Crystal Starlight
For Concert Band
Instrumentation:
1.2.2.2.3.2/1.2.1.1./3.4.3.2.2./Timp./Piano/Perc(7)
Duration:
ca. 8'
Released:
World Premier | April 9, 2026 - Weber State University Concert Band, Austad Auditorium, Ogden, UT.
Program Note
Following even the worst of winter storms is the brilliance of winter. The sharp-crystalline air twinkles and shines like the stars in the sky. Though the bitter cold bites with sharp teeth, there is still beauty to behold in the icy landscape.
Commissioned by the Weber State University Symphonic Band, Crystal Starlight was inspired by the moment I learned of my friend's passing. The news stung and carried a bitter, cold, and lifeless sting that made me shake. However, despite my bitter grief for the loss of his life and all that it meant, I found strength and peace in his life and all that he stood for.
Crystal Starlight reminds us that in grief, there is a doorway to greater understanding around the meaning of life, its purpose, and what gives our lives value: the relationships we build.
Commission Information
Steven Hendricks | Weber State University - Ogden, UT
​
Steven Hendricks currently serves as director of bands and head of the winds and percussion area at Weber State University. His responsibilities at Weber State include directing the Symphonic Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. He also teaches courses in brass methods and jazz pedagogy along with private lessons on trombone and conducting. Prior to his appointment at Weber State, Professor Hendricks served as Director of Bands at Kaysville Junior High School, as a visiting professor at Brigham Young University-Idaho, as Director of Bands at Carbon High School in Price, Utah, and as Director of Bands at Davis High School in Kaysville,
Utah.
During his 28 year tenure at Davis High School, Mr. Hendricks developed both the largest band program in Utah and one of the finest high school bands in the country. His Wind Ensemble is just one of two high school bands in Utah history to perform at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago (1998), and he is still the only director in Utah history to have three concert bands achieve straight superior ratings at the UMEA State Concert Band Festival—a feat that was achieved twice—first in 2015 and again in 2017. His marching band is one of only two from Utah to perform at both the Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade.
Mr. Hendricks was selected as the Davis School District Teacher of the Year in 2017, and that same year was first runner up for Utah Teacher of the Year. He is a recipient of the Huntsman Award for Education, the Sorensen Legacy Award for Arts Education, the UHSAA Music Teacher of the Year, the UMEA High School Educator of the Year, and multiple National Band Association citations for excellence. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Intermountain Percussion Association in 2018 and was inducted into the Utah Music Educators Association Hall of Fame in February of 2021.
When he isn’t busy with his program at Weber State or enjoying time with his wife Tammie and his ten grandchildren, Mr. Hendricks is active as a clinician and adjudicator for concert band, jazz band, choir, and the marching arts. He has also authored two books, Life Lessons in the Band Room and A Band Geek’s Diary.
Interested in performing this piece or using it for another project? Send me an email at hannah@brendanchildmusic.com with the following information:
​
FOR PERFORMANCE LICENSES:
-Ensemble and Director/Conductor Name
-Number of Performances and Dates/Times
-Necessary Materials Needed for Performance
-Street Address
​
FOR AUDIO LICENSES:
- Platforms the performance audio will be broadcast/streamed on
- LICENSE LENGTH: How long will the performances be online
- Price/price range of your tickets for this event
FOR SYNCHRONIZATION LICENSES:
- What the concert video will be used for
- What platforms the concert video will be streamed/hosted on
- LICENSE LENGTH: How long will these be online?
- Price/price range of your tickets for this event