About the work and its thematic content:
	
unBroken begins inside the mind of the individual afflicted with mental illness.  Overlapping pitches and pleasant dissonance reflect the workings of a mind in conversation with itself.  The “family” motive, a series of five notes articulated in the piano, is first introduced here (representing my parents, myself, and my two brothers).  The “mind” theme, a three note motive that conveys both beauty and peace (D-flat, C, A-flat), is first heard in the tenor voices and is repeated as the thought cloud develops.  However, it becomes distorted by a half step (D-flat, C, A), introducing an element of bitterness.  Warning signs and cracks begin to become evident as various thoughts and emotions race and compete with each other until the individual cries out to silence them.
	A solo flute introduces the next segment, as the individual tries to navigate the world and their life.  The melody (“Shirley’s Theme”) is hopeful, melancholy, and brave.  As it continues, it becomes distracted as the inner mind begins to exert more and more influence on the outer life.  A twelve-tone matrix is first heard in the piano, as the individual’s ability to cope begins to waver.  A dialogue ensues in which the individual tries to assert their hold on the illness, assuring everyone that they are fine. The theme becomes more and more desperate as the individual struggles to keep themselves together; they make one last herculean attempt before the inevitable break occurs.
	The work takes on a sinister, playful character as the individual enters a manic state.   The clarinet introduces a new melody which is built on the distorted mind motive and leads the listener through a series of short episodes as the individual’s mood and character change violently.    Thoughts rush, leading nowhere, and in a whirl of turmoil and noise, the individual sees the world and themselves through a distorted lens.  The atonal matrix and distorted mind motives are combined into a cacophony of rage and destruction as the individual loses control of their life.
	In the silence that follows, a lone clarinet sounds, bravely pulling itself from the wreckage.  The individual begins the difficult process of acknowledging the illness and beginning to face it.  Its strength and its confidence build until it emerges into a fanfare that is simultaneously triumphant and melancholy, able to cope with its problems but aware of the challenges that lie ahead in living with this burden.  The main theme returns as the individual resumes their life, unbroken and whole, but changed. The work ends as it began, inside the mind of the individual.  There is still dissonance, but the dissonance is pleasant and peaceful.  The final crescendo sounds as the individual looks towards the future with hope.

unBroken (Grade 5, Randall Standridge)

Providence (Grade 4, Wind Ensemble) - Randall Standridge

Salvation is Created serves as a recurring theme in this powerful show by Randall Standridge, depicting the eternal battle between Good and Evil.  The show begins with a powerful prologue (The Battle Eternal) before launching into a sinister series of section features (The Dark Brigade).  Then, a stunning and original take on Salvation is Created rings out (Voices of Light) before the show concludes with an epic battle (Dark vs. Light).  With multiple opportunities for visual effect and costuming, this show is sure to be a hit at games and contests alike.

Angels and Demons (Standridge, Marching Band, Grade 2.5)

Why I wrote (not) Alone

Many who live with mental health conditions experience a profound sense of isolation. Discussing these issues and more so, identifying as someone who lives with them, has been extremely taboo in our society.  Thus, many suffer in silence, facing their troubles with no support.  But, as the title of the work implies, they are not alone.
I live with depression and anxiety.  I have tried to use my platform to normalize discussions about mental health and to help start conversations about this issue.  Here are some statistics you may or may not be aware of:
1 in 5 of 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.
With statistics like this, it is shocking and frustrating that so many people are reluctant to acknowledge, discuss, and address these issues.
In 2021, I was asked to create a work for wind ensemble addressing mental illness.  The resultant work, “unBroken”, is one of my favorite works I have ever created, both from an aesthetic and personal perspective.  However, this work is very advanced (Grade 5), which limits its demographic for performers and, thus, audiences.
Those of us that teach or have taught middle school and high school know that there is a need to address this issue at younger ages, and to make such tools available to middle schools and developing high school ensembles.
I decided to make this work a consortium, expecting there would be 20-30 schools that would support such a piece.  40 tops.
The consortium included over 300 schools.
This is an issue whose time has come.  The time is now.  We need to talk about this, and we are going to talk about this.
We are going to show them all that they are not alone.
 
About the work
The piece starts very softly, with both beauty and dissonance.  The individual is aware that something is wrong but is trying to bravely persist.  A soloist  introduces the main theme of the work, a bittersweet melody that is lovely and vulnerable.  As the first segment continues, dissonant elements and a three note descending theme signals the onset of a mental health crisis.
The second segment is manic and violent.  The individual struggles with their condition as everything seems to be in darkness.  The piece builds to a thunderous moment before dying away to a cloud of confusion.  Their heartbeat is heard racing and then slowing.  The individual is broken.
The original theme sounds out again, unaccompanied, but others join in.  The work rises to a triumphant climax, as a sense of solidarity is achieved.  The work ends with the soloist again, but more confident and with others there for support.
 
Major Themes
There are four major themes that are used in the work. 
The first, which I call “Shirley’s Theme”, after my mother who lives with severe depression, is first heard at measure 9.  This work is used throughout, both in whole and in part, so signify the individual.
The second theme, a three note descending motif, appears throughout the work.  It is twisted a minor second down and minor third, and it represents the darkness inside the individual’s mind.  This is the “Mental Illness Motif.”
The third theme, the “hope” motif, is the five note motif that starts the work in the piano/mallets.  It represents the individual trying to find hope for happiness and a better future.
The fourth theme, the “crisis” motif,  is a 12-tone row, first sounded in m.42.  12 tone music has always sound disturbing and inhuman to me, and I found this to be a great way to express mental illness and despair.  The 12-tone row is built off of various iterations and inversions of the second theme (“Mental Illness Motif”).

(not) Alone (Grade 2.5, Randall Standridge)

Fragile (Grade 1.5-2, Concert Band, Standridge)

Blue Sky Horizon (Grade 2, Randall Standridge)

Choose Joy (Grade 3, Randall Standridge)

Note: This is a rough recording...we will update it in the upcoming months...but this will give you an idea of the show. Contact us if you want to reserve it for the upcoming season!

Vivaldi's Four Seasons are remixed in this delightful new production from Randall Standridge and Mo Longo!  Taking motives and melodies from the beloved classic, this show charts the changing of the seasons from a triumphant spring to an energetic Summer, before presenting a somber Autumn and icy Winter, before Spring cones again.  Filled with possibilities for section features and visual development, this accessible show (part of GMMB's Developing Band Series), is sure to bring out the best in bands of any size.

Seasons Change (Marching Band, Grade 2, Randall Standridge and Mo Longo)

Note: This is a rough recording...we will update it in the upcoming months...but this will give you an idea of the show. Contact us if you want to reserve it for the upcoming season!

Danger and excitement lurk around every corner in this thrilling new production from Randall Standridge.  Based on the cinematic scores of film noir and detective classics, this show depicts a breakout from prison, and the ensuing chase across an urban landscape.  Multiple section features and solo moments ensure that your band will have the opportunity to showcase all of their strengths

Breakout (Marching Band, Grade 2.5, Randall Standridge)

Mechanical Monsters - String Orchestra, Grade 1, Randall Standridge

Eureka! You've found it! Take to the field with this exciting new production by Randall Standridge, based on his work Imaginarium. This exploration of creativity bursts to life with an energetic opening before drawing audiences into the dreamy tranquility of "The Cloud Factory." Yet, as dreams often turn, an aggressive shift introduces "Here There Be Monsters," exploring the darker corners of the imaginative realm. Captivating, serene, and exhilarating, "Imaginarium" navigates the wondrous highs and thrilling depths of human creativity.

Imaginarium (Marching Band, Grade 2.5, Randall Standridge)

Embark on a chilling voyage with Ghost Ship, a haunting production by Randall Standridge. Join Captain Fangg and his dauntless crew as they navigate the treacherous waters of Shadow Cove, lured by tales of hidden treasures. But the tides turn as they come face to face with the ominous Specter's Wake, a ghost ship manned by phantom pirates, cursed to guard their loot for eternity. Intense, mysterious, and cinematic, "Ghost Ship" plunges audiences into a maritime tale where dead men tell no tales.  ARRRRRGH!

Ghost Ship (Marching Band-Developing Band Series, Grade 2, Randall Standridge)

Stay (Randall Standridge, Grade 2, Concert Band)

Wrath of the Mechanical Monsters (Randall Standridge, Concert Band, Grade .75-1)

Ele(mental) - (Randall Standridge, Grade .5-1, Concert Band)

The Great Rubber Chicken Galop - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 2.5)

A Winter's Journey - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 3-3.5, Randall Standridge Music)

Dead Man's March - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 1.5)

Ride of the Red Knights - Randall Standridge (Grade 1.5, Randall Standridge Music)

Groovitude - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 3.5, Randall Standridge Music)

In Memoriam (Aspects, mvt 2) - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 3.5-4)

Upbeat - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 1.5)

Galop Comique (Aspects, mvt 3) - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 3.5)

Cumbia - Jorge Vargas (Concert Band, Grade 2)

Firebirds - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 2-2.5)

Everlight - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 3.5-4)

Mechanical Monsters: Mech the Halls! - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 1-1.5)

Holiday Wish (A Christmas Fanfare) - Randall Standridge (Concert Band, Grade 1.5)

A march for concert band; Part 1 of the Darklands Symphony.  Performed by the University of Northern Colorado Symphonic Band, Dr. Richard Mayne conducting.  Available from Grand Mesa Music Publishers.

Grand Mesa 2014

Darklands March

2018 Marching Band Releases from Grand Mesa Music

Words 5

A Pirate's Adventure 1

This work was a commission by the Little Rock Central Band Program and National Park to create a work celebrating the 60th anniversary of the integration of the Little Rock School system.  The piece begins with an original spiritual I composed, "Show Me The Light," which is then interrupted by the forces of hate and regression.  The rest of the piece is a battle between these two forces, until the spiritual rises again, slowly, but gaining strength and numbers, until the theme is heard again in a glorious climax.  However, the piece ends uncertainly, asking us "Have we changed?  What happens next?"

The Nine (GM Recording 2018)

Spanish Marchi in 3/4.  Grade 2.5, published by Alfred Music, 2019

2019-2020 Belwin & Alfred Concert Band New Releases

El Zorro Rojo (Concert March) - Randall D. Standridge

Where Words End... (2019)
Sometimes, music is not “about” anything.  It exists solely for the beautiful sounds it creates and the emotions derived from that aesthetic experience.  Where Words End... falls firmly into this category of music. The title comes from the famous quote (attributed varyingly to Goethe and Heine):  Where words end, music begins.  Music can express emotions, ideas, pictures, and states of grace that no words or pictures could ever hope to capture; this is what makes music special. 
	This work was commissioned by the South Carolina Band Directors Association.  I wish to thank them for trusting me with this project and for allowing me explore a different side of my musical voice.

Where Words End... (FJH Recording)

Thrash (2019)
	Thrash is inspired by the heavy metal and hard rock bands of the 1980s.  I was in junior high at the time, and my cassette player was regularly the home of Iron Maiden, Metallica, King Diamond, and countless others.  To this day, I still love heavy metal music, and am always excited by the driving rhythms, dissonant harmonies, and savage sense of musical motion.
	In my compositional career, I have tried to shy away from doing traditional overtures.  It is not because I do not like the form; I love it!  My band experience was populated by the works of James Swearingen, Claude T. Smith, and others who kept finding interesting ways to vary and improve the format.  My reason for being hesitant to visit this corner of the band repertoire has more to do with “what can I possibly add to this body of work that hasn’t been added before?”
	The love of overtures and the love of heavy metal combined into the piece you see before you.  it is in standard ternary (ABA) format, but uses the harmonies and rhythms of heavy metals to show the concert band overture in a different light.  A darker light, if you will.
	This work was commissioned by the East Stroudsburg Area High School North Symphonic Band, East Stroudsburg, PA, and their director,  Paul M. Bakner, Director.  I wish to t

Thrash (FJH Recording)

PACIFICA (Wingert Jones, 2019, Grade 3)

The West Coast has a reputation for being at the forefront of technology and innovation. Several “Tech”
companies call this area home, and the general vibe always seems to be one of “what’s next?” However, it is also an
area of extreme natural beauty, and the community there seems equally determined to make sure advancements are
environmentally sound. It is this duality, technology and nature, that provided the inspiration for Pacifica.
Pacifica portrays both the beautiful landscape of the West Coast as well as the forward thinking spirit of the
people who populate it. The staccato (Digital) elements combine with the more lyrical melodies (nature) to create this
mosaic.
This work was commissioned by the Graham Middle School Band and their director, Mr. Timothy Cassell. I wish
to thank them for trusting me with this project.

Pacifica (WJ Recording)

Randall D. Standridge - Concert Works Vol. 1

Ruckus

New Marching Productions for the 2021 Season!

ArtWorks 4 (Grade 2.5) by Randall Standridge

ArtWorks 3 (Grade 2.5) by Randall Standridge

ArtWorks 2 (Grade 2.5) by Randall Standridge

ArtWorks 1 (Grade 2.5) by Randall Standridge

Shambling creatures made of metal come to life in this eerie offering for beginning band from Randall Standridge.  The first six notes for young band (plus one extra accidental!) are utilized in unique fashion to create a work that sounds much more difficult than it is.  Playful interplay of eighth notes, metallic percussion, and moments for the winds to "hiss" and play rhythms on their stands combine to great effect in this work that is sure to grab your players' attention.

Randall Standridge

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