Shoemaker, The

From Wind Repertory Project
Stephen Melillo

Stephen Melillo


Subtitle: An Immigrant and a Dream


General Info

Year: 1999 / 2006
Duration: c. 5:15
Difficulty: IV (see Ratings for explanation)
Publisher: Stormworks
Cost: Score and Parts (print) - $90.00; (digital) - $80.00   |   Score Only (print) - $25.00


Instrumentation

Full Score
C Piccolo/Flute I
Flute II
Oboe
English Horn
Bassoon
B-flat Soprano Clarinet I-II-III
B-flat Bass Clarinet
E-flat Alto Saxophone I-II
B-flat Tenor Saxophone
E-flat Baritone Saxophone
B-flat Trumpet I-II-III
Horn in F I-II-III
Trombone I-II
Euphonium
Tuba
PAD Bass
Piano
Harp
Timpani
Percussion, including:

  • Bass Drum
  • Chimes
  • Claves
  • Conga
  • Crash Cymbals
  • Finger Cymbals
  • Hi-Hat
  • Orchestra Chimes
  • Ride Cymbal
  • Snare Drum, deep
  • Suspended Cymbal
  • Tambourine
  • Tam-Tam, large
  • Wind Chimes
  • Wood Block
  • Xylophone


Errata

None discovered thus far.


Program Notes

I was in the 6th grade when my father and I stopped in The Shoemaker’s shop. The Shoemaker, speaking broken English and hunched from the many years of toil went to retrieve my father’s shoes. The Shoemaker’s finger nails were black from the countless hours of polishing and refining. When the Shoemaker returned, my father looked at his once worn-out shoes in amazement. They were clearly much better now than they were when they were brand new. The materials used, the craftsmanship, the detail... all were outstanding.

“My God, this is magnificent!” said my father. “What do I owe you, Mr. Bertino?” The Shoemaker said, “Three Dollars.” My father questioned the old man’s broken dialect. Stunned, then amazed they actually argued... but the Shoemaker was firm. He wanted only 3 dollars for a magnificent job.

The reason I sign my many pieces, “Sincerely, Stephen Melillo” goes back to that one defining moment. One man, still new to America, a soul who has long since passed on and put his kids through college one shoe at a time... taught by example. He had given new meaning to that George Washington-faced dollar bill. He had elevated it to the “priceless” Yes, my friends... there are so many Heroes, all around us, all of the Time! The concept of a “work ethic” talked about by everyone in my family for years had suddenly come to its fullest meaning as a quiet man who had given his best, asked for so little.

The Shoemaker: An Immigrant & A Dream is dedicated to all those who have faced the unknown. With great Faith and Hope, they boarded ships and aimed them at the New World. Even in their great labor, they found Joy and relentless Hope. They loved their work and wanted only the best for their children and all those who would follow. Even when fear should have defeated them, there was determination, humor, innocence and daring.

- Program Note by composer


Commissioned by Barry Wentz & The Alpena High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble

- Program Note from score


Media


State Ratings

None discovered thus far.


Performances

To submit a performance please join The Wind Repertory Project


Works for Winds by This Composer


Resources

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