Inspired by the groundbreaking work of Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, M.D., I composed The Five Stages of Grief for brass ensemble. In her 1969 book "On Death and Dying", Dr. Kübler-Ross introduced the now widely-accepted stages of grief: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Her observations regarding the emotions one experiences during these stages functioned as catalysts in the composition of the five-movements presented here.

Read my paper on its composition here:  https://www.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-042915-124006/unrestricted/Hango_The_Five_Stages_of_Grief.pdf

Watch the video of the premiere here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOzAJ-FKWQs

00:00 - First Stage: Denial and Isolation
02:40 - Second Stage: Anger
05:40 - Third Stage: Bargaining
08:40 - Fourth Stage: Depression
11:50 - Fifth Stage:  Acceptance

This composition was written in fulfillment of my Major Qualifying Project (MQP) in Humanities & Arts, with a Concentration in Music, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

Special thanks to the WPI Department of Humanities & Arts, my advisor Dr. Douglas G. Weeks, and the WPI Brass Ensemble, comprised of:

Trumpet:  John Mastroianni, Ed Partlow, Greg Stockman, Stephanie Chin
French Horn:  Peter Melander, Erik Nadel, John Amante
Tuba:  Emily Chretien
Trombone:  Peter Leondires, Rachel Prescott, Allison Kenney
Baritone Horn:  Jonathan Sawin
Percussion:  Greg Port, Alex Shefferman, Heather Davis

The Five Stages of Grief - Live at Alden Hall

A song I wrote way back in high school, mostly in French.  Finally got around to making a decent recording this year!  Lyrics posted below, since my French isn't as great as it should be:

There's a feeling running through my veins,
I'm so excited, yet so in pain.
Car je sais que…

Je compose une conversation,
Qui ne m’arrivera jamais, ainsi
À côté de mes rêves et mes mémoires,
J’aurai cacher mon visage aussi.

There's a feeling running through my veins,
I'm so excited, yet so in pain.
Parce que…
 
La vie comme j’aspire pour ne sera jamais, (elle n'existe pas)
Je m’abandonne loin derrière.
Je vais continuer à vivre comme tout le monde, (faux comme toi)
Comme si je n’ai rien déguiser.

Je sais que ce n’est pas le chemin,
Mais c’est le seul chemin que je sais.
Je ne suis pas celui qui s’est égaré,
Nous verrons qui a été trompe à la fin.

There's a feeling running through my veins,
I'm so excited, yet so in pain.

changö