TESTIMONIALS
“Fanfare and Canon from Harmelodic Configurations proved to be an exciting opener for our Spring Concerts at Bakersfield College. The rhythmic challenge stretched our ensemble’s pulse and focus in a fun way!”
“Students and festival adjudicators alike enjoyed the pulsating rhythmic energy, melodic beauty, and positive message of ‘Run in Such a Way…’”
Gemalene Acupan
Band Director, Bakersfield Christian High School and Bakersfield College​
“To my good friends who teach concert band, string orchestra, and full orchestra, if you are in need of some “fresh” well written music check out the music of Stephen Hill. It is really good stuff.”
Glen Kamida
(North Torrance Youth Music Ensemble, Director / Wildwood Music Camp)
"I have to say that I am really privileged to know a composer like Stephen Hill and I am glad I can call him a friend. I highly recommend checking out his website!"
Eric Villalobos
Band Director, Tubist
"I loved this one (Run in such a way...")...so did the kids! Light & fun!"
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"A great selection (Lacrimosa) to work on beautiful tone, blend, and balance. Nice!"
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"I enjoyed it, ("Before the mountains were born...") Stephen. I have always liked your style of writing. I hope I'll get to play or conduct this piece."
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"This really reminds me of John Williams' "Olympic Fanfare and Theme. The kids always loved playing this!" ("McBeth: Fanfare and Hymn")
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"I love it... "carnivorous" at times and whimsical at others! Well done!" ("Divergent Pulsations")
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"Fun piece...the kids loved it!" ("Saddle Up!")
​​​​​Doug Nordquist
Band Director, California High School (Retired)
"Such a nice piece (Run in such a way..."), Stephen. I so enjoy listening to your music and the surprise each one brings."
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"I really love this piece ("Before the mountains were born..."), the opening to the Chorale is beautiful!"
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"Wow, Stephen, that is a magnificent piece! "Mac" (our teacher, Francis McBeth), would be so proud and would have loved it!" ("Saddle Up!")
​Shannon Scott
Classmate, Ouachita Baptist University
"Just finished listening to your piece (Run in such a way...")! Well done, and sounds very accessible for HS strings. I can well imagine that they will want to really dig in on this because of the excellent rhythm features and figures throughout. Bravo!"
Gerry Willis
Composer / CSULA Symphonic Band
"Excellent work, my friend! I'm sure they will be eager to master this piece. Glad your faith still inspires your music."
Dr. Craig Vire
Pastor / Classmate, Ouachita Baptist University
"Dear Stephen, it was a huge honor to get to share "The River" with the students, staff, and audience at Wildwood Institute of Music and Arts (2019) Your kind support of our efforts to provide all of those students with the best possible music education and music making experiences was sincerely appreciated by all concerned. Thank you so much for gracing us all with your time, talent, and camaraderie, good sir."
Leonard Narumi
Honor Band Guest Conductor / Wildwood Music Camp / Schurr High School (Retired)
"Saxes in the beginning ("The River") remind me of the horns in the opening of "Caccia" by McBeth. In fact, the whole presentation of the theme does! Lovely seeing the whole development of it all. Nicely done!."
Ethan Blackburn
Composer / Former Student California High School
"...and finally we were to premiere Stephen Hill's new multi-movement work 'Harmelodic Configurations' a witty and clever collection of themes depicting images that came to the composer from life in California - from 'Driving the 5' to the 'Eastern Sierra's'. I look forward to bringing Stephen's work to life in the future."
Dr. John Burdett
Conductor - Wind Ensemble Azusa Pacific University
(Lacrimosa) "Beautiful and dramatic, Stephen.
Craig Jordan
Composer / Arranger / Band and Orchestra Director, Hutchison Middle School
"Wow!! If I had a band...Francis is smiling!" ("Before the mountains were born...")
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"That's a keeper!" ("In your splendor ride triumphantly...")​
Don Gunderson
SCSBOA Festival Judge / Retired Band Director
"Texture, tone colors, dynamics, some of my favorite words in music. Great Steve!" ("Before the mountains were born...")
Mark Cuneo
Retired Band Director
"Dude. I knew you at Cerritos College. Great job. Keep it up." ("Before the mountains were born...")
Dr. David Englert
Composer / College Professor / Organist / Pianist
"What a great addition ("In your splendor ride triumphantly...") to the repertoire list for Southern California Bands! Stephen Hill's music is well-crafted and fun to play."
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"It was a wonderful capturing of the spirit of the story in music. Very moving!" ("My Two Blankets")
Dr. Kenneth Meints
Conductor, Orchestra Omaha / Omaha Conservatory of Music
"The music is delightful, great music that is really fun to play, really great to listen to, educational in nature, and just really good music. Excellent rating."
Dr. Amy Gillingham Culligan
Orchestra Director - Northern Kentucky University
"Thank you for your beautiful music, Stephen, and for sharing it with me. It's a privilege and a joy to play it."
Anne Madison
Pianist, Omaha Conservatory of Music
"Can't wait to share the finished production with you, Steve!!! It's been amazing to sit in rehearsals and recordings!" ("My Two Blankets")
Lydia Conway
Omaha Conservatory of Music
"We shot and recorded this beautiful gem of a piece by Stephen Hill called "Fishing with a Friend". This piece meant so much to us when we finally got a chance to rehearse together again. It had been months since we had last played together! The main melody just embodies the simplicity of what friendship is - people that make good times better and the hard times easier." ("Fishing with a Friend")
ACE Trio
Shannon Canchola - Flute, Ryan Glass - Clarinet, Jason Stoll - piano
"Bravo to the Composer & Musicians. Beautifully done." ("Fishing with a Friend")
Stephen Melillo
Composer / Stormworks
"I would like to shamelessly promote Stephen Hill's brand new website which showcases his wonderful works for band and orchestra (and much more)! Conductors, pianists, and percussionists, head on over to Stephen's website. Personally, I look forward to programming "Saddle Up" on an upcoming clinic band performance.... dedicated to one of Mr. Hill's influential professors, the late (and highly revered) W. Francis McBeth!"
Anthony Parnther
Conductor / Musician / Music Educator