. No—their battles will come in the not-too-distant future, and from external forces. Like each individual, each generation must face its own personal and collective bout with the yin and yang. </p><p>So what’s the Message? Is there something more to <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> besides its visceral, emotional outpouring? Something for my kids? Something for you? </p><p>Is <i><strong>Only for Now</strong></i> a forgiveness story? A faith story? What is it? What is the useful take-away? </p><p>After almost <strong>50 years</strong> of Rinaldi-level-living, let me try an answer. </p><p>There are many layers to this and its connected literary and Musical works, but let’s consider “masks” as used in the 1978 novel and the use of “masks” during the recent pandemic. How different, but also, how prophetic. Timeless. Even “masks” took on another layer of meaning during the backdate! In re-reading the work, I relived the accurate/historic use of song titles, books, TV shows, terms like<i> “women’s lib”</i>, and other descriptors, dialogues, invectives, and interactions considered politically incorrect today. But— that’s how it was. That’s how we <i>lived</i> it in 1975 and 1976.</p><p>Well? How <i><strong>was</strong></i> it? <i>What</i> did we live?</p><p>Lenny Greenman wrote (in 1978), <i>“There was something inside of him, something that age and the years ahead could never change.” </i></p><p><i>“I am the only me.”</i></p><p><strong>Big takeaway. </strong>That sentence means that <i><strong>you</strong></i> <i>are the only <strong>you</strong></i>. And, even more, you will <i>always</i> be you, that which is the core of you, the center of you, the indefatigable Soul of you that is singular and unaffected by BS. </p><p>Take strength from that! </p><p>Let this story serve to bolster you! </p><p>It’s not a ‘martial art’ story. It’s not a ‘boy’ story! It’s a <i><strong>Life</strong></i> Story for all of us. External forces are only half of it. What matters is the battle fought in your Heart. The world needs the you who wins <i>that</i> battle, the you that only YOU can be.</p><p><i>“How can anyone survive loneliness?”</i> he wrote in his journal (1975). <i>“Surely, it is the most harrowing of all human experiences…”</i></p><p>That brings us full circle to 1,355 <i>(as of today)</i> pieces of Music, the “<i>Ahab” </i>and <i>“Death to Moby Dick” Love Stories</i>, the many, worldwide teaching experiences, the ex-POWs, the innumerable losses and the few, though powerful good-times, the countless defeats and rare triumphs, and much more. </p><p>I can’t tell you how refreshing it is, how rejuvenating and <i><strong>vindicating</strong></i> it is to see written, <i>in your own hand</i>, the legacy of your own, Timeless Soul— written so many years ago and yet ever-constant. </p><p><strong>And THAT is my wish for </strong><i><strong>you</strong></i>, as you continue to write <i>your</i> story! Then, now, and always, take strength from who you are. Stay True to the <i><strong>you</strong></i>, that you KNOW you are despite a world that repeatedly tries to put you in a box, or redefine you, or kick you in another direction. </p><p>Some things are indeed— <i>only for now</i>, but other things, like your Soul and your beliefs and your desire to be an instrument of Good in the world, all matters of the heart that you must constantly discover and rediscover— <i>those</i> things — are<i><strong> only for always. </strong></i></p><p>Godspeed! </p><p>Stephen Melillo<br>Composer</p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/e223cdf2e8b500a8723f88b6443accb5d4247b4c/original/10-jan-2024-review-from-amazon-it.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><h2 style="text-align:center;">
<span style="color:#970808;">REVIEWS: </span><br><span style="color:#970808;"><strong>(from earlier versions on Amazon)</strong></span>
</h2><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><strong>“I read and then reread this book in one sitting.</strong> There's something in it that resonates with people. It sure rang a bell inside of me. I recommend it highly.”<br> </p><p><strong>“Wow! What a read</strong>. All I can say is, it should be made into a motion picture, and I hope to do that one day. It's a great story.”</p><p><br>“<strong>Strong Message. </strong> This is a wonderful book for young people.. and anybody who wants their faith restored. There are many strong messages, all offered in an engaging way. The writing style makes it a fast read. You don't want to put the story down.”</p><p><br>“<strong>Only for Now - Always Now</strong>. Only for Now is about a turbulent time in a young man's life... His message, I believe, is Always Now. It's about turning the other cheek. It's about David vs. Goliath. It's about doing the absolute right thing - always now. Highly Recommended.”</p><p><br>“<strong>A book that must be read by everyone</strong>. This book is by far greater than any other book I have ever read. It shows how a single person can make their life better and have a major impact on the people around him. Once you start reading, you won't be able to put it down.”</p><p><br>“<strong>Relative to us all…</strong> This tale is truly wonderful. I believe that any individual on the pursuit of rhyme and reason in this reality, would be touched at how simply relative this story is to their life, to all of out lives. I will have finished it tomorrow, though I do plan to revisit quite soon. Thank you once again, old friend. Peace. -Che Peace.”</p><p><br><strong>“Touching. </strong> I would recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a story of truth and devotion. Its turns and twists will keep your body at the edge of its seat and your heart in the hands of the main character. And for anyone who has had the pleasure of knowing Stephen Melillo, it will just mean that much more. Thank you, Steve, for sharing your heart and story.”</p><p><br><strong>This is how it should be… </strong> This is perhaps one of the best books I've yet to read. This book has it all and to believe that it all happened and when you know Steve it's just amazing! The book had me trying to read faster and faster because of all the suspense and I couldn't even bare to wait to see what happened. Your heart gets tossed and turned at such an amazing story. These kinds of books are the ones I wish I had read in high school!"</p><p><br><strong>“The Man in the Boy becomes the Boy in the Man.</strong> I'm on my third reading of this wonderful book. Watching the main character as he battles the evil forces around him leads me to my own introspection. The Boy has the Man inside and the Man has the Boy inside. There is no Time where the Soul is concerned, says a Chinese proverb, and this is made evident even in our own lives. Truly a great read!”</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7324591
2023-12-26T06:17:29-12:00
2023-12-26T06:27:20-12:00
Love Unleashed
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/3827f3baebd5c668e18d30596c2beeff0725bfe7/original/26-dec-2023-screen-fom-love-unleashed-promo.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><br>The “world” constantly unleashes its wars, its divisions, its dictates against reason, its fomenting of hatred, and a list you well know. Now imagine LOVE unleashed, a Love of Humanity, a True Romantic Love, a Timeless Love. </p><p>The <i><strong>“Ahab, & Death to Moby Dick Love Stories” </strong></i>are set within actual history, wars, great tragedies, and even inside the direct confrontation of Evil. Yet, even in death, Love triumphs. It is passed down through the generations to those who must face, “<strong>The Battle That Chooses Us.”</strong></p><p>Listen to the 3 hours & 12 Minutes of “scored” Storytelling by visiting “MELS”, <i>(in the menu above)</i> with links to your favorite streaming services. Explore <strong>“The 4 Books of MEL”</strong>. Listen to 3 of them in Audio-Music-Book format. Read them in Kindle, Paperback & Hardback on Amazon. Check out the glorious reviews. “MELS” on the STORMSite, is your jumping-off point to LOVE Unleashed.</p><p> </p><p><i>The film version!:</i><br><br> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VsLjN0QV9X4?si=YOo7idDQ6up46l9n" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7272907
2023-09-13T07:32:38-12:00
2023-12-26T06:14:35-12:00
Speech for 14 SEP 2023
<p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/160ec7595cd0f9de1dcacc037b3ba45877916856/original/why-we-gather-b7-june-2011.jpg/!!/meta%3AeyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ%3D%3D.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>POW Speech for 14 SEP 2023 at PACMOAA</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>Speech written to honor the Souls of Bataan & Corregidor</strong><br><strong>by © STEPHEN MELILLO IGNA 11 SEP 2023</strong></p><p style="text-align:center;"><i>Tomorrow, (15 SEP) is National POW/MIA Recognition Day.</i></p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;"><i><strong>The form of the presentation is as follows:</strong></i></p><p style="text-align:center;">1. Play Kakehashi: That We Might Live (<a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/45JWWdNIqFg" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">https://youtu.be/45JWWdNIqFg</a>)</p><p style="text-align:center;">2. Speech</p><p style="text-align:center;">3. Play “God Bless America” from the recent, 21 APR 2023 NAVY BASE CONCERT, <br>beginning at 1:28:47. (Plays to 1:31:30, just under 3 minutes) <br>(<a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/OHlZMplmVhQ?feature=shared" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">https://youtu.be/OHlZMplmVhQ?feature=shared</a>)<br> </p><p><br>I am honored and <i>burdened</i> to share this with you. I am not in the military. I’m a not-famous civilian… and for that reason, these words are more powerful than if delivered by an Admiral, General, Politician, or Celebrity.</p><p>In 2025, <i><strong>80 years ago</strong></i>, WWII in the Pacific came to an end, <i>(see note at end)</i>, but NOT for the Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, and the ex-POWs who put up a valiant 4-month fight, already beginning their starvation in ADVANCE of capture and using 1918 WWI issued ammo that failed 9 out of 10 rounds, with muzzle-bursts injuring their own Men.</p><p>It would take them as long as <i><strong>40 years </strong></i>before they would <i>begin</i> to tell their stories, where for 3 years, 8 months, and 25 days, 31,095 Souls were sacrificed to subhuman, brutal conditions, and Auschwitz-like, Andersonville-like hardship.</p><p>They held off the Japanese invasion long enough to profoundly affect the outcome of WWII. 78,000 were “Surrendered.” Please note, “were Surrender-ed”… 10,000 died on the Death March.</p><p>On 9 April 1942, about 178 days and 81 years ago, during the hottest month of the year, Survivors of the Japanese invasion began UPHILL on a zig-zag road. To falter even for a moment meant a bayonet thrust, or a beheading. <br>Some were dragged and run over by tanks. One guy I’ll mention later had his legs run over by a tractor.</p><p>After surviving a step-by-step, desperate, mile-by-mile “Death” march to hell-hole POW camps like Camp O’Donnell, Cabanatuan, Mindanao & Palawan, they faced <i><strong>years</strong></i> of<i> day-by-day t</i>orture, despair, abandonment and a <i>thirst</i>, and a <i>hunger</i> not just of the body, but of the Soul.</p><p>After 3 and ½ years of agonizing imprisonment, they were herded into filthy ship-holds, there to risk insanity and death, packed standing without rest… sweaty flesh to skin-and-bones flesh.</p><p>21,000 Allied POWs died at sea… in these “Hell Ships”, as they were called. Sadly, about 19,000 of the POWs were killed by US Forces.</p><p>Our guys faced continued “Agony” as slaves in the mines of Japan, and were paraded naked in the streets where they could be further debased and humiliated. Some were put into zoo-cages so children could laugh at them. Others were burned alive for sport.</p><p>Still wearing the same tattered clothes they had worn in extreme heat, they were now <i>freezing</i>, emaciated, and plundered from 190 to 67 pounds, carrying as many as 26 parasites in their bodies, while they dreamed of Home.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><br>*** *** *** </p><p><br>When contemplating the Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, a word I cannot imagine without a “capital S” is <i><strong>“Suffering.”</strong></i> <i>Their</i> Suffering.</p><p>Of the 31,095 who were on the Death March, only 14,473 were released after the war.</p><p><i><strong>Who are these Men? </strong></i>They were reduced to the most base form of “animal.” Some hated themselves and claimed that it was only the “good” who died.</p><p>After years of imprisonment and punishment, they were freed by Americans wearing uniforms they did not recognize.</p><p>Food was dropped to shriveled, starving Survivors. In more unthinkable irony, some who had endured so much for so long were killed by the dropping canisters. And what did some of these battered Men do? They gave their food to starving Japanese children.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p style="text-align:center;">*** *** *** </p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p><i><strong>Now, you and I are ready to talk! </strong></i> That was the set-up, the intro. You see, that’s history, a little background, some facts, but there’s a MISSION here.</p><p>Let’s take a small sampling of boys, like different spokes of the same wheel, and see if we can zoom in on a common hub... something they all shared. Maybe, it will help us… as we too,<i><strong> “fight the Good fight…”</strong></i></p><p>The greatest “rock stars” I have ever known are the people I’m going to tell you about. Though largely forgotten even in American History books, these special people deserved groupies more than any Hollywood actor or rock star you can think of.</p><p>I first read about <i><strong>“The Bataan Death March”</strong></i> when I was a kid. I went to New Mexico to meet an authority on the Subject. Instead, her husband came out… bright blue eyes, big smile, a cane. He sat down and started talking about this thing… <i>“The Bataan Death March.”</i></p><p>His name was <strong>JACK ALDRICH</strong>. We talked for over an hour before I finally said, <i><strong>“Wait a minute… You were there!?”</strong></i></p><p>He nodded.</p><p><strong>“Jack,”</strong> I said in a reverent whisper. <strong>“You’re a Hero!”</strong></p><p>He closed his eyes in quiet reflection… tired of having heard it so often and said,<strong> “I never had to storm a beach, or hold a hill. I never jumped from a plane or liberated a town. All I did was survive. The Heroes are the ones still over there.”</strong></p><p>Then he said… “<strong>I have seen men die, and, dying say, ‘Tell them how it was.’”</strong></p><p>Jack also neglected to say how he fought for 4 months in the jungle with failing ammo, eating shoe leather, insects, and leaves, with “<i>no Mama, no Papa, no Uncle Sam,”</i> but hopefully you’ve already heard that.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><br><i><strong>The Poem from the guys?</strong></i></p><p style="text-align:center;">“We’re the battling bastards of Bataan;<br>No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam.<br>No aunts, no uncles, no cousins, no nieces,<br>No pills, no planes, no artillery pieces.<br>And nobody gives a damn.<br>Nobody gives a damn.</p><p style="text-align:center;">by Frank Hewlett 1942</p><p><br><strong>LORENZO BAÑEGAS</strong> said, <strong>“We didn’t Surrender. We were </strong><i><strong>Surrendered</strong></i><strong>.”</strong></p><p>Then he said. <strong>“We were in the hold of that ship (the hell ship) and I looked at the cross in the beam and I said, ‘Lord if it is your will for me to live then I’ll live, and if it’s your will for me to die then I’ll die.’ I gave myself… </strong><i>(in other words, THIS was the first time he Surrendered himself …) </i><strong>to God.”</strong></p><p><br><br><strong>EVANS GARCIA </strong>was 92 when I met him back in 2002. By the way, I also met a guy who was 14 when he was captured.</p><p>Evans stole medicine from the sick bay. A guard caught him. They stood him up to face 9 Japanese soldiers with rifles. The officer raised his stick to give the order.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><br><strong>“Nine Japanese,” </strong>yelled Garcia!<br><strong>“What?” </strong>screamed the officer.<br><strong>“Nine Japanese!”</strong> yelled Garcia.<br><strong>“What?” </strong>screamed the officer again.<br><strong>“It takes 9 Japanese to kill ONE American!”</strong> said a defiant Garcia.</p><p style="text-align:center;">An enraged officer said, <strong>“I’ll show you how many Japanese it takes!”</strong></p><p> </p><p>Garcia was then beaten, supposedly to his death by the guard. After all of that, he and a small group stitched together an American Flag. Ever see<i> “The Patriot?” </i>Keep in mind, these guys were beheaded for humming <i><strong>“God Bless America.” </strong></i>That was a very important “code” to them and a way of communicating their longing for Home.</p><p> </p><p><strong>WARD “Big Red” REDSHAW </strong>was born in New Mexico. With the 200th Coastal Artillery, he defended the attack on the Philippines, was captured, went on the march, survived the camps, the hell ships, slave labor, and get this now, watched the<strong> New Mexico-built A-bomb </strong>hit Nagasaki from his prison cell. He passed away from throat cancer which is believed to have been a result of the radiation from that bomb. Embodied in that <i><strong>one</strong></i> human life is all of the Beginning and the End of WWII in the Pacific... and ALL of that, in <i><strong>Suffering</strong></i>.</p><p> </p><p><strong>BEN “Bull” BENINI</strong>, our last, and most recent and local ex-POW from the Bunny’s Breakfast group was put into the Hospice and went 7 weeks longer than the doctors predicted. He said, <strong>“They wrote me off… well, I’ll show them.”</strong></p><p>When the doctors deprived him of having a beer outside, I spoke with them… politely. <strong>“Do you know who this guy is?”</strong> I asked. <strong>“Do you know what this guy DID?</strong></p><p>Consider the physical state of the POWs described earlier. After 6 thirsty, Life-taking days on one of the hottest days on record in the Philippines, and up to 90 miles on the Death March depending on where you started, and after being carted into a train, denied water, with buddies being executed along the way, some tied to barbed wire to be eaten by ants, and dying from dysentery, dehydration, malaria and many other tropical diseases, with Men in his camp dying at a rate of 30-50 a day… under <i><strong>THOSE </strong></i>conditions, here is what Mr. Benini did.</p><p><strong>“Our Mission,”</strong> he said to me, <strong>“Our MISSION was to take out Jap planes. The airstrip was our detail. Me and this other guy took the rocks they used for night landings and slowly changed them using seashells to reflect the light differently. We eventually crashed a plane.”</strong></p><p>He laughed. Even as a wasted-down, abused POW he was on a Mission.</p><p> </p><p><strong>GENRO LAMBIOSA</strong> learned to speak some Japanese before the war. As a NAVY Diver, he wound up unloading supplies for the Japanese who were searching for the submerged Philippine Gold Treasury. Genro and Charlie Dowdy used to joke about keeping some of that gold for themselves while hiding significant portions from the Japanese! While putting a wrench in the works, Genro raised pigeons for food on the dock.</p><p>He shipped with the <i>American Rover</i>, in Norfolk, climbing masts with vigor until he passed away in his late 80s working, ironically, on a ladder. <i><strong>These guys never gave up.</strong></i></p><p><br> </p><p><strong>CHARLIE DOWDY</strong> was a tough one. It took 3 years before he felt comfortable speaking with me. <i>(that is 3 years plus 40 years, remember?) </i>One day he said, “You can’t understand what happened over there.”</p><p>I said… “<i><strong>You’re right. No one could except you guys, but if it’s okay, I’d like to hang around with you.”</strong></i></p><p>Charlie was a NAVY Diver too. His story begins on the USS ARIZONA. He left for the Philippines, supposedly to make more money, and worked on the USS Pigeon, a Submarine Rescue Vessel reconfigured from a minesweeper. They helped evacuate the 4th Marines from Shanghai in 1941. Charlie was 160 in 1941 and 90 pounds in 1945. The WWII portion of his story ends in Fukua Prison Camp as a Slave laborer. In the defense of Bataan, Charlie told the story of General Wainwright sacrificing his horse to the butchers, and then, after capture, had many stories about “lugao”. He shared stories about how he made deals for things like a piece of rope, or half of an old tent from which he could stitch new pants. Charlie named his Guard/Torturers <i>“Mickey Mouse”</i> and <i>“Donald Duck.” </i>Like so many others he was defiant, even in his gutsy humor.</p><p><i>(There’s so much compression here! So much more for you to discover… Each of these guys need a novel!)</i></p><p><br><br><strong>DAVID “Top” TOPPING </strong>was a walking encyclopedia. He knew everyone from Jesse Owens to Louis Zamperini. After the war, he took it upon himself to keep records of all the American POWs and the Hell Ships they had endured. Dave was almost 190 pounds when they captured him. He was 84 pounds when he was liberated.</p><p>One morning he said, <strong>“We couldn’t even sit.”</strong></p><p><strong>“What?”</strong></p><p>In a studious, articulate Dave-manner, he said, <strong>“At that weight, the coccyx bone is so exposed, it’s difficult to sit.”</strong></p><p>I thought I had heard enough, but there was always one more story, one more unimaginable nightmare for these guys to overcome.</p><p><br> </p><p><strong>JIM DOWNEY</strong> was Filipino. His ordeal began with not one, not two, but <strong>THREE</strong> ships being shot out from underneath him. Three times he went into the water, and three times he went treading with sharks. Ironically, he was training for the Olympics as a swimmer when the War snatched him. Jim survived the 3 sinkings and sharks only to be captured and then… well… You know the rest.</p><p>Jim would hold up his hand and say, <strong>“See that? Steady as a rock. I can still shoot. I’d go again if they let me. I love America.” </strong>He would get teary-eyed and repeat with a tremor.<strong> “Yeah, I really love America.”</strong></p><p><br>Another guy who went into the water was <strong>STANLEY WOODY</strong>. Woody was on the <strong>USS HOUSTON</strong> and was one of only 249 Americans to work on the River Kwai rail system. Watch the movie, <i>“Bridge on the River Kwai.”</i> Woody used to joke, <strong>“Yeah, they got William Holden to play me.”</strong></p><p>He also said and always with a laugh, <strong>“I was only 19 when they got me. That’s why I look so young!” He once said, “I fought for Freedom, and I would do it again. After I read the book they did on us, that’s when I got scared.”</strong></p><p>Interestingly enough, the Japanese used to BOW to Woody before giving him a small can of rice for the day. Why? Because the USS HOUSTON kept firing and <strong>went down while firing.</strong></p><p><i>(Love that. Used to tell young baseball players that story. Quick aside to the Films made by the Japanese, Volleyball, etc.)</i></p><p> </p><p><br><strong>SAM RING</strong> was a 6th Army Ranger, who after living next to our Bataan Vets for 60 years, finally learned about Mr. Blair’s Breakfast at Bunny’s Bunch. Sam turned 18 on 18 January 1945. For his birthday, he was shot through the thumb with a Japanese .25 mm machine gun bullet and was ripped up the right side by a hand grenade. For the remainder of his life, he had 21 pieces of shrapnel in his body.</p><p>Just 11 days after his birthday, Sam took part in <strong>The Great Raid</strong>, the rescue of 522 Allied POW’s at Cabanatuan. Sam simply referred to that as just <strong>“another mission.”</strong></p><p>Unknown to him at the time, Sammy saved <i>Sergeant</i> Sam Ring, Sam’s Father who was captured at age 41, put on the March, and survived until his own Son rescued him at Cabanatuan.</p><p>While doing research for the Musical Tribute, <i><strong>Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</strong></i>, we found footage made by the Army Signal Corps. I showed the Footage to Sam.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><strong>“Steve! That’s my Dad!.”</strong><br>“I know!”<br><strong>“Where did you get this?”</strong> he said getting choked up.<br>“Don’t you remember ever doing this interview? It had to be a big set-up with tripods and everything else?”<br><strong>“No... I don’t remember.”</strong></p><p>Maybe Sam didn’t remember, because <i><strong>AFTER</strong></i> the Great Raid on Cabanatuan, he was on the front lines against the Japanese until the End of WWII. Then he fought in Korea. Then he did 3 tours in Vietnam. I always joked with my <i>“Uncle Sammy”.</i></p><p>“Hey, man, you just didn’t do enough for your country.”</p><p>He would say, <strong>“I’d do it again if they’d let me. I fought for </strong><i><strong>Freedom</strong></i><strong> and I’d do it again.”</strong></p><p><br> </p><p><strong>NORMAN “Jack” MATTHEWS </strong><i>began</i> the Death March wounded. Both he and his Brother, Ed were captured. Ed died in Jack’s arms. The Japanese commanding officer said on their arrival, <i><strong>“It would have been better for you if had you died on the march.”</strong></i></p><p>After 3 and ½ years of Suffering and anguish and the loss of his Brother, Jack went into the sardine-like confines of a Hell Ship. In the hold of that ship, there was no fresh air.</p><p>There was a bucket for defecation. There was unending heat, thirst, sweat, stench, <i>vampirism</i>, and every other horrible torment you might imagine. The ship was damaged by US Forces and it took <strong>69 days</strong> to repair. 69 Days in THOSE conditions… 69 days on a CRUISE SHIP would be a nightmare... but can you imagine? That ALONE would be Hell.</p><p>But Jack survived “HELL” only to wind up as a Slave-laborer in Japan, and when finally liberated, he chose not to come home, but to remain as part of the occupying force.</p><p>One day, Jack was talking about his Brother.<br>“Jack? Why do you think he died?” <br>In his whispery quiet, soft-spoken, years-of-carrying-a-heavy-burden-way, Jack simply said, <strong>“He was good.”</strong></p><p>In so many words, Jack was saying, “ I am <i><strong>not</strong></i> good,” and that is why he believed he survived and that is what he carried inside for so many years. Jack Suffered his own private HELL like all the guys did… and yet, he would say things like, <strong>“It’s so great to be able to get up in the morning and have some breakfast. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.”</strong></p><p> </p><p><br><strong>DANIEL CROWLEY.</strong> As small worlds would have it, Daniel Crowley was born in Greenwich, CT., where I went to High School. Did we get to meet him? No… wasn’t on any History Class agenda, I guess.</p><p>Dan fought on Corregidor with the 4th Marines until they were officially surrendered by General Wainwright on 6 May 1942. Dan went from Camp O’Donnell to Cabanatuan and then to Palawan. Dan helped build an airfield in the blazing sun with little clothes, no hat, and no shoes. Half the prisoners died there, and if it were not for an American doctor’s convincing act, Dan would have been returned to Palawan and burned alive with the remaining prisoners at the airfield. <i>(I met a POW who escaped from Palawan!)</i> Dan was then hell-shipped to Japan where he slaved in an ancient copper mine until 14 August 1945. He was liberated on 4 September 1945 and has spent his life fighting for the legacy of those who fought <i>with</i> him against all odds.</p><p><br><br><strong>JOHN MIMS </strong>went in at 190 lbs and came out at 67 lbs! On the march, his teeth were broken out with a bottle and his legs were broken for trying to escape. He watched his friends killed in random firing squads. When asked how it was that he survived, he said, <strong>“God intended it. I think God was looking out for me.”</strong></p><p><br><br><strong>LOUIS SACHWALD</strong>, who had his legs run over by a Tractor during the March, and <strong>Marion “Turk” Turner</strong> passed away on the same day. Separated only by distance, the guys were, and probably still are “connected.”</p><p>Louie was forced to dig his own grave and lie in it until he died. When he <i>didn’t</i> die, he was allowed to get out and face 3 months on the Hell Ships.</p><p><br><strong>TURK TURNER</strong> was buried at Sea courtesy of the USS BATAAN. <i>(one of many reasons we love the Officers and Crews of the Bataan!)</i></p><p>At Turk’s Funeral, I played Taps… and for the echo Taps, I played Reveille. That’s who this guy was… who he <i>remains</i>. And if it was good enough for Winston Churchill then it was good enough for Turk.</p><p>Turk came out of the Depression, like most of the guys, and when the War started he said, <strong>“Well, if we gotta fight, I ain’t walkin’. I’m gonna ride this one out.”</strong> So he joined the NAVY and served on the USS PERCH.</p><p>Now, in a scene that rivals anything you’ll ever see in a John Wayne movie, Turk was the 2nd to last man to get off the scuttled submarine. He was half-way up the cargo net on the Japanese ship when he looked back and saw his Captain staying with the Perch. With one of his arms wounded, Turk dove back in and rescued his Captain, pulling him up that cargo net.</p><p>One day I asked him,“What can you tell me about Corregidor?”<br>Always with a smile, <strong>“Oh that place had the most beautiful sunrises!” </strong> One day he said, <strong>“I could only get to the number 12 when they beat me. Then I would pass out on my feet. Didn’t know what was happening after that.” </strong>Then he would say, <strong>“One of the hardest things to do is kill a man if he don’t want to die.”</strong></p><p><br>Every day, Turk would say to fellow POWs ready to let go and die, <strong>“They’re comin’ tomorrow. They’re comin’ tomorrow!”</strong> He said that for <strong>1,294</strong> days. On the <strong>1,295th</strong> day, he was right!</p><p>I think Webster’s should replace their definition of Optimism with a photo of TURK TURNER. He was holding Spencer <i>(my 11 September 2001-born Son)</i> on his lap, both of them with blue eyes blazing… when he said, <strong>“My Life just keeps getting’ better and better.”</strong></p><p><br><strong>My Sons and I were darned fortunate to rub our elbows with these Great Souls, and many more. </strong> I can’t help but REALLY love these guys. I hope you do too.</p><p style="text-align:center;"><br><br><i><strong>So here’s the MISSION WRAP: Ready?</strong></i></p><p><br>It is said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. True… but we also stand… maybe even kneel… on the shoulders of average, common, often unknown, never-really praised or singled-out, forgotten by history, completely ordinary, day-to-day people who have been called, or have indeed volunteered to do the EXTRA-Ordinary and the UNCommon… some of whom... Sacrificed EVERYTHING …<strong> that we might live.</strong></p><p>They were called the “Greatest Generation,” though these guys in particular, the greatest of the great, saw themselves as anything but Great. So to you, the Greatest Generation of the more recent past, and the Greatest Generation still in progress and yet to come, upon whose shoulders will stand more of the unnamed, and their children and their <i>children’s</i> children, let’s recap:</p><p style="text-align:center;"><br><br>Perseverance<br>Faith<br>Guts<br>Mission<br>Humor<br>Surrendered but never surrendering<br>Fighting on even while you’re going down<br>Hope<br>Unswerving Audacity & Optimism while looking out for your friends…<br>Carrying the Torch into Future Generations...<br>The Love of Freedom…</p><p style="text-align:center;">That’s just some of it.</p><p style="text-align:center;"> </p><p>I offer these small, edited stories in words and in Music. But they… <i><strong>They</strong></i> lived those stories in Blood.</p><p><i>(If you serve in the Military or if you support them in any way, I come to you with unmeasurable Love and Respect. You’re the <strong>next</strong> Greatest Generation… and it’s not possible to thank you.)</i></p><p>Thank you for your Time and listening, for getting inspired to learn more… and for becoming part of their story, a story that will go on and on and on, for as long as we remember them, and for as long as there is a need to defend Freedom.</p><p>Godspeed! Stephen Melillo, Composer<br> </p><p style="text-align:center;">*** *** *** </p><p><br><i><strong>Family includes:</strong></i><br><br><strong>Charles Melillo</strong>, an ex-POW of the North Koreans, and since passed on.</p><p><strong>Dennis Chiarella</strong>, an ex-POW of the North Vietnamese.</p><p><strong>Pat Viscusi </strong>who served in World War II, Korea, and Viet Nam.</p><p><strong>Dominic Melillo</strong>, <strong>Rudy Antonucci,</strong> <strong>Bruce DeFilippo</strong>, and <strong>Dominic Vallette </strong>who served in World War II.</p><p><strong>Ray Primm</strong>, who served in Korea.</p><p><strong>Don Marturano</strong> who served aboard the Intrepid during the Viet Nam War.</p><p><br><i><strong>Technically:</strong></i> Most say that WWII, the state of war, formally ended when the San Francisco Peace Treaty came into force on 28 April 1952. On 31 December 1946, President Harry S. Truman officially declared the end of a state of war in the United States with the signing of Presidential Proclamation 2714 (61 Stat. 1048), Cessation of Hostilities of World War II.</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7225196
2023-06-13T00:56:10-12:00
2023-06-13T01:43:08-12:00
Interview by Carter Schmelz 6 JUN 2023
<p>A link to the full concert on Youtube is below…<br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/12bd596b418b60fe75c7c7893b16e7e763ce2566/original/21-apr-2023-with-carter-schmelz-and-herbie-1.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><br>Interview by Carter Schmelz 6 JUN 2023<br>After the 21 APR 2023 Little Creek Navy Base Concert of <i><strong>Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></i></p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/ad3046af702a2c2e10bcacf839e28042fd4ac439/original/2-jun-2023-bc-k-twml-chs-at-kleinhans-006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p><br><span class="text-big"><i><strong>General Questions:</strong></i></span></p><p><i><strong>What inspired you to be a composer, and how long have you been one?</strong></i></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">I began writing music all the way back in 1975 when I was in high school. Since then, I have written 1,329 pieces. <i>(as of today.)</i></span></p><p><br><i><strong>What is your favorite aspect about working with younger ensembles rather</strong></i><br><i><strong>than more professional groups?</strong></i></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">I actually consider those to be the same thing, believe it or not. The truth is that I love kids. Younger groups have the heart that is necessary to tell the stories in the music, but so do properly conducted/inspired professionals. The <i><strong>52 STORMWORKS Albums</strong></i> are testaments to that.</span></p><p><br><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Beyond Courage Questions:</strong></i></span></p><p><i><strong>Were you asked by the Japanese government to write this piece or was it a project you had been pursuing on your own?</strong></i></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">After having written<i><strong> “Musashi”</strong></i>, a work about a famous Japanese swordsman, philosopher, strategist, writer, artist, and rōnin, the Japanese government contacted me and said, <i><strong>“We want to make a Stormworks CD”</strong></i>. Having just written a work for the ex-POWs, I challenged the Japanese Military Musicians. <i><strong>“You know how people talk about Music being a universal language, and healing, and bridging worlds? Well how would you like to do something that ACTUALLY heals, actually pushes the Brotherhood of Humanity forward?”</strong></i></span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Can you imagine it? I asked them to record, of all things… <i><strong>“BEYOND COURAGE!”</strong></i> This boldness went through many channels, and eventually to the Ministry of Defense. No longer just a “musical” question, it now involved the government, namely, the Military of Japan. This process took 2 years of translated email communications with the Japanese Ministry of Defense. In fact, I kept documented records of the exchanges, called “T<i><strong>he History of History”</strong></i>. This book holds 200 pages of discussions with the Japanese government over 2 years. We literally rehashed all of WWII in the Pacific. It is a compelling piece of History, then, now, and always.</span></p><p><br><i><strong>How much historical research had to be done in order to write the piece? </strong></i><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;"><strong>Much!</strong> I have many books on the subject, over 40 hours of archival footage, and all sorts of personal paraphernalia given to me by the Men. I asked several WWII veterans and others alive during that time what they heard on the radio. Remember, this is all PRIOR to their 3.5 years of imprisonment. If you listen to the piece again, you will hear selections leading up to the Surrender… but then, after that, they are lost in Time. All of the pieces we normally associate with WWII are <strong>not</strong> in the “Documentary”. Do you see? </span><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">It is historically accurate<i> from the perspective of the ex-POWs</i>. That is why I use the <i>“Meanwhile, Back in America!” </i>section, to show what Americans at home were experiencing. In that section, and much needed, was an original song that Hannah sang, called <i><strong>“In the Stars”</strong></i>. It is a love ballad emanating from <i>Rockefeller Center</i>, and from the perspective of a POW’s wife; specifically, Ms. Niña Bañegas. Lorenzo Bañegas begins the work, singing with his brother, the only song <i>(a corrido) </i>ever written in captivity. Mrs. Bañegas gave me a cassette with the only recording!</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Alternatively, you take the song<i> “Slap the Jap'</i>'; so offensive; but, it was part of American propaganda during World War II. All of these emotions and events and propaganda and racism, and yes, outright lies, which are documented in the DVD, are what prompted these young Men, and those to follow, into action.</span></p><p><br><i><strong>I understand that you wrote a sequel to Beyond Courage. Could you explain a little bit about the piece?</strong></i></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;"><strong>Last World Standing</strong> - <i>(from Chapter 13)</i> - A 33-minute piece received an 18-minute standing ovation at its premiere in Linz, Austria at the Brucknerhaus. You have to remember that at the time (WWII), around 50% of Austria supported the Nazis, and the other 50% supported the Allies. Even in that mixed audience, I went for the TRUTH about War and how Evil it is. The piece uses a technique I invented called <i><strong>PhotoRHYTHM™</strong></i>. A percussionist “plays” the Photographs.</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">There were precisely 1000 photos used, spanning War from the Time of the Revolution to the present. The work illustrated, quite viscerally, just how disgusting and devastating War is. Following <i><strong>“Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live”</strong></i>, <i><strong>“Last World Standing” </strong></i>is a Plea for Peace; In other words, what is our world like when all War is finally done… What is the<i> “Last World Standing?”</i></span></p><p><br><span class="text-big"><i><strong>Other Questions:</strong></i></span></p><p><i><strong>Have you written or are writing any other long historical works? -</strong></i><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">There are so many works. Look at Chapter 3, an album that lays out the history of the Bible.<i><strong> “Godspeed”</strong></i> is followed by, <i><strong>“In the Beginning”</strong></i>. Then, in the Timeline of the Bible, we find pieces called, <i><strong>“DAVID</strong></i>”, <i><strong>“The Speech of Angels”</strong></i>, and <i><strong>“WAIT of the WORLD”</strong></i>. Yes, there is <i>much</i> History. Also, check out <i><strong>“FOREVER STRONG, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis”</strong></i>, another historically accurate 33:17 piece dedicated to the survivors and legacy of the <i>USS Indianapolis.</i></span></p><p><br><i><strong>What advice do you have for young composers and musicians? </strong></i><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Write something every day. If you want to be a composer, you cannot fake Real. If you think it’s “cool” to be a composer and that you’re going to create the next style or the next trend or fill a marketing niche, don’t even bother, because it’s all going to be fake. You’ll fool the current, transient<i> “in crowd”</i>, but as Time passes, your music will be long forgotten. You must listen to and understand WHY Beethoven is played today, 253 years later.</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Imagine if I had written <i><strong>Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></i>, a piece about the Bataan Death March, and I didn’t include the <strong>true</strong> history… didn’t eviscerate myself, suffer in some tiny fraction of what THEY suffered, surrender myself to the Music those Men needed? <strong>Real Music is Blood</strong>. </span><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Do not write it unless you offer the world a needed message. That would be like writing a piece about the latest invasion, or homelessness, and not including any of the pain of actually being invaded or surviving on the streets; just so that the “composers” <i>(note the small “c”) </i>can pat themselves on the back and say <i>“Look how sensitive I am. Look how compassionate and wise I am.” </i>Gobbledygook! In MUSIC, <strong>you cannot fake Real</strong>. You cannot hide your Heart and True purpose. All is revealed!</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Coming up with a nifty title, a splashy piece of cover art, and a “story” for the program notes, do NOT a piece of Music make. <i> (I may have inadvertently started this trend with photo-covers and Music deployed in PDF as far back as 1992-93. Everyone wants to be first to be second. I may go back to simple titles and opus numbers. We shall see. I used EPS. PDF came from Adobe in 1996.)</i></span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Regarding <i><strong>“Beyond Courage”</strong></i>, the idea from the commissioners was originally for the piece to be<strong> six minutes! </strong>What?!? Six minutes? How do you tell such a complex, layered story, and give those Men what they deserved, having survived and not survived, such great Suffering and Sacrifice, in that short amount of time?</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Of course, now the work is <strong>93 minutes</strong> in total on the DVD. But, you see, the people who write and play music for trends and markets and <i>“spaces on the program”</i> would probably have preferred the 6-minute version. No! If that’s your motivation, you’re missing the entire point of writing Music! Remember, every day is a triumph for the mediocre. But like Musashi, you must deeply contemplate what you will set to ink. After you have developed your craftsmanship of course.</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">For Music-makers of any kind, instrumentalists, vocalists, conductors, and composers, there are two elements that you must have simultaneously. On the one hand, you have tuning, intonation, and all of the technical skills and knowledge, etc. On the other hand, you have the Heart, the emotion, the psychology, the mind, and Soul. Neither can exist without the other. </span><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Extract the technical, the craft, and architecture of the Beethoven 9th Symphony, and we are left with people screaming and crying on stage. Two-hundred and fifty-three years later, all is long forgotten. Extract the emotional outpouring of Beethoven, his intensely compelled need to share his Vision, and we are left with an exercise in the first 5 notes of the major scale. But carefully joined together, Humanity is left with a treasure, a reminder about itself, that all Men shall be Brothers.</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Thank you for this interview!</span></p><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Godspeed!</span><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">Stephen Melillo</span><br><br><span style="color:#8c8c8c;"><i><strong>See the full 21 APR 2023 Little Creek Navy Base Concert, featuring JFK HS Wind Ensemble, directed by Walter Avellaneda, and Clarence HS, with chorus directed by Amy Fetterly & Wind Ensemble by Louis Vitello. here:</strong></i></span></p><div class="video-container size_xl justify_center" style=""><iframe data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="OHlZMplmVhQ" data-video-thumb-url="" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OHlZMplmVhQ?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><p><span style="color:#8c8c8c;"><i><strong>Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</strong></i> is a part of <i><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8 - Writings on the Wall</strong></i>, recorded in Japan by 143 World Class Musicians of the Japanese Military and 300 Chorus members from Shenandoah and Old Dominion Universities in Virginia. Listen on </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/track/2042127/kakehashi-that-we-might-live" target="_blank" data-link-type="track" data-link-label="Kakehashi: That We Might Live"><span style="color:#3333d5;"><i><strong>STORMTracks</strong></i></span></a><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">. Investigate the piece here: </span><a class="no-pjax" href="/chapters-5-8-writings-on-the-wall" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Chapters 5-8: Writings on the Wall"><span style="color:#3333d5;"><i><strong>KTWML</strong></i></span></a><span style="color:#8c8c8c;">.</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7217754
2023-05-30T02:31:51-12:00
2023-12-26T06:14:35-12:00
Parable of the Runner!
<p>Once there was a Woman in a race… Her training put her far in front of the other runners. After she crossed the finish line.. <i>(in her mind there was no such thing)</i>… she waited for the media and camera crew to catch up.<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/7c35d7c49940564732618a9a78ec9b52bb34a33e/original/parable-runner.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_orig justify_left border_" /></p><p>They didn’t.</p><p>Instead, the judges called the 2nd-place runner, who was miles behind, to be in first place. To conceal the false victory, and any hope of discovery to the contrary, Runner #2, with the help of media contacts, hired assassins to shoot and bury Runner #1.</p><p>They failed.</p><p>Runner #1 tried speaking up some years later… but the victory was never recorded. You see, Runner #1 was SO fast that she crossed their finish line without ever breaking the tape. It was her gung fu training you see. <i> “Cleave the water but leave no broken water in your path."</i></p><p>All those many years ago, and even unto this day, Runner #1 had dodged the bullet by outrunning the assassins. Searching for fellow Runners, she now runs in the mountains, in the forests, and on the beaches, far from crowds, cameras, assassins, and finish line tapes.</p><p>Godspeed! S</p><p> </p><p>“There is definitely more risk in ART… and especially in Noble Art, left virtuous and un-compromised by Accountants or Agents. I’ve always thought that the easiest job could be found in the life of a Boxer. Winning and Losing are tangible, pragmatic events, and in a 3-minute round, there is plenty of feedback about training and diet. Compare that to the life of an Artist… who succeeds, but might never know it, who falls consistently short and yet is lifted up. — <i>Stephen Melillo, Boy, writer of Music, lover of food.”</i></p><p>End Credit Music…. <i>“There’s a Place for us…”</i><br><br><i>The film Version!</i><br><br> </p><div class="video-container size_xl justify_center" style=""><iframe data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="VFg83GdIC7M" data-video-thumb-url="" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VFg83GdIC7M?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></div><p><br><br> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7171865
2023-03-15T00:12:12-12:00
2023-03-15T00:12:12-12:00
"Whoever Said You Gotta Be In It to Win It?"
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/8eb4ba7e33dfb4547dec3ec6747e8abb150cbb23/original/whoever-said-you-gotta-be-in-it-to-win-it.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><h3>
<br> </h3><h3><span style="color:#970808;">“Whoever said you gotta be in it to win it should talk to…”</span></h3><p>Well, yeah. In 1985, the Harrison Jazz Ensemble went to Canada, as the article says. But what’s not there <i><strong>is the sequel.</strong></i> We went back and became the first American Jazz Band to ever win the Canadian Stage Band Festival. <i>(There were 199 bands!)</i></p><p><span style="color:#970808;"><i>One must smile. </i></span> My philosophy about “trophies” then was the same as it is now. So let’s look at the trophies, the newest being that one in the center, The <i>Hollywood Music in Media Award</i> for <i>Best Epic/Orchestral Music.</i></p><h3><span style="color:#970808;">Ready?</span></h3><p>Every one of those awards, AND the ones not in the photo, like the <i>Pulitzer</i> Nominations for <i>“Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE” </i>and <i>“Symphony IIII: Lightfall”,</i> the 4 <i>Golden Global Music Awards</i> for <i>“Love Conquers All”</i>, and <i>“The Grey II-III”</i>, ALL have something in common!</p><p><strong>“I” never entered any of them into the “contest”.</strong></p><p>It was <strong>Maestro Gerhardt Zimmermann </strong>and <strong>The Canton Symphony</strong> who nominated <i>“Symphony IIII: Lightfall”</i> for the <i>Pulitzer</i> and <i>Nemmers</i>.</p><p>It was <strong>Chelle Campbell </strong>who nominated <i>“Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE”.</i> It was also Chelle who sent the DVD version of <i>“Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE”</i> to the <i>Telly Awards</i>. It won 3 <i>Tellys</i> for Music, History, and Biography. It also won an <i>AVA Award.</i></p><p>It was <strong>Christopher Kulikowski</strong> and <strong>Steffon Olsen</strong> who entered my Score for<i> “Reckoning of Darkness”</i> which won a <i>Scorpius Award</i> for Best Music. It won again at another film festival.</p><p><i>The Hollywood Music in Media Award</i>, that newest one, made of crystal, in the center, the one that catches the light and makes Rainbows? That was all <strong>Cindy Paulos</strong>. In fact, I actually debated with her as to why she would even <i>consider</i> sending <i>“Love Conquers All” </i>to the Awards.</p><p>But Cindy was right. Just as she was with the<i> Gold Global Music Awards</i>. So THANK YOU, Cindy Paulos. You have been amazingly Kind and considerate and generous. I’ll give these awards to my kids one day and they can thank <i><strong>you</strong></i> for them.</p><p>Look, I’m human. Just like everyone else, I enjoy being recognized. It’s all cool. But, I’m often too busy to think about contests. Fortunately, the super Kind people mentioned above believed in the Music enough to go to bat on its behalf.</p><p>And <strong>THAT</strong> is the Real trophy for me… the Kindness represented in the Generosity of others. I am honored and humbled and grateful.</p><p>Thank you, <strong>Gerhardt</strong>. Thank you <strong>Canton Symphony</strong>. Thank you, <strong>Chelle</strong>. Thank you, <strong>Christopher</strong> and <strong>Steffon</strong>. Thank you, <strong>Cindy</strong>.</p><p>Love & Godspeed! S</p><p>#music #musiceducation #awards #HMMA #scorpius #telly #ava #pulitzer #nemmers #stephenmelillo #stormworks</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7163658
2023-03-03T00:44:47-12:00
2023-03-03T00:44:47-12:00
Music to LIVE Again for!
<p><span style="color:#970808;">3 MAR 2023</span><br><span style="color:#970808;">Music to LIVE Again for!</span><br><span style="color:#970808;">“Romance” from the Concerto for Violin</span></p><h2><span style="color:#970808;">3/3/1,(333x)</span></h2><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/395afe91dd1602d86d351d44629d0fe8e1a29208/original/3-mar-1999-333-david-and-33333-odometer.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p>Today is the anniversary of <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 3: WAIT of the WORLD</strong>, recorded in The Netherlands by the <i>Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy</i>, Maurice Hamers Conducting. The last phrase recorded to complete the album was from the piece, <strong>DAVID</strong>. The phrase? <i><strong>“Why is Life just a Moment?” </strong></i> It was completed at 3:33 PM.</p><p>The photo and the 333 SYNC are not the reason for this article. On 1 March, something SYNC-like happened within just one hour. </p><p>Over the years, many people have said, <i>“I want this played at my funeral.”</i></p><p>On the 1st of March, a gentleman called from a retirement home. <i>“I don’t get around too much anymore,”</i> he said. <i>“But, I listen to ‘Never Forgotten’ every day.”</i></p><p>He shared how much he wished he was still conducting, calling the piece “perfect.” I chuckled and told him how I had written it one day between 4:30 AM and 7:30 AM as a “warm-up” for my high school band.</p><p>Then he said, <i>“I’ve already written it into my will. I want this piece played when it’s my Time.”</i></p><p>Not even an hour later, another retired band director wrote, <i>“I want this played at my funeral. Love this work.”</i></p><p>Then, shortly after, <i>another</i> friend said, <i>“It’s Music to die for, so a funeral would be perfect.”</i></p><h3><span style="color:#970808;"><i>What?</i></span></h3><p>Then I thought, <i>“Hmmm, I wonder what Music people want at their funerals?” <strong>I know what I want! I’ll share it in a Moment!</strong></i></p><p> </p><h3><span style="color:#970808;">There is another VERY IMPORTANT Music EDUCATION story attached to ‘Never Forgotten’, but for now, let’s stick with Music at funerals… Music to LIVE AGAIN for!</span></h3><p> </p><p>For my funeral, I have requested the 2nd movement of <i>The Concerto for Violin</i>. Called, <i><strong>“Romance”</strong></i>, it is as ALL Music is, a snapshot of one’s Soul. But in <i>this</i> particular movement, <i>this</i> rendering, <i>this</i> recording by the Central Band of Japan Self Defense Force, with Violinist Reiko Suzuki, yours truly conducting, with Wally Avellaneda on PAD Bass and Mike Lee on vocal patches, we hear the Music that left every Musician in the room that day in Silence. Within <i><strong>Romance</strong></i>, is everything I hope for, pray for, anguish over, long for, and wonder about.</p><p>Have you listened? Have you really <i>“heard”</i> it?</p><p>Here is a link to <i><strong>Romance</strong></i> on YouTube. You can also download the whole Concerto at <a class="no-pjax" href="/tracks" target="_blank" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Tracks"><i><strong>STORMTracks</strong></i></a> on the <i><strong>STORMSite</strong></i>.</p><p>Thank you for listening & Godspeed! S</p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://youtu.be/DouHHfocKLM" target="_blank" data-link-type="url">https://youtu.be/DouHHfocKLM</a></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068996
2023-02-28T23:59:17-12:00
2023-05-30T02:32:17-12:00
a Snapshot of a Snapshot of a World Within a World
<p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/393521/cfdceae683c15171f831120cbbdaa7182cff35a6/original/snapshot-of-a-snapshot-of-a-world-within-a-world.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><h3> </h3><p><span style="color:#970808;">What follows is <i>super</i> compressed. When you're ready to absorb this, get a cup of coffee or tea.</span></p><p><span style="color:#970808;"><i><strong>“Probability & Statistics” </strong></i>was one of my favorite subjects. Feel free to calculate the ODDS of all this.</span></p><p> </p><h3>
<span class="text-big" style="color:#970808;">“The best Stories are the ones NOT devised.”</span><br> </h3><p><strong>From STORMWORKS Chapter 5:8 - Writings on the Wall</strong><br><strong>Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE, coming to the Little Creek Navy Base on 21 APR 2023 at 7PM. </strong>See <strong>stormworld.com/secnav</strong> for getting onto the base for the free concert/event/tribute.</p><p> </p><h3><span class="text-big" style="color:#970808;">PHOTOLog:</span></h3><p><br><strong>1. MUSASHI</strong> was composed on 11 SEP 2002. This led to the Recording of <i><strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 5:8, Writings on the Wall</strong></i> in Japan for the 60th Anniversary of WWII’s end in 2005.</p><p><strong>2.</strong> On 30 AUG 2003, days before <i>Hurricane Isabel</i> destroyed our house for a 565-day repair, we went to the town of my birth, Rye, NY, to attend an engagement party at the “Wainwright House”. I was in the middle of composing <i><strong>“Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live" </strong></i>for the Survived and Sacrificed Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor. General Jonathan Wainwright surrendered troops on 9 April 1942. He was also a signatory at the 2 SEP 1945 formal surrender aboard the <i>USS Missouri.</i><br> </p><h3>
<span class="text-big" style="color:#970808;">But! I had not yet put 2 and 2 together.</span><br> </h3><p>In the backyard of the “Wainwright” home, I could clearly see where the World Trade Center once stood. It was completed on my birthday. It went down on the birthday of our 1st Son, born 24 minutes before the 1st tower was hit on 11 SEP 2001. </p><p>A Sushi Chef was set up in the Wainwright Library. There were many books on Bataan & Corregidor. One book, <i><strong>“Through the Valley of the Kwai”</strong></i>, struck me. One of our ex-POWs from the <i>USS Houston</i> worked on the Kwai Railway. Withdrawing the book, I saw that it had a library card.</p><p>Two names above mine, you will see “Ed Stoddard” and a date of 7 DEC 1963. Ed Stoddard was my First Principal when I started Teaching in 1980-81. <i><strong>“Mr. Stoddard?” “December 7th?” “Odds?” </strong></i> </p><p><br><strong>3. </strong> I tracked down a curator to ask permission to borrow the book. In the curator’s portion of the estate, there was a <strong>Piano</strong>. Thank GOD, my Father snapped the photo. On <i><strong>that</strong></i> Piano, General Wainwright’s Piano, I played the Theme from <i><strong>“Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live”</strong></i>. Yes. Spiritual indeed.</p><p><strong>4. </strong> Near the Piano, <i>(not in the house where the guests were)</i>, was this framed photo of General Wainwright.</p><p><strong>5.</strong> Upon return to our soon-to-be-shattered house, we saw this Realtor Sign on the house next to ours.
</p><p><strong>6. </strong>On 18 SEP 2003, Hurricane Isabell destroyed our house.</p><h3>
<br><span style="color:#970808;">Some of the 10 pieces composed in our destroyed house during that Time include: </span>
</h3><p><strong>7. Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: That We Might Live. Then. Now. Always. A Documentary in Music. (© 11 SEP 2003)</strong></p><p><strong>8. The 82:28 Film Score, “Retrograde”</strong></p><p><strong>9. JIDAI (© 11 SEP 2004)</strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>10. </strong> BCKTWML was in part inspired by novelist, Dorothy Cave. Dorothy was born on 7 DEC 1941. She was the wife of the very first Bataan Death March/Hell Ship/Slave Labor Camp ex-POW/Survivor I had met, Jack Aldrich. At the premiere in Roswell, NM on 4/4/04, I was given the pin of the regiment by Jack. He said, <i><strong>“from this day forward, you are my Grandson.”</strong></i></p><p>Jack was truly one of the Greatest Men I have ever known. I had missed meeting <i>Ernest Gordon</i>, the author of <i><strong>Through the Valley of the Kwai</strong></i> by one year. He had just passed away.</p><p><strong>11. </strong>The final picture in our Montage is of <i><strong>“The Wainwright Inlet”. </strong></i> Shaped like a White Whale, it is the place where <i>Moby Dick </i>was killed at 3:33 AM on 14 SEP 1871 in my novel, <i><strong>“Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story.”</strong></i> <i> (That work was recently “unpublished” and is coming again fairly soon. The official report was as follows: “Thirty-three ships, including the 117-foot bark, Seneca, were grounded in the ice.)</i></p><p>
Enjoy. We are alive together... for reasons yet to be discovered. Godspeed! Stephen of the Storm<br> </p><h3>
<br><span style="color:#970808;">Addendum beyond the Photos:</span>
</h3><p>On <strong>26 SEP 2003</strong>, despite the Hurricane Damage, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of my Great Grandfather Ambrosio Melillo swearing the Oath to become an American Citizen.</p><p>
In <strong>May of 2005</strong>, 143 Musicians selected from 5 Japanese Military Ensembles around the Island of Japan, joined by 300 American Vocalists from Shenandoah and Old Dominion Universities would play the Music written during this Time of battered houses, bodies, and SYNC. More than 350 Bataan/Corregidor Vets would receive a copy of the Recording. Seventeen DVD copies went to Congress. <i><strong> Because of this Music</strong></i>, ex-POWs were awarded <i>Bronze Stars </i>and<i> Purple Hearts</i> many years after the end of WWII. </p><p>Many <i>impossible</i>, fascinating things happened during this deeply Spiritual process of Honoring these Men by composing, organizing, and negotiating for 2 years with the Japanese Ministry of Defense. </p><p>After composing <i><strong>SYMPHONY #2: At Life’s Edge</strong></i>, I made the bold assertion that <i><strong>“people would get up out of their wheelchairs”. </strong></i> It was True. The visualized version of <i><strong>Beyond Courage, Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</strong></i> was played for 200 American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor and their families at the 2007 <i>American Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor </i>gathering in Kentucky. Indeed, Men in their 90s <i><strong>stood</strong></i> from their wheelchairs. </p><p>The Stories, the many “miracles”, go on even to this day. Two bands and a chorus from Clarence & Bellmore, New York, are preparing a special hybrid version of this work at the <i><strong>Little Creek “Gator” Theater </strong></i>on the Navy Base, <strong>Friday, 21 APR 2023 at 7 PM</strong>. We would love to see you there.</p><p> </p><p><strong>19 SEP 2023 is the 78th Anniversary of President Truman awarding General Jonathan Wainwright, the Medal of Honor. </strong></p><p><i><strong>Citation:</strong></i> <i>Distinguished himself by intrepid and determined leadership against greatly superior enemy forces. At the repeated risk of life above and beyond the call of duty in his position, he frequented the firing line of his troops where his presence provided the example and incentive that helped make the gallant efforts of these men possible. The final stand on beleaguered Corregidor, for which he was in an important measure personally responsible, commanded the admiration of the Nation's allies. It reflected the high morale of American arms in the face of overwhelming odds. His courage and resolution were a vitally needed inspiration to the then sorely pressed freedom-loving peoples of the world.
</i><br><i> </i></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7149952
2023-02-07T01:49:43-12:00
2023-02-20T01:22:02-12:00
GODSPEED! Deep Dive
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3255003b703ebedd5b3f6393069c2046213894f1/original/godspeed-cover-for-story.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#c0392b;">GODSPEED! A DEEPER Dive for STORMAficionados, Family, Colleagues & Friends</span></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>Mahler said, <em>“If a Composer could say what he had to say in words, he would not bother trying to say it in Music.”</em> </p>
<p>Prompted by a recent post from a friend in España, let’s take a deep dive into the first piece on the Album he mentioned, <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 3: WAIT of the WORLD</strong></em>. Let’s see what’s happening in this one piece of Music called,<em><strong> “Godspeed!” </strong></em></p>
<p>I owe this explanation to Commissioner Bill Pritchett & the Muncie CHS Musicians, Maurice Hamers & The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy, the Musicians from The Vienna Brass Connection, the Phantom Regiment, the many 100s of worldwide ensembles that have rendered it since 1998, and Meredith Hudson who has listened to this one work EACH morning for the past 1741 days!<em> (as of today and still counting!) </em></p>
<p>Meaningful Art has many layers. There is the visceral, the internal emotional layer, the micro-macro architectural, the biographical, the artwork <em>(which I did myself)</em>, and the Score Notes, <em>(the supposed words about the Music)</em>, to name only a few. There are more.</p>
<p>Let’s look at the Score Notes from <em><strong>“Godspeed!”</strong></em><strong> </strong><em>(edited from the Technical & Musical aspects.) </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>GODSPEED! </strong><br>#855 at 5:55 by © Stephen Melillo IGNA 10 May 1998 </p>
<p>Commissioned by The Muncie Central High School Symphonic Band, Mr. Bill Pritchett, Conductor</p>
<p><strong>TECHNICAL </strong></p>
<p>Suggested tempi produces the proper inner architecture of the piece, and allows the players to move through otherwise long-winded passages with greater ease. For those fascinated by such matters, “Godspeed” is formed in the Fibonacci Series. There are <strong>33</strong>-meter changes, and in this work, the real-timing of <strong>3:33</strong> happens at <strong>m78</strong>.... the “golden mean”.</p>
<h3><span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>Deeper Look: </strong></em></span></h3>
<p>Let’s talk about <strong>33-meter changes</strong>. There are other writers in the band world who decided that they too would write multi-meter works and actually count up the meter changes in their score notes. Okay. Perhaps they think it’s some sort of contest, but they’ve missed the point. There are <strong>33</strong>-meter changes in <strong>GOD</strong>-speed because that was the age when Jesus was Crucified. In other words, in the coded message of just one layer of Mathematics, I am implying the real reason for this piece. It is a Prayer, as are <em>all</em> of my works. This is why the Silent Language of the Mathematics <em>(the architecture)</em> is so important and indeed why <strong>ALL</strong> of the <strong>STORMWORKS</strong> Music, at the micro and macroscopic levels, <em>and</em> across the Chapters, is devised in the Fibonacci Series. </p>
<p>Imitators, and there have been many, imitate the least significant elements of the Composition. Imagine trying to recreate The Cathedral of Notre Dame by gathering up the concrete. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>MUSICAL </strong></p>
<p><em>Actual Score Notes:</em> There is no better way to express the Music of this work than to allow you to read a letter sent to me by Mr. Pritchett. His love has inspired this work. </p>
<p>“I haven’t really had a chance to put this into words, but this is what I want to say. Every morning I marvel at how lucky I am to stand in front of the kids I have. It is really a pleasure for me to have the opportunity to conduct a high school band of this quality. I’ve worked with a college band and sure, the group is better, but not necessarily better for me! It’s hard to explain, except to say that I really love the kids at Muncie Central, and that I have loved working with them for the last 17 years. We have the kind of kids that aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty... sweat... work. I want them to feel a sense of ownership in this work. The notes they play won’t last nearly as long as this composition will last. All of these kids should feel as if they were a part of something meaningful. Can you help me put this into words?” </p>
<p><em>Bill... I just did. </em></p>
<p>And now, let me share something with you, my friends. This is not for the Program Notes. It’s just between me and all of you. Ever since high school, I’ve signed my many letters, “<em><strong>Godspeed!... Sincerely, Stephen Melillo”</strong></em>. People used to laugh at me for signing this way! I still don’t know why. Now, I sign Music, my most personal of letters, in the same fashion. </p>
<p>After today, I shall never write that word again without hearing it as Music! </p>
<p><em><strong>Godspeed</strong></em> was written on 10 May 1998. On that day, my <em><strong>Symphony # Numberless</strong></em> premiered. Dimitri Tiomkin and Max Steiner were born. I love these souls, composers of great and innocent Giving. My offering is small, but it comes to you, hands outstretched, in the same manner, implicated by Mr. Pritchett’s beautiful words. </p>
<p>Within its Time-compressed boundaries of 5:55, much happens. There is youthful exhilaration, the flight of an inviolable spirit, hectic confusion, and innocent zeal. Amidst the flurry and flash, comes a reverent prayer and an ode to that which is forever quiet and most still. There is the confident assertion of ideals and an ever-abiding vow to take on Life’s challenges. There is Hope and daring, introspection and sorrow. Fun is married to Courage, Darkness is overwhelmed by Light. And in its final hour, it is the indomitable will of the forever stalwart that rises in victorious Triumph! </p>
<p>While possible to write notation, Music is forever left to the un-capturable center of our Humanity. That Music is for <em>you</em> to find, for <em>you</em> to deliver and enjoy as <em>you</em> offer it to others. </p>
<p>The pseudo-professionals... whom I sometimes call “the mUSIC mASTERS”… would be fatigued by such a piece, imposed upon by such demands to Give! THAT is what Mr. Pritchett means when he says,<em> “I’ve worked with a college band and sure, the group is better, but not necessarily better for me.”</em> He means that you guys have the Heart and the Soul to make this Music. For that reason, I am honoured to have been asked to write this piece. It is for you. </p>
<p>GODSPEED!!! </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo </p>
<p> </p>
<h3><span style="color:#c0392b;"><em><strong>Let’s take a Deeper Look: </strong></em></span></h3>
<p>I once heard someone introduce <em>“Godspeed!” </em>as, <em>“a simple ABA form piece”</em>. Wow. This is one of the reasons I say, <em>“Is it any wonder that small minds should see smallness in things?” </em></p>
<h3><em>No mention of the Fibonacci form? No mention of the multi-metered, harmonized-stacked Fugue, perhaps the first of its kind in our band world? </em></h3>
<p>When the <em>then</em> US NAVY Band commissioned <em>“Honor, Courage, Commitment”</em>, in 1996, I added <em>“Godspeed!”</em> as an optional 3rd movement in 1998. During a Midwest concert of the <em>then</em> US NAVY Band, I sat next to Maurice Hamers, then <em>Major</em> Maurice Hamers, Conductor of the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy.</p>
<p>The new piece wasn't played. Maurice turned to me and said emphatically, <strong>“<em>WE</em> WILL PLAY THIS MUSIC!” </strong></p>
<p>That led to the Commissioning of <strong>“WAIT of the WORLD”</strong> by the Marine Band of The Royal Netherlands Navy, and then the recording of the Album also entitled,<strong> “WAIT of the WORLD”</strong>, the program of which follows the Ascent of Man from the beginning to the end of the Bible. <em> (This is <strong>not</strong> spelled out in the liner notes.) </em></p>
<p> </p>
<h3><span style="color:#c0392b;">Godspeed! <br>In the Beginning <br>David <br>The Chosen (aka Time to Take back the Knights) <br>The Speech of Angels <br>Wait of the World (Symphony III) </span></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>In <strong>13 movements</strong> <em>(Fibonacci)</em>, we experience <strong>one</strong> interconnected Story in Music. </p>
<p>The <strong>W’s</strong> in the Title <em>(and <strong>all</strong> Stormworks Chapter titles)</em> come from the <em>Star of David</em>. The <em>Star of David? </em> Yes, more of the coded message, even in the titles. The W is composed of 3 triangles, one ascending, and the other 2 ascending. The symbolism of the <em>Star of David </em>is that of God coming to Man and Man going to God.</p>
<p>Perhaps over a video interview, and/or pizza, I can explain how the <em>Harmonic Language</em> and <em>Orchestration</em> of the Music ALSO come from the <em>Star of David.</em> </p>
<p>The piece, <strong>"WAIT of the WORLD”</strong> is replete with all sorts of Mathematics from the Great Pyramids at Giza to the Bible. A 16-year-old from Rome did an analysis of it once. He was very close!</p>
<h3><span style="color:#c0392b;">The point is this... </span></h3>
<p>There is so much more to the Music. It goes as deep as YOU want it to go. I’m a phone call away. Great Conductors take care of the immediate and visceral, and then somehow always work the ensemble into the Heart and Substance, even if left unspoken. </p>
<p>Another great piece for this kind of exploration into Composition is <em><strong>“Escape from Plato’s Cave”</strong></em> or <em><strong>“The First & the Last”, </strong></em>which was the subject of a very fine University Conductor’s doctoral thesis… but I leave the Wonder and Beauty and True Depths of the Music to those with great Love and Wonder in their Hearts.</p>
<p><em><strong>Godspeed! </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo <br>Composer</p>
6:02
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7147556
2023-02-02T07:25:22-12:00
2024-02-03T02:08:06-12:00
The Beautiful Rats
<p><span class="text-big"><i><strong>The Beautiful Rats</strong></i></span><br>By © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2 FEB 2023 <br><strong>Dedicated to Sir Edward Lisk</strong></p><p> </p><p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/6160ebf92238f36d4000b6ab0a646768294a867b/original/the-beautiful-rats-book-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>“Hey, you ever heard the story of the ugly duckling?” </p><p>“Nope.” </p><p>“Okay, so once upon a time there was this rockin' rat named Rocco.” </p><p>“Ha! Like you! Wait a minute. You’re talking about rats. I thought this was about ugly ducks?” </p><p>“Nah… this is better.” </p><p>Rocco had a wise brow beyond his years and for some reason, longer than usual ears. Yep, just like Rudolf, his ears, instead of his nose, were oftentimes the subject of bad jokes and laughter. He was a gregarious teen, but as far as rats go, he was easygoing; he never bothered anyone, pilfered food only when he was starving and couldn’t help himself; loved taking care of the little rats, and even guarded the mice. Good Dad material. He loved cooking for his family but could never quite reach that Ratatouille level. He settled for Rigatoni and that became his nickname. He liked Italian food better anyway. </p><p>Rocco Rigatoni the Rat rattled on with excitement. “So you see, Ralf, all these older rats spam me with emails and brochures, and…” </p><p>Ralf, Rocco’s younger brother, wiggled his nose. “About what?” </p><p>“Well, they want me to join some such-and-such club and this-and-that organization, and trek to the annual rat convention where everyone pats themselves on the back.” </p><p>“That sounds pretty cool,” said Ralf. </p><p>“Nah, not really.” </p><p>What d’ya mean?” </p><p>“Well," said Rocco, "they all try to impress each other. Who can do this better, who can do that better? Which rats know the king rat? They cook, they play music, they sing, and they bother cats. It’s a pretty wild event. Rats show up from all over the country in the thousands for this thing!” </p><p>Ralf looked up to Rocco Rigatoni. Rocco, whom Ralf often called “Rocky”, was his hero. “Oh, it sounds like a quirky circus. But look bro, maybe we <i>should</i> go. We could go together!” </p><p>“Trust me, forget about it," said Rocco emphatically. "Way too much exercise. The climax of the whole shebang is a big race.” </p><p>“A race?” </p><p>“Yeah, like the kind you see the humans do in the Olympics and all that.” </p><p>“Well heck, we’re quick,” said Ralf. “Let’s go… we can kick some major league rat butt!” </p><p>Rocco Rigatoni put his paw near what would have been a shoulder on a human. He spoke like a loving father, even though he was close to Ralf’s age. </p><p>“Ralfo, my boy, my dear sweet, innocent Ralfo Ravioli,” said Rocco Rigatoni with slowly closing eyelids and a wry smile. “In a rat race, who the hell wants to come in first?” </p><p>Ralf smiled. “Yeah, you’re right.” </p><p>As they sprinted home, running fast and just for fun, they skidded to a stop at a piece of broken mirror lying in the walkway. “Wow, our ears keep getting bigger and bigger,” said Ralf. </p><p>Just then, a little girl, who was out jogging with her Mom, suddenly stopped. “Look at the nice bunnies,” she said.</p><p>Ralf and Rocco looked at each other with sudden surprise. “Bunnies?” </p><p>… and that’s why this is an ugly duckling story.</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/7015411
2022-07-15T00:27:24-12:00
2022-12-10T14:11:46-12:00
18 APR 2022 The Birthday of Miklòs Rosza
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/aec033fb0440415678f4474832afe14f7962503c/original/ben-hur-score-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Today is the Birthday of personal super-hero Composer,<strong> Miklós Rózsa</strong>. Many thanks to Lester Lim and his fine Musicians. This arrangement is available through ALFRED. </p>
<p>Here now is the Untold Story about this arrangement of <em><strong>‘Music from BEN HUR.’ </strong></em></p>
<p>It was Harrison High School, not sure of the year. It was either the 1980s, or maybe the early 1990s? To round out the program, I thought we needed another piece for the Christmas Concert. </p>
<p>Two weeks before the concert, I did the arrangement of <strong>‘Ben Hur.’ </strong>That’s how dependable and good the kids were. </p>
<p>We played the arrangement 2nd on the concert. The kids did a great job! </p>
<p><em>Standing ovation! </em> </p>
<p>For only the 2nd piece on the program, the outpouring doesn’t stop. </p>
<p><em><strong>Then</strong></em>, The Dad of the Timpanist, (<em>Gregg</em>), came up into the stage and hugged his son. </p>
<p><em><strong>Then</strong></em>, many <em>(if not all)</em> of the Parents followed and came up onto the stage, hugging their kids. </p>
<p>What?! </p>
<p>This was only the 2nd piece in the concert, and now, the whole event was at a standstill, a continued <em><strong>concert of hugging! </strong></em> I thought that perhaps we should just “end the concert?” The whole scene was surreal. </p>
<p>Somehow, we got everyone quieted and back to their seats. Where were the cameras <em>(iPhones were yet to be invented)</em> when you needed them!? </p>
<p>BUT you see, this was/is the Emotion and the Power in the Music of <strong>Miklós Rósza</strong>, who so perfectly captured this <em>‘Tale of the Christ.’ </em></p>
<p>I am grateful to GOD that because of beloved Miklós, and such good kids, I have such a story to share with you. </p>
<p>Enjoy & Godspeed! S </p>
<p>Here is the recent Lester Lim video of ‘Music from Ben Hur.’ </p>
<p><a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7UJs_OR8Q" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7UJs_OR8Q">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG7UJs_OR8Q</a></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6942739
2022-04-07T04:00:17-12:00
2022-04-07T04:00:17-12:00
"Viel Erfolg in Omaha Beach"
<h2><strong>9 APR 2022 <br><em>"viel Erfolg in Omaha Beach", a </em>Story about “God Bless America.” </strong></h2>
<p> </p>
<p>There are <strong>101</strong> arrangements of <strong>GOD BLESS AMERICA</strong> on a certain publisher's site. I had previously researched the potential Copyright Owners at the US Copyright Office. Composed by Irving Berlin in 1918 for… <em>ironically as you will soon read</em>… WWI, I discovered that the work was in the “Public Domain.” I was free to do the arrangement as requested by the Survivors of the Bataan Death March, the 80th anniversary of which, is today. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>But, <em>after</em> doing the arrangement, after 2 years of negotiations with the Japanese Ministry of Defense, after recording God Bless America, and after presenting the Music to the Survivors and Families of Bataan & Corregidor, I learned that the Rights to GBA had been passed through the <em>Boy Scouts of America</em>, and now, to a certain publisher. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I honored this discovery of Copyright and made whatever amends were necessary, including paying a $2500 penalty/mechanical fee for recording the Music onto the <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8 CD Set-Writings on the Wall.</strong></em> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>In addition to all of its other World-Historic gestures, <em><strong>Writings on the Wall </strong></em>was the<em> first-to-be-released</em> album by the Japanese Military outside of Japan. The Music was rendered by 143 Japanese Military Musicians and 300 Chorus traveling from Shenandoah and Old Dominion Universities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I approached the publisher. </strong> I offered the arrangement to them without any request for a royalty. I explained <em><strong>why</strong></em> and how the arrangement had been done, at the request of the ex-POWs of Bataan & Corregidor. I told them that I expected no money, that they could sell the arrangement and keep 100% of all sales, that the purpose of the arrangement was to help spread the forgotten History of these GREAT Souls! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Despite all of that, and despite the fact that there were already <strong>101 arrangements</strong>, I was <em>denied</em> permission. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now, the reason for the denial is quite petty and indeed the subject of a completely other and larger Story, namely… <em><strong>STORMWORKS</strong></em>. We shall save that Story for when I am 94 years old. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>BUT! There was an imminent obstacle! </strong> It was the Summer of 2008. We were to deliver this arrangement of <em><strong>God Bless America</strong></em> on OMAHA BEACH. I read the DENIAL letter literally HOURS before leaving for the airport! I would fly into Paris and then travel to Normandy to conduct the arrangement!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I called ahead to the Tour Director in Europe saying, <em><strong>"We cannot do God Bless America on Omaha Beach as planned! … even though the Veterans themselves LOVE this arrangement… it would be illegal.” </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>I quickly contacted my Good Friend, Thomas Rundel in Germany! <em><strong>Germany</strong></em>, you see! I said, <em><strong>“Thomas, see if you can work out a little Miracle. Say that you want to do an arrangement of God Bless America. Don’t mention may name. See if you can get permission.” </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>*** (Please Note: By writing this article, and revealing the workaround, I have undone the many future possibilities of bringing you really Great arrangements of Music that are in this publisher’s catalog.) ***</strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Forty-five minutes </strong>before leaving my house to catch the plane for France, I received <strong>THIS</strong> email from my German Publisher and Friend: <em><strong>(I still get CHILLS reading this…) </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>I will reference these Screenshots</strong></em>: </p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/7b1d2e9031e9b65a559d86933c0082e32db12373/original/gba-score-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/da9d20eb16d07aa3e9431a411e8deff62030f7ac/original/gba-score-cover-close-up.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p><p><em><strong>Thomas Rundel from STORMWORKS Germany wrote: </strong></em></p>
<p>Please use the new edition of GBA. </p>
<p>Then, I would say, it will be legal. <br>We do have the license to print and publish GBA. <br> <br>Please tell everybody, you bought the music set in <strong>Germany</strong>. <br> <br>The license includes no restriction of the performance area. <br>It only restricts the "Territory in which the Publication may be sold". <br> <br>Also, <strong>viel Erfolg in Omaha Beach. </strong><br> <br>T </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Some good souls reading this may not know what <strong>"viel Erfolg in Omaha Beach"</strong> means. It means <strong>GOOD LUCK ON OMAHA BEACH</strong>. This incredible “Healing” message was sent to me by a Good Man whose Father served in the German Army during WWII! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>(There are other ironies too, too much for one letter, like the Gifts from Bliss Alexander, a 17-year-old Trombonist who missed an opportunity to play with the Dorsey Band. Instead he was sent to fight on the D-Day invasion. For Herr Rundel, Thomas’ Father, I wrote, <strong>“IN EINEM ANDEREN LICHT</strong>.” Why? Because Bliss and Herr Rundel would have <strong>much</strong> preferred to play Music together! In Another Light, we WERE and ARE and WILL BE Brothers.) </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>So you see, the Irony is most supreme</strong>. Short-sighted American Publishers have DENIED this powerful, Veteran-Loved arrangement… yet the <em><strong>Germans</strong></em> have made it possible. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I am SO deeply humbled by the <strong>Goodness</strong> in People, which transcends every other classification. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>And now, perhaps the greatest Irony of all will be to <strong>LISTEN</strong> to my arrangement of<em><strong> God Bless America</strong></em>… done with the UTMOST Love and Respect for the ex-POW Survivors, and ALL, regardless of Nationality, who simply longed for <strong>HOME</strong>. The Japanese? Of course! They longed for Home. <em><strong>Furusato</strong></em>. The Germans? Of course,<strong> Heimat! </strong>This is why I wrote <em><strong>“Jidai”</strong></em> for that same album. <em><strong>Jidai</strong></em> means an "Era"… a <strong>NEW</strong> Era for the Brotherhood of Humanity. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>But there is more. The Story of “God Bless America” goes deeper, to the core of our innate ability to Forgive and Heal and Join with each other. </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<h2>GOD BLESS AMERICA, Part II </h2>
<p> </p>
<p>The Story of the Japanese Military playing <em><strong>God Bless America</strong></em> and the previously shared story becomes even <em><strong>more</strong></em> fascinating when one considers that there were individuals in THAT Chapters 5:8 Band whose ancestors most likely fought the Americans during WWII. I shall have to resurrect some amazing photos… like that of the ALBUM cover the Japanese Military Band had produced during the WWII years, cheering on the Tora-Tora-Tora-dressed pilots from the deck of an aircraft carrier. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Side Note:</strong> Once the Recording of <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8-Writings on the Wall,</strong></em> was finally decided, and after 2 years of translated negotiations with Colonel Junichiro Eguchi, it was not just ONE of the Japanese Military Bands that took part. Rather, there was a total of 143 Musicians taken from various military ensembles all across Japan. They wanted <em><strong>all</strong></em> of their Military Musicians to take part in this Historic event. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Tenor singer on GBA had lost his Music. I said, <em>“no problem. I have it as PDF.” </em> The Japanese, always near, always listening in on everything, waved their hands. <em>“No no… no no. We. We.” </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Side Note:</strong> I was telling the recording engineer that I wanted <strong>16 feet </strong>of space between the HORNS and the back row of brass. I was overheard. Suddenly there were several Military people measuring and marking <strong>16 feet </strong>with a tape measure. They rolled in a cart with every mallet known to man so that I could choose the timpani mallets. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>God in all things…</strong></em> The Japanese left and within minutes returned with<em><strong> the image below</strong></em>: <em>(I would not have known this even existed had the college choir member not lost his part.) </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>This was sent to Jack Aldrich, the first ex-POW from Bataan that I had met back in 1998. Jack is also the GREAT, Great, Beautiful Man that adopted me as “his Grandson” after the Premiere of <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em> in Roswell, NM, 4 April 2004.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/2e951b8b5052be9cb2a93c1b69d7381e7dfffa62/original/gba-in-japan-library.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/768bb5ebcfd4b6647bc67cc3254237bffe22e9ce/original/jack-and-slm-apr-2004.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p><p>You see, GBA was a part of <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em>… <em><strong>BECAUSE</strong></em> the Men <em>(Jack was one of them) </em><strong>asked</strong> me to incorporate it. They said, <em>“You can’t do a tribute for us without including God Bless America.” </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>WHY? </strong></em>Because the ex-POWs had friends who were beheaded by the The 1930s-40s Japanese Empire for singing, or humming, or whistling just six notes from it! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>THAT</strong> is the profound significance of this arrangement. It was done <em><strong>for</strong></em> the Men, at <em><strong>their</strong></em> request, but then to discover <strong>THAT</strong> arrangement now a permanent part the Japanese Military Bands’ Library some 60 years later… and with the stamp in Japanese? <em><strong> That was chilling. </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>I had to send it to Jack.</strong> Please use your highest levels of Compassion and SIMPATICO… Imagine being JACK and Seeing<em><strong> THAT! </strong></em> The word “irony” is insignificant and puny when measured in this new Reality. <strong>HEALING</strong> too. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope you have enjoyed this <strong>Part Two</strong> of the <strong>God Bless America</strong> Story. I share it so that you will see how God works in all things… especially in pieces that have His name in the title! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can listen to <em><strong>God Bless America</strong></em>, a part of<em><strong> Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em>, a part of <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8</strong></em> on <em><strong>STORMTracks</strong></em>. There is much much <em>much</em> to explore. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6913686
2022-03-04T04:00:54-12:00
2022-03-07T03:02:12-12:00
"Why We Teach Music" (posted after 44 years)
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/598a999c930dfe37aaeef4efa7a5fba469e4e794/original/1-why-we-teach-music-1978-cropped.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><em><strong>The following article appeared in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Journal in October of 2021.</strong></em> </p>
<p><a contents="A PDF of the actual Magazine excerpt may be downloaded here:" data-link-label="mmea-october-2021-excerpting-why-we-teach-music.pdf" data-link-type="file" href="/files/1167073/mmea-october-2021-excerpting-why-we-teach-music.pdf" style="" target="_blank">A PDF of the actual Magazine excerpt may be downloaded here:</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Dear Reader: Per the author's request, in this article we consider the devices of unorthodox capitalizations and italics as "Musical." just as a Composer would not wish for his/her Music to be published without the intended accent markings and dynamics, so too does Mr. Mellilo wish his original wording and "effects" to be honored. And so it has! <br>-Susan Gedutis Lindsay, Editor</em></p>
<p>. </p>
<h2>
<strong>Why We Teach Music</strong>… offered by Stephen Melillo </h2>
<p>Between 1977 and 1979, while enrolled as a Music Education major at the Boston Conservatory of Music, I student taught at several schools including, Cohasset High School and Foxborough High School in Massachusetts. Because it was obvious to me, I always told the students, “Music IS Mathematics. Music IS Science,” etc. To see the ontological fulfillment of this simple/complex, consistent idea, you can review the early 1980s-written <em>Teacher Curriculum Guide: Ways of Knowing. (https://stormworld.com/teaching-tools) </em></p>
<p>After much success using Music to dramatically improve math and science test scores in students, grades 2 through 6, participating principals urged that the curriculum be implemented across several New York City inner schools including the Queens, Spanish Harlem, and the Bronx. Eventually, the <em><strong>Ways of Knowing</strong></em> Curriculum subtitled <em>“MIDI-Music-Math-Science”,</em> was presented to 275 New York City Mathematics and Science Teachers for their respective immersions into Music. </p>
<p>During my first year as a Teacher, in Chester, New York, I found myself frustrated, feeling that the students had difficulty understanding why the subject of Music was so important for them and why it needed to be taught in all schools around the world. In the form of a personal letter, first hastily written in pencil and then thumb-tacked onto the band room’s corkboard, I wrote the following words to my students. Later, I typed these words onto onion-skin paper with my old Boston Conservatory <em>Royal</em> typewriter and reposted the letter. <em>(on the bandroom wall.)</em></p>
<p>Some years went by and a friend of mine copied the basic structure of the letter, slightly altering the wording. In fact, he signed his name to it. The letter was published in one of our important trade magazines. <br> <br>Before long, the letter appeared in other publications and recently, has been propagated across social media. For this reason, I am quite certain that as Teachers of Music, when you look at the document below, you will recognize having seen a similar form of the letter before. Unfortunately, at least to me, key points have been altered. Keep in mind that I was a 21-year-old, first-year Teacher at the time. Though I might word things differently today, this is the actual document as written then. You’ll no doubt observe that many variations of this once personal letter have evolved over the years. </p>
<p>In fact, on 24 January 2020, right before the pandemic, while accepting an invitation to work with the local SHS kids, I saw one such version of<em> “the letter”</em> taped to the band room door. Both of my Sons were playing in the band. After 40 years, I thought, “<em>Hmm. Now that’s ironic!” </em></p>
<p>In the band-room door version, the title itself was altered… from “WE” to “I”. <em>Whoops</em>.<em> (I have also seen many other versions, varying titles and internal changes.)</em></p>
<p>After doing a double-take, I photographed the door as sort of an interesting, ironic memento. Two days after seeing this, I was rummaging through some old three-ring binders and found this, the original document that I had typed while teaching in Chester, New York. Below, is a scan of that original letter. I thought that you, my fellow Music Educators from Massachusetts, might find it interesting that it has a Boston connection. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/598a999c930dfe37aaeef4efa7a5fba469e4e794/original/1-why-we-teach-music-1978-cropped.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The document speaks for itself. It clearly illustrates, albeit in the words of a 21-year-old, first-year Teacher, what I see as the profound essence of <em>why</em> WE teach Music. I regard the teaching of Music as a vital, necessary, and most noble profession. Evolved to this moment as a Music Educator and a professional Composer, these life-long consistent, important multidisciplinary concepts are embedded into the motivating passions and Art of the ever-expanding compositions called “Storm” works. </p>
<p>But the most powerful set of lines reside within that last paragraph. Then and now, it screams and whispers the same emotional swelling of a Beethoven-like proclamation. <strong>“BUT: So you will be HUMAN.” That word “HUMAN” in all caps, hammered into the onion paper, not some <em>subdivision</em> of Humanity… but ALL of us… HUMAN. </strong> If you read that paragraph over and over, it will fill you with every strength you need to walk into your classroom and give the kids the best you have. No need to rewrite it. Look at those words from long ago and make them constantly new with each repetition. </p>
<p>Like you, I have been in the “trenches.” I thought that it was important to share with you some thoughts about Music, ideas that I have grappled with all of my Life and face with each writing of every note as a professional Composer. This written, <em>“outward introspection”</em> may help you in your own personal grappling. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>In response to a question, here is another personal letter written to Students and Teachers in 2016. </strong></em></p>
<p>“Great Music is Timeless. Stripped of its geographical origins, stripped of its creation date in the Timeline of Human History, and... <em>(there are many soon to cringe)</em> ... stripped of its <em>vocabulary</em> and <em>style</em>, Great Music is that rare, fleeting glimpse of the Eternal which resides in all of us. Great Music is self-restrained in its quest for the One in the infinitely possible. It is therefore much more a sculpture than a thing that has been built up and pasted into a preexisting model. Yet, Great Music does something more. And so, my description of <em>Great Music must include something else. Great Music seems to speak consistently about the otherwise indefinable to the greatest number of individuals anywhere in place or Time. And this is regardless of style, or geography, or culture.</em></p>
<p>Music has little to do with the notes, the markings, or the rhythms, or the vocabulary employed. Those are merely the devices of “notation.” Rather, Music is a Time Art, the use of various sounds serving as only a necessary commodity, much like the statue of <em>David</em> is something quite more than merely marble. Sound itself can carry no more meaning than that of rest or unrest, stability, or a longing for resolve. </p>
<p>Music is <em>blood</em>. It is the Life of a Human Soul. When I listen to Bach, Beethoven, Mahler, Thad Jones, and many, many more great Souls across all spectrums and styles, or when my being resonated to Miklós Rózsa’s heart, mind, and soul, and know that he left this world just three days after I finally wrote a letter to him, I cringe in both a stinging frustration and an eternal Hope. Music is about <em>Giving</em>. Some people give us notes and rhythms and dynamic markings and typeset scores. Other people die for us. It is this magnificent difference that always startles me. </p>
<p>Not all the Music we bring to our students needs to be <em>Great</em>... it can be fun, for sure! Of course! Football games should be fun! But perhaps we can start with everything we put in front of the kids being real and honest, and from the heart. </p>
<p>We want those students in our care to listen, to create, to compose, and to express themselves musically in the great and wonder-filled Adventure only discoverable in the <em>art-science-mathematics-history-language</em> of Music. </p>
<p>And what if some of your students might be so drawn to the art of creating Music that they contemplate becoming professional Composers themselves? </p>
<p>There is only ONE reason to be a professional Composer… and that is because you have no choice. You have been called. It is a vocation, not a job or a dream. If you <em>dream</em> of being a Composer, you have already wasted too much Time. Instead of dreaming, write. </p>
<p>For example, if I had the choice, I would have designed ships, or pursued a career in Architecture. I always loved Oceanography and Physics! Oh, Astronomy! NASA! But for me, and yes, entwined in my personal Faith, I was called... and there are many times when I wish I wasn’t. <em>(Listen to Ahab on the Chapter 2 CD.) </em></p>
<p>As for the “smoother path” … that too is a temporary illusion I hope this document will dismiss. I know SO many talented people, college-aged and yes, into their 70s… all of whom did, and are doing the right things! They moved to LA, some left their current colleges and went to USC and UCLA, they wrote free pieces for people, etc. When they dedicated their lives to this monk-like pursuit some 30-40 years ago, the world around them continued to change. </p>
<p>I think subscribing to ASCAP newsletters and simply following all that is happening with the law and copyright and streaming and YouTube, and so much more will be an eye-opener. Can you still succeed in this massively specific, <em>rules-of-its-own </em>world? Yes, but there is much to study. Go in with eyes wide open. </p>
<p>Dear genuine, well-intentioned, dedicated, and authentically-hearted student of Music, let me tell you what I tell my <em>own</em> 15-year-old multi-talented kid who teaches himself to play a new instrument in a matter of days, a Son that would have been an ultimate dream student during my 17 years in the public schools, with skills like <em>August Rush</em>, and superb, potentially hard-wired skills and sensitivities. Since I’m telling my <em>own</em> child this, perhaps you too can accept the sincerity with which I offer these same “tough love” thoughts to you. </p>
<p>When I see great Musical talent within my children… I talk about aeronautics, bridge building, orthopedics.<em> (as of this date, my now 20-year-old Son is studying Naval Architecture at Virginia Tech.)</em> But if they MUST dedicate their lives to the Priesthood of Composing Music… then there is nothing I can do. I did my best to warn them. </p>
<p>It is often said, <em>“Find your passion and then make that your living.”</em> I would rather say, <em>“Find a great living, and make that your passion!”</em> Life is short. Only write Music as your Living/Dying if you cannot Live or be Human without it. There are many, many other valuable and fun adventures to undertake! </p>
<p>I hope this helps!” </p>
<p>In closing, here is one more personal letter. </p>
<p>Dear Teachers of Music, </p>
<p>Your mission is noble and profound. You must deal with all the elements of Music, perhaps like the only true <em>Renaissance</em> person in the building, while selling candy for fund-raisers, but take strength. You are not alone. Gone before you are the great Teachers that have inspired you. Some of those Teachers were Composers, like Bach and Beethoven and Gershwin and Quincy Jones and Duke Ellington and on and on. Some were great players and/or Conductors. You get the idea. We are only superficially beholden to the administrators. Our greatest honor, privilege, and responsibility is to boldly carry and bravely, full-heartedly pass the 'Sword Excalibur’ of Music to the next generations. We are not alone in this Purpose. There is an “US”. <em><strong>WE</strong></em> teach Music. </p>
<p>I wish you the best in your noble efforts as a Teacher of Music! </p>
<p>Godspeed! Steve </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo <br>Composer </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/f3dfb265317d19bcb64f9c9d659c40deb9578900/original/slm-head-shot-soft-3-may-2020.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Composer Stephen Melillo started his music education career at the Boston Conservatory of Music and taught in schools in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York State. He is now most known as a prolific, award-winning composer. Stephen’s more than 1,290 works include 4 Symphonies, several Concerti, and over 42-hours of Music for Ensembles of the 3rd Millennium™. Stephen’s <em>Symphony IIII: Lightfa</em>ll, was nominated for the <em>Pulitzer</em> and <em>Nemmers</em> Prize in Music. Winner of three 2009 <em>Telly & Ava Awards</em> for his 2005 Visualized Concert, <em>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</em>, Stephen’s concert-version of that work was also nominated for the <em>Pulitzer</em> Prize in Music. A fourth <em>Telly Award </em>was given for “Best Use of Music” in the 2019 feature film, <em>One Little Finger </em>produced by Rupam Sarmah. A fifth <em>Telly Award</em> and a<em> Best Music Award</em> included Stephen’s work on the 2019 <em>Reckoning of Darkness</em>, directed by Christopher Kulikowski. Stephen’s 15 feature film scores include the Oscar-nominated <em>12:01 PM</em> and the Jonathan Heap horror thriller, <em>The Unwilling.</em> </p>
<p>Stephen has been a recipient of the ASCAP Concert Awards each year since 1992. STORMWORKS, Stephen’s pioneering, self-publishing entity, has gone from 0 to many thousands of worldwide renderings since 1992 simply by word-of-mouth. He has 42 albums and 9 books on varied streaming services. His novels include, <em>Only for Now</em>, <em>Ahab, a Love Story</em>, the prequel to Melville’s <em>Moby Dick</em>, and most recently the sequel, <em>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story. </em></p>
<p>Now a resident of Virginia, Stephen continues to be a staunch advocate of Music Education.</p>
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<p><br><br><br> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6891725
2022-02-10T00:30:00-12:00
2022-02-10T00:40:01-12:00
10 Feb 2022, The Birthday of Jerry Goldsmith
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/7885615498bc94c4e61cc21253bff248e990498e/original/stormquest-poster-2022-for-jerry-goldsmith.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>10 Feb 2020 <br>The Birthday of Jerry Goldsmith </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>“If you have a Man riding a horse, don’t score the hooves, score the mind of the man.” </strong></em> Jerry Goldsmith </p>
<p>It is IMPOSSIBLE to properly find words to express how much I LOVE Jerry. He’s in the “Storm” Music to be sure. </p>
<p>On 10 Feb 1997, I composed <em><strong>‘The Search for Truefire,’ </strong></em> Chapter 3 from <em><strong>STORMQuest</strong></em>. Originally, I had arranged Music from Jerry Goldsmith’s <em><strong>‘First Knight.’ </strong></em>When the arrangement was rejected by publishers, thus depriving kids of great Music, I decided to make a new composition aligned to <em><strong>‘First Knight,’ </strong></em>sort of in the Sammy Nestico/big band writers’ approach. </p>
<p>There’s more than one way to stop the guy who’s trying to skin the cat! Adding my own fanfare material from the 1994-composed, <em><strong>‘DAVID,’ </strong></em>I wrote <em><strong>‘The Search for Truefire.’ </strong></em></p>
<p>It was indeed a Message to kids. The title simply suggests that there is a “Search” for Truth, be it in Music, rejected or otherwise, be it in anything. I know that all of you can relate! </p>
<p>Happy 93rd Birthday in Heaven, Jerry Goldsmith! I have loved you since I was 12. Please accept my humble scribblings. </p>
<p>Enjoy & Godspeed! S </p>
<p><em><strong>‘The Search for Truefire.’ </strong></em>from CDBaby on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/IUjCU9Cwe58 </p>
<p>You can see my ‘far-less-than-he-deserves’ dedication to Jerry Goldsmith in the Score Notes, listen to the track, and investigate <em><strong>“The Search for Truefire,” Chapter 3 from STORMQuest,</strong></em> a series for young bands here: </p>
<p>https://stormworld.com/stormquest (Scroll until you see Chapter 3)</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6891718
2022-02-08T01:29:47-12:00
2022-02-08T01:29:48-12:00
8 Feb 2022, The Birthday of John Williams
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/62868b24b50d2af068c9bee892a17a771a53d7cf/original/8-feb-2022-john-williams-and-stormquest.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>8 FEB 2022 <br>The 90th Birthday of John Williams <br>Happy Birthday to a Great Man! </strong></p>
<p>After school on 15 September of 1965, fellow 3rd graders and I were rolling down the hills in Abendroth Park, excited about the Black & White premiere of <em><strong>LOST in SPACE! </strong></em></p>
<p>Will Robinson, our adventurer soulmate and the Robot! Wow! But the chill factor? This was the first time that I loved the Music from a TV show so much, that I looked for the Composer… <strong>“Johnny Williams.” </strong></p>
<p>In the next September, of 1966, came <em><strong>‘The Time Tunnel’</strong></em>, where “Johnny” did 1 episode. I LOVED History that 4th grade year with Mrs. Santoro, one of my favorite Teachers! </p>
<p>Then in 1968, came <em><strong>‘Land of the Giants’</strong></em>, another favorite show for which John Williams again composed an episode as 1 of 9 composers on the project. By the early 1970s, I was going to the movie theater and taking note of Composers who wrote the Music… like <em><strong>‘The Cowboys’</strong></em> in 1971 and <em><strong>‘The Poseidon Adventure’ </strong></em>in 72. Ah! John Williams! Yes! Then he would take us to<em><strong> ‘Star Wars’ </strong></em>and<em><strong> ‘Superman’ </strong></em>and <em><strong>‘Jaws’</strong></em>, and on and on. </p>
<p>Those filmmakers OWE John Williams their careers! </p>
<p>Yet! Despite ALL of John Williams’ recognition around the world, I still believe him to be underrated! <em>(That’s one for discussion over pizza.) </em> His contributions in literally changing the world are immense. </p>
<p>On 8 Feb 1997, then the 65th birthday of John Williams, I composed<em><strong> FORBIDDEN FORTRESS</strong></em> as a tribute. The title comes from the Akira Kurosawa film, <em><strong>“Hidden Fortress,” </strong></em>which was the inspiration for George Lucas’ <em><strong>“Star Wars.” </strong></em></p>
<p>Here is an excerpt from the Score Notes: </p>
<p>“<strong>8 February 1997 <br>3:33 pm... excerpt from Personal Log </strong></p>
<p>Today is John Williams' 65th birthday. I cannot tell you the number of people who have consciously and unknowingly been affected and influenced by this man... 20 years ago!... in a galaxy far, far away. </p>
<p>There is so much to tell about John Williams. I remember sitting in the pit at one of our Summer Youth Festival Musical rehearsals. Don't remember the play. No… it was WEST SIDE STORY!!! For those who have followed my fairy tale... well, you know! </p>
<p>Anyway, the tech guys were playing a new soundtrack over the auditorium system. It was the music from STAR WARS. A bunch of us who were there early to warm-up, sat in utter amazement. </p>
<p>Then, I was in NYC with a friend of mine... John Connely. We saw the marquee: STAR WARS. "Hey, let's go see this kids' movie," I said. "The music is really good." </p>
<p>Our first glimpse of STAR WARS happened at a ripe time in my life, and we saw it in just the right place... The Loew's Astor Plaza. The screen was huge... 4 stories high! The sound system was gigantic! We sat in the 4th row... I'll never forget... and I've been sitting in the 4th row ever since... ever since. </p>
<p>It was 12 noon when John and I went in and it was past midnight when we came out! We watched every showing! All in all, I paid 43 times to see STAR WARS and I have no idea about how many times I have watched it on television or video. Soon, I will pay to see it for my 44th time! </p>
<p>A major, major force in this movie was the Music. In fact, without John Williams' score, producers felt they had made a "flop" movie! </p>
<p>Like Erich Korngold, John Williams had reawakened Hollywood to the huge, Straussian Orchestral Film Score. So many people have continued in the practice which he, John Williams reinitiated. He is much like Korngold to me... honest and sincere and good. </p>
<p>This new "awakening" goes on today, and I'm sure a whole new generation will be affected by this wonderful... and I hardly ever use that word... Movie/Music. I mean WONDER and FULL. </p>
<p>I was in Boston, during my last year at Boston Conservatory when John Williams appeared as the conductor of the Boston Pops. No one at the conservatory knew who he was... do you believe it!? Just me. You see, I was deeply interested in the man who wrote the Music to the film that became a part of our culture. </p>
<p>I wish the timing worked out differently, but he came to Boston. I left. </p>
<p>I was just the right age... as Toshiko Akiyoshi points out... to be influenced and "impressed" by the <br>startling and unabashedly huge Music of John Williams! </p>
<p>And so, I would like to dedicate this chapter, FORBIDDEN FORTRESS to John Williams. You see, interestingly enough, it was the Akira Kurasawa film, HIDDEN FORTRESS that inspired STAR WARS! So you see, there are many circles of connection. </p>
<p>Music is deeply personal to me. Thank you for sharing in the special beauty of Music. Thank you for sharing this Music, humbly conceived, with your kids. You have given your life to a great and noble purpose... that of Music and the sharing of Music, as a Teacher. I honour you. Thanks and Godspeed! S” </p>
<p>‘Forbidden Fortress’ from CDCBaby on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i_D7LhHRPXA </p>
<p>‘Forbidden Fortress’, Chapter 6 from STORMQuest for Conductors here: https://stormworld.com/stormquest<br><br>Enjoy & Godspeed! S</p>
<p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068988
2021-12-10T02:03:04-12:00
2021-12-10T02:03:04-12:00
SANTA's Dream and Santa-Corrected Letter!
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<div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><div class="video responsive"><div class="video-container"><iframe class="wrapped wrapped" frameborder="0" height="215" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t7v9I0D0wJk" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320"></iframe></div></div></div></div>
<p><br>December 2021</p>
<p>from a letter edited by <strong><em>Santa Claus</em></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>SET UP:</strong><br><br>On 1 December of 2009, after a return from Todd-AO in Los Angeles and the film-mix session for <strong><em>“Dwegons & Leprechauns,” </em></strong>I had a dream in which I was visited by Santa Claus! He asked me to write a letter about him, his work, and his life. I was asked to share the letter with my kids on Christmas Day, and really any kid across Space and Time who wanted to hear Santa’s message. <br><br>Determined to finally “capture” Santa on film, I set up a camera with a motion-detector attached to the shutter on 24 December 2007. <br><br>The rare images captured became a part of the set-up film above and more importantly, a part of <em><strong>Santa’s</strong> </em>“corrected” letter! You see, <em><strong>Santa himself</strong></em>, obviously a stickler for accuracy, came into the house that Christmas of 2009, got into my computer and made “corrections” to the Dream letter of 1 December! Talk about “stealth?”<br><br>Santa’s edited letter is below. Feel free to share it with Children of any age! Godspeed! S<br> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/cecb0c9694531aeba3ac6d30e79404ff82cdfd80/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-01.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NzAweDkwNiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="906" width="700" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/5c66994685a8d43f738145cc1e2bbe22f7c8bab5/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-02.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjgweDg1MCJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="850" width="680" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/973fd6439f97700b00ba12510669f9c49f45c7af/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-03.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njc3eDg1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="855" width="677" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/202589c18234cd631b5e5fca576e63e2bda2b09e/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-04.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njg3eDkyMiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="922" width="687" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/1343bb881358191a04233fa88a10dfdfa6b8f93b/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-05.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njc2eDEwMzIiXQ%3D%3D.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="1032" width="676" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/00090c8d9a5bdac8f60d30c0eca92dc927af46a4/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-06.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjgweDg1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="855" width="680" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/024f49ffc6c8619dc20cc26c08650533eeb5cb34/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-07.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjgweDczOCJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="738" width="680" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/481032e71b0b47f276c3fd202c7400b072e3c628/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-08.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njc5eDU4MSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="581" width="679" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/c0e656d10cb638ac17faf6b930ceec8a2f84e0a5/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-09.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjcxeDg1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="855" width="671" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/fb196f865d1d08ea92c071b0fcb45b499338c9e2/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-10.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njc3eDg1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="855" width="677" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/d08420278a98a6eac0a8fde7a4c1b6e80a672965/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-11.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjY4eDg1NSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="855" width="668" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/78fc62d5105540edacdefd09a0b1418323e90bee/original/letter-from-santa-25-dec-09-page-13.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjY4eDg0OCJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="848" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="668" /></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6777685
2021-10-18T00:51:14-12:00
2021-10-18T01:06:21-12:00
A "STORMWORKS Story!"
<p><strong>“It’s a STORMWORKS Story™” </strong></p>
<p>A Pictorial Essay in the Miracle of Life!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>16 OCT 2021 </strong></p>
<p>This evening I received this screenshot from Petra Buchmann, Musician in <em>Stadtkapelle Wangen</em> conducted by Tobias Zinser, the ensemble that will deliver the premiere of <strong><em>The Concerto for Tuba, "The Strong Soul"</em></strong><em>,</em> rendered by <strong>Andreas Martin Hofmeir </strong>on 22 October 2021.<em> (Petra is also the ultimate PAD Bass player and played on the “Dwegons & Leprechaun” Scoring Session in Sofia, Bulgaria.) </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 1: (Exhibit A!!!) </strong></p>
<p>Petra sent this iPhone photo from her stand. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/2c8db3c9b47baef4cb3f275b97a22aa3651ae67a/original/1-15-oct-2021.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The moth was a bit dark, but looked strangely familiar. Here is what Petra didn’t know. </p>
<p>Fifteen (15) years ago, in October of 2006, I ventured to Austria for the premiere of <em><strong>LAST WORLD STANDING, the Heroes of Peace</strong></em>. Gerhard Reischel and I went ‘underneath’ the Brucknerhaus, there to see: </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 2: </strong></p>
<p>The crypt of Anton Bruckner. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/abbfa24e3b4253599b8c9b9b2fc8905484cdabbd/original/2-18-20-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>And PHOTO 3</strong>: </p>
<p>These are the Skulls of Priests that surrounded the crypt of Bruckner. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/e8f276d1bde2c537e686a85b4f0d61082f865229/original/3-18-20-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 4: </strong></p>
<p>This is Gerhard Reischel, <em>(aka The Good Doktor!).</em> On this trip, he kept referring to me as “Bruckner”. During the recordings of Chapter 21, he would look at me and lip, <em><strong>"Brrrook-nuh."</strong></em></p>
<p>Of special SYNC-note is that his DAD was a POW of the Americans in WWII. The piece we were about to premiere contained GRAPHIC images of Concentration Camps. The Audience would be filled with people whose parents and grandparents were literally on BOTH sides of the war, and who still lived near to those camp-sites. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/c75d92b4e9f24a355a63d3aa2eaf68e18ffb7dad/original/4-18-20-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 5: </strong></p>
<p>Here is photo on <strong>20 October 2006</strong> of <em><strong>Sinfonisches Blasorchester Ried</strong></em> in rehearsal with Karl Geroldinger. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/6369f701f261bedd19dbfee147a87326dcdde41f/original/5-18-20-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 6: </strong></p>
<p>Another photo of the rehearsal. This is the same ensemble that won a worldwide competition playing the piece, <strong>“MUSASHI,” </strong>also in 2006. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/29bea7e7cd1a29b2b74d18223e3698534991ec8c/original/6-18-20-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 7: </strong></p>
<p>At the hotel, I was in Room <strong>33</strong>. Not surprising. I think if I <em><strong>stopped</strong></em> seeing all of these <strong>33s</strong> and <strong>333s</strong>, <em><strong>THAT</strong></em> is when I’d be surprised! One day, I’ll write the<strong> "333 Novel" </strong>and perhaps fully explain the significance of these numbers in all of the “Storm” works! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/9feb3d2126acfd4e6c4860afb451718b1b31812d/original/7-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 8: </strong></p>
<p>In my room, suddenly, a moth appeared on the curtain. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/2fe691766c6cafaec7277757644ca25bfeb132a4/original/8-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 9: </strong></p>
<p>What an interesting creation! Well, I don’t know about you, but I instantly saw the <strong>SKULLS</strong> in the wings, or perhaps the ‘death-mask’ of Bruckner! </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/98f5f1c0c98b8f107c50200fd3a9e9ba6eb61fb4/original/9-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 10: </strong></p>
<p>The Moth flies to Freedom! <em>(Yes, a crazy shot with a low-res camera!) </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/23a162b1cf3b1e4a70a45800587aa6581167f169/original/10-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 11: </strong></p>
<p>Now Comes the Concert. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/ada6c7f88fb3d3541b005cb12649f543f43c1d70/original/11-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 12: </strong></p>
<p>In the first part of the Concert, they played these pieces: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/61334a91c813f4f6c544016f93a4d6cdd1caa0a3/original/12-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 13: </strong></p>
<p>And then, in the 2nd part, the 33-minute <strong>LAST WORLD STANDING</strong>: <em>(This piece alone, is yet <strong>ANOTHER</strong> large <strong>STORMWORKS Story™! </strong>You must investigate it one day!) </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3b8c57e97d1964808251b4e1fddb4decb32fecfc/original/13-21-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 14: </strong></p>
<p>Getting ready for the premiere that night, on<strong> 22 October 2006. </strong>A Percussionist is controlling the flow of Photos. I call this <strong>PHOTORhythm™</strong>. It was a new, innovative, ground-breaking technique “premiered” with the Music that night in 2006. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3578f0936f2c85007c0a2f9ccec85539ca6c867e/original/14-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 15: </strong></p>
<p>Another photograph of the stage at <em>The Brucknerhaus. </em></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/833d87b841f86521c1548830f5719fbf71eb9ac7/original/15-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 16: </strong></p>
<p>Taken during the concert, which involved, Actors, Singers, Dancers, Storytellers, Films and Slides. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/d312346914e2173b379b286e049dc7bd16f104de/original/16-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 17: </strong></p>
<p>At the conclusion of this 33-minute work, and from an audience Karl warned me,<em><strong> “would be very Austrian and reserved,”</strong></em> came an <strong>18-minute</strong> Standing Ovation. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/8ccffd4c1a4fd7c6da90012e43f9bfdded465180/original/17-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 18: </strong></p>
<p>Yes, 11 September 2001 was a part of this work. Via video projection, my then 5-year-old Son, born on 11 September 2001, was a part of them Austrian Premiere. He introduced the work, and was then followed by an Austrian counterpart!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/0990feef97c8a3719e10386b67535b5198c18670/original/18-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 19: </strong></p>
<p>This photo was snapped at <strong>random</strong> as literally <strong>1000</strong> photos streamed by in <em><strong>PHOTORhytm™: </strong></em></p>
<p>Here is the SYNC. <strong> LAST WORLD STANDING </strong>is the <strong><em>Sequel</em></strong> to<strong> “Kakehashi: That We Might Live,”</strong> a 70-minute work inspired by and dedicated to the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor during WWII in the Pacific. This work was recorded by 143 World-Class Japanese Military Musicians in 2005 for the <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8 Album: WRITINGS on the WALL.</strong></em> The photo snapped here is <em><strong>from</strong></em> The Bataan Death March. </p>
<p>Remember that Gerhard’s Dad was a POW of the Americans. Remember too, that what inspired me to compose <em><strong>both</strong></em> <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em> and <em><strong>Last World Standing</strong></em> were the ex-POWs. We had Breakfast every first Wednesday of the month for over 10 years… at a place called <strong>“Bunny’s.” </strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/d50cba9c75be9eefd5cd3c062aff40ce59d4190a/original/19-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 20: </strong></p>
<p>And what were the odds of seeing <strong>THIS</strong> restaurant that same night!? In Austria? Strange? Weird? Miraculous? SYNC!</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/df7e4fd073da781ac0deea68a41ebbc39fdf464d/original/20-22-oct-2006.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 21: </strong></p>
<p>But now let’s come full circle, back to Petra’s Photo from the Rehearsal of <strong>“The Concerto for Tuba, the Strong Soul” </strong>which will premiere 22-23 October 2021, exactly 15 years to the day on which <strong>LAST WORLD STANDING</strong> premiered in <em>The Brucknerhaus</em> in Linz, Austria. </p>
<p><em><strong>AND</strong></em>, keep in mind that the concerto was <strong>SUPPOSED</strong> to premiered <em><strong>last</strong></em> year, but was postponed to this new date because of the pandemic. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/5d0ee26c44205628738ed0aa9abd221de88da6d5/original/21-15-oct-2015.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>PHOTO 21: </strong></p>
<p>Let’s ZOOM in on that moth and lighten it up a bit: </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3aea34e9af851db2efe93e1653f8069183d5048c/original/22-15-oct-2012.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can see that this <em><strong>IS</strong></em> <em>“The Bruckner Moth.” </em></p>
<p>So, what do you think, a bunch of mere coincidences, lining up perfectly with Premieres and Purposes and Photos and Pandemics and Restaurants and Dates and Novels and Numbers and Rehearsals and Moths and <em><strong>WINGED CREATURES? </strong>(See the cover of The Concert for Tuba!! Chapter 89)</em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/c98365f1402c0b4570df233fe376826837215373/original/co-certo-for-tuba-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Or is something else going on? </strong></em> Something Profound, Spiritual, God-given? <em><strong>SOMETHING TO BE SHARED!? </strong></em>Welcome to <strong>STORMWORKS</strong>, of which <strong>THIS is but <u><em>ONE</em></u> Story! </strong></p>
<p>There are <strong>many</strong>… and if indeed you would like to read about the most <strong>AMAZING</strong> layers of “coincidence,” please find and read, <em><strong>DEATH to MOBY DICK, a Love Story. </strong></em> The History is completely real, and <em><strong>yet</strong></em>, the Story discusses all of the things going on RIGHT NOW in our world, and to such a degree that you would have to conclude it was written <em><strong>AFTER</strong></em> the pandemic… but no, it was all written 1 year <em><strong>before</strong></em> the pandemic, in time for the 250th anniversary of Beethoven. </p>
<p>Enjoy the Photos and the Story and the <em><strong>Wonder</strong></em> of it all & Godspeed! S</p>
<p> </p>
<p>PS: Petra later sent a higher-rez version of the original photo, thus verifying… Yep, It’s the <em><strong>Bruckner Moth!</strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/e94e1279630606a9fe0f63df6e3ae1bf2cce67f1/original/15-oct-2021-from-petra-hi-rez.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have a Great Premiere of <em><strong>The Concerto for Tuba, "The Strong Soul!"</strong></em></p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6774953
2021-10-13T08:16:29-12:00
2021-10-13T08:16:29-12:00
On the premiere of “AT DAWN ~ YOAKE ~ A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity.”
<p><em><strong>Soil from Mount Fuji</strong></em><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/a8c69da9e11e1878839d5bbdf9d4410f4cc77a01/original/soil-from-mount-fuji-reduced.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>To Jun Sato-san, to the fine Student Musicians of The Asahikawa Commercial High School Band, and to the premiere audiences of <em><strong>“AT DAWN ~ YOAKE ~ A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity.” </strong></em></p>
<p>During the pandemic, I composed over 295 minutes of new Music for various ensembles. All of these works are connected, one interlaced expression, one eternal Message. One of the first works from the pandemic-time was the piece you will hear tonight, <em><strong>AT DAWN ~ YOAKE ~ A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>To provide some context, please allow this sharing. </strong></em> In 2005, three American friends, with 300 Chorus members from 2 American Universities joined me in Japan. We recorded <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8, Writings on the Wall</strong></em>. This was my first trip to The Land of the Rising Sun. Our combined efforts on the 2-CD album, with 143 world-class Japanese Military Musicians, was World-History making! But beyond even that, the experience of making the Music was also something Beautiful and Healing and Giving and everything we always hope Music will serve and be and accomplish. </p>
<p>Even when written in the solemnity and isolation of Prayer, we, what Beethoven would call The Brotherhood of Man, write Music as a Message to ourselves. We proclaim with each scribbling and utterance that we are Brothers and Sisters, alive together in this Moment to lift each other up. After writing the pieces, <strong><em>“Furusato”</em> </strong>and <em><strong>“Musashi”</strong></em>, my Japanese friends took me to the gravesite of the 47 Ronin. There I wept and prayed. In all of these many powerful experiences, I grew to love the people of Japan. I am honored to have such Friends across Time and Space. </p>
<p>This is why, precisely 1 year ago in this very month, I was delighted and excited to hear from Jun Sato-san. He presented an opportunity to write another Gift for the People of Japan and the World. </p>
<p>Jun wanted a single “piece”, but without realizing it, he set into motion not only tonight’s premiere, but the premieres of the following pieces as well. These interconnected works will all be recorded as part of <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 89: Worlds Within the World. </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The titles will give you a sense of the larger Message! </p>
<p> <strong> At Dawn, YOAKE, A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity </strong></p>
<p> <strong> The Souls of Heaven </strong></p>
<p><strong> The Concerto for Tuba & Wind Ensemble</strong> <em>(The Strong Soul, This Too Has Passed, Sorrows & Victory) </em></p>
<p><strong> The New Beginning! </strong><em>(Nothing but Time, Written in Stars, Fugue State, In the Throes of Eternal Hope, The New Beginning) </em></p>
<p> <strong> In Your Eyes I See the World </strong></p>
<p><strong> Ours are the Hours </strong></p>
<p><strong> Scherzo </strong></p>
<p><strong> Im Himmel höre ich nun</strong> <em>(I Shall Hear in Heaven, The End of All Storms, I Hear Now in Heaven)</em> composed for the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven… who said, “<strong>All Men shall be Brothers.” </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Seven</strong></em> <em>of these world premieres were postponed because of the pandemic. Tonight, you are hearing the premiere of the piece which came first… and then inspired and brought forth the rest! </em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>This is from a letter written by Conductor, Jun Sato-san: </strong></em></p>
<p>“Challenge to a hopeful future.” “Peaceful days, beautiful scenery, interrupted by the looming fear of Corona, the sudden confusion, the closed world, the anxiety about the future, the hearts of the people who go by. However, human beings have overcome all the difficulties so far. Eventually, “the dawn of a new earth”, a peaceful earth, the Victory of human beings.” </p>
<p><strong>Yes! Hai! The VICTORY of HUMAN BEINGS! </strong></p>
<p>As you can see, Sato-san perfectly describes a “<em><strong>Storm” work,</strong></em> Music dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man and the proposition that <em><strong>after</strong></em> the Storm, comes Victory and the triumph of Light! </p>
<p><strong>Miyamoto Musashi</strong> said, <em>“There is nothing outside of yourself that can enable you to get better, stronger, richer, quicker, or smarter. Everything is within. Everything exists. Seek nothing outside of yourself.” </em></p>
<p>To the fine Musicians of Asahikawa Commercial High School, from Hokkaido, Japan, in celebration of their 100th year, Ganbaro. Domo domo arigatogozaimassu. The inspiration for this piece came from the <strong>kids</strong> themselves. </p>
<p>Many thanks to Otomodachi, Jun Sato-san, a wonderful Conductor and Sensei-Teacher who has offered a Lifetime for his student Musicians. This piece is about him as well. As he retires, like Musashi, he looks back at his Life. His American friend, through Music, asks him to see in himself, the great “Warrior-Poet-Scholar-Artist” this work honors. </p>
<p>And to the Audiences who listen. Musashi tells us that, “everything is within.” This Victory of the Human Spirit is within each of us and ALL of us as Brothers and Sisters. May this Music serve as an Inspiration for you, a soundtrack to serve you when facing your daily challenges and overcoming them. Across all Time and Space, and despite the circumstances and forces that seek to divide us, we are all Brothers. </p>
<p>Ganbarimassu, Shimijimito & Godspeed! <br>Steve-san! <br>Stephen Melillo, Composer </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>At Dawn <br>~ Yoake ~ <br>A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity <br>#1237 in 8:11 for Wind & Percussion Ensemble of the 3rd Millennium™ <br>by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 31 October 2020 <br>2nd & 3rd Millennium, STORMWORKS, ASCAP <br>Commissioned & World Premiered by <br>The Asahikawa Commercial High School Band <br>Hokkaido, Japan <br>Jun Sato, Conductor </strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/daa247f6e9c4b940745e016f2351787d1bc05eb5/original/at-dawn-cover.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6774309
2021-10-12T20:34:38-12:00
2021-10-13T08:01:05-12:00
On the Premiere of the Concerto for Tuba, “The Strong Soul”
<p> </p>
<p>October 2021<br><strong>On the Premiere of the Concerto for Tuba, “The Strong Soul” </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Dear Andreas, Thomas, Tobias, Musicians of Stadtkapelle Wangen, and tonight’s Audience, </p>
<p>During the pandemic, I composed over 295 minutes of new Music for various ensembles. All of these works are connected, one interlaced expression, one eternal Message. One of the first compositions from the pandemic-time was the piece you will hear tonight, <em><strong>The Concerto for Tuba & Wind Ensemble, in 3 movements. </strong></em></p>
<p>The following is a list of interconnected works, the titles of which, will give you a sense of the larger Message! These pieces will be recorded, most likely in Germany, as part of <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 89: Worlds Within the World. </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong> </strong></em></p>
<p><strong> At Dawn, A New Challenge for the Future of Humanity </strong></p>
<p><strong> The Souls of Heaven </strong></p>
<p><strong> The New Beginning!</strong> <em>(Nothing but Time, Written in Stars, Fugue State, In the Throes of Eternal Hope, The New Beginning) </em></p>
<p> <strong> In Your Eyes I See the World </strong></p>
<p><strong> Ours are the Hours </strong></p>
<p><strong> Scherzo </strong></p>
<p><strong> Im Himmel höre ich nun</strong> <em>(I Shall Hear in Heaven, The End of All Storms, I Hear Now in Heaven) </em>composed for the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven… who said, “All Men shall be Brothers.” </p>
<p><strong> The Concerto for Tuba & Wind Ensemble</strong> <em>(The Strong Soul, This Too Has Passed, Sorrows & Victory)</em> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Seven</strong> of these world premieres were postponed because of the pandemic. On this night, you are hearing the first premiere since the postponement of the seven. </em></p>
<p><em><strong>To provide some context, please allow this sharing</strong></em>. Even when written in the solemnity and isolation of Prayer, we, what Beethoven would call The Brotherhood of Man, write Music as a Message to ourselves. We proclaim with each scribbling and utterance that we are Brothers and Sisters, alive together in this Moment to lift each other up. </p>
<p>In my many trips to Germany over the years, I came to respect, admire and love the German people. I am blessed to have such Friends across Time and Space. </p>
<p>I am deeply honored that the finest Tuba player in the world, <strong>Andreas Martin Hofmeir</strong>, will render this Concerto. That a Musician such as he will play this Music, is humbling and exciting! I’m sure he will tell a wonderful Story tonight. </p>
<p>I am profoundly grateful to Tobias Zinser and Thomas Rundel, who asked me to compose this Music. I admire them greatly. They have allowed me an opportunity to share Music across the world. For this Gratitude, there are no words, only the Music. </p>
<p>I clasp my hands in prayerful thanks for the fine student-Musicians of Stadtkapelle Wangen. What a great honor to be a simple kid from Port Chester, New York, who speaks only one verbal language, and have his True Language rendered by such beautiful, good people. I appreciate you. Thank you so much. </p>
<p>And, dear audience, thank you beyond any words, for lending your hearts and minds to the Story told and shared this night as Music. As Goethe said, <em><strong>“So divinely is the world organized that every one of us, in our place and time, is in balance with everything else.” </strong></em> As we are all here together this night, even with your Friend from across the sea, let us find something wonderful in our Time together. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>Here are some guiding messages from the Score Notes: </em></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Concerto for Tuba & Wind Ensemble <br>“The Strong Soul” <br>#1209 in 17:33 <br>for Tuba & Wind Ensemble of the 3rd Millennium™ <br>by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 11 September 2019, 2-3 Millennium, ASCAP </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>Commissioned by <br>Tobias Zinser & Thomas Rundel </strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>In Dedication to <br>Andreas Martin Hofmeir <br>and All the Tuba Players Around the World </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>1. The Strong Soul, Allegro Intenso </strong></p>
<p>“We are thrust into Hell.” </p>
<p>Rather than write a Novel on what this could mean, suffice it to say that often times, we are put into situations that we did not choose. It is from within these challenging circumstances that the Strong Soul finds itself, there to rise, through struggle and dark opposition, to the final Victory of the Brotherhood of Man. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2. This Too Has Passed, Lento con dolore </strong></p>
<p>It is said, “This too shall pass.” Rather, This too has already passed. As expressed in<em><strong> STORMWORKS Chapter 3</strong></em>, “We await the Past while remembering the Future.” In the Timestorm of our thoughts, we project ourselves beyond all moments and “look back” upon a Lifetime to any Moment, past, present, or ahead. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>3. Sorrows & Victory, Lento, Allegro molto </strong></p>
<p>In Surrender, we arise, able to create a Monument to the Spirit of God and Man. </p>
<p>It is said that Angels look out for us. Indeed. As it was suggested within <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 3, “The Speech of Angels,”</strong></em> there are great battles fought in the Heavens! However, looking at the photo on the score cover, we see that the small Angel is youthfully unaware of the Darkness in our world. This is why the 3rd movement begins innocently, almost naively, as if from a different Time. </p>
<p>On earth, the young Angel is protected by one of our own winged creatures! Ransacked by Life, the Song Sparrow says, “Than<em><strong>ks for the battle you guys fight for us in Heaven. As for here, in this domain? Well, we’ve got your back.” </strong></em></p>
<p>Technical discussions of form, Fibonacci, orchestration, and the physical/intellectual matters of Music aside, that is the summation of the <em><strong>Concerto for Tuba. “We, the Strong Souls, got your back… and we got each other.” </strong></em></p>
<p>God has us in His palm. But! In our often struggled climb to Victory, so too, do we have Him in ours. </p>
<p>Godspeed! </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo <br>Composer</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6753917
2021-09-22T01:28:05-12:00
2021-09-22T04:30:28-12:00
"Early Morning Thoughts Listening to Mahler's 10th" (The Mahler 10th Story: )
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/000b17196d1ee10f123ba95c4b1c4bcbee00ddea/original/mahler.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><strong>22 SEP 2021 <br>46 Years Ago… </strong></p>
<p>Recently, I was interviewed by John Smistad of <em>Mythaxis Magazine</em>. He asked, “What made you pursue Music?” I related a Story, but never got to the “punch line.” Here now, is the Story of Mahler and an excerpt from his 10th Symphony going back to 1975. <em><strong>"Early Morning Thoughts Listening to Mahler's 10th".</strong></em></p>
<p>In 2005, I was on a plane going to Japan, there to record the <em><strong>Stormworks Chapter 5:8 Album: Writings on the Wall.</strong></em> The event, the recording, the years of communications with the Japanese Ministry of Defense in advance of the recording session, where I would be joined by 300 Chorus members from the USA, is the “stuff” of yet another <em><strong>LARGE</strong></em> novel/documentary. </p>
<p>I had been asked several questions as part of a book that was being put together for Music Educators. At first, I was going to ignore being part of the book, but with 15 hours in the air, a laptop, and the dread of boredom, I wrote the following in response to one of the questions. </p>
<p>It was this: <em><strong>“Provide appropriate professional biographical information in either a personal narrative style or more formal ‘program-note’ bio style. (3 pages)” </strong></em></p>
<p>I have never seen the completed book so I don’t know how the following response was edited or omitted. Here is just the <strong>MAHLER 10th</strong> part o the response: </p>
<p>Gustav Mahler said, <em>“If a composer could say it with words, he would not bother trying to say it in Music.” </em><br>Kurt Gödel said, “<em>There is no axiom or postulate for which the opposite is not also true.” </em></p>
<p>It takes a photon 38 million years to escape the forcible, unforgiving gravity of the sun and blast its way to the surface where eight minutes later it bathes the earth in the Light by which you find yourself reading this entry intended not just for us, but for those not yet born. </p>
<p>In the Timestorm of that 38 million years and eight minutes, give or take 50 years... a small boy <em>(that's me) </em>sat in his grandfather’s chair and looked deeply into his own hand. <em>“I don’t think this is normal”</em>, said the boy’s aunt to her brother, the boy’s father. <em>“He should be outside playing, shouldn’t he?” </em></p>
<p>Some 30 years later, his first Symphony would play to the first standing ovation ever given in that 40-year-old hall. The last movement? <em><strong> “My Hand”.</strong></em> And that would lead to a 2nd Symphony: <em><strong> At Life’s Edge. </strong></em></p>
<p>Time has been compressed like swirling storms around certain pinpoints, indistinguishable on the larger stage of humanity, but as important to the flow of Life as the specificity of a mathematical point in a grand equation. Thirty years ago as of this writing, (2005) that same boy <em>(that's me, Stephen Melillo)</em> sat in a car parked by the water and listened 100 times to a 20-minute taped excerpt from the Mahler 10th Symphony. Play, rewind, play, rewind. Cassette tape, not disk. Each time, yes 100 times, through sunset, sunrise, sunset and sunrise a new level of depth, a further stripping of the Soul, and a different, deeper, ever evolving kind of tear swelled up to that boys already swollen eyes… until no water was left in his depleted body. </p>
<p>It was 1975. Thirty years to the day prior to that, the boy’s mother turned 10 and the Germans surrendered to the allies. Thirty years since that point in Time, which I now recognize as a poignant axis of symmetry, that same boy... who is me, writes to you on a laptop... on a plane headed for Japan where History will soon be made. With that frame of mind, I offer these thoughts to the Soul(s) of the Future. Such a person will need these thoughts, as I, a boy of 16-17 needed Mahler. </p>
<p>This was the “story” told to John Smistad, but I had never reached the “punch line.” </p>
<p><em>Ready? </em></p>
<p>Thirty years later, (in 2005) I was on a flight to Japan … to record the world-historic Chapter 5:8… and was responding to questions in writing for the Music Educator book. I explained that I had watched the sun set, then rise, then set again. Then… rise again. I was depleted in every way... and yet it was all a metaphor for <em><strong>STORMWORKS</strong></em> yet to come. </p>
<p>I was curious about how long, in real Time, I had been sitting there and listening. After all those years, I simply always thought of the elapsed Time as <em>“100 listenings.” </em>On the plane I did the math. Do you know how long it takes to listen to that particular excerpt from Mahler 100 times? </p>
<p><strong>33.333 hours. </strong></p>
<p>Thirty years later… on this important, world-history making flight, I had discovered something I had not previously realized. I had a chill. It was always there, this “introduction to 333”… even before “The Bridge.” <em> (In the interview, you’ll hear me mention this moment to John as well. Many apologies, for again, this the stuff of a much larger form like a novel or documentary.) </em></p>
<p>Maybe that is why <strong>“STORMWORKS”</strong> is so vast! </p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6737195
2021-09-06T00:35:54-12:00
2022-12-10T14:11:46-12:00
The First Music Send: 17 AUG 1992
<p> </p>
<p><strong>17 AUGUST 1992 <br>The First Transmission of a Score & Set of Parts (before PDF) from a Self-Publishing Composer or any Music Publisher.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>As recorded by <em><strong>SCOTTIE ROGERS, NORWAY. </strong></em></p>
<p>“I have a vivid memory of standing by the fax machine at the old Sandefjord Music School and communicating with you in real-time. I remember being amazed that you were even up <em>(it must have been three a.m. on the east coast).</em> My surprise at this definitely puts it before your first visit to Norway ('92?). I also remember the incredible turn-around on the pdf (eps) piece. It was indeed <strong>7 hours </strong>from the order until the piece was <em>modemed</em> over, printed and on the stands.</p>
<p>Scottie</p>
<p> </p>
<p><em>SLM on recent order to Scottie: </em></p>
<p><br>"Do you realize, that in this writing, you and I have come full circle? I sent you Music using a <strong>MODEM</strong>. It was in EPS and sent in advance of the invention of PDF. It was a <em><strong>First</strong></em>. In <strong>7 hours</strong>, (oy!) you had it copied and on the stands. I remember speaking in real time as events unfolded. In the <em><strong>STORMDatabase,</strong></em> it was <strong>17 AUGUST 1992.</strong> You had ordered first <em><strong>Stormworks</strong></em>, and then also <em><strong>The Fountainhead</strong></em>, and then the <em><strong>Function Chorales™.</strong></em></p>
<p>What a Great Journey! And Thank you for the record!</p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6669150
2021-06-24T04:47:49-12:00
2021-06-24T04:47:49-12:00
1268, an Experiment in "Re-Cognition."
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/fb41d4dc8ce8f4f02cfd0fd46c348e6379daaac4/original/1268-cd-cover.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>#1268, Musical Haiku #108 in 4:50 by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 21 JUN 2021 <br>(The birthday of hero Composer, Lalo Schifrin)</strong> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you have the Time and the interest, here is an experiment that many of you will find fascinating. It’s something we all know, but it’s interesting to “see” it. I’m curious as all heaven to know what <em><strong>YOU</strong></em> experience. </p>
<p>Here is the track link. https://stephenmelillo.com/single/38910/1268</p>
<p>“1268” will play in entirety for you, but I hope that you’ll consider buying the track for .99 so that you can listen multiple times, enjoy it for many years to come, and really “play the game.” </p>
<p>I would love to add your comments. My email is trialbystorm@gmail.com. </p>
<p>As artist, <em>Keith Haring</em> said,<em> “The only way art lives is through the experience of the observer. The reality of art begins with the eyes of the beholder, through imagination, invention and confrontation.” </em></p>
<p>I simply call it <strong>“Re-cognition in the Mirror of Music.” </strong></p>
<p><strong>Part One of the 1268 experiment</strong>: I shared “1268” with a close circle of friends. Musicians, Directors, Writers, Engineers, Educators, Police Officers, Real Estate Agents, IT people, Doctors and Computer Scientists are part of the mix. Their reactions to the Music are diverse. </p>
<p>Here are some of the wide-spread and fascinating reactions:</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 1: </strong></p>
<p>“I so wish I could be there when you are laying your thoughts down on score and and choosing textures etc. Your usage of sonic painting is SO evident and I am so elated to be the recipient of your kindness as you enclose these jewels of creativity.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 2: </strong></p>
<p>“I thought you would write something much darker.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 3: </strong></p>
<p>“This piece has real depth. Very haunting. You can feel the hero’s internal struggle. He's fighting Demons. The events of the past flicker in his mind in extreme slow motion. Amazing piece.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 4: </strong></p>
<p>It makes me feel the <strong>Agony of Humanity</strong>……..the Chorus who <em>sings out.</em> </p>
<p>The four bell tolls… of Time running out, of Time, of History… repeating itself. </p>
<p>The Shadows Gathering. The Darkness pervading, </p>
<p>The jarring of dreadful conflict, </p>
<p>The fear, as we stand on the threshold of impending doom, </p>
<p>The Pain and Tragedy of the descent of Humanity……. </p>
<p>But the <strong>Sublime Beauty</strong> that runs throughout, <strong>Weaving Light.</strong>.. </p>
<p>The <strong>Depth of this Beauty, <em>felt and heard</em></strong>….. in <strong>each Note, each Timbre….is God </strong></p>
<p>Our Father who Art in Heaven </p>
<p>And at the end, as these <strong>very last notes Shine through the Darkness</strong>, </p>
<p><strong>We Know that we are Saved. </strong></p>
<p>The <strong>Sheer Beauty of this Piece… the Strength… the Pathos… the Agony</strong>… <em>is indeed beyond Words. </em></p>
<p>It is the <strong>Music of Our Time </strong></p>
<p>It is the Cry of Man in the Wilderness. <em><strong>Save us Oh God. </strong></em></p>
<p>This Piece is Sacred. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 5: </strong></p>
<p>“This evening, I Listened again and then again to your latest work. In hearing, I feel in it, the tremendous <strong>anguish</strong> of both the 1st and 2nd World Wars... The agony I felt was so intense. It gives a deep pain inside, an unutterable, almost unbearable ache. But yet the beauty of it is so sublime, it is beyond tears. And the basses towards the end, vibrate within my chest. It is a crying out to God for meaning.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 6: </strong></p>
<p><strong>“It is the Music - the Composition of our Time.”</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>Person 7: </strong></p>
<p>“Immense and immersed!” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 8: </strong></p>
<p>“So dark, so beautiful, and those colors…. man’s prayer to God.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 9: </strong></p>
<p>“I pictured King David running from Saul and how alone he felt. Also, when he had to leave his best friend Jonathan because of the danger of his father Saul wanting to kill David. It had power and then the feel of struggle mixed with faith.” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Person 10: </strong></p>
<p>This is a great piece. Surprisingly simple but rich and moody. If for a film, I could see snowy wintry woods finding an abandoned feudal castle, wind whipping through windows with an occasional shaft of late afternoon sunlight.” </p>
<p><strong>Persons 11 ad infinitum</strong>. I look forward to <em><strong>YOUR</strong></em> seeing. </p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6624040
2021-05-06T23:35:45-12:00
2021-05-06T23:42:21-12:00
Remember the Future for Truth is Timeless
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/8775089b66f3bca1b928f262a5d679b03669cae6/original/ktwmlpulitzers.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>7-8 May 2021 <br>My Mom’s B birthday <br>The Birthdays of Peter Ilyich Tchaikowsky and Johannes Brahms <br>The End of WWII in Europe </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Below is an article celebrating The Brotherhood of Man, entitled, <em><strong>“Remember the Future for Truth is Timeless . . .” </strong></em><br>written in late 2004 by Mr. Don Jemella, a Band Director of some 40+ years.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><em>“This article is beyond words....how can this be made into a press release, submitted as an article in the Instrumentalist, and announced throughout the entire profession? This is a must. What a phenomenal contribution to history and our world!!”</em> <strong>Ed Lisk </strong></span></p>
<p> </p>
<h2>“Remember the Future for Truth is Timeless . . .” Stephen Melillo 2004 </h2>
<p><em><strong>Article by Don Jemella </strong></em></p>
<p>Think History is about the past? Think Again! When an event of such historic proportions calls to us from the horizon rather than the past, only unseen forces could be at work to make it happen. The musical event-horizon that combines History, Heroism and Honor with Truth in truly majestic ways guarantees that you’ll <strong>NEED</strong> - not want - to bear witness. </p>
<p>Beyond what will be a musically ground-breaking 2 CD set, May of 2005 will witness the <em><strong>STORMWORKS</strong></em> legacy become a part of not just musical, but Human History. </p>
<p>The story takes us - this time - to Japan where renowned composer Stephen Melillo shapes the convergence of the Past and Future to confront Truth. </p>
<p><em><strong>STORMDate: 3-4 April 2004</strong></em> - Roswell, New Mexico. The premier renderings of Mr. Melillo’s <em><strong>Beyond Courage: Then, Now and Always: A Documentary in Music,</strong></em> written to honor the Heroic Souls of the Bataan Death March. This title was eventually changed in Japan to “<em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live.” </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<h3><em><strong>Read on . . . </strong></em></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>With an acute interest in World War II, Mr. Melillo was intrigued by an “opportunity” listed in <em>Men’s Health Magazine</em> to participate in the annual Bataan Death March re-enactment in New Mexico. Participate he did in what turned out to be the 60th Anniversary of the actual march. After meeting and speaking with many of the Survivors of Bataan and Corregidor, and reading <em>Beyond Courage</em> by Dorothy Cave, setting this amazing story to music was beyond circumstance, or time, or question. </p>
<p>After meeting with Survivors and getting to know them and their stories over a period of 10 days, it was clear that the 6-10 minute work commissioned by The NOTE Council, REACH 2000, <em>Continental Harmony </em>and <em>The American Composer’s Forum</em> needed far greater scale to honor these Men. The final composition of some 65 minutes, is scored for large-scale wind ensemble, 300 voice chorus, soloists and a scholarly compilation of actual World War II audio. </p>
<p> </p>
<h3><span class="font_large"><em><span style="color:#16a085;">The final composition of some 65 minutes, is scored for large-scale wind ensemble, 300 voice chorus, soloists and a scholarly compilation of actual World War II audio.</span></em> </span></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>This work is about history and feeling, a “Life March” borne of the stories suffered by the brave Souls of Bataan and Corregidor. It is an historically accurate, politically incorrect Journey into America...and Japan...of the 1940s. Using actual audio clips including Franklin Delano Roosevelt speeches, Tokyo Rose broadcasts, actual Morse code transmissions and songs played on American Radios after the attack on Pearl Harbor, <strong><em>Kakehashi: That We Might Live </em></strong>replays the History of War in the Pacific, the Bataan Death March, the three and one-half years of imprisonment, the struggle for Survival... the Discovery of a Light beyond courage, and finally the uplifting of the Human Spirit in the Eternal cause of Freedom and the Brotherhood of Man. </p>
<p> </p>
<h3><em><span style="color:#16a085;"><span class="font_large">…and finally the uplifting of the Human Spirit in the Eternal cause of Freedom and the Brotherhood of Man. </span></span></em></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>At the Roswell, New Mexico premiere, when the white flag was lowered and the 48-star U.S. banner was raised some 55-minutes into the musical journey, unbridled ovation took the piece to its apparent conclusion... and beyond. Then, a small child came forth. <em>God Bless America</em>, the likes of which we’ve never heard before brings the audience to still, yet another level of emotion, gratitude and ovation. So stunned, so changed was the audience, that <em><strong>7 minutes</strong></em> of reverent silence followed the applause before musicians were asked to leave the stage.</p>
<p><span class="font_regular">Said <strong>Joseph R. Priestley, LCDR, USN (ret. Veteran of 3 wars):</strong> <em>“No one could have written this better. Your work has filled my old heart to bursting, and brought tears to my old eyes. Your work is the greatest patriotic tribute to these heroes which could ever have been rendered. God Bless you!” </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Harold Hise, Bataan Survivor:</strong> <em>“We don’t have to be ashamed any more because we were forced to surrender.” </em></span></p>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Jack Aldrich, Bataan Survivor: </strong><em>“The Spirit of the music swells up inside you. I remembered things I thought I had forgotten, and were very important to me.” </em></span></p>
<p> </p>
<h3><em>But what of the Future? </em></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>The Musical Program notes ask: What is <em>Beyond</em> Courage? Who were... who are ...these Men? They suffered the unimaginable and were reduced to the most base form of “animal”. Horribly, there was enough Humanity left within to recognize this most lowered form of self. They hated themselves. After years of imprisonment and punishment, they were freed by their comrades who wore uniforms they did not recognize. Food was dropped from the skies to starving men. In unthinkable irony, some were actually killed by the canisters. And what did some of these starved, battered Men do? </p>
<p><strong>They gave their food to starving Japanese children. </strong></p>
<p>This is the <strong>best</strong> of America... the best of Men. Somewhere Beyond Courage... is the Brotherhood of Man, and these Men, even in their greatest pain and despair... knew that. </p>
<p> </p>
<h3><em><span style="color:#16a085;"><span class="font_large">Somewhere Beyond Courage... is the Brotherhood of Man, and these Men, even in their greatest pain and despair... knew that. </span></span></em></h3>
<p> </p>
<p>With Fate at work, and right before composing <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em>, Stephen Melillo composed <strong>MUSASHI</strong>, the story of a Japanese hero... the ultimate Samurai, who at the end of his life gives up his sword for poetry, art and Love. Met with such powerful response, Japanese musicians and audiences sought a new work to render and record. Mr. Melillo approached his Japanese colleagues with the …then titled, <em><strong>Beyond Courage</strong></em>. </p>
<p>The proposal was met with unexpected fervor, and ultimately the Commander of the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Band (JASDF) and <em><strong>Colonel Junichiro Eguchi of the Japanese Ministry of Defense</strong></em>, indicated their desire to make such a recording. </p>
<p>But a work of such historic...and political importance required deeper study and investigation by officials of the Japanese Government. In mutual agreement and persevering collaboration, an even more global version of the work was agreed to. The new work,<em><strong> “Kakehashi: That We Might Live”</strong></em> bravely portrays and retells the story of War in the Pacific some 60 years ago... from both perspectives, and then creates a Bridge of friendship centering on the simple idea of "Home". </p>
<p>Of significance, this 2-CD album will be the <strong>first released outside of Japan</strong>. That the event takes place in the 60th Anniversary year of the end of World War II is also noteworthy. </p>
<p>The official “GO” set in motion plans for an international recording of this epic work. Along with the JASDF, the Choruses of Shenandoah University and Old Dominion University will travel to Japan to record the vocal portions of <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live</strong></em>. Lex Van Deipen of the Netherlands will record the 2-CD Set. Virtuoso Japanese Violinist, Reiko Suzuki will join forces with ancient instruments to render the Concerto for Violin, Shoichiro Hokazono lends his world-known Euphonium playing on the piece <em><strong>Cuba</strong></em>, and a young Japanese/Australian singer, by the name of Tia Stanhope will render<em><strong> God Bless America</strong></em>… and a new addition, composed for the Japanese people, <em><strong>Furusato</strong></em>. </p>
<p>The <strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8 Album</strong> aptly entitled <strong>WRITINGS ON THE WALL</strong>, will be released in 2005-06 and include <em><strong>The Concerto For Violin and Orchestra</strong></em>, <em><strong>Cuba</strong></em>, <em><strong>JIDAI</strong></em>, <em><strong>Musashi</strong></em>, <em><strong>Furusato</strong></em> and <em><strong>Kakehashi: That We Might Live. </strong></em></p>
<p>One can only imagine the Courage it took to bring this barrier-breaking moment to all people... and at <strong>this</strong> time. In this moment which we now share together, Japan and its officials joined with its Musicians are demonstrating that the Brotherhood of Man is far beyond a phrase. The Japanese are living the very Music they will render, and in so doing, are becoming the role models for a new generation of Heroes. </p>
<p><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8-Writings on the Wall</strong> is a truly heroic event bringing a new standard of Forgiveness, Love and Understanding, transcending all barriers and a reminder to<strong><em> Remember the Future for Truth is Timeless. </em></strong></p>
<p>For the much, much more please visit <strong>Chapters 5:8 </strong>at Stormworld.com. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><a contents="Investigate the Score to Kakehasi: That We Might Live" data-link-label="Chapters 5-8: Writings on the Wall" data-link-type="page" href="/chapters-5-8-writings-on-the-wall" target="_blank">Investigate the Score to <em><strong>Kakehasi: That We Might Live</strong></em></a><em><strong>: </strong></em><br> </p>
<p><a contents="Listen to Kakehasi: That We Might Live on Spotify: " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://open.spotify.com/track/4WROYNfZMRF31C6Cw1agXA?si=pzATdAwwQxqPoCOxPnrzzQ&dl_branch=1" style="" target="_blank">Listen to Kakehasi: That We Might Live on <em><strong>Spotify: </strong></em></a><br> </p>
<p><a contents="Get the track, Kakehasi: That We Might Live, and 2-CD album, STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8: " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://stephenmelillo.com/track/2042127/kakehashi-that-we-might-live" style="" target="_blank">Get the <em><strong>track, Kakehasi: That We Might Live</strong></em>, and 2-CD album, <em><strong>STORMWORKS Chapters 5:8: </strong></em></a><br> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6616961
2021-04-29T00:03:33-12:00
2021-04-29T08:51:24-12:00
Vignettes of Cheek Turns
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/5855625fbb93e74fc3dc806a0a212de4afde3fe2/original/27-apr-2021-slm-and-jimmy-web.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Vignettes of Cheek Turns </strong><br><em>(no preachiness, just sharing… with YOU!) </em><br>by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 29 APR 2021 <br>On the birthday of Duke Ellington </p>
<p><strong>Willy Romanello, Greenwich High School, Connecticut. Class of 75. We’ll get back to him! </strong></p>
<p><strong>Movement 1: Aspirin</strong>.</p>
<p>It was somewhere sometime between 2 and 3AM. I had gotten lost in the bowels of an unsavory, still-to-this-day unknown part of the Philly area. It wasn’t too long of a drive back to New Jersey. Thought I would nail it, but I was lost. No Waze in those days. I was tired from the last day of guest conducting. I was on a bridge now. Where the heck was I? </p>
<p>A closely following car played a nerve-wracking cat-and-mouse game with me on the deserted roads. A mysterious driver, hidden behind bright headlights in the rear-view mirror, activated Spidy-tingles. </p>
<p>I went faster, they followed. I slowed to 15 in a 55 so they could pass? They slowed to 15. Never passed. </p>
<p>To make matters worse, I was running out of gas. Prayers went up. Now off the bridge, I pulled off onto an exit ramp and hoped to find a gas station in the wee hours. I did. When I pulled in, the still-trailing crew in the smoke-filled car drove by. Gone. </p>
<p>The station attendant came out. Of all the things that he might have said, he placed his hand on his head. <em>“Man, I have the worst headache. And nothing’s opened. Can’t even get aspirin.” </em></p>
<p>“Aspirin?” </p>
<p>Saying, <em>“Man, you came to the right guy,” </em>I was already opening the trunk. I had purchased a bottle of aspirin earlier that day. Still unopened, I grabbed the bottle and tossed it to the attendant. He smiled, offered me money, which I refused and thanked me. </p>
<p><em>“Hey, which way to Jersey?” </em></p>
<p>I was back in the car and almost home when it hit me. The still-dark of early morning, the sole driver on the road save for that one suspicious vehicle, the <em>gas-approaching-empty light</em> blinking, the fatigue, the self questioning, <em>“Maybe I should have stayed the night,” </em>the finding of an opened gas station in impossible hours; all of it presented itself like a small movie. </p>
<p>I was <em>supposed</em> to be followed and feel all those tensions. I was <em>supposed</em> to find that gas station. I was <em>supposed</em> to find that attendant in dire need, and I was <em>supposed</em> to have ‘just happened to have’ a bottle of unopened aspirin for a guy who needed them and would direct me back home. </p>
<p>I smiled all the way back to Jersey. I thanked God for making use of me in that way. </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>2nd Movement: Cigars. </strong></p>
<p>Yesterday, despite all the careful planning and communications, the service guy at my car dealership told me it would be about… <em>get this now</em>… <strong>THREE</strong> hours. </p>
<p>Well, there’s no way I’m gonna sit here for 3 hours, I thought. I walked to a Cigar Shop that was much closer to the dealer than I had thought. I indulged in a <em>Montecristo Espada</em>. Ha! Go big or go home. </p>
<p>Guys smoking Cigars, sitting back on nice leather upholstery have no problem talking to each other. Strangers? Irrelevant. It’s like we’re each smoking the same Peace-pipe. </p>
<p>In a thick Boston accent, the guy next to me starts sharing loving tales about his Dad. Man, did he love his Dad. He talked about the fish business they had started in Boston, ironically during the same years that I was at the Boston Conservatory. He mentioned the Sea-port area where I had made that life-changing prayer at 3:33 on Thanksgiving Day 1976, and he even mentioned the <em>“No Name”</em> restaurant. </p>
<p>Jimmy, from Boston, was a career Marine who fought in Desert Storm and other parts of the Middle East. It ran in the family. His Dad, whose name I never got, was a Marine at Saipan and Iwo Jima during WWII. After at least a half hour of listening and sipping the <em>Espada</em>, I asked him, <em>“When are you gonna see your Dad again?” </em></p>
<p>His Dad had signed up at age 17. In his 90s, he is still with us. <em>“I’ll be seeing him in June,” </em>said Jimmy. </p>
<p>Acting like I was leaving, I casually went into the humidor and bought 2 more cigars. I walked back to Jimmy and gave him the 2 cigars and a plastic pouch. <em>“One’s for your Dad, and one’s for you,”</em> I said. <em>“Thank him for his service and thank you for yours.” </em></p>
<p>By the way, the brand of the cigars? “<em>My Father.” </em></p>
<p>After I sat down, it hit me. Why the wasted day? I have so much to do. They told me on the phone it was just a swap-out. But <em>three</em> hours? “Killing” Time is another form of murder. Like Beethoven said, <em>“Man has no more noble possession than Time.” </em></p>
<p>But the car <em>needed</em> to be repaired on that day and take that long in the shop. I was <em>supposed</em> to be away from my work despite the angst. Why? So I could be in just the right place at just the right Time to buy a Vet and his Dad a cigar. Simple. And it wasn’t so much the cigars that affected him. It was the idea that a stranger would offer a little Kindness. The small tear on his otherwise tough, Boston, Marine-gunny face said it all. </p>
<p><em>(For more on Kindness, read “<a contents="Kindness" data-link-label="Kindness" data-link-type="page" href="/kindness" target="_blank">Kindness</a>” and “<a contents="The Wishing Well" data-link-label="Stories! (STORMLog)" data-link-type="page" href="/stories-stormlog" target="_blank">The Wishing Well</a>”) </em></p>
<p>I walked back to the dealer. It took another half an hour. Oy! But I thanked God for making use of me in that way.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>3rd Movement: all the Music and everything else… and YOU. </strong></p>
<p>The only good reason for any story is <strong>YOU</strong>. The next time you get slapped in the face, or have a world of hurt stacked up against you, or the next time something goes seriously wrong, when your work is stolen, when you get a flat tire, when you fall on your back and people laugh, whatever, look up. Scan the heavens for whatever it is that YOU are supposed to do for someone else. Honestly? I have a million stories like this. We could discuss them over Cigars! (and/or Pizza.) </p>
<p>But, by now, and maybe you are too, I’m quite used to the ‘<em>Slaps-into-Victory Stories,’ </em>which takes us right back to… </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Willy Romanello, Greenwich High School, Connecticut. Class of 75. </strong></p>
<p>“So, Willy, what was it you said about ‘turning the other cheek?’” </p>
<p>Willy Romanello, then just a 17-year-old kid and now a retired Greenwich Police Officer, said it like this. “<em>When someone slaps me in the face, I just look in that direction.” </em></p>
<p><em>“When someone slaps me in the face…”</em> (Willy takes his right hand and slaps his own face. His head turns somewhere between 0 and 90 degrees…) <em>“I just look in that direction.” </em></p>
<p>A smile comes to Willy’s face. He laughs in a way I still remember after all these years. What a lesson. What a Gift. I’ve shared this with my kids. </p>
<p>Thank you, William “Willy” Romanello, for being not only a good Friend but a young guy filled with much Wisdom. </p>
<p>Godspeed! S </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo <br>Composer</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069005
2021-03-03T12:00:00-12:00
2021-03-03T12:00:12-12:00
Just Another Hill!
<p>3 March 2021</p>
<p><em>On the 22nd Anniversary of the <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 3: WAIT of the WORLD </strong>Recording<br>with Maurice Hamers & The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy</em></p>
<p><br><br><br>Thoughts on <em>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Stor</em>y. <em><strong>“Just another hill, Isaac. Just another damned hill!”</strong></em><br><br>The echoey sounds of stretching and cracking ice filled the inlet. The surround had become an arena, an eternal, unearthly battleground. The white whale broke the surface slowly. Inching forward, it broke the ice ahead of it, sending mountainous shards into the starry night. </p>
<p> <br>Carney clutched his ATK. He spun to Isaac standing at Carney’s right. <em><strong>“Just another hill, Isaac. Just another damned hill!”</strong></em></p>
<p>Carney ran at the immensity, screaming as he did at Fort Wagner. He threw the harpoon with great impetus and David-like faith. The ATK stabbed into Moby Dick’s advancing head, dead center, about thirteen-feet up from its upper mandible. Isaac wondered if the lance had penetrated the distal sack.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/e26b1febf7411c8d43fd518479955b2620412001/original/18-dec-2019-books-and-shadows.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NDMzeDMzMyJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Books & Shadows" height="333" style="margin: 6px auto; vertical-align: middle; display: block;" width="433" /><br><br>I’m a Composer. Before I studied at the Boston Conservatory of Music, I sat in the back of Corpus Christi Church. At age 19, and in one long sitting, I penciled, <em><strong>Only for Now.</strong></em><br><br>“That’s it,” I thought. I have divested myself of the burden. “Now, I must learn about Music.” Years later, I composed <em><strong>Ahab, for Actor & Wind Ensemble</strong></em>. We made a fine recording of it in Leipzig, ten years to the day after the Wall had come down. <em> (Stormworks Chapter 2: Wende.) </em>Actor, Kurtwood Smith enacted all of Ahab’s lines from Herman Melville’s <em>Moby Dick</em>.<br><br>Compelled by a single line from Melville's<em> Moby Dick</em>, I took to book-writing again and composed<strong> <em>Ahab, a Love Story</em></strong>. “Good!” I thought. "Mission accomplished. Back to Music."<br><br>On 16 December 2020, on the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven, the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge, and the anniversary of my Mom’s passing, I completed, <strong><em>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story</em></strong>. For me, the novel is Romance and Adventure at the highest. It completes a trilogy of stories. <em> Ahab, a Love Story</em>, Melville’s, <em>Moby Dick</em>,<em> Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story</em>.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/08102f73d5675003e2a7fd97ed37c9d30a85aa7b/original/trilogy-book-art-melville-melillo.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><br><br><em><strong>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story</strong></em>, a Novel from my heart to yours, is available now via <em>Amazon</em>, <em>Barnes & Noble</em>, <em>Westwood Books</em>, and other online booksellers.. </p>
<p>If you haven’t read <em><strong>Ahab, a Love Story</strong></em>, and you are a fan of Love Stories, Adventures on the High Seas, and Melville’s <em>Moby Dick</em>, this too is a must-read. </p>
<p>Here is a link to the <strong><em>STORMGifts</em>: </strong><a contents="https://stormworld.com/stormgifts" data-link-label="STORMGifts" data-link-type="page" href="/stormgifts" target="_blank">https://stormworld.com/stormgifts</a><br><br>Enjoy & Godspeed!<br><br>Stephen Melillo<br>Composer<br><br>Amazon Author Page & Blog Feed: <a data-imported="1" href="amazon.com/author/stephenmelillo%20" target="_blank" title="Link to Amazon Author Page">amazon.com/author/stephenmelillo </a></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6541319
2021-02-06T02:04:41-12:00
2021-02-06T02:04:41-12:00
Father Peter M. Rinaldi and the Escape from Plato's Cave
<p><strong>6 FEB 2021 </strong></p>
<p><strong>Father Peter M. Rinaldi and the Escape from Plato's Cave </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/ae1a8f587641283cd903d8a3e6d3bac2de550e38/original/father-rinaldi.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Father Peter M. Rinaldi, in 1993</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p><strong>A SYNChronicity of Events: </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Neatly nestled between the birthdays of John Williams and Jerry Goldsmith, my Son will make his Confirmation this year. As his namesake and patron saint, he chose Saint John Don Bosco. After scoring a film shot in India, and seeing that the action took place at a <em>“Don Bosco”</em> center, I recalled my years growing up at Corpus Christi Elementary School in Port Chester, New York. The school was run by Salesian Priests and Nuns. The Salesian order was founded by Saint Giovanni “Don” Bosco. </p>
<p>To this day, I’m still in contact with my 7th grade Teacher, Sister Mary Anne, who helped with my novels,<em><strong> Ahab, a Love Story</strong></em> and <em><strong>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story</strong></em>. </p>
<p>The collaboration on the India-made film, <em><strong>One Little Finger,</strong></em> led to contacts with several others, one a Lyricist from Hawaii, one a singer from Rome, and a songwriter, a Priest living and working in South Africa. When my Son had chosen the name of Don Bosco, I was “compelled” to share the following story, which I now share with you. “Compelled” appears in quotes because Father Peter M. Rinaldi, the Pastor at Corpus Christi Elementary School in Port Chester, New York, authored a book entitled,<em><strong> “By Love Compelled.” </strong></em> For those of you who know the <em>Stormworks STORMQuest series</em>, I composed a piece in 1997 entitled, <em><strong>By Love Compelled… at the Hour of Shadows. </strong></em></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Letter to the Songwriting Team: </strong></p>
<p>“Dear All, </p>
<p>Just a heads up that I have moved Father C’s piece to the key of <strong>G</strong>. I was just speaking with someone the other day about Father Rinaldi and how I had chosen the Key of <strong>G</strong> to represent <strong>“G”od</strong>. In early 1993, I was composing a piece entitled <em><strong>Escape from Plato’s Cave</strong></em>. It was to be a metaphorical work depicting the Resurrection of our Lord, and indeed the Resurrection of all Humanity. After writing the 1st Movement, then the 2nd Movement and then 68 measures into the 3rd movement, it was Time to create that new key signature, and modulate to <strong>G</strong>. In this key, I would describe the Resurrection of Man. </p>
<p>I had JUST written the key signature down… of G. The score was now ready. </p>
<p>The phone rang. </p>
<p>I had to move my jaw because I hadn’t spoken to anyone in over a month. </p>
<p>I was told that Father Rinaldi had passed away. I cried. </p>
<p>Now came the Moment of Faith… what would I write? What would come deep from my Heart about Belief in the Resurrection? Was Father gone, or was he now in the Light and Presence of God? </p>
<p>A great smile came to meet the dripping tears. I <em>knew</em> Father Rinaldi was in Heaven… and so I wrote, in <strong>G</strong>… for <strong>“G”od</strong>, His Resurrection and ours… about the <em><strong>“Escape from Plato’s Cave,”</strong></em> and the lifting up into the Eternal Freedom of the Light. </p>
<p>Godspeed! S” </p>
<p> </p>
<p><em><strong>Here are the Score Notes as they appear in the 1993 piece, Escape from Plato’ Cave. </strong></em></p>
<p>At the very moment I had reached that transitory moment in the third movement, the transcendence from “D”ark to “G”od, the phone rang. Father Peter Rinaldi had died. As a boy growing up, so often running to him at recess and serving mass with him every day of the summer, he taught me, by action, the Message of “the Man”... a message of Love. He literally gave me the shirt off his back one day, no show, no lesson, only Love. His entire Life was in dedication to something higher... a Prayer to that which humbled him. My young adult novel, ONLY FOR NOW, was dedicated to him, his name of the main character. Subconsciously, I’ve quoted the 9-movement Wind Ensemble Suite, my first piece, inspired by that book. Now, Father Rinaldi has gone... into the Light. He would not have me dedicate anything to him. His eyes were always looking upward... beyond himself. But, to him, another Man from the Light... I bow humbly and offer back that which was, and never really will be mine to give. Godspeed, Sincerely... Stephen Melillo </p>
<p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6477573
2020-11-14T00:36:30-12:00
2020-11-14T00:36:30-12:00
14 November 2020, this week in History
<p>14 November 2020 </p>
<p><em><strong>What a Week it has been… </strong></em></p>
<p>This Veterans Day was also the 400th Anniversary of the <em>Mayflower</em> Landing. This week saw the 245th Anniversary of the US Marines, during the 250th Anniversary of Beethoven and the the 335th Anniversary of J.S. Bach. And today, in 1851, Herman Melville published <em><strong>Moby Dick</strong></em>…a nice SYNC for the prequel & sequel works by yours truly, and coming soon! </p>
<p>By Contrast, 82 years ago, this past week, was <em><strong>Krystallnacht</strong></em>. In that light, here is a story. </p>
<p>At Auschwitz, Lily Ebert was a teenager. She had nothing, not even a piece of paper. </p>
<p>A liberating American soldier gave her an always-remembered Gift. It was a German banknote on which the soldier had written the words, <em><strong>“As a start to a new life. Good luck and happiness.” </strong></em></p>
<p>It was the first act of Kindness Lily could remember. </p>
<p>At age ninety, while going through some papers with her great grandson, she rediscovered the note. Together, they tracked down the identity of the soldier, Private Hyman Schulman, a Jewish-American soldier who served as a chaplain’s aide. Though Schulman passed on in 2013, Ebert is now in touch with Schulman’s children. </p>
<p>Everyone needs such an act of Kindness, and the gift of Friendship. </p>
<p>In that light,<em><strong> “In Einem Anderen Licht.”</strong></em> please accept this sincerely offered scribbling: </p>
<p>"Happiness, even in the Storms, and Godspeed!” S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6475898
2020-11-12T06:39:37-12:00
2020-11-12T06:42:02-12:00
Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story (Available soon!)
<p>Just received the first Hardcover printing of<em><strong> "Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story." </strong></em>The sequel to Melville's <em>Moby Dick</em> will be ready for you and your gift list soon! Especially for those of you who have thoroughly enjoyed <em><strong>"Ahab, a Love Story,"</strong></em> this new novel is a must read. Timely to the point of prophetic, its Journey is composed of Real History... and as always... Love. Godspeed! S<br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/f848d9b69e1f9aad291db01c4b2533fd966ba93f/original/11-nov-2020-014s.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068991
2020-06-11T22:41:25-12:00
2020-07-16T12:51:46-12:00
Keynote for Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music, 27 June 2016
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/c50be28adf0460f5c36370005d39768c3ee80b30/original/sunrise-19-june-2016-song-for-my-father.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTkyeDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" style="margin: 6px;" width="592" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>27 June 2016</strong><br><strong>a Commencement Speech</strong><br><strong>for the Graduates and Beautiful, Great kids of Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music</strong><br><br><em>Though delivered just 3 days after the funeral, </em><br><em>this speech was written prior to the eulogy written for my Father. </em><br><em>It was slightly edited before delivering it on the 27th.</em><br><br><br><em><strong>Prelude: </strong></em> In the score notes to <strong>“CRUZIN’… for there is much to dare,”</strong> are these words by Howard Walter in 1906. <br><br>I would be true, for there are those who trust me;<br>I would be pure, for there are those who care;<br>I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;<br>I would be brave,<br>for there is much to dare.<br><br>In just 2 short months since being asked to deliver this 1st commencement speech I’ve ever done... and I do hope to honor you... there have been some Global Goliaths: Orlando, the British leaving the European Union, Floods and disasters. These “Global Goliaths” will change names but these many things will be with you all throughout your lives.<br><br><em><strong>Keep that in mind.</strong></em><br><br>Life is short, but very wide. Here are just a few personal things that happened in the brief Time between being asked to speak to you less than 2 months ago and now. <br><br><strong>Dame Mary Barraco</strong> got pneumonia. She’s 92. She was a POW of the NAZIs when she was your age. She had her teeth broken, her back was bared to the bone and much worse. She was sterilized. She watched her fiancé executed. She survived all of that to become a Freedom Fighter in Belgium at age 17. Belgium knighted her for her service in WWII. She survived pneumonia and is still with us... carrying on.<br><br><em><strong>Keep that in mind.</strong></em><br><br>A 7-year-old girl named Anaya Elick from Chesapeake, VA, won a “Best Handwriting Contest.” She has no hands. <br><br><em><strong>Keep that in mind.</strong></em><br><br>Over those 2 months, completing a film score, I quoted my favorite mathematician, Kurt Gödel, many times to several people, all of whom seemed to have the same name of… “David.” Gödel authored an axiom that paraphrased says, “if you devise an axiom, the opposite is also probably true.” Here’s a demo: “Haste makes waste.” But… “He who hesitates is lost.” Or one of my favorites: “Two heads are better than one.” But the Chinese say, “Tie two birds together and though they have four wings, they cannot fly.” <br><br><em><strong>Keep Kurt Gödel in mind.</strong></em><br><br>My Father, already pummeled by his 2nd bout with Cancer got pneumonia and went into NY Presbyterian ICU not once but twice, and came out smiling, ready to start his 15-hour workdays again. He turned 81 on May 31st, which is more than four of your complete Lifetimes. I had wanted him to be here, but sadly he passed away on Father’s Day. We buried him just 3 days ago. I share this with you to bring as much poignancy as possible to this moment. For your sake, I want these words to ring True. They come from my Heart.<br><br><em><strong>Keep that in mind.</strong></em><br><br>When I graduated from high school, our commencement speaker was Geraldo Rivera. We were outside. It was hot. I was sitting in the band. We played “Pomp & Circumstance” 20 times. Prepping for this moment together, I tried to remember what he said, but I couldn’t remember a single word.<br><br>When I look back<em>… and it’s 41 years now...</em> what words do I wish I had heard? What words would have provided vision and strength in the great struggles and battles ahead?<br><br><em><strong>Main Theme…</strong> </em><br><br>Of all the many many stories I could share with you, I want to tell you about <strong>“David and Goliath.”</strong><br><br>You think you know this story, right? The little guy, the underdog who faces the overpowering, menacing Goliath and wins?<br><br>But let’s look at that same story the way <em>Kurt Gödel</em> might have looked at it, or <em>Anaya Elick</em>, the girl born without hands… or my <em>Dad</em>, who doctors had written off more than once in the hospital but died his way, working at home. <br><br><strong>And THIS is my message to you, graduates, today!</strong><br><br>David was <em><strong>not</strong></em> the underdog. Goliath was.<br><br>Little David had the deck stacked completely in his favor, and he had won that battle <em>long</em> before stepping onto the field.<br><br>David was young. Light! Quick-moving. He wasn’t weighed down by cumbersome armor the way poor old Goliath was. David was <strong>well-trained. </strong> During his years as a shepherd, he was practiced in the use of the sling, a weapon that could strike from tens-of-yards away instead of just a few feet like a heavy sword.<br><br>David had so much on his side! To Goliath’s <em>slow</em>, was David’s <em>fast</em>. To Goliath’s clumsy movement was David’s grace and Bruce Lee-like-stealth. David had already defeated a lion and a bear! Poor <em>poor</em> Goliath. He was big, but only a human being... certainly no lion or bear! The guy never had a chance. Can you see it now? <br><br>And David had one other thing, one transcendent, massively immeasurable thing that made him the winner even before the confrontation would begin! To Goliath’s <em>arrogance</em> and <em>assumption of Victory</em>, David had <strong>Faith</strong>. <br><br>David believed in something <em>higher</em> than himself. That belief gave him Purpose, and Purpose gives a person great Strength. It makes him or her a Survivor… a “freedom fighter!” As I have recently seen lived out in my Dad, and heard from many an ex-POW… <em>“It’s hard to kill a Man if he don’t wanna die.”</em><br><br><em><strong>So Take Heart!</strong></em><br><br>We live in a matrix-like world where attempts to control the future and present are made by the rewriting of History… so you need to go and study the Past, for the sake of the Now and the Future. <em>You</em> are its story-tellers, <em>You</em> are its documentarians! <em>You</em> do it with Music!<br><br>I know people who are literally waiting for those who have lived their incredible Stories to die, so that in their re-telling they can be un-encumbered with little trifles like the Truth. <br><br>We also live in a political-technological world where a handful of Goliaths have their paws on the reigns, and many of those Goliaths will stand as obstacles to <strong>you</strong> in <strong>YOUR</strong> personal quest to be True!<br><br>As Rocky Balboa would say, “<em>Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows.”</em><br><br>So get ready for rough roads ahead. But be inspired! … because there can be no DAVID without a Goliath.<br><br>Be grateful for the Goliaths you will meet! And yes, you will confront many!<br><br>When you hear someone spout a normally, quickly accepted ”truism” like, <em>“well, the world is gray, nothing is black and white,”</em> hoist an imaginary red-flag in your mind. Is there an opposite? Can that opposite <em>also</em> be true? <br><br>Or how about this one, “<em>When you grow up, you’ll see how the world really works, and you too will sell out…” </em><br><br><em>(I’ve actually heard that countless times in my Life.)</em><br><br>Do you think<em> Kurt Gödel</em> might help you? To visit <strong>all</strong> the potentials within your own mind?<br><br>If you came into this world metaphorically without hands… can you still win a handwriting contest?<br><br>And… can you be down for the count not once, not twice, not three times, but on and on and on… and get up to work 15-18 hour days in your 80s and 90s, four Lifetimes from now?<br> <br>It only <em>seems</em> a long way off, but I’ll bet this graduation felt that way to you just 4 short years ago. Right? <br><br>You see… Time is short. Life is shorter…. but thankfully, it’s really wide! <br><br>In your Music-making, in whatever form that takes…You need to fight the Good fight so that those who follow you will be inspired. They need to look at <strong>you</strong> and see DAVID. They need to see in <strong>you</strong> that Goliath really never ever had the ghost of a chance. It just seemed that way.<br><br>So, my friends… in the Times ahead, be DAVID… because you already are. Keep David alive within you. <strong>BE</strong> well-trained, <strong>BE</strong> well-practiced… as you are right now. <br><br>… and above all, keep the Faith!<br><br>because…<br><br><em>You</em> must be true, for there are those who trust you;<br><em>You</em> must be pure, for there are those who care;<br><em>You</em> must be strong, for there is much to suffer;<br><em>You</em> must be brave…<br><br>for there is much to dare.<br><br>I love you guys. Thank you for allowing me the great honor and privilege of making Music with you and speaking with you.<br><br>Godspeed into your Futures!<br><br><br>Stephen Melillo<br>Composer</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><a data-imported="1" href="http://stormworld.com/frame_redirect.php?dest=http://stormworld.com/music/catalog/david.html" target="_blank" title="DAVID at the STORMSite">DAVID</a> at the STORMSite</strong><br> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6254799
2020-03-19T02:25:21-12:00
2020-03-19T02:25:21-12:00
The Story of Mrs. Han & Stormworks
<p><strong>for 21 March 2020 <br>On the Birthday of JS Bach <br>“The Story of Mrs. Han & Stormworks” </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Several years ago, we made “the rounds” to our favorite Sushi lady, Mrs. Han. Something was different. Above her beautiful smile and always kind eyes was a slightly shaven head. </p>
<p>“What happened, Mrs. Han?” </p>
<p>“Oh, I was in car accident.” She spoke softly as she prepared Sushi and with a heavy Korean accent. </p>
<p>“Really? What happened?” </p>
<p>Mrs. Han explained how she had been in an automobile accident. She had banged her head against the windshield. At the hospital, the doctors gave her an MRI. They discovered a tumor in the exact spot of the concussion. </p>
<p>“So in other words,” said a smiling Steve in front of his then young Sons, “you HAD to have that accident in order to discover the tumor?” </p>
<p>“Yes, this is so.” </p>
<p>She explained that the early discovery of the tumor most likely saved her life. At that point she pointed to the crucifix displayed in her restaurant. </p>
<p>On the way home, I told other stories, personal ones from my own life, to my Sons. “Often you’re too close to the slap in the face,” I said. “What appears in the close-up to be a tragedy, a setback, an inconvenience, is often times a Gift when the camera pulls far enough back. There’s a bigger picture.” </p>
<p>And why is Mrs. Han’s Story and Stormworks the same Story? Because the Stormworks are about Storms and the inevitable return to Light “after” those Storms. </p>
<p><strong>Now in One Place! Music about the “Bigger Picture.” </strong></p>
<p>As of today, 33 of 48 Discs, totaling 37 hours & 18 minutes of Music, are all in one place. Much to explore! Much yet to come! Many free pieces to download as well. </p>
<p>ENJOY & Godspeed! S </p>
<p>https://stephenmelillo.com/tracks</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6254798
2020-03-19T02:23:48-12:00
2020-11-12T06:42:29-12:00
Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story (Coming Soon!)
<p>“The echoey sounds of stretching and cracking ice filled the inlet. The surround had become an arena, an eternal, unearthly battleground. The <em>white whale </em>broke the surface slowly. Inching forward, it broke the ice ahead of its brow, sending mountainous shards into the starry night.” <br> <br>In love with Herman Melville’s<em> Moby Dick</em>, a prequel beginning with the American Revolution was composed. <em><strong> Ahab, a Love Story</strong></em>, is a romantic adventure describing and humanizing the boy, the son, the lover, and the crushed soul who became Ahab. Upon its completion, a sequel to<em> Moby Dick “beckoned me.” </em></p>
<p>What became of the Rachel’s survivor(s), of Melville, of the<em> white whale? </em>Meet Carney, Isaiah, Isaac and Irene. Fall in love with them. <em><strong>Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story</strong></em>, is a novel from my heart to yours. It takes us to the beginnings of World War I. If you are a fan of Love Stories, real History, Adventures on the High Seas, and Melville’s<em> Moby Dick</em>, this is a must-read. </p>
<p>Enjoy & Godspeed! </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo <br>Author/Composer</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069001
2019-10-24T12:00:00-12:00
2021-04-29T00:25:02-12:00
The Wishing Well
<p><br>In December of 2011, while doing some Christmas shopping, I saw a man wearing a WWII Veterans cap. Over the years, I seem to have acquired a homing-beacon to such Men and Women. I feel an instant duty to put aside all else and make every effort to <em>accidentally</em> bump into them.</p>
<p>Our Veteran was a soon-to-be 92-year-old Pearl Harbor Survivor. As always, I had to meet him and shake his hand. Talk to him. Let him know that a now 70-year-old sacrifice was still immeasurably appreciated, and perpetually alive within me. It is after all, <em>why we gather.</em></p>
<p>We laughed together. Ah! The subject of another article:<em> Laughter!</em> I am a big believer in this! We looked into each others eyes. Joked. There were pats on the back as we went our separate ways. As much as I would like to share the dialogue of this fleeting, special passing of ships in a store, <em>(He served on the USS Honolulu)</em> I want to instead share with you a valuable Health technique I call…<em><strong> The Wishing Well!</strong></em></p>
<p>It is a simple technique… but not one that comes easily. Like all physical arts it requires discipline. At its core is absolutely pure, completely innocent, unwaveringly honest Sincerity. Easier said and written than done. Yes, <em><strong>“Wishing Well” </strong></em>will have to be practiced and practiced yet again until it becomes fluid and natural. But stay with it!</p>
<p>Roberto Clemente said, <em><strong>“If you have the chance to help someone and you don’t, you are wasting your time on this earth.”</strong></em> But helping happens in many ways… and as we help others, we help ourselves. Even when our every effort is to be selfless!</p>
<p>As I shook this stranger’s hand, I flooded myself with a simple thought… perhaps it was a form of Prayer, but remember, this works for anyone whose Heart is filled with Giving. That is, the technique is non-denominational. ;–)!</p>
<p>I thought this: <em><strong>“Please let some of my Life pass through my hand and into his. He needs it now, more than I do. I wish him Love and happiness. I wish him well.”</strong></em></p>
<p>There it is my friends! A simple thought, a profound idea, a physical energy of good-will that flows through you and into someone else.</p>
<p>Even when it is self-blocked it always flows back to you, making you stronger and ready to wish well yet again. Is there a Health benefit? Yes. I do not have the science to support this, but this is something I know to be True and therefore gladly share with you.</p>
<p><strong>How do I know?</strong></p>
<p>In addition to feeling a quantifiable change in muscle tension, I also feel my heart rate relax, and a warm <em>“chill”</em> pass through every part of me. Since I experience the physical benefits after the fact of the doing, I know it works.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Best Time to Practice the Wishing Well Technique</strong></p>
<p>Whenever you see anyone who touches you, somehow, silently asks for compassion... some stranger passing on a distant street, perhaps pushing themselves along in a wheelchair, give them your best wishes. Wish them well. Do it silently. No fanfare. Be sincere.</p>
<p>There are SO many possibilities. It is almost axiomatic to state that events such as meeting someone who needs uplifting will most likely occur when you yourself are down, tired, not-chipper, not happy-go-lucky. You may even be downright depressed. Maybe you’re the one who needs that friendly smile and that giving handshake. Perfect! As you extend yourself for someone else, you will feel something good reemerge within you.</p>
<p>It is said that in Giving we receive. It's True! Practice this technique until you too, feel it! Then both of us will know that it is True!</p>
<p>Until then… and through the most unlikely media of the internet, I wish YOU well!</p>
<p>Godspeed!</p>
<p>Steve</p>
<p><strong>PS: Here is my “Laughter” article. Why wait?</strong></p>
<p>Just as Music can uplift the Human soul, so can laughter add years to a Life. I believe this. The science? I’m sure it’s there, but why get sidetracked? If you too believe in the power of Laughter… I urge you to make every effort to pass some Laughter to those who need it.<em><strong> Wish them Well </strong></em>in the form of a shared laugh. As our Veteran left the store, he still had a smile on his face. I hope he lives for as long as he wants and needs!</p>
<p>Godspeed! S</p>
<p>© Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2012</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068999
2019-10-24T12:00:00-12:00
2019-10-24T17:36:22-12:00
The Psychology of Success
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">If you’ve ever seen the movie, <strong><em>RUDY</em></strong>… <em>(with an excellent score by Jerry Goldsmith!)</em> … you will see something of the “Psychology of Success” in action. As Henry Hartman said: <strong><em>“Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity.” </em></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Is that True? Always? Let’s find out.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><strong>What does it mean to be “prepared?”</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">By now, I’m sure that most of you have heard about the 10,000-hour rule. What do Mozart, Bill Gates, and the best of professional athletes have in common? Time. By putting in a minimum, but required 10,000 hours of work, they have willfully forged the synapses of their brains to acquire the physical networking necessary to not only “succeed” at what they do, but literally pass the wiring on to their offspring. But it’s much deeper than that.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><span style="color:#3f5cea"><a href="http://24bfei8cckxzzw1-jouhmotq17.hop.clickbank.net/" data-imported="1"> </a></span>As heroes of our own story, we very much want to either consciously or subconsciously follow the archetypical, often Hollywood, often Joseph Campbell-like script of the “rite of passage.” It goes like this: “Incredibly impoverished youngster, growing up in duress, works relentlessly, and beats all of the outrageous slings and arrows cast by misfortune. The hero triumphs over the forces of the external, and by finding within the once submerged skills and merits of the dragon-slayer, produces a final and lasting success!”</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><span style="color:#3f5cea"><a href="http://fa3b2tx8loo4yp2fb5e-ay8nev.hop.clickbank.net/" data-imported="1"> </a></span>If only it were that easy. Our “heroism” though is not just the product of our immediate family and experience… but rather, the entire culture from which we have come. It is not our parents, but our great-great-great grandparents and all of their hardships and triumphs that helped shape our psyches and ultimately the center from which we would respond to the world that stimulates us at present. We begin by already owing so much. We owe to the History of the world and all that was sacrificed up to this very moment. And we owe to our own personal, family history. So… some of our preparation began even before we were born.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">We begin to work and hopefully love the work by learning from the actions of our parents. If we work, especially through some adversity, something good will come of it. That’s something you learn, and the work prepares you. For what?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">The Beatles were “prepared” to become The Beatles as history records them because they took a grueling job in Hamburg, Germany, playing 7 nights a week. They didn’t shrug off the opportunity as “stars,” but instead embraced the chance to A: Log in a big portion of those 10,000 hours, and B: Work, work, work, <em>(eight-days a week!)</em>. When they had their first breakthrough moment they had already performed 1200 times on stage. Twelve-hundred times.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">I remember my first gung-fu Teacher speaking about 12-years of training before “beginning to get it,” and one could hardly imagine a truly accomplished and pioneering Musician without at least 10,000 hours, or maybe 10-years of dedicated work in back of them. And I certainly wouldn’t want a heart-surgeon operating on someone in my family who did not spend many years in preparation.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">So, let’s say that you log in your many hours. You diligently do the work. You are prepared. Then what? Does opportunity… “knock?”</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><strong>What does it mean to be “meet opportunity?”</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Let me try to put 2 different ideas into a 2-part invention for you. A kind of fugue where one line plays off the other. In my college Educational Psychology course, I was often an outspoken counter-voice for the “black-box” theory. It basically states that we are born into the world as empty slates, waiting for environment to fill us with all that we are to become. That philosophy of psychology was often connected to Behaviorism and methods of dealing with… what in my case would be… Music students, in a way that seemed to disregard the undeniable “soul” that I sensed within myself and saw in others. The soul I am speaking of is the one brought on by generation after generation of pre-wiring culture, joined with our God-given uniqueness, and then further forged throughout our Lifetimes via our work-ethic, our chosen 10,000 hours <em>(then much more)</em>, and our opportunities.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">The 2nd line of this fugue is interesting. Over some of it we have control… but over all of it, we are ultimately creatures of luck. Now how the heck can I say that and where is this going? Is our Life ultimately a throw of the dice?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">We can stack the deck of probable outcomes by putting ourselves in the right place while hoping for the right time and outcome. <em>Example</em>: A 12-year-old boy once hit a hole-in-one on hole #2 during his first game of golf on caddy’s day! His fellow caddy said, <strong><em>“Man.. you are the luckiest SOB I have ever known!” </em></strong> The first caddy turned and said, <strong><em>“What do you mean luck? That’s where I was aiming.”</em></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><span style="color:#3f5cea"><a href="http://024echb9dri9-z8cu9xj4-zlqf.hop.clickbank.net/" data-imported="1"> </a></span>If you want to be a contender for the Heavy-weight championship of the world, it would help immensely to be putting in your 10,000 hours in the right gym, being seen by the right people who can guide you on the journey throughout the years. It’s the same in every field… from Symphony Conductors to boxers to doctors. Back in high school, Dorothy Hamill was a skater who probably logged in much more than 10,000 hours by the time she was 15! She maximized her skill set by training in places where she could be properly observed and groomed for the Olympics. Preparation met opportunity and indeed Dorothy went on to earn the Gold Medal.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">It seems to fit the success-story paradigm perfectly; the young girl grows up to womanhood, working hard and with great focus. But if you keep reading, I will posit the easily debatable notion that gold medal or not, her name recognized or not, Dorothy Hamill was and is a success.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">I was at a graduation party recently where the father of a very smart, very gifted and polite young graduate introduced his daughter to the Supervisor at a top Medical Center. “This is Lei, my daughter and she has just been accepted into such-and-such college as Pre-med.” Within minutes the Supervisor was inviting Lei to visit her and was already recommending good medical schools at which the Supervisor had contacts. She even began preparing Lei for her INTERVIEW at the Medical Center some 8 years from now!</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Lei is very bright, very hard-working. She’s got much of those 10,000 hours in and will soon become even more focused and dedicated… but can you appreciate the opportunity afforded to her by a graduation party and a savvy father?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">If success is something defined as meeting luck, then perhaps we should change the definition. Luck is too… well, “chancy!” You may leave the world unknown to the masses, and the best network-wiring you’ve ever done may not be in Facebook or Twitter… but within your own brain and then the possible lives of your offspring. You may have taken your 10,000 starter hours and helped to craft a person who is the product not only of his/her own hard work, but also that of the many generations that sacrificed and preceded you. In my case the goat-herders and the apple farmers of Calabria and Abruzzo in Italia. <em>(And yes, I will have really incredible stories or you as this site develops…)</em></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">When it comes to this “luck” we are speaking of, we really don’t have as much control of it as we would like to have, that is, luck coming to us. But… but… if you are an Educator, or you are in a position to understand the many variables of the students who come into your care, then you can take charge and create some of that “luck” for them. First teach them the inherent virtue of hard and dedicated and focused work. Start them in their noble 10,000-hour quest. Then, whenever you can, and using everything at your disposal, give them every opportunity you can… be it a job in Hamburg, Germany, or access to a laptop, or your garage-turned-gym, or the 2nd hole on a golf course.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">We cannot control the ebbs and flow of Time, when and where we are born, but we can help those who follow us… as best we can. Look forward, my friend. Not every great success is known. The tiny stone you drop into a still lake may one day produce a great wave. Take heart and do not let luck define your success. Instead, and as Roberto Clemente said, “<strong><em>If you have the chance to do something good for someone, and you don’t, you are wasting your time in this world.”</em></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Let us then do unto those who follow us as we would have wished someone might have done for us… had they only known. Be the best that you can be given the variables that have culminated in you alone. Work hard. Then, with faith and good will, pass your success like the sword Excalibur. Who knows, maybe some of your students, maybe your own kids will one day meet the opportunity that just missed you.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Godspeed! S</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">© Stephen Melillo 2012</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068998
2019-10-24T12:00:00-12:00
2019-10-24T17:34:59-12:00
Failure is Not an Option, It's a Target!
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">We are tuned to believe that “failure” is something to be avoided, when quite the contrary, failure is a target point. Warning… we are about to redefine “failure” in ways that exceed the normal usage of the word. </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Let’s look at it the way scientists do.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">“If you want to succeed, double your failure rate.” Thomas J. Watson</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Every day, I take my kids down to the P.O.E.T. <em>(the Place of Eternal Training) </em>It is a little pier by the waters of the James River. There we can stretch and work-out, practice forms. We talk. Watch sunrises. Sweat.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">At POET we try to find the point of “failure” for that given day, at that particular time. How long can we stand on one foot, with the other leg fully extended? How many push-ups can we do with X amount of sleep and X kinds of foods eaten, and so on and so forth.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">What <strong><em>is </em></strong>Failure? Imagine a model rocket. How high can it go? At what point does it fail? At what height in feet? What inch? Can we get it to go higher by learning from the “failure point?” Can we get it even higher by trimming some weight? Improving the engine thrust? Perhaps a re-design of the rocket’s “form.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Failure defines us. If we find something truly worthy of a Lifetime of effort and dedication, then success becomes a line drawn in the sand. Something we’ve settled for. What lies beyond that success? At what point has a person reached their greatest potential? Weight-lifters do this all the time. They push themselves via repetition and load to the point of “failure.” Failure assures us that we have truly given our best.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Of course the idea caries from the body to the mind to the spirit. When have I written my “best” Music? Where is <em>my</em> end? Rest assured that the Physical Arts are not so tumultuous and inconsistent a thing as the Arts!</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><em>From sometime long ago:</em></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">“There is definitely more risk in ART… and especially in Noble Art, left virtuous and un-compromised by Accountants or Agents. I’ve always thought that the easiest job could be found in the life of a Boxer. Winning and Losing are tangible, pragmatic events, and in a 3-minute round there is plenty of feedback about training and diet. Compare that to the life of an Artist… who succeeds, but might never know it, who falls consistently short and yet is lifted up. — Stephen Melillo, Boy, writer of Music, lover of food.”</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">And so I leave you with this thought. Failure as defined by Webster is of course… not an option. But failure as we define it here becomes a goal. Consider the Olympic swimmer consummately dedicated to shaving 100ths of a second… a quest in finding not only the limits of him/herself, but the very limits of Humanity itself. Now that’s cool.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">What is <em>your</em> limit? <em>Your</em> asymptotic line? Have you settled for success? Or can you carry on, refusing to fail while searching for <em>your</em> failure point?</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Godspeed in that Mission! S</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">© Stephen Melillo 2012</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068997
2019-10-24T12:00:00-12:00
2019-10-24T17:32:52-12:00
The Only Thing to Fear
<p><em><strong>The Only Thing to Fear…</strong></em><br><br>As it reads in a recent STORMWORKS Score: <strong><em> “STORMWORKS is a Life-lesson in “positive obsession,” the rigorous regard for History and its Heroes, the pursuit of transcendent Love despite the storms of the world and an unwavering belief in the Brotherhood of Man.”</em></strong><br><br>I once created a life-long class of students by posting 4X5 fliers… on the bottom of garbage cans in the remote recesses of Boston city streets. Whoever found those “most-unlikely-to-be-noticed” ads and responded would certainly become a student who could embrace the arduous rigor of the Chinese Martial Art.<br><br>With that in mind, and posted in the far-flung fields of the internet:<br><br><em><strong>The Only Thing to Fear…</strong></em><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/395020e6a26588914de31f690144af65e0290a00/original/slmstretch.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjM5eDU1MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="SLM Stretch 70s" height="552" style=" margin: 5px;" width="239" /><em><strong>The photo to the left was taken on that same "field" in the same Time-frame.</strong></em></p>
<p>At 16, one year in the Timeline before <em>“Only for Now,”</em> a single event changed my Life. Since it was so long ago and I don’t think anyone will take offense coming from a Man in his 58th year, I can tell you that I was disproportionately strong. In fact, because of “obsessive” training that had me, a high school kid competing with their upperclassmen cadets, the Military Academies made every effort to entice. However, this was during the final year of the Viet Nam War. I missed the draft by mere months. For those of you who’ve read <em>“Only for Now,”</em> you know that I eventually worked with Green Beret, and then because of research and interest, discovered many other <em>disproportionately strong</em> people. </p>
<p>When they were young they were “Supermen.” The feeling of <em>Indestructibility</em> is a normal thing for boys and some girls at this age. That’s why the Army drafted 18-year-olds. I have known and still know 16 year-olds who fought Nazis, Imperial Japanese, North Koreans and North Vietnamese. In fact, there was a 14-year-old on the Bataan Death March! Though connected , more on those special Men and Women in another story.<br><br>In this condition of being able to hoist up grand pianos on my legs, and move with improvised speed as you might see in a rehearsed and choreographed kung fu movie, I walked without Fear into many situations. Such was my heightened confidence and Training combined with the indestructible nature of being a teen.<br><br><strong>It was a foggy night. </strong> Occasionally, the diffused moon would become bright-white visible, then retreat once again behind the veil of misty fog.<br><br>Walking across a large field near my home, I saw someone in the distance. In reflexive seconds war games were mentally played out. I calculated the variables in a potential encounter. The stranger moved in cat-like fashion and projected great confidence. When he didn’t change his direction and continued straight toward me, I began a counter-intuitive and psychological assault. Instead of pausing and taking stock, I accelerated towards him with greater alacrity, projecting greater confidence.<br><br>A chill ran through me when the shadowy figure seemed to mirror my projection of strength. He moved faster toward me. The hairs on my arm tingled. I could feel the temperature change and felt the moist condensation on my skin. I was preparing for battle.
<br><br>Within the enigmatic man, I sensed a formidable power. I prepared for combat, summoning breath energy, and walked with still greater forward impetus. Into the dense atmosphere, I thrust forth even greater confidence and readiness, indeed telegraphing a transparent willingness to destroy him.<br><br>My heart raced when the man approaching me seemed to do the same! I could feel the pressure of the air compressing between us! Not only did he accelerate his pace, and swing his arms as if pumping his blood and adrenaline faster through his veins, but he actually appeared to become physically bigger!<br><br>This cat & cat game happening in mere seconds and feeling like centuries went on until finally, I realized, <em><strong>“This is no man!”<br><br></strong></em><br><br>It was <em>bigger</em> than a man. It had inhuman ferocity like some unleashed wild animal. Yet, its movement was controlled like a seasoned predator. <em>“What the hell is this thing?”</em> I thought! <em>"I've never faced anything like this before."</em> <br><br>The closer we got to each other, the bigger the thing became. <br><br>Finally it grew so big… I thought for sure I was in contact with some other-world presence. An eternal second later, it hit me. It was my own shadow, back-lit by the moon and projected into the screen of the fog.<br><br>I had walked across that field some 900 times before I left Greenwich High School, yet I had never seen those conditions of perfect back-lighting, fog, temperature and feel until this one Moment in Time. I thanked God. The Universe had conspired to teach me an invaluable lesson, and one that I want to share with you.<br><br>It is said, “<em>The only thing to fear is fear itself.”</em> Rather… the only thing to fear… is <em>yourself</em>. <br><br>I was blessed to learn that liberating lesson so early on. And indeed that would be a great way to close, but there is more.<br><br><br><em><strong>The Theory Put into Practice:</strong></em><br><br>When I was 4 years old, two baby-sitters came to our 1st-floor apartment in the 6 story building. In ill-conceived joking, the two girls went to the window and dialogued, <em>“Who is that?”</em><br><br><em>“I think someone is scaling the wall!”</em><br><br><em>“He has a flashlight!” </em><br><br><em>“Oh my God… call the police!”</em> Etc., etc. You get the idea.<br><br>They helped me to develop an irrational “fear” of going to sleep in my room with the too easily scaled first floor window. As the years passed, I had devised secret defensive mechanisms like a model rocket poised to traverse a string back to the window, triggered by two metal contacts made when the window was opened. As a 5th-grader I had scaled that wall myself AND opened the window. With the fear tested in a scientific fashion, I had developed a long-lasting insomnia that took me to age 16, an <em>irrational fear</em> putting dents into that otherwise indestructible armor.<br><br>On that same night, the night that I now call <em>“Shadow-Night,”</em> I had a dream… a controlled nightmare as it were… where someone approached the bottom-floor bedroom window in my Greenwich home. I say “controlled” because I knew I was dreaming and I was able to control events in the dream. When the scary figure banged on my window, a knife in one hand, I froze within the dream, as I always did… up until that particular moment. Remembering the events and lesson of the field, I forced myself to move and confront the shadowy assailant. You know how it is when you try to move within a dream but can’t? Well, I MADE myself move. I got up from the bed and faced the window. <br><br>By now, I was fully awake and actually living in real life what I was dreaming. I ran outside to “face my fear.” Of course no one was there. But from that moment on, the fear was gone. <br><br>Now as a Dad, I often tell my kids, <em>“If you</em> <em>are afraid of something… face it. The only thing to fear… is</em> <strong><em>yourself</em></strong>.”<br><br>Train. Make yourself powerful, flexible and confident. Face your irrational fears. <em>(Rational fears are good!) </em> The only thing to fear… is <em>yourself</em>.<br><br>Godspeed! S</p>
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Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068994
2017-06-28T12:00:00-12:00
2017-06-28T16:39:59-12:00
The Nature of Learning
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<p>29 June 2017<br>On the Birthday of Bernard Herrmann<br><br><br>This 11:26 film will compress your Music education into questions and perhaps answers. <a title="STORMSummate" href="https://youtu.be/xUP9Xw2kbtg" data-imported="1">Click here for STORMSummate.</a><br><br>Every so often, I hear from fellow Music-makers who have played since the 4th grade. They have experienced much, learned much, and teach much. But let’s be objective rather than subjective, locked into any one school of thought. <em><strong>Is there a better way?</strong></em><br><br>It’s common to think that the number of years that you’ve been doing something would have an impact on your skill level… but study after study in areas of everything from basketball to woodworking to shooting to painting proves that it’s just not the case. <br> <br>If it were the case, we’d see more 90-year-olds in NASCAR, but we don’t.<br> <br>Since I started playing baseball almost 50 years ago…before MBL players were born… I SHOULD be better than them, but I’m not. In fact, it’s more common to see people in any sport grind out rep after rep for year after year, only to plateau or get worse, instead of getting better.<br> <br>So, if the number of years that a Musician, for instance, has been playing, teaching, learning, writing doesn’t matter, what does?<br> <br>It’s the quality, type, and frequency of the practice that you do.<br> <br><em>Perfect</em> technique, frequent sessions, and deliberate practice focusing on specific aspects of your technique will get you quicker, better results than just slugging it out over time. <br><br><strong>Practice makes Permanent, not perfect.</strong><br> <br>This is fantastic, exciting, liberating news, because it means that it doesn’t take decades to become great! With the right tools, you can do it in a few minutes per day and see dramatic changes in just a couple of weeks.<br> <br>Focusing on <em>perfect</em> technique lets your brain develop an automatic default where you’re thinking of Music and not the “how-to-make-it.”<br><br>You should see the emphasis on “perfect” as a gift. It means that you can get more benefit out of 5-10 minutes of perfect practice per day than you can from an hour or more per week of swinging at a tree with an unsharpened axe.<br><br>So check out that film, share it with colleagues. Ask yourself the questions it will stir with an opened-mind. See the whole thing from concept to completion and imagine what you can bring.<br><br><a title="STORMSummate" href="https://youtu.be/xUP9Xw2kbtg" data-imported="1">Click here for STORMSummate.</a><br><br>It’s incumbent on us to be the game-changers!<br><br>Godspeed! S</p>
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Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068993
2017-05-04T12:00:00-12:00
2017-05-04T22:05:16-12:00
Uncle Ernie
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<p>The Eve of 6 May 2017<br>Gramps Nicky’s Birthday <br>and the New Saint Dominic Savio Feast-day<br><br><br>Dear Family and Friends,<br><br>You know how every once in a while, a “scene” will pop into your head for no reason at all? Not sure what triggers it, but you suddenly remember a specific. often obscure moment, that until you saw it again, had you convinced it was wiped from your Memory? <br><br>Well, I call these<em><strong> “<a title="To STORMWORKS" href="http://stephenmelillo.com.hostbaby.com/chapter_i:_without_warning/stormworks/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Timestorms</a>”</strong></em> and for whatever reason it might be, this morning, looking out at a rain-soaked street from my bed, I saw a scene involving <em><strong>Uncle Ernie</strong></em>, Alan’s Father, Aunt Lola’s Husband… you know the relationships better than I.<br><br><em>(ooh… MASSIVE Thunder just hit right now! Actually SHOOK the house!)</em><br><br>When I was real little, we were at Great Grampa Caruso’s. I guess he was feeling frail at the Time. I vividly recall Uncle Ernie, a big Man as I recall, placing his hand on Grampa’s shoulder. It was so loving, so gentle, so tender and Giving, that it became locked into my Soul FOREVER, <em>(actually imagery in the mind aside). </em><br><br>I realize today that I have ALWAYS associated that “touch” with the very definition of Compassion.<br><br>Uncle Ernie, in that one absolutely small moment, at least to him, “programmed” my understanding of Compassion… which now, as I look back, explains why I so often place a hand on the kids who come into my care.<br><br>Just thought I would share that with you on the eve of Grampa Nick’s Birthday. LOVE & MISS him, and what has SYNCly become the new Feast Day for Saint Dominic Savio.<br><br>Thank you, Uncle Ernie. From long after you have walked with us, you continue to Inspire.<br><br>Love & Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068992
2017-05-02T12:00:00-12:00
2017-05-02T19:28:43-12:00
Unsolicited Thoughts on “Stage Fright.” For the Kids in Our Care…
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<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/b6a304098e0945746ceb60cea72b8168c93076f6/original/ofn-seating.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzMzeDMwMSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Only for Now Seating Chart" height="301" style=" margin: 7px;" width="333" /></p>
<p>3 May 2017, the 37th anniversary of<em><strong> Only for Now</strong></em>, premiered at M.I.T.<br><br>In any activity, uncontrolled fear can get the better of us. At best we default to our level of training. In an honor band setting, where only hours of learning and rehearsal have taken many to new ideas, that means that much of the fresh experience will be under the fire of pressures brought on by the audience, the lights, the seemingly different temperatures, etc.<br><br>On 3 May 1980, a 9-movement work was premiered at M.I.T. It was <em><strong>“Only for Now.” </strong></em> For the event, my Grandfather came up to Boston with my Mom from Port Chester, New York. This <em><strong>first</strong></em> concert of Music that I had written was also the <em><strong>last</strong></em> concert he would ever hear.<br><br>Years later, I realized that in every audience, there was a good chance someone was hearing Music for the First Time. A baby perhaps, or someone who had never been to such an event. And in every concert, there was a sad probability that someone was hearing Music for the<em> Last</em> Time.<br><br>If you focus on those 2 people… the first-time concert-goer, and the last-time listener, your stage-fright will go away. If instead you flood your Music-making with Love and Giving, intent upon offering your best to these 2 people, you will be so filled with the true nature and purpose of Music that there will be no room for fear to enter. In the end, that is why we make Music… to Give.<br><br>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068990
2016-04-25T12:00:00-12:00
2020-01-08T06:32:58-12:00
PRINCE, a Story of Genius & Good
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/510fff93cb79e5fb3cb4630177fe13bcdd9b7d14/original/prince.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjIweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="333" style=" margin-left: 6px; margin-right: 6px;" width="220" />Twenty-five years ago I was in Los Angeles to score the <strong>1201PM</strong> short that was later nominated for an<em> Academy Award</em>. I was there with the same Director, Jonathan Heap, whose new film, <strong>The Unwilling, </strong> I just finished scoring today! <br><br>We were in a famous Los Angeles bar. “Bar 1,” I believe but don’t quote me. There were a number of stars there, Dan Ackroyd for one, Michael Douglas, a few big names. And there was Steve. Tight haircut, wearing a crew collar sweater, I looked like <em>“Johnny Prep.” </em> I was never one for bars anyway and only went with Jonathan and Phil because… well, they said I had to!<br><br>At one point, a Prince song came up on the house system. A smile came to my face! In that same <em>25-year-ago SYNC-circle</em>, I was just 2 months away from the premiere of a stage work entitled<strong> SON of the STORM</strong>, which as the SYNC of today would have it has been resurrected … <em>25 year later</em> … and is currently in its final weeks of mixing.<br><br>I said, actually <em>yelled</em> to Jonathan, “You know Prince is a Genius!”<br><br>“You like Prince?”<br><br>“Absolutely!”<br><br>“Wow,” said a surprised Jonathan over the noise. “I didn’t think you listened to that kind of Music.”<br><br>“Hey, man!” I shouted. “Genius is genius, and you know what? I want <em><strong>that</strong></em> guy to play the part of <em>The Creature</em> in <strong>SON of the STORM</strong>. Of course, how the heck do you get in touch with a guy like THAT!?”<br><br>At that very moment… <strong>PRINCE</strong> walked into the bar!<br><br>He was accompanied by two massive, and I do not use the word lightly, bodyguards. These guys were immense, one to Prince’s right, the other to his left.<br><br>I remember thinking, <em>“how did he know his song was going to be playing? Did he time his entrance on purpose, or was it just a weird accident?”</em><br><br>Prince and his bodyguards walked in a non-engaging circle… into the room and then toward the exit. No one, not even the big name stars made eye contact with him, let alone do the somewhat expected pat on the back and say, “Hey Dude, how’s it going?” In fact, they looked away and down.<br><br>Perplexed by the way everyone was treating… <em>freaking PRINCE</em>… I sort of shook my head in question. Even my buddies seemed unimpressed with his presence.<br><br>Prince was just about to exit when I ran up in back of him and shouted, “I really LOVE your Music, man!”<br><br>The three of them stopped cold and turned toward me. The room seemed to go quiet as I could feel ALL eyes on the four of us!<br><br>Now… think about what I <em>might</em> have said:<br><br>“Oh Mr. Prince, how severely I enjoy your Music-making, sir…”<br><br>Nope.<br><br>“Hi, Mr. Prince. You know, I’m a Composer too, and you need to be The Creature in my…”<br><br>Buzzer sound. <br><br>“I want to congratulate you on your many…”<br><br>Nah.<br><br>Instead, and just like the little boy I really am, I repeated myself and said to a guy my same age, “ I really LOVE your Music, man!”<br><br>Now… think about what Prince might have said, because you see, this is the crux of the story!<br><br>“Why thank you. It’s not easy being great…”<br><br>No way.<br><br>“Oh… are you someone who might help me further in my career? You see I don’t normally speak with peons, who dress like they are at prep school.”<br><br>No.<br><br>Prince turned around, his 2 bodyguards mirroring the move. An honest smile came to his face. he was calm an seemed somehow relieved. He made direct contact with my eyes. Did I see loneliness there? He was warm and sincere and kind. He extended his hand and while we shook hands he said, “Thank you. Thank you.”<br><br>He turned around and left the place. Everyone was now staring at me. <br><br>I have spent many years, 25 to be exact, wondering about what all of that meant. When Prince left us just days ago, that story of his Genuineness and Kindness and Sincerity and Genius came flooding back.<br><br>I have taken into my own the hand of many <em>many</em> people across the many years of my Life. The moments of genuine connection are always rare indeed. </p>
<p>I wanted to share this story about Prince for a simple reason. There are certain things you can’t fake. You really can’t fake Sincerity, or Warmth, and though you can <em>act</em> Kind, you can’t fake <em>real</em> Kindness.<br><br>Prince was <em>real</em>. I admired him greatly. Still do. I believe he is a genius… but more than that, I believe he is a good soul. I will always remember shaking his hand and looking into his eyes and in that brief moment, connecting with an immensely gifted and good man.<br><br>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068989
2016-04-22T12:00:00-12:00
2016-04-22T17:05:13-12:00
23 April 2016 Closing Remarks Honoring Our Veterans
<p><br>THAT WE MIGHT LIVE<br><br>Closing Remarks Honoring Our Veterans<br>12 Noon<br>Saturday, 23 April 2016<br>Dismal Swamp Trail<br>1113 George Washington Highway<br>Chesapeake, VA 23323<br><br>Speech written to honor the Souls of Bataan & Corregidor<br>by STEPHEN MELILLO IGNA 22 April 2016<br><br><br>If you do this again next year, remember these stories. Remember the names and places. Learn about them, and then when you take each step next year and the year after that, let the Story of these Great Souls become a part of you and your families forever.<br><br>I am honored and burdened to share this with you.<br><br>This December is the 75th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Approaching 71 years ago, WWII in the Pacific came to an end, but NOT for the Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, ex-POWs who put up a valiant 4-month fight, already beginning their starvation and using 1918 WWI ammo that failed 9 out of 10 rounds, with muzzle-bursts injuring their own Men. It would take them as long as 40 years before they would begin to tell their stories, where for 3 years, 8 months and 25 days, 31,095 were sacrificed to sub-human, brutal conditions and hardship. <br><br>They held off the Japanese invasion long enough to profoundly affect the outcome of the war. 78,000 were “Surrendered.” 10,000 died on the Death March. <br><br>On 9 April 1942, 14 days and 74 years ago, during the hottest month of the year, they began UPHILL on a zig zag road. To falter even for a moment meant a bayonet thrust, or a beheading. Some were dragged and run over by tanks. <br><br>After surviving a step by step, desperate mile by mile “Death” march to hell-hole POW camps like Camp O’Donnell, Cabanatuan, Mindanao & Palawan, they faced years of day-by-day torture, despair, abandonment and a thirsty-hunger not just of the body, but of the Soul.<br><br>After years of agonizing imprisonment, they were herded into filthy ship holds, there to risk insanity and death, packed standing without rest… sweaty flesh to skin-and-bones flesh. <br><br>21,000 Allied POWs died at sea in the “Hell Ships.” About 19,000 of them were killed by US Forces.<br><br>They faced continued “Agony” as slaves in the mines of Japan, and were paraded naked in the streets where they could be further debased and humiliated. Some were put into zoo-cages so children could laugh at them. Others were burned alive for sport. <br><br>Still wearing the same tattered clothes they had worn in extreme heat, they were now freezing, emaciated, and plundered from 190 to 67 pounds, carrying as many as 26 parasites in their bodies, while they dreamed of Home.<br><br>When contemplating the Defenders of Bataan & Corregidor, a word I cannot imagine without a “capitol S” is “Suffering.” Their Suffering. <br><br>Of the 31,095, only 14,473 were released after the war. <br><br>Who are these Men? They were reduced to the most base form of “animal.” Some hated themselves and claimed that it was the “good” who died. After years of imprisonment and punishment, they were freed by Americans wearing uniforms they did not recognize. <br><br>Food was dropped to shriveled, starving survivors. In more unthinkable irony, some who had endured so much for so long were killed by the canisters. And what did some of these battered Men do? They gave their food to starving Japanese children. <br><br>That’s some history, a little background, some facts, but there’s a MISSION here.<br><br>Let’s take a small sampling of boys, like different spokes of the same wheel, and see if we can zoom in on a common hub... something they all shared. Maybe, it will help us as we too, “fight the Good fight…”<br><br>The greatest “rock stars” I’ve ever known are the people I’m going to tell you about. Though largely forgotten even in American History books, these special people deserved groupies more than any Hollywood actor/rock star you can think of.<br><br>I first read about “The Bataan Death March” when I was a kid. I went to New Mexico to meet an authority on the Subject. Instead, her husband came out… bright blue eyes, big smile, a cane. He sat down and started talking about “The Bataan Death March.”<br><br>His name was Jack Aldrich. We talked for over an hour before I finally said, “Wait a minute… you were there!?” He nodded.<br><br>“Jack,” I said in a reverent whisper, “you’re a Hero!” <br><br>He closed his eyes in quiet reflection… tired of having heard it so often and said, “I never had to storm a beach, or hold a hill. I never jumped from a plane or liberated a town. All I did was survive. The Heroes are the ones still over there.” Then he said… “I have seen men die, and, dying say, ‘Tell them how it was.” <br><br>Jack also neglected to say how he fought for 4 months in the jungle with failing ammo, eating shoe leather, insects and leaves, with “no Mama, no Papa, no Uncle Sam,” but hopefully you’ve already heard that.<br><br>Lorenzo Bañegas said, “We didn’t Surrender. We were Surrendered.” Then he said. “We were in the hold of that ship (the hell ship) and I looked at the cross in the beam and I said, ‘Lord if it is your will for me to live then I’ll live, and if it’s your will for me to die then I’ll die.’ I gave myself… (in other words, the first time he Surrendered himself …) to God.”<br><br>Evans Garcia was 92 when I met him back in 2002. By the way, I also met a guy who was 14 when he was captured. <br><br>Evans stole medicine from the sick bay. A guard caught him. They stood him up to face 9 Japanese soldiers with rifles. The officer raised his stick to give the order. <br><br>“Nine Japanese,” yelled Garcia!<br><br>“What?” screamed the officer.<br><br>“Nine Japanese!” yelled Garcia.<br><br>“What?” screamed the officer again.<br><br>“It takes 9 Japanese to kill ONE American!” said a defiant Garcia.<br><br>An enraged officer said, “I’ll show you how many Japanese it takes!” <br><br>Garcia was then beaten, supposedly to his death by the guard. After all of that, he and a small group stitched together an American Flag. Ever see “The Patriot?” Keep in mind, these guys were being beheaded for humming “God Bless America.” That was a very important “code” to them and a way of communicating their longing for home.<br><br>Ward “Big Red” Redshaw was born in New Mexico. With the 200th Coastal Artillery, he defended the attack on the Philippines, was captured, went on the march, survived the camps, the hell ships, slave labor, and get this now, watched the New Mexico-built A-bomb hit Nagasaki from his prison cell. He passed away from throat cancer which is believed to have been a result of the radiation from that bomb. Embodied in that one human life is all of the Beginning and the End of WWII in the Pacific... and ALL of that, in Suffering.<br><br>Ben “Bull” Benini, our most recent and local ex-POW from the Bunnys group was put into the Hospice and went 7 weeks longer than the doctors predicted. He said, “They wrote me off… well, I’ll show them.” <br><br>Consider the physical state of the POWs described earlier. After 6 thirsty, Life-taking days in one of the hottest days on record in the Philippines, and up to 90 miles on the Death March depending on where you started, and after being carted into a train, denied water, with buddies being executed along the way, some tied to barbed wire to be eaten by ants, and dying from dysentery, dehydration, malaria and many other tropical diseases, with Men in his camp dying at a rate of 30-50 a day… under THOSE conditions, here is what Mr. Benini did. <br><br>“Our Mission” he said, “Our MISSION was to take out Jap planes. The airstrip was our detail. Me and this other guy took the rocks they used for night landings and slowly changed them using seashells to reflect the light differently. We eventually crashed a plane.” <br><br>He laughed. Even as a wasted-down, abused POW he was on a Mission.<br><br>Genro Lambiosa, learned to speak some Japanese before the war. As a NAVY Diver, he wound up unloading supplies for the Japanese who were searching for the submerged Philippine Gold Treasury. Genro and Charlie Dowdy used to joke about keeping some of that gold for themselves while hiding significant portions from the Japanese! While putting a wrench in the works, Genro raised pigeons for food on the dock. He shipped with the American Rover in Norfolk until he passed away in his late 80s working on a ladder. These guys never gave up.<br><br>Charlie Dowdy was a tough one. It took 3 years before he felt comfortable with me. (that is 3 years plus 40, remember.) One day he said, “You can’t understand what happened over there.”<br><br>I said… “You’re right. No one could except you guys, but if it’s okay, I’d like to hang around with you.” <br><br>One of the great personal triumphs was finally making Charlie laugh. Charlie was a NAVY Diver too. His story begins at Pearl Harbor. His ship was hit in the attack!… and ends in Fukua Prison Camp as a Slave laborer. He had many stories about “lugao” and he would talk about how he made deals for things like a piece of rope, or half of an old tent from which he could stitch new pants. Charlie named his Guard/Torturers “Mickey Mouse” and “Donald Duck.” Like so many others he was defiant, even in humor.</p>
<p><br>David “Top” Topping was a walking encyclopedia. He knew everyone from Jesse Owens to Louis Zamperini. After the war, he took it upon himself to keep records of all the American POWs and the Hell Ships they endured. Dave was almost 190 pounds when they captured him. He was 84 pounds when he was liberated. <br><br>One morning he said, “We couldn’t even sit.”<br><br>“What?”<br><br>In a studious, articulate Dave-manner, he said, “At that weight, the coccyx bone is so exposed, it’s difficult to sit.” <br><br>I thought I had heard enough, but there was always one more story, one more unimaginable nightmare for these guys to overcome.<br><br>Jim Downey was Filipino. His ordeal began with not one, not two, but THREE ships being shot out from underneath him. Three times he went into the water, three times he went treading with sharks. Ironically, he was training for the Olympics as a swimmer when the War snatched him. Jim survived the 3 sinkings and sharks only to be captured and then… You know the rest.<br><br>He would hold up his hand and say, “See that? Steady as a rock. I can still shoot. I’d go again if they let me. I love America.” He would get teary-eyed. “Yeah, I really love America.”<br><br>Another guy who went into the water was Stanley Woody. Woody was on the USS HOUSTON and was one of only 249 Americans to work on the River Kwai rail system. Watch the movie, “Bridge on the River Kwai.” Woody used to joke, “Yeah, they got William Holden to play me.” <br><br>He also said and always with a laugh, “I was only 19 when they got me. That’s why I look so young!” He once said, “I fought for Freedom, and I would do it again. After I read the book they did on us, that’s when I got scared.” <br><br>Interestingly enough, the Japanese used to BOW to Woody before giving him a small can of rice for the day. Why? Because the USS HOUSTON kept firing and went down while firing.<br><br>Sam Ring was a 6th Army Ranger who after living next to our Bataan Vets for 60 years finally learned about Mr. Blair’s Breakfast at Bunnys. Sam turned 18 on January 18th 1945. For his birthday, he was shot through the thumb with a Japanese .25 mm machine gun bullet and was ripped up the right side by a hand grenade. For the remainder of his life he had 21 pieces of shrapnel in his body. Eleven days after his birthday, Sam took part in The Great Raid, the rescue of the POW’s at Cabanatuan. Sam simply referred to that as “another mission.” <br><br>Unknown to him at the time, Sammy saved Sergeant Sam Ring, Sam’s Father who was captured at age 41, put on the March, and survived until his own Son rescued him at Cabanatuan. <br><br>While doing research for the Musical Tribute, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE, we found footage made by the Army Signal Corps. I showed the Footage to Sam. <br><br>“Steve! That’ my Dad!.”<br><br>“I know!”<br><br>“Where did you get this?” he said getting choked up?<br><br>“Don’t you remember ever doing this interview? It had to be a big set-up with tripods and everything else?”<br><br>“No... I don’t remember.”<br><br>Maybe Sam didn’t remember, because AFTER the Great Raid he was on the front lines against the Japanese until the End of WWII. Then he fought in Korea. Then he did 3 tours in Vietnam. I always asked him, “Hey Sammy… How much is enough?”<br><br>He would say, “I’d do it again if they’d let me. I fought for Freedom and I’d do it again.”<br><br>Norman “Jack” Matthews BEGAN the Death March wounded. Both he and his Brother, Ed were captured. Ed died in Jack’s arms. <br><br>The Japanese commanding officer said on their arrival, “It would have been better for you if had you died on the march.”<br><br>After 3.5 years of Suffering and anguish, Jack went into the sardine-like confines of a Hell Ship. In the hold of that ship there was no fresh air. There was a bucket for defecation. There was unending heat, thirst, sweat, stench, vampirism and every other horrible torment you might imagine. The ship was damaged by US Forces and it took 69 days to repair. 69 Days in THOSE conditions… 69 days on a CRUISE SHIP would be a nightmare... but can you imagine? That ALONE would be Hell.<br><br>But Jack survived “HELL” only to wind up as a Slave-laborer in Japan, and when finally liberated, he chose not to come home, but to remain as part of the occupying force.<br><br>One day, Jack was talking about his Brother. <br><br>“Jack? Why do you think he died?” In his whispery quiet, soft-spoken, years-of-carrying-a heavy-burden-way, Jack said, “He was good.”<br><br>In so many words, Jack was saying, “ I am not good,” and that is why he believed he survived and that is what he carried inside for so many years.<br><br>Jack Suffered his own private HELL like all the guys did… and yet, he would say things like, “It’s so great to be able to get up in the morning and have some breakfast. Life just doesn’t get any better than this.”<br><br><br>Louis Sachwald, who had his legs run over by a Tractor during the March, and Marion “Turk” Turner passed away on the same day. Separated only by distance, the guys were, and probably still are “connected.” <br><br>Louie was forced to dig his own grave and lie in it until he died. When he didn’t, he was allowed to get out and face 3 months on the Hell Ships.<br><br>Turk was buried at Sea courtesy of the USS BATAAN. (one of many reasons we love the Bataan Crew…)<br><br>At Turk’s Funeral, I played Taps… and for the echo Taps, I played Reveille. That’s who this guy was… and remains. And if it was good enough for Winston Churchill then it was good enough for Turk. <br><br>He came out of the Depression, like most of the guys, and when the War started he said, “Well, if we gotta fight, I ain’t walkin’. I’m gonna ride this one out.” So he joined the NAVY and served on the USS PERCH. <br><br>Now, in a scene that rivals anything you’ll ever see in a good movie, Turk was the 2nd to last man to get off the scuttled submarine. He was half-way up the cargo net on the Japanese ship when he looked back and saw his Captain staying with the Perch. With one of his arms wounded, Turk dove back in and rescued his Captain, pulling him up that cargo net. <br><br>One day I asked him,“What can you tell me about Corregidor?” <br><br>Always with a smile, “Oh that place had the most beautiful sunrises!”<br><br>One day he said, “I could only get to the number 12 when they beat me. Then I would pass out on my feet. Didn’t know what was happening after that.” Then he would say, “One of the hardest things to do is kill a man if he don’t want to die.”<br><br>Every day, Turk would say to fellow POWs ready to let go and die, “They’re comin’ tomorrow. They’re comin’ tomorrow!” He said that for 1,294 days. On the 1,295th day, he was right! <br><br>I think Webster’s should replace their definition of Optimism with a photo of TURK TURNER. He was holding Spencer (my 11 September 2001 born Son) on his lap, both of them with blue eyes blazing… when he said, “My Life just keeps getting’ better and better.”<br><br>JESSE BALTAZAR let us go just 11 days ago.<br><br>Due to lost records it took over 70 years for 71st Battalion’s Jesse Baltazar to finally receive his Purple Heart at age 94. John was the first native-born Filipino to join the Air Force in 1948. He joined the U.S. Armed Forces Far East (USAFFE) in 1941 after Pearl Harbor. His camp was bombed on 15 March 1942, at which time he suffered shrapnel wounds to his leg. Under those conditions, he did the march! But what does Jesse want most? That the medal representing his story and the story of his friends gets passed on to the next generation. SIR! We’ll see to that!<br><br>As small worlds would have it, Daniel Crowley was born in Greenwich, CT., where I went to High School. Did we get to meet him? No… wasn’t on any History Class agenda, I guess. <br><br>Daniel fought on Corregidor with the 4th Marines until they were officially surrendered by General Wainwright on 6 May 1942. Daniel went from Camp O’Donnell to Cabanatuan and then to Palawan (and like I said, if these names are new to you, please research them for the Love of these Men.) Daniel helped build an airfield in the blazing sun with little clothes, no hat, no shoes. Half the prisoners died there, and if it were not for an American doctor’s convincing act, Daniel would have been returned to Palawan and burned alive with the remaining prisoners at the airfield. Daniel was then hell-shipped to Japan were he slaved in an ancient copper mine until 14 August 1945. He was liberated on 4 September 1945 and has spent his life fighting for the legacy of those who fought with him against all odds.<br><br>JOHN MIMS went in at 190 lbs and came out at 67 lbs! On the march, his teeth were broken out with a bottle and his legs were broken for trying to escape. He watched his friends killed in random firing squads. When asked how it was that he survived, he said, “God intended it. I think God was looking out for me.”<br><br>By all means, please rub your elbows with these Great Souls.<br><br>I can’t help but REALLY love these guys. I hope you do too.<br><br>So here’s the MISSION WRAP: Ready?<br><br>It is said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. True… but we also stand… maybe even kneel… on the shoulders of average, common, often unknown, never-really praised or singled-out, forgotten by history, completely ordinary, day-to-day people who have been called, or have indeed volunteered to do the EXTRA-Ordinary and the UN-Common… some of whom... Sacrificed EVERYTHING … that we might live.<br><br>They were called the “Greatest Generation,” though these guys in particular, the greatest of the great, saw themselves as anything but Great. <br><br>So to you, the Greatest Generation in progress, upon whose shoulders will stand more of the unnamed, and their children and their children’s children, let’s recap:<br><br>Perseverance<br>Faith<br>Guts<br>Mission<br>Humor<br>Surrendered but never surrendering<br>Fighting on even while you’re going down<br>Hope <br>Unswerving Audacity & Optimism while looking out for your friends…<br>Carrying the Torch into Future Generations...<br>The Love of Freedom…<br><br>That’s just some of it. <br><br>I offer these small, edited stories in words and in Music. They lived them in Blood.<br><br>If you serve in the Military or if you support them in any way, I come to you with unmeasurable Love and Respect. You’re the next Greatest Generation… and it’s not possible to thank you.<br><br>Thank you for your Time and listening, for getting inspired to learn more.. and for becoming part of their story, a story that will go on and on and on, for as long as there is a need to defend Freedom.<br><br>Godspeed! S<br><br>*** *** ***<br><br>Family includes: Charles Melillo, an ex-POW of the North Koreans, and since passed on. Dennis Chiarella, an ex-POW of the North Vietnamese. Pat Viscusi who served in World War II, Korea and Viet Nam. Dominic Melillo, Rudy Antonucci, Bruce DeFilippo and Dominic Vallette who served in World War II. Ray Primm, who served in Korea. Don Marturano who served aboard the Intrepid during the Viet Nam War.</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068987
2015-11-29T12:00:00-12:00
2015-12-08T22:45:51-12:00
ROCKY!
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<p><br>More from Thanksgiving 2015.<br><br>Nico, Naoko, the kids and I went to see <strong>CREED</strong> on Thanksgiving. I confess it as loudly as possible. <strong> I LOVE Sylvester Stallone</strong>. I love what he shares of himself and what he tries to package as a lasting message. I grew up watching <strong>ROCKY</strong> and admiring Sylvester Stallone. I often share his messages with my kids. In fact… Here’s the SYNC with <strong>ROCKY</strong> and a small film clip to share.<br><br><strong>Thanksgiving 1976. </strong> <em>(Time of the 333 Prayer on the Bridge.)</em> <strong>ROCKY</strong>! I loved it. Saw it many many Times. Loved Bill Conti’s Music. Loved Sly.<br><br><strong>Approaching Christmas 2006.</strong> <strong>ROCKY BALBOA</strong>. We were in Connecticut for my Mom’s funeral. All the kids from mine and my Brothers' families went to see it. When that light bulb needed replacing, I leaned over and told Nick, <em>“Watch, in some later scene he’s gonna come back with a light bulb. No show… just a bulb.” </em>How did I know? Because that’s just what my Grandfather would have done, just what my Mom would have done. Missed “Midwest” that year and then lost my taste for it. It was a Time for my Mom and Christmas.<br><br><strong>Thanksgiving 2015: CREED.</strong> There are so many SYNCS in this film I can’t list them. I mean that there are SYNCS that seem planted there just for my family. <em>LOVED</em> <strong>CREED</strong>. Love <strong>Sylvester</strong> <strong>Stallone</strong>. Here’s what I want to share:<br><br>Together in Connecticut for my Mom’s funeral in 2006, we took the kids to see <strong>Rocky Balboa (6)</strong>. This is one of my favorite dialogues. I was reminded of it tonight watching <strong>CREED</strong>, which has its own timely messages. <br><br>Right after the <strong>Rocky</strong> scene… you’ll also find one of my all time favorite dialogues from <em><strong>Superman</strong></em>. Enjoy.<br><br><strong>Rocky Balboa:</strong> You ain't gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here. <br><em>[taps on the inside of his hand]</em> <br><br><strong>Rocky Balboa:</strong> I'd hold you up to say to your mother, "this kid's gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew." And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilege. Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow. Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain't gonna have a life. Don't forget to visit your mother.</p>
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<p>Dialogue starts at around 2:00</p>
<p><br> <br><em><strong>SUPERMAN</strong></em><br><br><strong>JONATHAN KENT</strong>, much older now, stands with stooped shoulders, a scythe in one hand. He looks care-worn, but deeply concerned as CLARK joins him in the yard.<br><br><strong>CLARK</strong><br>I don't mean...to show off, Dad. <br>It's just that...<br><br><strong>JONATHAN</strong><br><em>(total understanding)</em></p>
<p><br>You got all these amazin' things you can do <br>and sometimes you think you'll go bust if <br>you don't let other people know ..<br><br><strong>CLARK</strong><br><em>(misty-eyed frustration)</em></p>
<p><br>I could score a touchdown every time I had <br>the ball. Every time, Dad. Is it showing off <br>for a person to do what he's capable of? Is <br>a bird Showing off when it flies?<br><em>(no reply)</em></p>
<p><br>I'm sorry, Dad. I know I made a promise, <br>but I just don't think I can handle it anymore.<br><br><strong>CLARK</strong> turns away. <strong>JONATHAN</strong> watches with compassion.<br><br><strong>JONATHAN</strong><br>Look, son. You've been nothin' but a blessing to your mother and me. In the beginning - when you first <br>came -we thought they'd take you away from us if <br>people found out about. . . the things you could do. <br>But a man thinks different as he gets older, 'thinks...<br>better. Wiser. Starts to see things clear. And I<br>know now that as sure as we're gonna see the moon <br>tonight there's a reason why you're here. Don't ask me <br>what reason, don't ask me whose reason. <br>But whoever, and whatever, there's one thing I do know...<br><em>(soft smile)</em><br><br>It ain't to score touchdowns.<br><br></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068986
2015-11-12T12:00:00-12:00
2015-12-23T10:27:05-12:00
STAR WARS, and what Might Have Been...
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<p>It’s 13 November 2015, and I wanted to get this out there, albeit hastily between the many projects. I wanted some sort of record “before” the next full downpour of soda cups, toys, dolls, and the newest must-have light-sabers! <em>(My kids have a custom-built light-saber RACK by the way, from <strong>before</strong> the dark times… <strong>before</strong> the Empire.)</em> Don’t forget the “new” conveniently scripted Darth mask, for our <em>new</em> "mysterious masked man!"<br><br>To set the record straight, I want you to know that I <em><strong>paid</strong></em> 43 times to see the original STAR WARS movie. I have seen it many more times than that, but 43 paid times to be blown away again and again, and experience it in various theaters just to measure audience reactions and the effects of differing sound-systems, etc.<br><br>Today's share excludes JOHN WILLIAMS! It is my opinion that if it were not for John Williams, and his mammoth talent, his vision, his homages to Erich Korngold and Gustav Holst, his Romantic, Operatic vision, STAR WARS would have dwindled long ago.<br><br>When EMPIRE STRIKES BACK hit the screen in 1980, I was in my first high school teaching job. When the band kids did something well, I would cup my hands over my mouth and say, <em>“Impressive. Most Impressive.”</em> It wasn’t until I brought the entire band to the movies to see EMPIRE that they even knew what I was talking about! The theater erupted in laughter when Darth Vader said it to Luke.<br><br>Thirty-Five years ago in 1980, at the height of my Romantic idealism and naivete, I wrote a letter to George Lucas. Handwritten, mind you! In it I praised him and all of the artists involved in STAR WARS. I was convinced they were making the masterpiece, masterwork of our Time! I try to describe to my kids the CHILL of hearing Darth Vader say, <em>“I am your father”</em> when no one knew in advance, on a huge screen, in a theater with an incredible sound-system. It was our generation’s BEN HUR, and a moment that cannot be recreated even with the most careful descriptions. You had to <em><strong>be there.</strong></em><br><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/c6b4e72b9682ce7edf26d50dfbef1f027ec0c5f5/original/return-of-the-jedi-poster.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjMzeDM2NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="365" style=" margin: 6px;" width="233" />When posters for RETURN of the JEDI came out I began to explain to like-minded friends what the poster <em><strong>meant</strong></em>!<br><br>“I’ll bet you that at some point in the movie, the camera pans down from that image of the 2 hands on the light saber to reveal… Yes… DARTH VADER. <strong>He</strong> is the JEDI! You’ll see! What we will learn at the end of RETURN of the JEDI is that Ben Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker devised a daring plot… later revealed in the first 3 movies of the 3 part- 3 part- 3 part trilogy!” <br><br>Yes NINE Star Wars movies! I was so excited, me the guy who paid 43 times to see “A New Hope.” I was totally convinced of this!<br><br>“But Steve,” said my friends, “what do you mean that Darth Vader is the Jedi? They can’t do that. Darth Vader is a bad guy. Don’t you see?”<br><br>“Don’t <em>you</em> see? Luke goes to the DARK SIDE! It is the ultimate modern-day Opera! Then, we are literally shot into YEARS of Freaking Suspense-Limbo while we wait! Eventually, we are entreated to the backstory of the first trilogy of 3 movies. Get it? The first trilogy will be about HOW and WHY Ben Kenobi and Anakin plotted to go under cover and send Darth Vader into the Empire as a grand ultimate Spy of the Resistance!”<br><br>“What!?”<br><br>“Man, listen to me! These guys are GENIUSES! <em> (Meaning Lucas and Williams, etc.)</em> Who does Darth Vader kill? He kills his <em>own</em> Generals of the Empire, right? <em>Apology accepted Captain Nido</em>… and remember when the Emperor says… <em><strong>(In the version BEFORE they changed it!!!)</strong></em> … <em>‘Beware the Son of Skywalker.’ </em> That is the Emperor sensing that Anakin’s son, Luke, who on the one hand could become a potential ally of the Dark Side, could ALSO wind up helping Ben and Anakin to overthrow the Emperor!”<br><br>But it <em>also</em> carried a delightfully layered set of <em>potential</em> meanings. “It also meant that there was a <em>yet-to-be-revealed</em> dangerous game played by Ben and Anakin. It was a plot-precursor to Luke’s <em>Son</em>, Anakin’s <em>Grandson</em> in the 3rd trilogy, setting things straight, films 7-8-9! See it now?”<br><br>Like you probably, they just thought I was over-the-top. <br><br>We went to see RETURN of the JEDI together. Luke shows up in black! “See? See!?” I poked at them! And right up to the scene where Luke saves his friends, I was CONVINCED that we would see Luke call in the Storm-Troopers with a wrist communicator. They would fly in over the sand dunes. The Storm-Troopers would salute Luke as <em>"General Skywalker"</em> and apprehend the new prisoners!<br><br>Remember that scene when Darth Vader says,<em> “I see you have constructed a new light saber.”</em><br><br>Now imagines those SAME lines with the NEW acting and meaning… <em>“I sense the <span style="text-decoration:underline">goodness</span> in you father.”</em><br><br>Only this time an apprehensive Anakin, wondering if his and Ben’s idea will <em>fail</em> answers, <em>“Luke, it was never supposed to be like this. When Ben and I…”</em><br><br><em>“Ben!? Father, what are you keeping from the Emperor?” </em> Etc. Etc.<br><br>Remember when Darth Vader blocks Luke’s lightsaber attack on the Emperor? Now imagine it the other way around. The profound, tragic, Shakespearian Irony when it is Luke who protects the Emperor with his block of Vader’s attack! <br><br>In absolute Operatic darkness, Anakin, our newfound Hero, the Jedi returned… is killed. We leave the theater in shock, and thoughts that will take years to fix! So much is left unsettled for us, the devoted followers of this story! <em>Who will save Luke? Is salvation possible? What was Ben’s and Anakin’s original plan? Why did Darth Vader risk so much to go under cover, including his own son? </em> All these questions were to be answered in SIX more films!<br><br>Alas. They instead made the RETURN of the JEDI we all know and still find it within ourselves to love, a movie for little kids.<br><br>Now… why am I so hurriedly telling you this boyhood story from 35 years ago and after the fact? The answer is simple. <br><br>STAR WARS 7 is brought to you with tons of money and PR from the <em>new</em> Empire. JOHN WILLIAMS will make it worth the exerience! Special effects will be glorious!, but let’s face it… if you haven’t figured it out yet, they are going to try to RE-release the<em> cat out of the bag</em> and have it <em>both</em> ways. Yes, Luke will be on the Dark Side<em> (as it should have been in RETURN.)</em> Or maybe not! Maybe they will keep Luke "pure," realizing that they can't suddenly undo the damage already done to the story line, and make Leia's son the new Darth. It'll be something like that. More "family" stuff where the entire forces of the Rebellion are mere backdrop for a small family problem. Perhaps the new bad guy is the nephew twice removed of an unknown impoverished uncle who was once a homeless victim of a yet-to-be-mentioned attack.<br><br><em>Might</em> be something different... but really, for those of you who have been around the block and are not young enough for the new seduction, sisters and brothers and aunts twice removed only goes so far.<br><br>With HUNDREDS of MILLIONS of dollars you can sell anything, even bad ideas. Frankly, I am amazed that they still expect an “ooh" and an “aah” from the audience. Kids they’ll get, as usual, but what of <em>us</em>, what of <span style="text-decoration:underline">us</span>? Like Kirk, <em>“What of Lazarus? What of Lazarus?”</em><br><br>Brace yourself for the next X number of <em>in-your-face-Star-Wars-is-just-so-cool</em> years as your LIFETIME is consumed by a franchise that might have been epic, but is now just a lesson in what might have been and money-making. Then again, <em>much</em> is possible. When you rewrite History, even <em>fictional</em> history as we have seen before with the new STAR TREK movies, you can do whatever you want. It’s just like waiting for the remaining Survivors of the USS INDY to pass before you release <em>your</em> version of <em>their</em> story. Sad. True.<br><br>Imagine that we can go back in Time. STAR WARS 6 <em>(the 3rd movie)</em> is made as suggested. STAR WARS 1-2-3 is made with all the fine detail of the plot to assassinate the Emperor. Luke gets in the way. We then need STAR WARS 7-8-9 to complete the Story and set things straight. <em> Skywalker’s Son.</em><br><br>Well, friends, I needed to get this out of my system more quickly than ever. SW7 approaches. I just wrapped on a new commission, perhaps synchronously entitled,<em> “In the Darkest Darkness,”</em> and SYMPHONY IIII will premiere just 8 days from now. As we speak, I am prepping ideas for a new film score, ironically for one of the friends with whom I had shared my ideas 35 years ago. He is directing! SYNC!<br><br>I do hope you've gotten the gist of my rapid-fire ideas, my twinge of frustration, and that your imaginations will run wild with what <em>“might have been.”</em><br><br>In the meantime, if you’re like me, and you were a teenager when STAR WARS hit the big screen, you’ll still wind up bringing your family and maybe even buy some new toys just in time for Christmas! Wow! What a coincidence! ; - )!<br><br>Godspeed! S</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068985
2015-10-15T12:00:00-12:00
2015-10-15T22:01:15-12:00
Tribute to the USS Indianapolis up for Album of the Year
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>FOREVER STRONG, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis</strong> <br>is up for <em>Album of the Year</em> in the 58th Grammys<br>Please click on"FOREVER STRONG" in the menu to learn more.<br><br></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br>SYMPHONY IIII: Lightfall</strong> <br>will premiere on 21 November 2015 with the Canton Symphony Orchestra<br>Gerhardt Zimmerman, Conducting</p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3e6d1eb327c520d8606f9f5c719603a6dd59a5f4/original/s4-premiere.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDIxNyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="217" width="650" /></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><br>The UNWILLING</strong>, a film by Jonathan Heap<br>coming soon as the next Film Score</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/40b9b8ef19d4b6f32e66891fe69469daf89aecdd/original/unwilling-banner.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDM1NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="357" width="650" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068984
2015-04-15T12:00:00-12:00
2020-02-21T02:16:02-12:00
COINCIDENCES? The Festival of Light Story
<p><br><span style="color:#000000"><em><span style="color:#000000"><strong>11 April 2020 </strong> On this day, 25 years ago, <strong>unplanned</strong> and off by one year because of a “coincidental” mishap, we premiered <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em>. On that same <strong>DAY</strong>... <strong>50 years ago at the Time of the Premiere, and 75 as of this writing</strong>... the American Forces discovered and liberated the first of the concentration camps where the Spiegels were prisoners. I learned of this just last night, on 23 April 1995! (12 days after the premiere.)</span></em></span></p>
<p><em><strong>Auschwitz</strong></em> had been liberated in January of 1945 by The Red Army. Camp <em><strong>Ohrdruf</strong></em>, however, was the <em><strong>first</strong></em> concentration camp liberated on 4 April 1945 by US Forces. It was a subcamp of <em><strong>Buchenweld</strong></em>, where the Speigels were slave-laborers. It was the 4th Armored Division lead by Brigadier General Joseph Cutrona, and the 89th Infantry Division that discovered the camp. <em><strong>Buchenwald</strong></em> concentration camp near Weimar, Germany, was liberated on<em><strong> 11 April 1945</strong></em>. </p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><em><strong>16 April 2015:</strong> The following letter was written to the kids of Bishop Ireton High School. It was 20 years ago. I post this letter today on 16 April, as Israel sounds the Siren to commemorate the Holocaust, discovered 70 years ago during this Time.</em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><br> </p>
<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong><em>COINCIDENCES?<br><br>A Journey into the Storm by the<br>Premiere Forces of<br>FESTIVAL of LIGHT!<br><br>IGNA 8-9-11 April 1995</em></strong></span></h3>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p>There are those who have silenced their unique resonance with the <em>Great Music</em> that exceeds all laws of probability and coincidence. This story is not for them. </p>
<p>The Story begins at <strong>3:33</strong> pm on a Bridge in Boston. <em> (Actually, it goes back to the 1940s.) </em></p>
<p>Impossible to list all of the subsequent events including the numbers <strong>3</strong>,<strong> 33</strong> and <strong>333</strong>, we fast-forward to the completion date of the piece,<em><strong> Festival of Light,</strong></em> commissioned by Garwood Whaley and the<em> Bishop Ireton High School </em>Musicians. The horn solo, a symbol of the <em>Eternal Light </em>was written at lapsed-real-time <strong>3:33 </strong>and was composed at<strong> 3:33 </strong>pm. The entire work was completed and saved to disk a<strong>t 3:33 </strong>am. </p>
<p><strong>333s</strong> accompanied Brian Kornfeld and I on the trip from New Jersey to Alexandria, Virginia. Everything from license plates to restaurant tabs... $13.33 for instance... sign-posted the sojourn. Three times, hawks flew over our car during the trip, and each time, the gliding birds flew in groups of three. </p>
<p>Now, onto the piece, a miracle within a miracle made for an unplanned miracle. </p>
<p><em><strong>Festival of Light </strong></em>was <em>supposed</em> to be delivered and premiered in <strong>1996</strong>. I had completed it much earlier and sent it more than a year in advance. As fate would have it, the other <strong>1995</strong> commission fell through. Dr. Whaley received <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em> at a time that allowed him a new option. </p>
<p>While writing <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em>, I had no idea that <em>(Bishop) Ireton High School </em>was a Catholic school. In fact, it was quite similar to<em> Iona Prep</em>, in New Rochelle, New York. My 9th grade was at <em>Iona Prep</em>. Walking into <em>Ireton</em>, Brian and I saw the jackets and ties and realized what was happening. Even the school colors were the same as<em> Iona Prep</em>. </p>
<p>After our first <em>Re</em>-hearsal on Friday, we attended an assembly at which a survivor of the Holocaust spoke. She had met her husband-to-be in a slave labor camp. We dedicated the piece to Mr. and Mrs. Spiegel. They were in the audience that night. </p>
<p>Keep this in mind. <strong> We didn’t realize it then! </strong></p>
<p><em><strong>Auschwitz</strong></em> had been liberated in January of 1945 by The Red Army. <em><strong>Camp Ohrdruf</strong></em>, however, was the first Nazi concentration camp liberated by the U.S. Army. It was a subcamp of the <em><strong>Buchenwald</strong></em> concentration camp near Weimar, Germany, liberated on<strong> 11 April 1945</strong>. It was on that date that the Spiegels, then, not yet married, had been rescued. It was on this date,<strong> 50 years to the day later</strong> that we premiered <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em>. </p>
<p><em><strong>Back to the piece:</strong></em> At the rehearsal in which we met Mrs. Spiegel, we determined that Brian needed to play the chimes. Brian is Jewish, and in many ways, he was an inspiration for this piece. It is in the chime part that we find the iteration of the<strong> 8 days of burning Light. </strong></p>
<p>If you investigate the 4/4-5/8 section, you will see that they are in units of <strong>8</strong>. Why 4/4-5/8? That is because there are <strong>13</strong> - 1/8th notes or<strong> 8</strong> units of <strong>13</strong>. These are <em>Fibonacci</em> numbers. And why 13? Jesus was the 13th person at the Passover. How fitting, and yet, how “unplanned” for the Catholic school that would dedicate a piece to our Jewish Survivors. </p>
<p>This brings us to the<em> Ram’s Horn</em>, the <em><strong>Shofar</strong></em>, which we obtained from the Rabbi. The Rabbi told the story of the <em>Ram’s Horn</em>. It came from the sacrificial <em><strong>Ram of Abraham</strong></em>. It symbolized a <em>“loud voice”</em> that was used to call upon God. </p>
<p>Fitting. I had chosen the instrument because of its history and color. While composing<em><strong> Festival of Light,</strong></em> I did not yet know of its symbolism. </p>
<p>When Dr. Whaley told me over the phone that he couldn’t get the trumpet player back to the ‘Large Tam’ for the initially written effect, I decided to get a <em><strong>real</strong></em> Ram’s Horn. That is how I met the Rabbi. Later that same day, we went to a Dodge Ram dealer. The logo on their car, the one we purchased for a friend... was, yes, a Ram, complete with horns. Interestingly enough, when we returned on Sunday, <em><strong>The Ten Commandments</strong></em> was on TV. Brian called me when he got home and told me to watch. We had been talking about Moses and the History if the Jewish Faith. When I turned on the television, there was a scene playing that I had not remembered. Incredibly, <em><strong>Moses was hollowing out a Ram’s Horn! </strong></em></p>
<p>A Ram’s horn grows in the proportion of the Fibonacci Series, the same mathematical underpinning for all of the <em><strong>Stormworks</strong></em> and for the <em><strong>Stormworks</strong></em> Logo. Naturally, this form was designed into <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em>. The <em>Fibonacci Series</em>, in my work and its far-reaching implications to the ever-expanding world of connections, is Monumental. </p>
<p><strong>Monumental. </strong></p>
<p>Now there’s a good word. Prior to our trip to Alexandria, I was in Oswego, New York, the same number of miles from Ramsey... oh, my Gosh... <strong>RAM</strong>sey... as was Alexandria. There we delivered<em><strong> The Fountainhead</strong></em>. The last movement of this work about Integrity is called, <em><strong>Monument to the Spirit of Man</strong></em>. </p>
<p>This is the first line of the program notes from <em><strong>The Fountainhead</strong></em>. <em>“God Architectured the World and then in the greatest Storm, Architectured Man, granting Him the miraculous ability to Architecture Himself and His surroundings.” </em></p>
<p><em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em> was premiered in a Monument, a Monument to George Washington, and more than a Monument, a Temple, and not just a Temple, but a Temple whose fundamental bricks were proportioned after the exacting brick-dimensions used in King Soloman’s <em><strong>Temple of Jerusalem</strong></em>. Do you remember our discussion about “architecture” prior to ever visiting this Washington Monument/Temple? </p>
<p><strong>Keep all of this in mind as we continue into this miracle. </strong></p>
<p>As Brian and I drove up to the Monument/Temple, I asked Brian, <em>“What would you do, if, after the concert, we came out and right up there, above the Monument, we saw a Star of David?” </em></p>
<p>Looking back, I’m not even sure why this thought came to me, but we could just feel so much Good in the air. We would dedicate the piece to the Spiegels. They would be in the audience exactly 50 years to the day since their liberation. </p>
<p>Brian smiled. He said, <em><strong> “Well... it would be a miracle.” </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>Festival of Light </strong></em>is, and was, prior to this story, dedicated to <em><strong>“all those who believe in miracles.” </strong></em></p>
<p>The fact that our concert was rendered with the US Air Force Band is still, yet another significant connection/coincidence. It was the USAF Band that first commissioned <em><strong>Stormworks</strong></em>, the piece. The man who recorded the concert was the same man who first conducted the premiere of that piece. </p>
<p>You guys have played <em><strong>Stormworks</strong></em> and <em><strong>Escape from Plato’s Cave!</strong></em> Both of these pieces were intimately connected to the flow of events regarding this miraculous night. The dedication is on videotape. Maybe someone could send me a copy. I mentioned many of the things written in this letter. My intention was to suggest a<em><strong> “coming together of forces.” </strong></em></p>
<p>In every part of me, I felt that we were there for an important reason, which many of us may never know! The great and noble purpose of Music is to give. I’m glad we were given the opportunity to give that moment to the Spiegels and every person in that room. </p>
<p>After the concert, Brian and I stayed, needing to pack up and discuss a recording project. Approaching midnight, the night was eerie, windy and moist. The misty sky was hazily lit by a half-moon. </p>
<p>The night watchman said, <em><strong>“Hey, have you ever been up to the top?” </strong></em></p>
<p>“Nope.” </p>
<p>The three of us squeezed into the rickety 70-year-old elevator. Pulleys hoisted us to the top of the Monument. The door opened. The night watchman said, <em><strong>“This ... is a replica of King Soloman’s Throne.” </strong></em></p>
<p><em><strong>“What?” </strong></em></p>
<p>We were in a room dedicated to the historic creation of the Temple of Jerusalem. Museum-like, the room was filled with artefacts from Jerusalem, with Hebrew writings on the walls and tiny statues of people mentioned in the Bible. In a large glass case was a Bible. It was opened up to <strong>1 KINGS... The Temple Building</strong>. The passage described the building of the Temple of Jerusalem. It was built in the 2nd month of the year 960 BC. </p>
<p><em><strong>Please check the date on the score!</strong></em> It was built in <strong>3</strong> parts, one of which held the <em><strong>Ark of the Covenant</strong></em>. It had <strong>3</strong> outer walls, which were <strong>3</strong> stories high. </p>
<p>It was from this <strong>SAME</strong> passage, presented to us at that moment on 11 April 1995, behind polished glass, that I had gathered the mathematics needed to compose <em><strong>Festival of Light! </strong></em></p>
<p>After reading <em><strong>The Fountainhead</strong></em> at <em>Iona Prep</em>, and having just premiered the Music, I was intrigued by this well-honoured documentation of Architecture. On top of a closed building, behind a glass case, the Bible was opened to this particular chapter, in a room replicating King Solomon’s Throne. The room was atop the Monument/Temple where we had just premiered <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em>, a work dedicated to survivors of the Holocaust, who found Love in the face of great adversity. It was 50 years to the day since their liberation by American forces. </p>
<p><strong>There is more. Since I am at a loss for words, there will be more Music. </strong>Perhaps, <em><strong>“Ark of the Covenant.” </strong></em></p>
<p>But in closing, allow me to tell you what it was Brain and I had seen in the glass case. It was at eye-level when the elevator door opened. It was a Shofar, a Ram’s Horn. You must go up and see it. The Shofar was the same color and about the same size as the one used in the premiere. There was only one difference. You see, <em><strong>our</strong></em> horn was apparently from the <em>Right</em> side of the Ram. The one in the case was from the <em>other</em> side!<br><br><em><strong>Wrap? </strong></em></p>
<p>So runs the great Storm of Time and wonder and miracle. There are those who would say that all of these many overlaps are pure coincidence. For them, I feel sorry. I would ask them to contemplate the number of variables beginning years and years ago. I would ask them to take into their mathematics all of the countless subsequent events that would need to be aligned in order to have this one moment in the great expanse of Time occur just as it did. <em><strong>Think about it! </strong></em></p>
<p>There is one more thing, something I saw with Brian. It is subjective and I shall leave it out of this compendium. Suffice it to say that as we were leaving the Monument on early Sunday morning, Brain and I looked up... and... well, let’s just say that we both saw something interesting. </p>
<p>Always, GODSPEED! </p>
<p>Stephen Melillo </p>
<p>PS: By the time you get this you will have returned from Europe. I hope that you enjoyed your trip and that you experienced many wondrous things. </p>
<p>PS 2: I love you guys. </p>
<p>PS 3: <strong>9 April</strong> is a very important date in History. Please discover it. Then, <strong>11 April</strong>. On this day, unplanned and off by one year because of a “coincidental” mishap, we premiered <em><strong>Festival of Light</strong></em> as described in this document. On that <strong>DAY</strong>... 50 years ago, American forces liberated more than 20,000 prisoners at Buchenwald. They also liberated Dora-Mittlebau, Flossenbürg, Dachau, and Mauthausen. Amongst those 20,000 were the Spiegels! I learned of this history just last night, on 23 April 1995! </p>
<p>Life is short, but so <em><strong>so</strong></em> wide...</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068983
2015-01-23T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:11:02-12:00
Reaction to SYMPHONY IIII
<p><span style="color:#000000">"Steve: I’m sitting here crying like a baby, listening to your Symphony. Such powerful music you have composed for us.</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000">Thank you - Thank You - THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000">May I call you around 1:30 PM. I need to get a hold of myself. You, my friend, have touched a very dark place within me.</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000">Best Always and Love,"</span><br><br><span style="color:#000000">Gerhardt Zimmerman</span><br><br></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068982
2014-09-01T12:00:00-12:00
2021-06-23T01:15:32-12:00
"This Just In," on WHRO
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>6 September at 8PM:</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Raymond Jones will kick off his <em><strong>"This Just In"</strong></em> Radio Program with Music from <em><strong>Dwegons & Leprechauns</strong></em>. You can listen anywhere around the world live on <a href="http://mediaplayer.whro.org/whro" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">WHRO</span></a>. Tune in on 6 Sep at 8PM to enjoy the Score Live!</span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><span style="color:#000000">"Fantastic music!!!!! I'm putting it on the new releases show Saturday Sept. 6th - I've been playing it on my car stereo last night and today, and it is really a marvelous score - 'A home run, Steve!' " <strong>Raymond Jones, WHRO</strong></span></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><br><span style="color:#000000">"I listened to the CD tonight....it brought tears to my eyes...what a great body of work!... I am so proud that this CD of music is the score to my movie! Wow!.. The quality of the CD is incredible. Be proud!!!.. this is a CD of greatness!!!!... I'm glad I made this movie if for no other reason that this music was then composed!" <strong>Tom Walsh, Creator of Dwegons & Leprechauns, CEO, EnterAktion Studios/TW3 Entertainment</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><br>Look for DWEGONS & LEPRECHAUNS at<a href="http://www1.screenarchives.com/title_detail.cfm/ID/27873/DWEGONS-AND-LEPRECHAUNS/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"> SAE (Screen Archives Entertainment)</span></a>, and on <a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stephenmelillowithsofias" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">CD Baby</span></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">To listen to all of the <em><strong>STORMWORKS Music for Ensembles of the 3rd Millennium™</strong></em> Recordings, now sorted into Grade Levels 1-2-3 and 4-5-6. <a href="http://stormworld.com/frame_redirect.php?dest=http://stormworld.com/stormworks_tracks_sort.html" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">STORMTracks™ Sort</span></a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Enjoy & Godspeed! S</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068981
2014-02-13T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:12:16-12:00
STORMTrek!
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/4f252bdca0936f7f799f1182ca50e02f275cd8f6/original/stormtrek-633.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjMzeDc3OSJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="779" width="633" /></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><em><strong>What does a recent discussion with Students and Teachers from Pennsylvania, with History, Art, Science, Astronomy and Mathematics, have to do with STORM WORKS & STAR TREK?</strong></em> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">What a title!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">On 29 June 1988, I completed <em><strong>S-MATRIX, Symphony Number Numberless</strong></em> in 21:00, in 4 movements. It was my 404th piece and the very first Time I felt worthy of making the self-directed proclamation, <em>“Now, I am a Composer.”</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/eb95593e6e85ddf8390df45fc9b71318d6c53378/original/from-s-matrix-1988.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjMzeDQzMiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="432" width="633" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The form of the work is involved. Suffice it to say that each note was part of a pre-determined Matrix, and composed/orchestrated to transposed score without any instruments save pen and paper. Writing by means of this self-imposed challenge, each and every aspect of the work represented a significantly recursive, “left-brained” undertaking.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The 19 November 1992 premiere brought the <em><strong>first</strong></em> standing ovation in the Memorial Auditorium’s 40-year history. Interestingly enough, listeners said, <em>“Wow, what a total right-brain journey that was!”</em> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">I just returned from Harrisburg, PA. Many of the hard-working kids, future Mozarts to be sure, asked questions. Their curiosities always get to the heart of what Music actually <strong>IS</strong>, and why we make it. I always begin with “The Silent Language.” Yes, what affects us most about Music is actually Silent. It becomes manifest in sound, but just as a Cathedral or a garage become manifest in brick, so does a great work or a passing one become manifest in sound. It is the “architecture,” the “design” to which we respond.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Rather than go into some heady discussion on this, which works <strong><em>MUCH</em></strong> better in person, let me direct you to an article by a brilliant person named Kevin Muldoon. He lives in New Haven, CT., most likely somewhere near <em><strong>Pepe’s!</strong></em> <em>(Yes, I am envious!!!) </em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The SYNC is this. When I got back, a good Friend sent me the article linked below. I just had to smile. I said, “Now, I am a Composer,” after 404 pieces, but as an 11-year-old,<em><strong> the very first notes I ever wrote down</strong></em>, with backward 1/8th note stems and all, was the<em><strong> THEME from STAR TREK</strong></em>. The Original Series, of course! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">And darn if Kevin’s article does not totally explain why I love <strong>THAT</strong> Enterprise and never cared for any of the spin-off “Enterprises” that followed!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">What a SYNC-Eye-Opener!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Whether you are new to the ideas of Fibonacci, Sacred Geometry, Pythagoras, Phi, or not… whether you are a curious Mozart of the Future or a dedicated Music Educator who wants to learn more, Kevin’s article is a great way to start. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">As I’ve hinted, Kevin uses the USS ENTERPRISE (NCC-1701 version) to illustrate the purpose and elegant Beauty of Phi and the Fibonacci Sequence and more. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">In the photo above, I illustrated the infrastructure of just one 3:34 Composition. This<em> internal Silence</em> is embedded not only within each of the “Storm” works… but in all of the STORMWORKS Chapters beginning with Chapter Zero. I am working on Chapter 34 as we speak. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The USS ENTERPRISE, a ship I have loved since I was a boy, is fashioned in the same proportions as “Art of the State,” the 3:34 piece I analyzed as an illustration of the “Storm” Works. What can I say? I knew it? Though I still get chills, I’m no longer surprised! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">StormWorks… Star Trek. Connected! Of course? Love it!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">If you’d like to talk more over Pizza, just let me know!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Here is Kevin Muldoon’s article. Enjoy & Godspeed! S</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><a href="http://www.robotjackalope.com/?p=205" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">http://www.robotjackalope.com/?p=205</span></a></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068980
2013-12-11T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:12:39-12:00
Letter From Santa (Timeless)
<p><span style="color:#000000">Christmas 2013</span><br><br></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">For those of you with young kids, or for those of you whose Hearts are still young, you might enjoy this letter from Santa.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Originally received in a dream back in 2009, it was actually corrected by Santa!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">It’s yours to personalize and share.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Merry Christmas and Godspeed in 2014!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7v9I0D0wJk" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">Video on Youtube</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><a href="http://stormworld.com/offerings/Letter_from_SANTA_25DEC09.pdf" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">The Letter!</span></a> (in PDF)</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068979
2013-10-21T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:13:05-12:00
22 October 2013 on the Birth of Franz Liszt
<p><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/ac68e6598a23c228c21d0552ec7b161a495f6732/original/liszt-score-cover.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjE4eDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Score Cover Hungarian" height="333" style=" margin: 5px 10px;" width="218" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">On today's Birthday anniversary of Franz Liszt, I've decided to cast my 24 votes for the 56th Grammy Awards. Since August, I have heard some really fine Music created by very gifted Composers, Songwriters, Arrangers, Musicians and Producers from around the world. It was a great Journey to this point and I look forward to casting my votes.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">For you and for your friends who are voting members of NARAS, <strong><em>Stormworks Chapter 21: WON WAY is on the ballot in 8 (eight) categories!</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">1. Best Classical Compendium - <strong>MELILLO:</strong> <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 21 - WON WAY</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">2. Best Instrumental Composition - <strong>21 WON WAY (Stephen Melillo, composer)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">3. Best Classical Vocal Solo - <strong>MELILLO: ALL THIS SHALL BE YOURS</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">4. Best Choral Performance - <strong>MELILLO: THE PRAYER OF OUR LORD</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">5. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance - <strong>MELILLO: DUETTO PER TUBA</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">6. Best Classical Instrumental Solo -<strong><em> </em>MELILLO<em>: </em>#1016 FOR CLARINET & ORCHESTRA</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">7. Album of the Year -<strong> MELILLO: STORMWORKS Chapter 21:WON WAY</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">8. Best Instrumental Arrangement - <strong>WERE YOU THERE? (Stephen Melillo, arranger)</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> <strong>Great strides for our Music bridging the world in many different ways. </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><a href="http://stormworld.com/frame_redirect.php?dest=http://stormworld.com/music/catalog/c21_liszt.html" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>HUNGARIAN RHAPSODY #2 </strong></span></a><em>(which, though a MIDI demo only is bonus track on the Chapter 21 DigiCard)</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stormworks-chapter-21-won-way/id672996079" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">CHAPTER 21 at iTUNES</span></a></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/d6e95193e236049b9820e39727de11a7d888ed57/original/21cdcover.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDIwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="200" /></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068978
2013-07-06T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:13:24-12:00
The Birth of Gustav Mahler
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000">7 July 2013</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000">Today is the 153rd Birthday of Gustav Mahler. Mahler is more than a personal Hero.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000">There are so many stories to share about Mahler. I discovered his Music at age 16. I sat in a car by the water's edge and listened to one 20-minute excerpt from the 10th Symphony 100 times in succession. Later en route to Japan to record the Chapter 5:8 World History-making CD Set, I did the calculation and yes, I had listened for 33.333 uninterrupted hours. It was a chilling moment to discover that fact a Lifetime later while on a plane over the Pacific.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000">In SYNC with this day, here are some recent images. Enjoy & Godspeed! S</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 12px; font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000"><a href="http://www.stormworld.com" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/4b2ed8ee0904712ba1ef8ec5982ade7967d62499/original/composers-wslm2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDYxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="619" width="650" /></span></a><a href="http://www.stormworld.com" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/37af5cc5e405823bfbe9c9728dc292fb6aeb1b9c/original/sbo-june-2013.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDkyMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="923" width="650" /></span></a><a title="VisaREEL™" href="http://stormworld.com/frame_redirect.php?dest=http://stormworld.com/STORMFilms/VisaREEL/visareel.html" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/2ccccac2b12daae821bf1f10a5fe5e3ef381eb14/original/visareel.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDM5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="394" width="650" /></span></a></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068977
2013-06-25T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:13:45-12:00
Thoughts on the Stephen Melillo Clinic
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Thoughts on the Stephen Melillo Clinic</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Two weeks ago today, the orchestra members who visited Virginia Beach experienced a gap in the societal-time continuum and accessed real, transcendental LIFE through nearly perfect Communication. To some of you, that may sound overly Romantic, and I would agree with you that Romanticism has no place in the communication form called “Language,” which is the type of communication you and I and Mr. Hensil are all engaged in. But my goal in using Language right now is to approximate another form of communication, MUSIC, an impossible task, as communication forms are like spatial dimensions and cannot directly describe each other; someone in the third dimension, for example, cannot image the fourth. The only way to experience what we experienced would be to participate in the clinic with us, which is, to everyone’s extreme misfortune, impossible.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Mr. Hensil took us to meet Stephen Melillo in part to expose us to the full force of Communication. Melillo lives MUSIC. Unlike Language, which uses a long string of words to try to approximate a single idea, MUSIC’s words are emotions, each of which explodes vibrantly outward to fill a multitude of different notions. This is the way Stephen Melillo lives his life: he communicates through intense emotion to whoever is around. His passion for what he is doing is palpable. His energy is infectious; every single person in the room was consumed and propelled by it, making it the first of many wonders of the afternoon and evening. This energy derived from an uncommon belief, namely that preparing for reality is a contradiction. Reality is reality; there is no way to prepare for it; all methods of teaching that pretend to be somewhat real are inherently false. As Stephen Mellilo loves to say, You Can’t Fake Real. So he leapt with us up several levels of society’s “preparation” checkpoints and believed us able to play like professionals. Not advanced high school students. Not conservatory level musicians. Reality demands real MUSIC be played by professional musicians; it was that level of MUSICALITY we were expected to reach. Imagine a calculus class learning equations while repairing the Golden Gate Bridge. Imagine English students learning advanced sentence construction while reporting for <em>Time </em>magazine.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Every orchestra member was awestruck by not only this high expectation, but more so by Mr. Mellilo’s undying, electrifying belief that we would be able to achieve this real level of MUSICALITY. What do I mean by MUSICALLITY? It is the ultimate level of communication articulated via sound, related in passion to other forms of expression but in many ways distinct, as discussed before. Many human endeavors illicit the goosebumps moment that come with the transference of ideas—maybe if I’m lucky, some of you are getting goosebumps while listening to this—but MUSIC is the only form of communication that physically surrounds listeners and performers with waves of energy. We were surrounded in the clinic by this physical presence of the sound we were creating, all striving as one to mold it to perfection, to give it the shape necessary to rearrange the very elements of the human soul. This was our heroic task.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">MUSIC is also one of the few performance forms that requires such complete camaraderie between so many people. Firstly, the person actually transferring the ideas, the conductor, is not actually participating in the production of the communication medium; he makes no sound. His power lies in inspiring other people to communicate for him. Stephen Melillo is exceedingly good at his job. In a way perhaps only possible in MUSIC making, he was able to propel his emotion and energy through us, throwing us up toward the transcendental meaning of the piece and connecting us to each other in the process.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">One of the things I have learned in Orchestra is that there is nearly nothing more fulfilling than the connections created with other members of the Orchestra while playing MUSIC. Souls shine through eyes, windows to the immortal across stands, scrolls, and bows. Every person experienced this, from the section leaders to the back of the sections. The full impact of the moment did not discriminate; it permeated every person equally and gave the orchestra unconquerable momentum from the back of the sections to the front.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">And because the person who was the catalyst for this expression was someone who exists in environments of intense creativity and passion on a frequent basis and unlike many, many people, will settle for nothing less, he lifted us to his plane of professional ARTistry as almost no one else can. This instantaneous transport to a level of real connection and life, a level that makes normal existence seem pale and rote, was perhaps the most overawing facet of the clinic. And also the most important. For not only were we able to express ourselves in a professional, extremely Real way, exchanging thoughts and emotions fluidly with each other’s minds and souls, but we caught a glimpse of what a passionate, inspired life can be.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Even for those of us who do not plan on being professional musicians, watching and participating in the joy of this overtly fulfilled man doing the thing he loves most showed us more than any other class what the purpose of life should be. No matter what form of Communication we decide to pursue—in other words, no matter what “major” we study in college—this clinic taught us that Reality—passionate, inspired, Reality—must be the goal of life. Accepting society’s limitations on Real passion, and, what’s worse, enforcing our own limitations is not a path to accessing Life. New relationships, new stories, and new paths to Reality: this is what Stephen Melillo gave us, and as a soon-to-be graduate who took all the quote unquote “best courses” offered, those are experiences and lessons more important and completely absent from anything else one can learn.</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068976
2013-05-08T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:14:11-12:00
In the STORM!
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>What It Means to be Caught in the Storm (2013)</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>by Russell Maclin, Cellist and senior at Central Bucks South HS, PA</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong><a href="http://stormworld.com/frame_redirect.php?dest=http://stormworld.com/music/catalog/sworks1988.html" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">Visit the piece at STORMWORLD</span></a>.</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial; min-height: 21px;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong> </strong> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>SET-UP: </strong> Perhaps my most recently acquired frustration with high school is its apparent lack of inertia. I don’t mean the building itself; I’m sure that if the bricks and cement were thrown, they would take enormous force to halt. Instead, I am referring to the fact that people commonly make that mistake, thinking that the name “CB South” refers to those bricks and cement. What happens within these walls is not enough to overcome them: the base level of inspired energy—among students and among almost all teachers—seems to be a firmly rooted zero. Attendance is an obligation; classroom connections are fleeting; personalities are façades jaded students erect against the negative energy that pulses from within them and from the otherwise-deadened white walls. People rush away at 2:30 like repelled magnets, and when school is not in session, most internal communities are abandoned—not only is the building empty; school in the metaphysical definition is deserted as well. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial; min-height: 21px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>The VISION:</strong> I want to be a part of an academic community that has momentum, a community whose personality exists separate from itself, eternal, intangible, infectious, engulfing. Instead of an environment in which every pursuit must be hauled and heaved up from scratch just to possess a spark, an inertial environment has a continuously rumbling energy under it, like smoldering embers ready to be enflamed at a moment’s notice. In contrast, we commonly find ourselves collecting timber time and time again.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial; min-height: 21px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Enter STORMWORKS: </strong> Quite suddenly, though, I have found myself initiated into the Third Millennium, which is quite possibly the most momentous—derived here from “momentum”—community I have ever witnessed: altogether without physical boundaries, the Third Millennium is connected by a common philosophy and purpose; it is sustained by pure momentum without any forced connection. It has a language all its own, a history all its own <em>(our fledging membership is proceeded by decades of experiences before us)</em>, and a philosophy that is in stark contrast to the normal, tepid maxims fed to schoolchildren. And the originality and driving force behind this language, history, and philosophy create a legacy of energy so sweeping that those dedicated to membership are swept along—in effect, <strong><em>“Stormworks”</em></strong> is exceptionally literal: those who take part in this body of work are swept into a cerebral, philosophical, and communal storm.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial; min-height: 21px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>The PIECE and more:</strong> In “Stormworks 1988-2013,” momentum is all. The “relentless” rhythm brings momentum to the literal realm, but there’s also an intangible realm of momentum driving through this piece: echoes of adventures past, of emotions, of performances reverberate off the page and add depth and wind to the storm-like inertia. And playing along with the percussion track brings a conceptual momentum as well as a physical boundary of forward motion: practicing at home, I am forced to constantly conform and live up to the standards of the professional musicians whom I have never met yet are who are miraculously accompanying me. The track is a glimpse of the end product—it will never change; we are the ones who must match its established force and inflection. Clearly, the base level for this piece is far above zero. It’s incredible that compared to my time spent in school—in the proximity of thousands, there appears to be little intellectual spark or vigor—practicing “Stormworks 1988-2013” by myself, at home, feels almost claustrophobically inhabited by sheer human will. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial; min-height: 21px;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"><strong>The MUSIC: </strong> I am enthralled by this experience because it reasserts everything I love about MUSIC. I love the community, the communication that will eventually occur across the stage, but for now is replaced by a different connection—one of experiences across time and space. Lofty goals are hardly set for students anymore, yet here we are pinned up against professional quality and must, in a matter of months, leap to the occasion, and contrary to popular belief, people love to leap. A community so individual and so idealistic is a pleasure to get swept into, and I love the storm that is engulfing us all. A storm without sides, without limits; a storm that has lasted for over two decades, silently smoldering in the background of society, ready to jump to flame anywhere around the globe—a universal storm that shocks everyone in its range with lightning that reaches into the Romantic depths of passion, commitment, and idealism... </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color:#000000">This is shaping up to be the perfect storm, 2013. </span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068975
2013-04-17T12:00:00-12:00
2020-01-08T06:32:52-12:00
Courageous
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Free Recording, Score & Parts.</span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Please get your free recording, your free Score and Master Set of Parts to Courageous, and then please share this gift with all of your many friends, family, colleagues and networks.</span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">We're looking for an orchestra. Can you help? http://www.courageousmusic.org</span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Godspeed,</span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Curt DeMott, Sandy Hook Parent & Stephen Melillo</span></div>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong> Free Recording, Score & Parts.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Please get your free recording, your free Score and Master Set of Parts to <a href="http://www.courageousmusic.org" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><strong><em>Courageous</em></strong></span></a>, and then please share this gift with all of your many friends, family, colleagues and networks.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">We're looking for an orchestra. Can you help?</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Godspeed,</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Curt DeMott, Sandy Hook Parent & Stephen Melillo</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068973
2013-04-08T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:14:53-12:00
Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">9 April 2013: On this date in 1942, many Great Souls began a Sojourn that would last some 3 years, 8 months and 25 days. Please always remember their many sacrifices... </div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow: hidden;">That We Might Live.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
9 April 2013: On this date in 1942, many Great Souls began a Sojourn that would last some 3 years, 8 months and 25 days. Please always remember their many sacrifices... That We Might Live.<br><br>Get <strong>Kakehashi: THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</strong> For <strong>$19.42</strong> at <strong><a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/stephenmelillo2" data-imported="1">CDBbay</a></strong>
</h2>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/60eed4d65bba989d057385ad9445dea8e839dca5/original/oneframe-from-twmldvd.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTkyeDQ0NiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="446" width="592" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/4999d28e16f7f1f41f721c951d32ca899c4c4dac/original/dvd17twmlfc.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTQ3eDI2NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="264" width="547" /></strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/6c6d3a10bd3b0770650baba222983871a05551b0/original/hp-twml.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Njc3eDI5NCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="294" width="677" /></strong></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068974
2012-12-24T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:15:27-12:00
Every Day's a Miracle on Chapter 34 Street!
<h1 style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 36px; color: #042b29; padding-top: 10px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color:#000000; text-align:left; background-color:#ffffff">Every Day's a Miracle on Chapter 34 Street!</span></h1>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><em><strong>Miracle on 34th Street</strong></em> was released in 1947 with Oscar winner Edmund Gwenn as Santa. The film was written and directed by George Seaton. He won an Oscar for best screenplay, and was nominated for Best Director and Best Film. I love this film. <br><br>Santa is <em><strong>perfect</strong></em>. The "psychologist" he whops on the head with his umbrella is timeless enough to make that scene one of my all time favorites.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The best is John Payne’s character Fred Gaily. He’s the attorney who risks his career by taking on the<em><strong> “impossible”</strong></em> task of proving Kris Kringle to be the <strong><em>"one and only"</em></strong> Santa Claus.</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><strong>Doris</strong> (Maureen O’Hara): You're not really serious about this?<br><strong>Gaily</strong>: Of course I am.<br><strong>Doris</strong>: But it’s “impossible” to prove he's Santa Claus. <br><strong>Gaily</strong>: Why? You saw Macy and Gimbal shaking hands. That wasn't possible either, but it happened.<br><strong>Doris</strong>: It’s completely idiotic. What do your bosses say?<br><strong>Gaily</strong>: That either I drop this impossible case or they will drop me.<br><strong>Doris</strong>: I can’t believe you would risk everything to prove the impossible...that there IS a Santa Claus!<br><strong>Gaily</strong>: But no one else has the courage to stand up for Kris, and what he stands for!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">It's okay to stand up and be courageous for underdogs… and even for yourself when your back is to the wall. Do your relate? Have you ever marched into hell for a heavenly cause? It's okay to be something other than the flavor of the month. Have you ever been David in the stand against Goliath? It's okay to do something good for someone who needs you and gives you the chance to stop "wasting your time on this earth." </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">If you've lived these challenges, the stuff of Christmas... and I'm sure you have, then listen to your Life's Soundtrack! It is <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 21: WON WAY</strong>, inspired by and dedicated to <em><strong>Roberto Clemente</strong></em>. You haven't ordered a copy yet?</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><strong>It's Christmas! </strong> <strong>Merry Christmas! </strong> Godspeed in <em>your</em> Story and <em>our</em> Story yet to come! </span></p>
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<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000">Share this email with a friend, a future <strong><em>STORMAficionado™</em></strong> who also faces the Storm. <a style="font-size: small;" href="http://listbabyqa.hostbaby.com/ln/?c=578775&l=250617&k=0f442f619ace01e3594bacfdec891b7a" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">http://www.stormworld.com/SignUpForm.html</span></a></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><em><strong>Reactions just coming in…</strong></em> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">"Steve, I just finished listening to <strong>Chapter 21</strong> start to finish. All I can say is... "Wow!" Very powerful and moving things... You were not kidding when you said the music deals with situations going on in the world today… Words cannot express my gratitude for sharing your music with me. You once again proved that<em><strong> "You can't fake real."</strong></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">"<strong>You can’t fake real</strong>…. I heard those words from Stephen Melillo in 2006 when I was an undergrad at Troy University. We were beginning a recording session for his <em><strong>Stormworks Chapter 1P, Wish to the World</strong></em>. Steve, and his music, push and pull you to the limit with every emotion imaginable. Joy and happiness only build tension into the darker places of the world and the human soul. He has written and recorded meaningful music for the turbulent times in which we live, and then inspires Hope. His music is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human soul. Passion is a trademark of his music. Steve and his music are one of the most Inspirational forms of classical / orchestral or any other media you can find today." <em> Andrew Stawick, Percussionist</em> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">"Steve, The hour is late. Been playing with my GrandDaughter all Day/Night. After bedtime I listened to <strong>Won Way</strong>. Half way through, without the libretto, yet, tears are flowing. You, the Master of Before & After. You, the Believer in Everything. A culmination of the obvious. Dude, this is It! Glad that I have been a small part of the Struggle. We shall continue the Fight. I Love you, Man. I Love the Music/Struggle." <em>Mike Lee, Synth on Chapter 5:8: Writings on the Wall.</em></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069002
2012-10-24T12:00:00-12:00
2019-10-24T17:46:39-12:00
The Steve Super Smoothie!
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/0fed66b0540e21f53ea3afcefc00ae8acd730f8e/original/slmh1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjMzeDI3MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="273" style=" margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px;" width="233" />STEVE SUPER SMOOTHIE SPECTACULAR with Update!</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Sensual and Sure to Secure Success!</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">1 scoop of 22G Whey<br> 1 scoop (smaller kind) of Flax, Oatmeal<br> 1/2 Handful of Sunflower Seeds (optional)<br> 1/2 Handful of Almonds<br> 3 Slices of Green Apple<br> 1 Full chopped up Carrot, (But baby organic carrots and freeze them!)<br> 3 Handfuls of Frozen Blueberries, Raspberries, & Marionberries<br> 3 Scoops of Non-Fat Yogurt<br> 10 Leaves of Spinach (thus rendering the “Popeye Effect!” Freeze them!)<br> 1 Lime (all the juice)<br> Lime Zest<br> 2 Capfuls of Apple Cider Vinegar</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">1 Tablespoon of Honey<br> Skim Milk, and maybe some Apple Juice, and/or Orange Juice</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">WHIPPED not stirred! BAM! Enjoy & Godspeed! S</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">© Stephen Melillo 2012 - 2014</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069003
2012-09-10T12:00:00-12:00
2019-10-24T17:46:14-12:00
Why We Gather
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Some 14-15 years ago, I became re-immersed in something I had heard about briefly as a kid; <em>The Bataan Death March</em>. Just the title fascinated me, and as you might guess, it became the subject for some Music years later. My first interactions with this History were casual, but later, my home office would become a virtual museum containing over 40 hours of rare video, photos and copious mementi from many of the Vets who had become more than friends.<br><br></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/af52cda6b23f6205e23ad3f4326def643a188fbe/original/wwg.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDMzMyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="333" style="vertical-align: text-bottom; margin: 4px;" width="500" /></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">For an epic work entitled, <strong>Kakehashi:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.createspace.com/255471" data-imported="1">THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</a></strong>, I found myself talking with a Death March Survivor. Soon it was ten. I was amazed to find anyone still alive from such a dark, torment-filled time. But later, I would come to either meet or be in contact with 333 Survivors, all of whom received the DVD version of <strong>Kakehashi:</strong> <strong><a href="https://www.createspace.com/255471" data-imported="1">THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</a></strong> as a gift.<em> (It's over 350 now...)</em></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">For the past 7 years, I would attend a monthly breakfast of our local Survivors. As you can imagine we became very close. I was honored to be their adopted grandson.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial; color: #3f5cea; min-height: 16.0px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Now, there is much much <em>much</em> to this, perhaps later disclosed in other articles, and of course within the Music and the World-Historic recording of the Music, but let me start this discussion by describing what these incredible Souls endured.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font: 14px Arial; padding-left: 30px;">They suffered the unimaginable and were reduced to the most base form of “animal.” Horribly, there was enough Humanity left within to recognize this most lowered form of self. Some hated themselves and claimed that it was the “good” who died. After 3 years, 8 months and 25 days of imprisonment, where 31,095 Souls were sacrificed to brutal conditions and inhumane hardship, the day of surrender did not mark an end to their agonizing imprisonment, ordeals on the “Hell Ships” and then continued slave labor in Japan. For them, the war would last much longer. In fact, it has taken almost 40 years before these valiant ex-POW’s began to speak of the events we now sum in the phrase, <strong><em>“Bataan Death March.” </em></strong> Of course, some… took the War to their graves.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><strong>Why “WhyWeGather?”</strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Because it's easy to forget. I have made it a point to rub elbows with the Greatest Souls I have ever known... and you should to, and on a regular basis. Time is short.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Rubbing elbows with Men and Women like these over the past important years, provides for volumes to share. What keeps a Man alive under conditions like that? What are the things they believe in? In addition to the physical characteristics, which I find fascinating and worthy of study, there is an obvious role to the psychological aspects as well.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Later I will share some of the many many things I have learned from these incredible Men and their Wives. Health secrets, perspectives, stories that will inspire and more. </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Godspeed! S <em>(You can order the Award-Winning <a href="https://www.createspace.com/255471" data-imported="1">THAT WE MIGHT LIVE</a> here.)</em></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">© Stephen Melillo 2012</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068966
2012-08-21T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:16:02-12:00
Personal Message from the Chapter 21 CD Set
<p><span style="color:#000000">19 August - 21 August... The CD Set comes in the 40th Anniversay</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Roberto Clemente’s Birthday through the 21st</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><span style="font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:normal">Personal Message:</span><span style="font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:normal"> </span>A Road Less Traveled</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>21</strong> years ago, <strong><em>Stormworks Chapter 34: SON of the STORM</em></strong> was composed. This 88-minute “musical” spiraled from the 1988 piece <strong><em>“Stormworks” </em></strong>and its precursor, <strong><em>ONLY for NOW</em></strong> and became the basis for the following <strong>21</strong>-year sojourn, divided into Chapters and called, <strong><em>“Stormworks.”</em></strong> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>21</strong> years ago, I had scored the <em>Academy-Award</em> nominated <strong><em>1201PM</em></strong>. In 2010, 210-minutes of new Music were written. <strong><em>Chapter 21</em></strong> is a part.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Adventure compels us to leave the Highway, take an exit that might lead to open skies. Off the ramp, there are a number of directions to go. Gravity assists. <em>Let’s go this way</em>. Through uncharted back alleys and parts of town unknown, you realize that you never know where you haven’t been until you go there. Potholes appear, heightening the road-dance. Bumps fail to detract. Instead, some inner engine urges faster, forward driving, further and farther away. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The Highway vanishes, somewhere beyond the rear-view mirror. Civilization passes. Gas runs low. At some indeterminate point, the road becomes cobbled… then dirt, and finally a scanty scratching in the earth’s surface. All you see is dust if you drive too fast. The road gets narrow. More narrow still. Trees and shrubs and unmanaged brush encroach. Suddenly it’s a Path. The car becomes expendable. You leave it. By foot, and with limited water, you venture ever forward. Through dark shadowy woods, then merciless jungle and incessant insects you stay on the waning Path until you are quite sure that no one has yet trampled the dry, dusty grass beneath your now aching feet.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The jungle fades. Night approaches. Should I have left the Highway? Then it happens. The road… the dirt Path, the footpath and any possibility of it… stops. You have reached the end. No Rainbows. No song in the end credits. Instead you lie on your back and for the Eternity of the night, you prayerfully smile back at the countless smiling stars in the now open sky. <em>Ah! A meteor!</em></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Morning comes. The Sun rises. You look at a magnificent world, outstretched before you in Time and space and realize: You are Free. The roads are gone, but where there are no roads… <em>all</em> directions are possible. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">This less traveled road, this <strong><em>Ganó Camino</em></strong> is the Heart of <strong><em>Stormworks: Chapter 21: Won Way</em></strong>, summed in humble dedication to <strong><em>Roberto Clemente</em></strong> and others like him. Roberto Clemente who condensed all of what he accomplished in his brief Life into a simple, daring statement: <strong><em> “If you have the chance to do something good for someone, and you don’t, you’re wasting your time on this earth.”</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">This Music stands as a document that will extend beyond all the apparent roads, and <em>“road-scholars” </em>of this day. Under open skies, the Message of great Men like <strong>Roberto Clemente</strong> and others like him, will ring for as long as we are here to carry on.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Godspeed! Stephen Melillo</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068972
2012-06-28T12:00:00-12:00
2020-01-08T06:32:51-12:00
HEARTStorm's Prototype Single
<p><span style="color:#000000"><span style="text-decoration:underline"><a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/heartstorm3" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline">http://cdbaby.com/cd/heartstorm3</span></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"></span></p>
<div style="width: 225px; height: 120px; margin: 0; padding: 0; border: 0; background-image: url(http://www.cdbaby.com/Images/Links/Black-Buy_Album_100px_horz.png);"><span style="color:#000000"><strong><em><a style="display: block; padding: 10px 10px 10px 115px; margin: 0px; border: 0px;" href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/heartstorm3" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000"><img src="https://CDBaby.name/h/e/heartstorm3_small.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="HEARTStorm: Despite All Else... Here We Stand!" height="100" style="border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;" width="100" /></span></a></em></strong></span></div>
<p><span style="color:#000000"></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong><em>DESPITE ALL ELSE... HERE WE STAND! </em></strong> is the prototype work by <strong>HEARTStorm</strong>, composed and orchestrated for combined Symphonic Metal, Chorus, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and the upcoming<strong><em> "Theatro-Metal™" HEARTStorm CD</em></strong> coming soon.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">If you've ever been kicked a few times while down, or slapped in the face after many turnings of the cheek, you'll relate to this <strong><em>standing-tall shout of defiance and triumph</em></strong>. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Joined by Musicians aged 9-73 from Austria, Germany and around the world, and then joined by a Chorus of Church Bells from Moscow, Paris, London, Rome, New York, Budapest, Berlin and more as the piece rings in its Victorious conclusion, <strong><em>DESPITE ALL ELSE… HERE WE STAND!</em></strong> is <strong>HEARTStorm's</strong> Manifesto. It tells where we came from, where we're going and why. We know where<strong> you've</strong> been too. Here is <strong><em>your</em></strong> anthem! Enjoy!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>MISSION: </strong>To Create Shared Life-Experiences in Music… and do it in a Ground-breaking, pioneering way that bridges Musical worlds from the Symphonic Orchestra to Progressive Metal and Beyond™.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Now… I need for <strong>you</strong> to listen and <strong>BUY</strong> this track. For <strong>.99 </strong>cents a<strong> 9:33</strong> track "ain't bad." Then I want you to spread the word and get this into <strong><em>YOUR</em></strong> networks of family and friends. Here are the links:</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#000000"><a href="http://cdbaby.com/cd/heartstorm3" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline">http://cdbaby.com/cd/heartstorm3</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">We are also on https://www.reverbnation.com/Heartstorm and <a href="http://facebook.com/heartstormofficial" data-imported="1"><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#000000">facebook.com/heartstormofficial</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Our Manifesto... a prototype of Music yet to come.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>DESPITE ALL ELSE… Here We Stand!</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Symphonic Metal Version for <strong><em>HEARTStorm</em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">#1030 for Metal, Chorus, Band 3M & Orchestra</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Music & Lyrics by © STEPHEN MELILLO IGNA <strong>11 November 2011</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Do you think we're standing here because of you? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Hammered to our knees with all your rules? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Heartache, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Slander, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for your Lies and don't forget to Pander! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the kicks when I was on the ground and </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">T`hanks for taking me around and around </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else, we've beat your Fear! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">If you want to know the Truth </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">I'm grateful to you! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Beaten to a pulp, all black and blue. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Struggle, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Hardship, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the nightmares </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Pain! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the slaps and turnin' my face red! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">I'll still be around even after I am Dead! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else, we've beat your Fear! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Standing tall, we're stayin' here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're Stand-ing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Do you think we're standing tall because of you? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Cowards are the fools </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">You use as tools. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Darkness, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the taxes. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for your lectures </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">That cut us down like axes! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the P. C. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the put-downs, </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the Lies </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">That took us 'round and 'round! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else, we have no Fear! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Standing tall, we're stayin' here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else, we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else, all else! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Do you think we're standing here without duress? </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Living in a world you've made a mess... </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for your small brain</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for your small heart</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for your Wars and for killing all the Art! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Thank you for the deals you closed behind the door! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">We're still standing here, and we're mopping up the Floor!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we've beat your Fear! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Standing tall, we're stayin' here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Despite all else we're standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Standing here! </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">Standing here! </span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6069000
2012-06-17T12:00:00-12:00
2022-05-31T18:58:41-12:00
Why Health? Why Here? With Music?
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/4c38b449ae1c7b1cd5f7dc7b23edd5eeb8dc7a73/original/slmh4.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjMzeDI0MiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="" height="242" style=" margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px;" width="233" />My name is Steve and I am a Composer. Because of my early work with kids from NYC, and later experiments in eliminating the middleman via <em>at-the-cusp-of-the-internet</em> technologies, I have lived my own American Dream story. I began at age 33. I am now 54. </p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">Writing Music for thousands of world-wide conductors and audiences in all sorts of venues is not without its physical tolls. That is why Health and Fitness, in all its many forms, has always been much more than a hobby to me. It is a <em>Mission</em>. It is what keeps me physically able to dig down again and again, spend 21/7 days year after year and remain a fit Father for my two young kids.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">My interest in physical, mental and spiritual Health, in Sport, Nutrition, Human Anatomy & Kinesiology, and specifically in the Martial Art began when I was born to 11 <em>(eleven!)</em> Grandparents. They lived into their late 80s and 90s… with a Great Aunt reaching her Centanni! (100 years!)</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">I also studied Nutrition and Kinesiology as part of my Masters Degree. From the rigors of Martial Art training to basic calisthenics and day-to-day maintenance and diet, I make an effort to remain strong enough to do what I want and need to do. I am not an expert. But perhaps you can relate to someone who does these things in order to pursue something else. I think that describes most of us. Our job is not “fitness,” but it sure is good to be as fit as possible.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">I’ve set up this page as a compressed source and turnkey page for products and links that you may find useful in researching and then supporting your own goals. There are links (or soon will be) to products I have tried, or researched enough to believe they will help you. Now… please keep in mind that this site is brand new and there are still many links and items I need to set up, but they’ll be coming soon!</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/3690f705b22a628cddd2878ef6da70fc3a7fc2e1/original/jimsteve.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzMzeDIxOSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_right border_" alt="" height="219" style=" margin-left: 4px; margin-right: 4px;" width="333" />“Why We Gather,”</strong> takes its name from the Veterans I have been blessed to know. In future posts, I’ll share with you many of the things I learned from these great Souls.</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">As Time allows, I will continue to update this page with useful links. In the pursuit of your goals and your personal Mission… I wish you the best always and Godspeed! Steve</p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 14.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Arial;">© Stephen Melillo 2012</p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068961
2012-05-31T12:00:00-12:00
2020-11-05T05:31:06-12:00
CHAPTER 21: WON WAY
<p><span style="color:#000000">The 2 CD Set, <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 21: WON WAY</strong> is currently in production involving Musicians from all over the world aged 9-73! From Austria to Australia, from the US to Germany, with fine Musicians playing intimate solo works to large scale neo-Romantic <strong><em>MUSICDramas™</em></strong>. The Music is inspired by and dedicated to the legacy, message and ideals of Roberto Clemente who said, <strong><em>"If you have a chance to help someone, and you don’t, you are wasting your time on this earth.” </em></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/d6e95193e236049b9820e39727de11a7d888ed57/original/21cdcover.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDIwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="200" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/b7590afc246f14798b0ad9af3299cbd99dc041e8/original/roberto.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTI3eDIwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="200" width="127" /></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068971
2012-03-26T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:18:49-12:00
MUSIC to PICTURE at iBOOKS & iTUNES
<p><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/e93e856861dac157f91482874957e041f12b346e/original/musictopictureatitunes.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjUweDI2MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="263" width="650" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/music-to-picture/id503874009?mt=13</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068970
2012-03-17T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:19:12-12:00
First Official STORMDirector in Australia!
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/7ea75ae64288759f3ce71184cbd140656792cbed/original/aussie-osd-1.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzMzeDM4NyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="387" width="333" /></span></p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">My friends! The previous insane record of online order to customized parts received and into the printer was 3-minutes! THIS was beaten... now listen to this. 2:25!, around the world to David Polain, Conductor of The Police Band of Adeleide, Australia! 2:25! David is also the FIRST Australian Official STORMDirector! </span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">"I printed out the set of parts to "Take Back" and we had our first blow through at work last Thursday - the band loves it !! Stephen Melillo in Australia!!!!! And.... drum roll.... I finally did it. I hope, looking at the photo you may understand why it took a while to take. I had to decide on a t-shirt design etc etc. (The photo was taken on my front lawn). Chat soon. Cheers," David Polain </span></div>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> My friends! The previous insane record of online order to customized parts received and into the printer was <strong>3-</strong>minutes! <strong>THIS</strong> was beaten... now listen to this.<strong> 2:25!</strong>, around the world to <strong>David Polain</strong>, Conductor of <strong>The Police Band of Adeleide, Australia! 2:25! </strong>David is also the <strong>FIRST<em> Australian Official STORMDirector!</em></strong> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">"I printed out the set of parts to "Take Back" and we had our first blow through at work last Thursday - the band loves it !! Stephen Melillo in Australia!!!!! And.... drum roll.... I finally did it. I hope, looking at the photo you may understand why it took a while to take. I had to decide on a t-shirt design etc etc.<em> (The photo was taken on my front lawn).</em> Chat soon. Cheers," <strong>David Polain </strong></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068969
2012-02-09T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:19:43-12:00
Premiere at Carnegie on 26 Feb 2012
<p><span style="color:#000000">For those of you who may be in the area, I have the good fortune of conducting the official world premiere of <strong>Pasodobles </strong><strong>para Santa Cecilia y los Héroes de España</strong> with the Madisonville North Hopkins HS Band from Kentucky. As part of the NY Wind Band Festival, the work will be premiered at the Showcase Concert on the evening of the 26 February 2012 at Carnegie Hall.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">The night concert features Madisonville NH HS Symphonic Band and California State University Long Beach Wind Symphony. Tickets are available at <a href="http://www.carnegiehall.org/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; text-decoration:underline">www.carnegiehall.org</span></a>. </span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068968
2012-01-26T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:20:06-12:00
TOUCHSTONE 27 January 2012
<p><span style="color:#000000"><a title="TOUCHSTONE 27 Jan 2012" href="http://www.stormworld.com/offerings/Touchstone%20Gift%2027%20Jan%202012.pdf" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000">http://www.stormworld.com/offerings/Touchstone Gift 27 Jan 2012.pdf</span></a></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>27 January 2012:</strong> On this cornerstone date, the births of <strong>Mozart</strong>, Jerome <strong>Kern</strong>, and the anniversaries of the <strong>1201PM</strong> recording session, the completion of <strong>Only for Now</strong>, the <strong>Music to Picture</strong> film-scoring text and the 19th Anniversary of <strong>STORMWORKS</strong>. The link above is a Gift and memento. As always much yet to come! Enjoy & Godspeed! S</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068967
2011-09-27T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:20:32-12:00
Concerto for Violin in The Netherlands
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000">On 28 October, after several live performances, <strong>The Concerto for Violin and Orchestra</strong> will be recorded. Previously recorded on the <strong><em>STORMWORKS Chapter 5:8 CD Set: WRITINGS on the WALL</em></strong> as my own transcription, this recording will be of the original work, composed for Violin and Orchestra.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000">The work will be played by <strong><em>Carla Leurs.</em></strong> The conductor is <strong><em>Joos Smeets</em></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000">Here is some information regarding this very fine Musician, Conductor and Orchestra.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1631139090#!/carla.leurs" data-imported="1"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><span style="color:#000000">http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1631139090#!/carla.leurs</span></span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><a href="http://www.deraa.nl/" data-imported="1"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><span style="color:#000000">http://www.deraa.nl/</span></span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><a href="http://www.carlaleurs.com/" data-imported="1"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><span style="color:#000000">http://www.carlaleurs.com</span></span></a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000; min-height: 15.0px;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 13.0px Arial; color: #030000;"><span style="background-color:#ffffff; color:#000000"><a href="http://www.joostsmeets.com/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">http://www.joostsmeets.com</span></a></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068965
2011-08-10T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:20:50-12:00
Review Excerpt by Joachim Buch
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Review Excerpt by Joachim Buch</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000">6 August 2011 Concert concluding one week at the <br>Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf, Germany</span></p>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">"After music for the tapping feet (composer name) and for the head (composer name), the next part of the body after the intermission was the heart. Under Melillo’s baton, who conducted the world premiere of five new works, there was emotion pure, not only in conducting and in music, but also in the composer’s presentation. A treatment of the spiritual "Were You There?" was without further ado dedicated to a boy from the Allgäu region, who died in autumn 2009, only seven years old. </span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Melillo, who names his compositions for band, "Stormworks" and collects them into "Chapters," dedicated his recent "Chapter 21: Won Way" to Roberto Clemente. This former baseball player was the first Hispanic in this profession who gained national fame. He died 40 years ago during a self organized relief-action for earthquake victims in Nicaragua.</span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Melillo and the band found very well together in this one week. The "Function Chorales," developed by Melillo had a very good impact on the band’s intonation. Incited by Melillo’s art of motivation one experienced a totally relieved way of making music, honored by very long applause. </span></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"></div>
<div id="_mcePaste" style="position: absolute; left: -10000px; top: 0px; width: 1px; height: 1px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden;"><span style="color:#000000">Joachim Buch (his own translation form the original German Article. Concert on 6 August 2011, concluding one week at the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf, Germany)</span></div>
<p><span style="color:#000000"> "After music for the tapping feet (composer name) and for the head (composer name), the next part of the body after the intermission was the heart. Under Melillo’s baton, who conducted the world premiere of five new works, there was emotion pure, not only in conducting and in music, but also in the composer’s presentation. A treatment of the spiritual "Were You There?" was without further ado dedicated to a boy from the Allgäu region, who died in autumn 2009, only seven years old.<br> <br>Melillo, who names his compositions for band, "Stormworks" and collects them into "Chapters," dedicated his recent "Chapter 21: Won Way" to Roberto Clemente. This former baseball player was the first Hispanic in this profession who gained national fame. He died 40 years ago during a self organized relief-action for earthquake victims in Nicaragua.<br><br>Melillo and the band found very well together in this one week. The "Function Chorales," developed by Melillo had a very good impact on the band’s intonation. Incited by Melillo’s art of motivation one experienced a totally relieved way of making music, honored by very long applause. <br><br>Joachim Buch (his own translation form the original German Article. Concert on 6 August 2011, concluding one week at the Bavarian Music Academy in Marktoberdorf, Germany)</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068964
2011-08-04T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:21:15-12:00
SW Chapter 21 & Bavarian Music Academy
<pre><span style="color:#000000"><strong>70 minutes in 3 days.</strong> <br><br>We just completed the recording of the <strong>STORMWORKS Chapter 21:WON WAY</strong> Music <br>in Austria. Karl Geroldinger conducted the fine Musicians of SBO-RIED with players ranging from <br>10 to 73. An experience FANTASTICHE!<br><br>Now, we are making Music at the Bavarian Music Academy with Beautiful, hard-working people. <br>What Heart and giving. Again... <strong><em>Fantastiche! </em></strong> <br><br>We will premiere many new pieces from Chapter 21 on Saturday.<br><br>Godspeed! S</span></pre>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068963
2011-05-09T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:21:51-12:00
ONLY for NOW at 33
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Because <strong><em>ONLY for NOW</em></strong>, a young adult novel composed on 27 January of 1978 needed reformatting for uploading as an ePUBlication, the work was recently revisited. Now, in its 33rd anniversary it is getting a reprinting by the publisher! The Story remains as Timely as ever... and needed. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Watch for the book on <strong><em>Amazon, iTUNES, BookBaby, Kindle, Nook</em></strong> and more. </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The PRINT version of <strong><em>ONLY for NOW </em></strong>should be ready by the Summer of 2011. Until then please enjoy the the newly revised 33-year-anniversary ePUB version at <strong>Barnes & Noble.com </strong><a title="Link to OFN at B&N.com" href="http://search.barnesandnoble.com/books/e/2940011808081/?itm=1&USRI=Only+for+Now" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><strong>Click!</strong></span></a> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Godspeed! S</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068962
2011-05-09T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:22:16-12:00
Bavarian Music Academy
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">I will once again be running the "Composer's Workshop" at the Bavarian Music Academy this summer in Marktoberdorf, Germany. 29 July-7 August 2011. I will also be this year's guest conductor. We have selected all <em>new</em> Music from the <strong>Chapter 21: WON WAY CD</strong>, which will have been recorded only ONE WEEK prior to the Bavarian Music Academy Session! I look forward to working with you!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Godspeed! S</span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068960
2011-05-09T12:00:00-12:00
2015-09-24T21:22:40-12:00
DWEGONS & PLURIPOTENT
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Starting today, not just <strong><em>DWEGONS</em></strong>, but the recently scored <strong><em>PLURIPOTENT</em></strong> will play in the 2011 CANNES Film Festival.</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Watch for the animated children's feature film, <strong><em>DWEGONS</em></strong>. We made use of a fine 70-piece Orchestra from Sofia, Bulgaria. Their regular conductor, Martin Panteleev is also a very fine violinist and is preparing the Concerto for Violin. Stay tuned in the coming months of 2011!</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Godspeed! S</span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">PS: IN addition to this date being the anniversary of the <strong><em>SYMPHONY 2: AT LIFE's EDGE</em></strong> Premiere, it is also Martin's Birthday! Happy Birthday, Martin! And also to Max Steiner & Dimitri Tiomkin!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/4a3d3d4241ff4a347aa901dc95df2944e201f24b/original/pluripotentcover.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDUwMCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="500" width="500" /></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"> </span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"> </span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><img src="http://stephenmelillo.com.hostbaby.com/img/DwegonsPoster.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="667" width="500" /></span></p>
Stephen Melillo
tag:stormworld.com,2005:Post/6068959
2011-01-20T12:00:00-12:00
2016-05-16T19:35:24-12:00
1000 Premieres in Germany
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color:#ffffff"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/393521/52c58a5b1669f18fdd4fe310e8f4dd53d3db56cd/original/totale-mit-chor2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NTAweDI4MSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="281" width="500" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Piece <strong>#1000</strong> was premiered in a Beautiful German Hall with fine players and chorus. Thank you!</span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Here is an article translated from the German Magazine:</span></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></strong></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><br>“I love the German Language”</span></strong></p>
<p style="font: 32px Helvetica; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"> </span></strong></p>
<p style="font: 20px Helvetica; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Stephen Melillo</span></strong></p>
<p style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">and his 1000<span style="font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; line-height:normal">th </span>work</span></strong></p>
<p style="font: 12px Helvetica; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">by Klaus Härtel, translated by Petra Buchmann</span></strong></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"> </span></p>
<p style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin: 0px;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"> </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Surely you wouldn’t be wrong, if you said that Stephen Melillo is a productive composer. Because in the last 53 years - that‘s how old he turned on December 23<span style="font-style:normal; font-variant:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:normal">rd </span>- the American didn‘t compose less than 1000 works. That are - if he would have began composing on Christmas Eve 1957 - 18 works a year. Or calculated differently: Stephen Melillo writes a different work every 20 days. <br><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The world premiere of his Anniversary work was a short time ago in Rot a. d. Rot in a baroque church. For the world premiere of a work - along with it‘s numbers and layered meanings - a musical milestone, composers and interpreters often search for great locations. For example, Carnegie Hall in New York. Or the Royal Albert Hall in London. Or the philharmonic in Berlin. Adequate to the incidents.<br><br></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Not Stephen Melillo. The work <strong><em>“The Prayer of Our Lord” </em></strong>was premiered in the ministry of Rot a. d. Rot and Rot a. d. With respect, Rot didn‘t make music history as a stronghold for extraordinary world premieres... so far <em>(although the “Antiphonarium ad usum chori Rothensis” - the red Choral manuscript - by Michael Haydn, who composed it for the men of choir of the Premonstratensian abbey)</em>... and who saw and listened to the premiere, surely recognized, that there wasn‘t a better place for it.<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">It was the same observation for Stephen Melillo and the publisher family Rundel from Rot a. d. Rot, who connects with Stephen through a longlasting friendship. They knew each other since a performance of Stephen Melillo‘s work <em>“Godspeed!” </em>in 1998, says Thomas Rundel. And since the early “zero-years” they have worked closely together. “With the time we became close friends,” added Stephen Melillo. “Thomas and his family provided access to my music in Germany and in then the whole world. They are loyal and dedicated and I believe, that they hold my music in high regard.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The one-thousandth work is dedicated to the Rundel Family. This setting of the Lord‘s Prayer is made possible by Claudia, Thomas & Stefan Rundel and is lovingly dedicated to Antonie & Siegfried Rundel.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><strong><em>“Every night I pray with my kids.” <br><br></em></strong></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><em>"The Prayer of Our Lord” </em>is scored for Wind Orchestra and choir. As lyrics he uses the “Our Father”. Stephen Melillo was musically inspired by the Hungarian-American composer, Miklós Rósza, who he calls, “my personal hero and role model.” Stephen Melillo characterizes how his one thousandth work arose: “I always pray these words in my thoughts. I listened to the Prayer in my Heart... and I wrote it down, what I felt, when I spoke those words. I tried to imagine the different level of meaning that can only happen when music surrounds and uplifts the prayer. Music visualizes, what might have been felt when the prayer was spoken the first time <em>(in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 6,5 to 15)</em>... and portrays the emotions that are there when we pray it every day. I pray this prayer every night with my kids and every night it is a <em>‘new’ </em>prayer. The words are profound, what Jesus tells us. The prayer encompasses great darkness and misery and yet ends with a promise that extends into many thousands of years.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The work was premiered by the choir and the wind orchestra “Kreisjugendmusikkapelle Biberach” under the direction of Tobias Zinser. The conductor, surely honored to have the possibility to premiere an authentic Melillo work, knows the composer well and knows, what the composer wants. “The work is very much a Melillo work”, says Zinser. It begins piano and ends in fortissimo, an attribute, that is not atypical for the US-composer. “The horns can‘t be too loud or too high,” tells the band leader. And the work is more a “sound work” than a “melodic work.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The choir is assembled as an additional timbre - and definitely as a vehicle of the text. The challenge was, explains Zinser, that the choir persists in the loudness against the band. But the speech was clearly distinguishable. In the comparatively short work <em>(3.13 minutes) </em>“there is more drama and dramaturgical message than in many 30-minuteworks,” says Zinser.</span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Firstly, Stephen Melillo’s many pieces appear as American-declamatory works, but they are authentic. An intensive work with mathematics, natural science and philosophy are always reflected in his works. You can always find significant numerical symbolism. By example, the change from measure 33 to 34 is always important in his works. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><br>In <em>“The Prayer of Our Lord” </em>you can see it in the text - from <em>“but deliver us from Evil” </em>to, <em>“Thine is the kingdom” </em>- and also in the instructions - from <em>“Death... Rit...” </em>to, <em>“The Resurrection of All”</em>. Measure 33 is designated through a ritardando, that shows the power of evil. Because of a crescendo this part is intensified, like the quint in the wood winds. In the deep registers you can find frictional passages, while the horns churn up with declamatory signals. With the turn to God we have a clear D-major chord in measure 34 again in constant forte. <em>“Thine” </em>- in the German version, <em>“dein” </em>- is punctuated with brilliant Trumpet sounds.<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"><strong><em>English and German”<br><br></em></strong></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Stephen Melillo didn’t need to give musical instructions. “That wasn‘t necessary, except from the leveling of the German text. I’ve always known that the music was in good hands with Tobias. We didn‘t talk about the music per se. I believe, music speaks its own language - beyond English or German.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff"></span><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">In the concert in Rot a. d. Rot they performed the German version. The text was reworked by Ludwig Kibler. “You wonder if you can begin with ‘Unser Vater’ instead of ‘Vater unser,’’’ says Kibler. He was allowed to. <em>Unser Vater </em>fit better because <em>“Vater” </em>sounds in D-major, when <em>“unser” </em>has a minor-chord.<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">The perfectionist Melillo rubber-stamped this. The composer says that he has not yet heard the German version, “but I know, that I will love this version, because I love the German language... and I know, that the German singers will sing with their hearts and with great respect for this prayer. In German the prayer appears older - timeless - Particularly when it is sung in the language of Beethoven and Bach. I hear it in my head.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">He doesn‘t speak German, but nevertheless he hears it as music and knows its meaning. “That is the great thing about music. It is awesome in every possible language. We are all Brothers and we should respect all the prayers across the whole world. I just returned from China, where I visited a Buddhist Temple. I’m sure that every honest prayer reaches into heaven.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">Stephen Melillo admits that he doesn‘t remember every single piece of his 1000 works. “I can do that when I look into my data base,” he laughs. “When I began to compose, my aim was to compose one single piece so that I could become a better teacher. I continued composing - obviously. But I only called myself a composer the first time when I had completed my 404th work.”<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">That must have been in 1992, when Stephen Melillo created his <em>“S-MATRIX Symphony # Numberless,” </em>which was premiered by the conductor, Gerhardt Zimmerman and the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra. But that still would be about 600 compositions in the last 18 years. 33 per year... every eleventh day another work.<br><br></span></p>
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<p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"><span style="color:#000000; background-color:#ffffff">“I was surprised myself about this one-thousandth work,” says Melillo. “Many years ago, I thought that maybe I could write 1000 pieces in my entire lifetime. In my imagination I was a very old man. I was in between many important works, and this very special number 1000 just happened... without any planning. I‘m glad, that I received this inspiration to compose the ‘Our Father’ - and that this work would mark such a milestone.”</span></p>
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