The only time this piece sounds Perfect is with the low bass reeds come in with that power😭

Today I heard my students do this in the Maryland All State Senior Band. The ending sent chills through me, I could hear the beat of the feet from every march for justice. Powerful.

This is fire ngl

bellissimo:)

Hello! I know I’m almost 6 years late lol but let me say a big thanks to you sir for the diverse music you have presented to the wind band world. These last few years have been all about coming together as one and realizing that we are all the same. Sadly a lot of people have still not gotten that message and it really angers me because we’ve been stepping on each other for too long which means it’s time to rise up and to do it together!!! Discrimination needs to end now and I am very happy and proud of the fact that we are having people of other races, ethnicities, etc. pursuing heavy interest in the classical music world such as yourself. You should be proud of what you’ve done for the wind band community…The level of diversity you present needs to be known more and more as well as to be respected. I first discovered you when we played your very interesting arrangement of Shenandoah in band at our winter concert, when I first heard it I was blown away by the extreme use of dissonant chords and flush harmonies! It was nice to be able to play something different from what we would normally play. The black community needs to stop looking back and start to rise up in the academic world. There’s no need to feel ashamed. It’s not your fault what happened, so therefore be proud and not ashamed!! You are doing a fabulous job of bringing African American people together in your music. I’m not religious but I do have something to say: GOD BLESS YOU SIR!!!

3:22

I heard the University of Hawaii perform this piece yesterday and I had goosebumps. Thank you so much for sharing this piece, and most importantly, the story of the Charleston 9.

4:20

<33

Doing this for all state in WV!

We, the Portland state university wind symphony, are going to play this piece in January!!! It is such a beautiful piece much love from Portland

Fantastic music and great conducting. Such an inspiration to watch and listen to!

Excellent job, that was powerful

I played timpani on this piece in my college band. It's a beautiful tribute and composition. Hats off to Mr. Thomas!

Amazing!

Absolutely loved listening to the piece! Amazing job.

This is the third time I’ve listen to this piece and the second time it is reduced me to a blubbering puddle of man-tears. I really love this work!

Charleston is my favorite place in the world and when this happened, it shook me HARD! Thank u for writing such an amazing piece to honor the Mother Emanuel Nine! All they wanted to do was help that boy!!

I cannot count how many times I have listened to this piece. So so many different recordings and yet it never fails to make me emotional and move me in a way that many pieces fail to. This piece holds a very special place in my heart, especially after performing with Mr. Thomas and several other schools as well as the Long Island Wind Ensemble.

I remember being there at this premiere. I wished I could've been in the ensemble that performed this, but in some ways I'm glad I was able to experience it as an audience member. Listening to this live may have been the greatest musical experience of my life - the emotion of the piece and the atmosphere in the room were indescribable. I still can't listen to this without getting teary because of the background, the message, the composition, and the use of Lift Every Voice and Sing. I'm so thankful I was able to be there for the premiere, and that this recording lets me continue to experience it. Mr. Thomas, your music is so inspiring and powerful, especially as hateful people push back against the movement for racial equality and justice. As cliche as it may sound, thank you for writing this.

moving very good

okay but that bass trombone tho

my high school band in south carolina is playing this song in indiana for nationals‼️

Played this in my community band just under a year ago. Our conductor (who's white) says this is a struggle that he, and so many others, know nothing of. Bravo Omar!

I saw Mr. Thomas rehearse this with the TMEA All-State group. Nothing beats standing directly behind the French horns and trombones during their licks at 4:25.

i played the oboe solo for this piece in my high school wind ensemble and it’s the only time a solo has given me chills while i’m playing

3:50

Thank you

My high school wind orchestra is playing this piece at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival and it makes me tear up every time I hear it. Beautiful, meaningful piece.

Can’t stop coming back to this piece, pure emotion and soul in this and I can’t help but shedding a tear every time. Amazing job!

3:54

Seriously brilliant.

4:25

yo the Honors Wind Ensemble at Longhorn Music Camp is playing this and Deep Field by Eric Whitacre in under a month. HYPE

My entire face just balled up! My Gawd today!

Great composition and performance !!!

I just heard Wayne State University perform this tonight in Detroit. I was in tears from the third chord. This cuts deep when you used to sing it every day in school after the Pledge of Allegiance and My Country Tis of Thee. This is SO powerful. Thank you Mr. Thomas.

THISSSSS!! Is beautiful

A truly incredible piece of music

This piece was played at the NYSSMA All-State Conference by the high school All-State Symphonic Band this past December 2018 at the Eastman Theater here in Rochester, NY. I was in the audience as my son had participated in the choir that day, but I am so grateful we were able to stay and hear the Symphonic Band. It was thoughtfully introduced by the conductor, and by the end I think everyone in the hall knew we had experienced something remarkable and powerful together. The intentions you spoke of above truly came through in the music - honor, reverence, bitter anger, pain, grace, forgiveness. This was not the final piece the band played that day, but it brought the entire theater to its feet, and I could tell I was not the only one with tears in my eyes. Thank you for your work. The Eastman Wind Orchestra will also be playing this piece in February and I will certainly be attending.

Wow, this was so good

This is truly wonderful

wow!! we are going to practice this piece for concert band!! hope we get to play it for our upcoming concert!

Wow I really should've ironed my shirt that day

As Black composer in college, finding your channel and this piece is inspiring. Also this piece is really impactful to me.

My sinuses started acting up

My God, this is beautiful!!!

This is awesomeness

A beautiful tribute and an awe inspiring work of art! Wonderful job Mr. Thomas! Glad to have my school, Sam Houston State University, apart of the consortium!

Wow. Wow.