A "Visually Scored" Portrayal of the USS Indianapolis Story, Forever Strong! Marks the 70th Anniversary Salute to Her Survivors

    SMITHFIELD, VA, August 06, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- On July 30, 1945 the USS Indianapolis, a flagship of the United States Navy's WWII battles across the Central Pacific, was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy, sinking in 12 minutes. To mark the 70th anniversary salute to her survivors, a "Visually Scored" portrayal of the USS Indianapolis Story, Forever Strong!, by composer Stephen Melillo, has been released by STORMWORKS .

The USS Indianapolis and 880 of her crew never did physically return to San Francisco's Golden Gate; their last view of American soil before embarking upon that final mission. The photos of lost crewman Alfred Joseph Sedivi, the ship's photographer whose works survived because he secretly sent them home to his family, vividly bring to life the crew of the ship they affectionately called "the Indy Maru" along with treasured pictures donated by veterans and an original painting created by artist Irene Krauß in Forever Strong!.

Forever Strong! paints a moving tribute to the brave crew as vivid swells and crescendos of Melillo's music wash over the listener. "In Heaven and in our hearts," says Melillo, "the ship and her crew will always be coming home to loving, waiting arms. With that message and in that purpose, this work is lovingly offered."

The story of the USS Indianapolis became part of American film culture when actor Robert Shaw delivered one of the greatest monologues in history, based on actual survivor accounts, in the 1975 film Jaws in which his character gives a gripping account of his experience as one of the few surviving sailors of the ship.

The premiere screening of Forever Strong! took place at the official USS Indianapolis Survivors Reunion on July 26, 2015. The full "Visually Scored" 33:17 minute experience is available for purchase at: https://www.createspace.com/452456. The audio only version may be found at CD Baby: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/stephenmelillo5

To keep posted on this new work please like STORMWORKS on Facebook: facebook.com/Stormworks.

About the project: Pulitzer Prize nominated composer Stephen Melillo whose 1117 plus works have been heard in every corner of the globe and have been played by countless agencies from Nintendo to The Dutch Royal Military Band created Forever Strong!, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis, with the talent of the following musicians: Adelmo Guidarelli, The San Diego Jewish Men's Choir conducted by Ruth Weber, The Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy conducted by Peter Kleine Schaars, The Rundfunk Blasorchester Leipzig, and The Stormworks Symphony Orchestra conducted by Stephen Melillo. He dedicates this work to the families of those Lost at Sea, to the Survivors of the USS Indianapolis CA-35, to their families, friends and to all who support them, and to those currently serving in the Defense of Freedom...

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