The Curse, The Crown, The Crimson Sky was commissioned by the Sing Me a Story Organization in collaboration with San José State University and the SJSU Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. David Vickerman. 

Sing Me a Story’s mission is to “bring the voices of children in need to the world through music.” Their work transforms children’s stories into musical experiences that raise awareness, support nonprofits worldwide, and most importantly, offer families joy, healing, and an unforgettable sense of connection. 

For this project, SMAS connected with Matthew, Patrick, and Carswell Ouimet through the Oxalosis and Hyperoxaluria Foundation. Matthew and Carswell, both affected by Hyperoxaluria, created a fantasy adventure story that reflected their family’s battle with the disease. Their story immediately evoked images of a high fantasy, Dungeons & Dragons style quest; an aesthetic I sought to honor through both the poetry and the music. 

The poem I wrote draws inspiration from Grimm’s Fairy Tales and The Princess Bride, blending sorcery and gothic imagery with a sense of heroism and lighthearted adventure (the full text is included on the following page). Musically, I turned to familiar tropes from the great soundtracks of high fantasy films, television, and video games. The piece is cast in ritornello form, mirroring the recurring “main theme” often heard during scene changes or sweeping views of landscapes. Listeners will also hear touches of the Dorian mode, bold brass fanfares, lyrical flute and oboe lines, and dance-like rhythms and meters, all hallmarks of the fantasy genre.