30 MAR 2023 at Norfolk Academy for 1st Rehearsal of WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS

Today, I met the band kids from Germany and the singers/actors from Norfolk Academy… and they met each other! The band is conducted by Phillip Hemmen. The Chorus by Cheney Doane.
The kids are just BEAUTIFUL! Hope reigns, my friends.. as all of you know!
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of 2 schools, one from Loningen, Germany, the other from Norfolk, VA, USA, “WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS” is a unique opportunity for Teachers and student Artists.
Here is a quickly shot video of the get-together after all the “logistics” of travel, etc. Some of the German students are playing on borrowed instruments. It promises to be a great premiere on the 1st of April.
The work will have its German premiere on 16 June 2023 in Loningen, Germany. The gifted Roland Stuppin, who introduced my work to the headmasters, Ralf Gökin & Dennis Manning, will record the work for the posterity of the next 50 years and beyond.
Godspeed! SWE HOLD THESE TRUTHS#1310 in 40:00, and in 8 Movements
for Actors, Singers, Dancers, Storytellers, Artists, and
Grade 3-4 Band of the 3rd Millennium™
by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 7 MAY 2022, 2-3 Millennium, STORMWORKS, ASCAP
1. A Tale of Two Countries (6:22)
2. In the Courts of Time (6:03)
3. Love Not War (4:52)
4. International Polka (3:42)
5. Never Forgotten... Once More (3:11)
6. Montage, die Magie der Freunde (4:30)
7. A Requiem of Two Poems (opt. 5:50 or 8:25)
8. Wrap 2023 (5:21)
Commissioned by Copernicus-Gymnasium, Loningen, Germany
&The Norfolk Academy, Virginia, USA
In Celebration of: The 50th anniversary, in 2023, of a continuing exchange program and special Friendship that has, and will continue to change lives.
Enjoy & Godspeed! S
#music #musiceducation #chorus #musical #theater #performingarts #WeHoldTheseTruths #NorfolkAcademy #CopernicusGymnasium #stephenmelillo #stormworks #godspeed

[@stephenhillcomposer]

Very cool!