TROY – The Troy University Symphony Band is the focus of a new music CD called “STORMWORKS Chapter 1 Prime: A Wish to the World,” due to be released July 4.

Director of Bands Ralph Ford, the 54-member Troy University Symphony Band and composer Stephen Melillo collaborated on the production of the CD May 8 – 11 in Troy.

“It’s really in keeping with the vision Chancellor Hawkins has laid out and the momentum of our University’s direction,” Ford said. “It’s going to make a strong statement around the world of what the symphony band is capable of producing. Steve refers to this as ‘The Band of the Third Millennium’ – basically incorporating the use of electronic instruments with the traditional wind and percussion ensemble to enhance the sound of a symphony band. It’s the next generation of symphony band, we’re doing it ahead of everyone else.

“People are going to be amazed at what Troy University students are capable of producing,” he added.

In all, the band performed 14 numbers in the suite – all with an underlying patriotic theme. A Wish to the World is a series of pieces written to inspire the next generation of heroes.

Stormworks, the musical framework Melillo created in 1992, revolutionized the music publishing industry through providing commissioned scores via a CD or the internet rather than by the more traditional paper sets. Because all of the compositions within Stormworks have a similar theme and because Melillo was able to move music technology into areas traditional music publishing companies rejected, Ford said Melillo stands apart from that pack. The concept has enabled Melillo to establish a distribution chain in 28 countries.

Orders will be taken for the CD beginning mid-July. For more information about the project, or to place an order, visit www.soundofthesouth.org or call the band office at Troy University at 334-670-3281. The cost of the CD is $20.

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