FOREVER STRONG, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis is a Contender for Grammy's Album of the Year

    NORFOLK, VA, October 20, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- "FOREVER STRONG, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis," a musical portrayal of the USS Indianapolis Story, composed by Stephen Melillo and released by STORMWORKS is a contender for the 58th Annual Grammy Award for Album of the Year.

The Grammy Award for Album of the Year is presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to "honor artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry." Album of the Year is the most prestigious and final award category at the Grammys, having been presented since 1959. To date, four soundtracks have been awarded this honor, a win by Forever Strong! would be the first time the honor would be bestowed upon a complete symphonic movement.

Forever Strong! tells the story of the USS Indianapolis, a flagship of the United States Navy's WWII battles across the Central Pacific, which was torpedoed by the Imperial Japanese Navy, on July 30, 1945, sinking in 12 minutes, never to return to San Francisco's Golden Gate; her 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, dynamically 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! musically sculpts a moving tribute to the brave crew, both survivors and the 880 heroes who lost their life on that fateful voyage, 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 premiere screening of Forever Strong! took place at the official USS Indianapolis Survivors 70th 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 and facebook.com/StephenLMelillo. NARAS members are urged to contact [email protected] for full version links and background information.

About: Pulitzer Prize nominated composer Stephen Melillo whose 1120 plus works have been heard in every corner of the globe and have been played by countless agencies from Nintendo to The Canton Symphony Orchestra created Forever Strong!, a Tribute to the USS Indianapolis, with the talent of the following 216 musicians: vocal soloist 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, The Dutch Royal Military Band 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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