Stay (LIVE RECORDING) - Randall Standridge, Concert Band, Grade 2 (Randall Standridge Music)

On a trip in 2023, II read the following on the back of a T-shirt. "Hey, you, the one reading this. The world is better with you in it." It had a profound emotional impact on me, and I decided to put those feelings into music. The result is this work entitled Stay.
Part of the unBroken Project, this piece is intended to be an anthem of hope, love, and understanding for those who find it challenging to go on in the face of adversity and for those who sometimes feel that the weight of the world is too much to bear. The piece carries a paraphrase of that message at the top of the score and on all of the parts:
"Hey you. The one playing this. The world is better with you in it."
And now, a confession.
The whole point of the unBroken Project is to encourage discussion of mental and emotional health, and I do not feel I can continue to do that without being 100% honest.
As part of my particular mental disorder (Anxiety/Depression), I have very extreme swings in my emotional mood. These are due to chemical imbalances in my brain that come in waves. I have likened them before to clouds, but I more frequently refer to them as peaks and valleys. When I am at one of my peaks, I feel like nothing can stop me, and everything will be alright.
When I hit my valleys, though, things are very, very different.
They start with me feeling as if I have no energy left, and then it becomes more emotional as I experience symptoms of paranoia, depression, and fixation. As it deepens, I have panic attacks, shortness of breath, and moments of fugue state.
When I reach the deepest part of my valleys, I experience suicidal ideation.
So, in some ways, I've been writing these pieces to myself.
I have hinted at this many times but have held back stating it directly out of fear of what the general public would think of this, but I do not feel I can tiptoe around this issue any longer, out of hope that my experience might connect with others and assist them in taking positive steps.
Before anyone feels it necessary to try to "rescue me," I have already been rescued. Time and time again, as a matter of fact.
I have been rescued by the fact that I have the tools that I need to manage my conditions. I have medication. I have therapy. I have a wonderful support system of family and friends who understand my condition and offer support when needed. Because of this, I make it through the valleys every time.
Also, just being able to name and understand what happens to me during my depressive episodes has given me more power over it. Not total, mind you, but enough to weather the storms.
Others are not so lucky.
1 in 5 adults in the US experience mental health issues each year.
1 in 6 youths in the US experience mental health issues each year.
90% of suicides worldwide are attributable to mental illness.
Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death in the United States.
I am not naive enough to believe that a simple statement at the top of a piece of music or that a performance of one of my works will be enough to pull someone back from the edge. That would be arrogant at best and actively harmful at worst. People who experience such things need professional help. My goal with the unBroken project is to tear down social taboos around discussing these issues, to ease a sense of isolation (you are NOT alone), and to educate and inform people so they will seek out the tools they need to lead happy and successful lives or assist others in seeking help.
To my friends and family who support me and walk me through the valley time and time again, thank you.
My world is better with YOU in it.
And to you.
The one reading this.
The world is better with YOU in it, too.
Stay.
Peace, Love, and Music

[@napo1454]

Our school was one the patrons of the unbroken project and was able to play this song by you. The story behind it and how the song impacted me emotionally is second to none. Playing stay, as the final band song of the school year really was bitter sweet and made want to keep playing band next year.

[@taylorcurtis12]

Mr Standridge, I’m a flute player in the East Rockford Middle school symphonic band and I had the privilege of playing this beautiful piece at our last concert a few days ago. It made my band director very emotional when we played this, and I think the message and music are both so beautiful. Thank you so much for this piece and your effort in the unbroken project.❤

[@thetwerkeythingy6306]

I love this so much! Every song from The unBroken Project never ceases to impress!

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you. We are going to start introducing some other composers into the project soon.

[@trundergd8600]

Please chandler wilson and Christopher artau be there because I love their compositions

[@candicegurwitz5649]

Like who?​@@randallstandridge

[@Music---Man]

People need to read his description. Thank you for having the courage to share

[@Thatonedudethatwearssuit-gf8nw]

What is the description edit: how do I access the description?

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you for taking the time to read it.

[@Music---Man]

@@Thatonedudethatwearssuit-gf8nw The KZbin description of the video

[@ansontseng8271]

this honestly sounds so amazing. as a flute player, I absolutely love the way how the flute part bends in and out along with the piece. I also play trombone, and it's such a nice piece for it as well. Randall Standridge, this is actually one of my most favorite band piece of 2024. I don't know how long it may have taken you to compose this, but I bet it was worth it, look at this beaty you have constructed: this is absolutely amazing, so amazing I thought it would be a grade 3 or 4 piece, but no, this is beautiful yet simple. all of your music sounds so nice and I am so absolutely so glad that there are still composers like you who put their hearts into the music they make. PLEASE KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, WE ALL LOVE YOU!

[@ansontseng8271]

and a little side note, this piece made me think twice about the bad decisions I thought of back when i was broken. sometimes it is just so hard to cope, and one may think the world is falling only on them when in reality, it's not. we are all amazing people. we are all important, we have all made significant impacts on people that Theyll never forget. this song repeats a little saying over and over again. its like crying for you to understand, pleading you to stay in the world because it, WE can't afford to lose you. 💖

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you for the kind words. I’m glad the piece spoke to you.

[@ozziehall779]

I don't know how else to explain it but this song feels like the realization that you no longer want to die. All those corny sayings about it getting better are true and you find genuine love again, and you don't think twice about if it's genuine or not anymore. It is so joyful, yet at the same burgeoning with terror. The world is so massive when you want to live in it, and it has so much potential to break you because sadness is overwhelming after you've felt so numb. Yet, the melody carries on. There's no going back, no matter if what the road ahead has is calm and beautiful or a great, messy, brassy triumph. Not only are you staying, you're ready for the journey.

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you, Ozzie. I'm glad it resonated with you.

[@pepsi_proto]

Please keep this project going, it makes people like me feel seen and understood. I really love what you’re doing, and I am so glad that there’s someone who’s brave enough to be a voice for all of us.

[@randallstandridge]

Will do!

[@PaulPlayz046.]

Great piece! Keep up the good work!

[@DarokalMeradoza]

I remember having a masterclass with you (an amazing experience), pretty much 5 days ago at a musical festival/competition. During a kind of QnA part of the master class, I remember how you told us about a new composition you were about to release when we brought up the unBroken project. When I learn that, I was pretty excited because I really love everything about the unBroken project, whether it be it's message or how it sounds, and I couldn't wait to hear this piece you talked about. All I wanted to is that I absolutely loved how this new piece sounded.

[@randallstandridge]

Merci beaucoup! J'ai passé un bon moment en Quebec! I hope the class was a good experience!

[@trundergd8600]

This song has such a good message, I love the clarinet parts in the beginning with the musical tone. This song is so great good job. (Hope scarlet echoes is next) see you on the next song!

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you!

[@MrMayMay]

the ending is great

[@Thatonedudethatwearssuit-gf8nw]

Mr. Standridge, I am a French horn player of the lindale Texas 7th grade honors band, and we played your composition tanchozuru (I think I spelled it right), and I wanted to say thank you for your amazing work. All of your songs provide fun parts to play for all of the sections of band. Coming from a French horn, who rarely has any lead or melody, that is saying something. Please continue to compose these masterpieces.

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you, and I'll try!

[@seancarrier1226]

Gorgeous!

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you!

[@MosesAraujo-dp5rh]

The start I love it

[@randallstandridge]

Thank you!

[@DerekKulpa2009]

Hey Mr. Standridge, I just wanted to say that I love this piece and I've always loved your work. All your pieces put a smile on my face:) Also I think it would be cool if you wrote a piece written for the unbroken project for a grade 3-4 wind ensemble because that's probably my favorite kind of concert ensemble!

[@dinolover_1184]

This was commissioned by my local middle school's 8th grade band.

[@yash.1r078]

is it duluth middle

[@dinolover_1184]

@@yash.1r078 no its the lee county middle school west 8th grade band

[@yash.1r078]

@@dinolover_1184 oh