Program Notes

This piece evokes the image of a river of stars sweeping across the sky. Based in the Hindustani raag Vachaspati, River of Stars combines soaring melodies, roiling figuration and sparkling percussion to create a bold and shimmering sound world.

Recording

(see above)

Premiere/Performances

This work was premiered on April 11, 2026 by Spencer Hile and the John Hersey High School Symphonic Band at the 25th Annual Chicagoland Invitational Concert Band Festival in Chicago, IL.

Consortuim

This work was commissioned by a consortium of 50+ bands including:

• Encore Music Academy — Cynara Pierzina, executive director Crystal Lake, IL
• Barrington High School — Kevin Krivosik, conductor Barrington, IL
• Evanston Township High School — Matthew P. Bufis, conductor Evanston, IL
• Batavia High School — Chris Owen & Brian Van Kley, conductors Batavia, IL
• Freeburg Community High School — Christopher J. Gass, conductorFreeburg, IL
• Buffalo Grove High School — Vince Genualdi, conductor Buffalo Grove, IL
• Glenbard North High School — Lauren Whisnant, conductor Carol Stream, IL
• Crystal Lake Central High School — Keith Levin, conductor Crystal Lake, IL
• Grayslake Central High School — Kamal Talukder, conductor Grayslake, IL
• Crystal Lake South High School — Dan Foster, conductor Crystal Lake, IL
• Harold L. Richards High School — Felix Ponce, conductor Oak Lawn, IL
• Deerfield High School — Pam Holt, conductor Deerfield, IL
• Hinsdale South High School — Matt Goeke, conductor Darien, IL
• Downers Grove North High School — Jessen T. Smith & Gina Wych, conductor Downers Grove, IL 
• Joliet West High School — Eric Wellman, conductor Joliet, IL
• Elk Grove High School — Ron Fiorito Jr, conductor Elk Grove, IL
• Lake Central High School — Elliot Smith, conductor St. John, IL
• Elmhurst University — Adam Kehl, conductor Elmhurst, IL
• Lake Zurich High School — Joshua Thompson and Sheri Conover, conductors Lake Zurich, IL
• Lakes Community HS — Matthew Kastor, conductor Lake Villa, IL
• New Trier High School — Matt Temple, conductor Winnetka, IL
• Lemont High School — Benjamin Clemons, conductor Lemont, IL
• Niles North High School — Mike Moehlmann & Ryan Burns, conductors Skokie, IL
• Libertyville High School — Adam Gohr, conductor Libertyville, IL
• Niles West High School — Justin Johnson, conductor Skokie, IL
• Maine East High School — Andrew Beckwith, conductor Park Ridge, IL
• Northern Arizona University — TJ Mack, conductor Flagstaff, AZ
• Maine South High School — David Hutter, conductor Park Ridge, IL
• Northwestern University — Robert Taylor, conductor Evanston, IL
• McHenry Community High School — Ryan Cabildo, conductor McHenry, IL
• Oliver McCracken Middle School — Chip De Stefano & Cesar Mendoza, conductors Skokie, IL
• Merit School of Music Scott — Casagrande, conductor Chicago, IL
• Oswego High School — Stephanie San Roman, conductor Oswego, IL
• Metea Valley High School — Don Devany, Josh Kaminskey, & Jordan Yi, conductors Aurora, IL
• Prospect High School — Chris Barnum, conductor Mt. Prospect, IL
• Dr. Arris Golden, conductor East Lansing, MI
• Ridgewood High School — Bernie Moore, conductor Norridge, IL
• Mundelein High School — Andy Sturgeon & Jerry Shelato, conductors Mundelein, IL
• Rolling Meadows High School — Elliott Hile, conductor Rolling Meadows, IL
• Schaumburg High School — Vinnie Inendino & Anthony Graffeo, conductors Schaumburg, IL
• Wauconda High School — Chris Dortwegt & Ben Dahlke, conductors Wauconda, IL
• St. Charles North High School — Kevin Dobbeck & John Wojciechowski, conductors St. Charles, IL
• Waukegan High School — David Grayson, conductor Waukegan, IL
• Traughber Junior High School — Rachel Maxwell, conductor Oswego, IL
• West Aurora High School — Victor Anderson, conductor Aurora, IL
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — Kevin Geraldi, conductor Champaign, IL
• Wheaton Warrenville South High School — Hannah Drake, conductor Wheaton, IL
• University of Wisconsin-Madison — Scott Teeple & Corey Pompey, conductors Madison, WI
• Zion-Benton Township High School — Shan Kazmi, conductor Zion, IL
• Waubonsie Valley High School — Mark Duker, Chris Dandeles, & James Hairston, directors Aurora, IL