Libretto
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THE SONGS, WORDS AND THEIR STORIES
Being asked to compose Music for someone’s project, album, vision, and hopes and
dreams is always a Gift. When writing for Cindy (Paulos) however, the expectation at
the onset was to write Music that invoked the Spirit, honored God, and reawakened
the potentials in all of us across the world, one Family under the same Stars. For that
reason, I am humbled and blessed to be a part of this undertaking. Thank you, Cindy
for allowing me to be inspired by your words and thoughts and for inviting me into this
world of shared Good and Hope, where, as the Gift of God’s Love, all of Life becomes a
Hymn to Love, the forever answer for an ever-emerging world where Love Conquers All.
Godspeed! Stephen Melillo, Composer
01. LOVE CONQUERS ALL
Featuring Darlene Koldenhoven
The Story
A Star came. It shined so bright on a very Holy Night, when Heaven merged
with Earth. An echo of that time, 2000 years ago, is still heard. Through these
extremely challenging times we have all been going through, we ask the Lord for
love and for guidance.
Looking up at the Stars before Christmas, these words came to me daily. With the
help and inspiration of Stephen Melillo, this whole project came into being. It
unfolded in a beautiful way that kept inspiring each step of the journey. It opens
with the prelude of many asking for guidance and the belief of one beautiful soul,
the heart of Mary, believing that love can conquer all.
From Cindy:
What is this love that can conquer all?
It is God’s love. God’s love merged with Mary’s heart and soul.
This perfect love brought the Light to Earth from Heaven in the
human form of Christ.
Sung by GRAMMY® Award-winning Darlene Koldenhoven.
Music, so powerful, finding a voice to capture the emotional
and technical range covered was quite a challenge. Thank You
Darlene.
02. Take Heed, Souls of Earth
feat. Catherine Geach
The Angel appears. Archangel Gabriel, wonderful Messenger of the Highest,
brings the Holy Spirit to Mary. Pure love and grace transforms Mary and
brings her the blessing of the Highest. Hail Mary, the Lord is with you!
Sung by Catherine Geach. Catherine had just survived Covid and recorded
this piece in her apartment in Italy during the quiet of the night. She sang
while on her knees in prayer. Stephen wrote this piece with Catherine’s
heavenly voice in mind, knowing she would sound like an angel. Angels
come to us in times of need.
This piece was recorded the night before the invasion of Ukraine.
Special thanks to Violinist and Soprano, Catherine Louise Geach for her
Voice, Heart & Soul.
03. All of Life is a Hymn to Love
feat. Cindy Paulos & Stephen Melillo 7:20
From Cindy:
In this piece is the gift of looking at life from the amazing state of grace. After the visit of the Holy Spirit and the Angel of the Lord, Mary understood her purpose and the purpose that Christ would have. She realized the beauty of all life through the Eyes of God. Through the Eyes of God, All of Life is a Hymn to Love.
This love is an unconditional love that God sent to us through Christ. A love that understands and has compassion for the human state. It understands the frequencies in the energy that Heaven brings to Earth through Christ. And in that state of grace, there is indeed a vision that is seen and understood by those whose hearts are open to see the miracle. As soon as we believe as Mary did, in the vision of Heaven coming to Earth, then we become the messengers of love.
We can begin to see and believe that all of life is a learning process. And through such enlightenment, we are able
to become the highest love possible in this form. It takes forgiveness, as Christ learned on the cross. It takes believing as Mary did. It takes us holding that vision of love for all mankind as Christ and Mary did.
All of life then is seen in culmination as the beauty of having that gift of God’s unconditional love come to Earth through Mary, creating a miracle for all humankind
.
04. The Story of the Stars
feat. Stephen Melillo as “The Astronomer”
4:06
From Cindy:
This piece has many levels of meaning. It brings in the Creation of the Universe,
and the role that the Star of Wonder plays in the transformation of the
understanding of the astute astronomer.
Looking up at the Stars we always feel a sense of wonder, and sometimes if
we’re very quiet and open, the Stars will speak to us. In this piece, the learn’d
astronomer knows how to create the charts and diagrams using numbers, proofs
and figures to plot the destiny of the Stars. Then, in a moment of illumination, he
realizes that there is so much more going on than just numbers and figures and
what can be plotted.
The learn’d astronomer is in effect one of the Magi, or Masters. He becomes
open to receiving the Messages of the Stars, and is able to understand from
the perception of God’s understanding, of how the universe and Stars work in
coordination with the Earth. In this sacred moment, when his mind steps back,
and his heart and soul takes over, the learn’d astronomer becomes infinitely
aware. In this very creative piece, Stephen Melillo is able to express beautifully
that something quite special is going to happen with that Star of Wonder.
From Steve:
The beginning of this piece came from photographs made of the Stars when I was
seventeen. Many years later, with computers able to plot Star positions, I input
the time of my first Son’s birth; 8:18:18 on 11 September 2001. The Star Chart
was sent to the Porter Music Box Company and punched into a 15.5-inch Brass
Disc that played on a Porter Music Box in Alexandria, Virginia. In the beginning of
the piece, you are literally hearing the Position of the Stars in our ecliptic plane.
Because this same “Star Disc” was used in a concert band work entitled, “Our Time
as a Song in the Universe,” detailed documentation of the process is a part of that
Score from STORMWORKS Chapter 13: Whispers on the Wind. Enjoy. Sharing the
same residual dust, we are all born under those same, eternal Stars.
05. Mary’s Lullaby
feat. Stephen Melillo
5:35
From Cindy:
This lullaby took on a life of its own, as pieces will when they are
birthed. Just as the Stars spoke to the learn’d astronomer, they also
spoke to Mary at the time of Christ’s birth.
Often Mary is seen wearing a Crown of Stars. The Crown of Stars,
created from the Highest Light, is a real living Crown of Stars that
came to her. She carried the energy of each of these 12 Stars back
to Earth.
Mary heard the Stars sing at the time of the birth of Christ and she
sang along. Mary’s Lullaby, Song of the Stars, was part of the hymn
of love sent from God, into the Light of that Star of Wonder, down
to her at the time when Heaven merged with Earth. It was a lullaby
from the Heart of God, from the Universe, from the Music of the
Spheres.
In this piece we feel the experience of Mary’s awe and wonder as
she sees Jesus for the first time.
It is spoken by Stephen Melillo, who holds the energy of the Magi
along with the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
From Steve:
Think of the Brahms Lullaby, the familiar song Moms and Dads sing
06. Love is the Answer
feat. Wilson Solomon, Voice
& Shafer Melillo, Flugelhorn 3:39
From Cindy:
Out in the fields and looking up at the Star of Wonder, Love is the
Answer, is sung by a shepherd boy. He is captured in that same
energy of this wondrous Star and realizes through all the difficulties
of life that love is indeed the answer to everything.
Finding the right shepherd to sing this song was a blessing. A
beautiful young man named Wilson Solomon sings for us. He has
the voice of an angel and the innocence to believe that love IS the
answer.
The shepherd boy represents the innocence and also the dedication
of a young person who is responsible for watching over the sheep,
protecting them from attack and the elements. It might seem like a
job for a simpleton, a job devoid of fame, wealth and social status,
yet that shepherd boy represents Christ.
The shepherd is the holy image of a caring person, a guardian for
humanity. The shepherd represents the innocence of the young,
with the gift and the power of belief and love. One with the ability
to see the Miracle of the Star of Wonder, bringing us hope and
promise with the birth of Christ.
From Steve:
Shafer and Wilson are lifelong buddies. It’s great that for the
rest of their lives, and the lives of their heirs, they are inside of
this Message. Oh, and by the
Wilson Solomon studies Musical Theater at the prestigious
Governor’s School of the Arts in Virginia. He is also a rising senior
at Smithfield High School. He is passionate about the arts and is
grateful for any opportunities. His most recent role was Mr. McQueen
in Urine Town with GSA. Other credits include: Cinderella’s Prince in
Into The Woods with TADA, and Dancer in Miracle On 34th Street
with SLT. Wilson would like to thank his family and friends for their
support! One day, Wilson was downstairs singing “When I Fall in
Love”. Bringing the phone downstairs, Cindy Paulos was asked to
listen. That was it. Not only did Cindy love Wilson’s voice, but she
said, ”My Mom used to listen to that song all the time.” Welcome
aboard, Wilson!
Wilson Solomon studies Musical Theater at the prestigious Governor’s School of the Arts in Virginia. He is also a rising senior at Smithfield High School. He is passionate about the arts and is grateful for any opportunities. His most recent role was Mr. McQueen in Urine Town with GSA. Other credits include: Cinderella’s Prince in Into The Woods with TADA, and Dancer in Miracle On 34th Street with SLT. Wilson would like to thank his family and friends for their support! One day, Wilson was downstairs singing “When I Fall in Love”. Bringing the phone downstairs, Cindy Paulos was asked to listen. That was it. Not only did Cindy love Wilson’s voice, but she said, ”My Mom used to listen to that song all the time.” Welcome aboard, Wilson!
R.Shafer Melillo
With Two-Hearts-of-Gold and a ‘Zorba the Greek’ approach to Life, rising senior, R. Shafer Melillo, plays in the Smithfield High School Concert, Marching and Jazz Bands. He’s a member of the National Honor Society, the 2022 Boys State from Virginia, and plays on the Varsity Football Team. With one of the best “ears” we’ve heard in years, he also doubles on French Horn and works as a busboy in a local restaurant. Shafer wants to pursue a career in Medicine.
07. The Gift of God’s Love
feat. Stephen Melillo
3:53
From Cindy:
The Gift of God’s Love is a Magical moment, that special time when
Mary looks at Jesus for the very first time.
In this interpretation, we use the Magi, the Magical astronomers
and Masters who see the miracle happening with Mary and the Holy
Child. They are transformed with the realization that the prophecy
has come into being. They offer gifts knowing that the offerings are
merely small tokens compared to the gifts that Christ will bring to
Earth.
This song offers recognition of what Mary’s vision is and of Joseph’s
energy of the Holy Spirit in his adoration. It embodies a Holy Moment
when Mary sees the Miracle of Christ coming to Earth. In this Holy
Moment, she recognizes the destiny that this Christ child holds. She
realizes the power and the pain that this beautiful innocent child will
face. She feels the responsibility a mother feels for her child. In this
vision of what Jesus‘s life will bring, all the trials, all the blessings,
and the death on the cross, Mary also sees the gift of what Christ
and his life will represent for thousands of years to come, helping to
change the world.
It’s a very Holy, sacred time when she realizes the fulfillment of that
prophecy and the reality we all face when we know that miracles hold
responsibility.
This is spoken and beautifully sung in such a tender way by Stephen.
From Steve:
Originally, my singing on this piece was designed to be a demo
for a woman we would find and who would later play the Blessed
Mother. I am no singer. There was never any intention of my demo
vocal track remaining.
When Cindy heard the demo, she said that it needed to remain as
it was. “Perhaps it can be Joseph who sings, or one of the Magi?”
Cindy won. Since everything was written to serve her vision, there
was no need to counter.
But for me, that “voice” IS Mary... and Joseph, and the Magi, and
all of us who give birth again
08. Joy of the Angels
feat. Cindy Paulos
6:26
Ah. The angels celebrate The Birth of Christ. We
remember that Mary, the Holy Mother, is called the
Queen of the Angels. They celebrate with her during
this wonderful time and are brought forth to guide
Mary and Christ in life to fulfill the gift of the Prophecy
of Christ.
I see the angels heralding this precious moment with
songs and music that ring throughout the Universe.
I see the angels around Mary and Christ. I see the
angels on the highest mountain tops. They surround
the Earth in celebration.
What a blessing angels are! They are connected to
God, the Source of all energy, and are there to help and
protect us in everything we do. Angels will lead us to
Heaven and be there when we arrive. We have many
angels we can call upon at any time we are in need.
Guardian angels are with us for a lifetime. You may not
see the angels but you may feel their presence. Often
they can be felt as a slight breeze or a soft, shimmering
feeling. It is easy to reach the angels. All you have to
do is call on them or think
09. Love Conquers All, the Gift 4:18
feat. Smithfield, Virginia School Choirs,
Catherine Day, Solo Vocal,
Spencer Melillo, Flugelhorn
From Steve:
More than a reprise of “Love Conquers All,” this variation, with the
addendum, “the Gift,” tells a new, but related Story. It reveals an
innocent, ever-timely Message that only children could send.
We asked our local Smithfield, Virginia, High School and Middle School
kids to sing and become the Message-bearers. Roland Stuppin, who
recorded STORMWORKS Chapter 55: Way of the Wanderer, flew in from
Germany carrying $50,000 of recording equipment.
While avoiding school bells, morning announcements, and the air
conditioner, we had only 2 hours in the morning to record. Because
the teachers couldn’t be there on the day of the recording, Roland and I
visited the kids the day before to help them feel more comfortable.
A very Special thank you to the Smithfield Middle School Principal, Kristy
Buggs, who not only gave us the “keys to the kingdom,” but managed
to get the air conditioning turned off for an hour. She also took a special
interest in the project and helped us in every way. Thank you, Ms.
Buggs!
Thank you, Singers of Smithfield!
From Cindy:
At a time when children fall under attack, there is great despair in the
world. I had the advantage of hearing this song right away. With the
voices of Children, it rang out to encourage us to remember that there is
a Love that overcomes fear and darkness.
SMITHFIELD CHORUSES
The Smithfield Middle School Chorus is open to all students in grades 7 & 8 as a year- long elective. The Smithfield High School Chorus is comprised of students in grades 9 - 12 enrolled in class each semester. Chorus students perform a variety of programs and concerts each year for the local school and community.
Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator
Catherine Day (Soloist)
Chloe Elmore ,Abigail Gebreyesus, Haylie Heid, Leah Koeppen, Kayla McMillian, Adrianna Melvin, Peyton Rayner, Rylee Sequoyah, Tyler Rose Thomas, Summer Quimby, Gianna Garrett
Smithfield Middle School Chorus, Paul Putnam, Music Educator
Kiley Cecil, Myra-Re Smallwood, Alanna Williams, Shilah Wilcher, Reagan Bresnahan, Phetchinda Mady, Braylee Witt, Morgen Deibler, Megan Whittacre, Haden Doore, Cloe Bucher, Wesley Poole
ROLAND STUPPIN, Recording Engineer
Roland Stuppin began his musical education in Ravensburg, Germany, at the age of 5 on the piano, followed by guitar and clarinet. At 14 he began his training on the trombone. He first completed his studies (orchestral musician) at the Music College on the trombone and then worked as an instrumental teacher at various music schools and as an orchestra musician with the Deutsche Bläserphilharmonie (German Wind Philharmonic).
For several years he was a member of various orchestras and his experience as a musician under well- known composers and conductors had a decisive influence on his musical development.
In addition to an extra-occupational course in conducting wind orchestras, he also completed a state- certified course as a Recording Engineer. Mr. Stuppin is a member of the Association of German Sound Engineers and has received the right to use the professional title “Master of Sound Engineer” from this association.
In addition to CD recordings with his own recording studio for various publishers, well-known concert orchestras such as the Military Orchestra of the German Armed Forces, the Saxony Wind Philharmonic and the Luxembourg Military Orchestra have been among his clients for many years.
The love of music and the fascination for its potential impact determine his work with his studio WIND RECORDS located in Cloppenburg, Germany. Personal experience as a musician paired with technical know-how play a crucial role here. Every artist strives for his or her best performance. Roland Stuppin has the skill, expertise, and experience to implement the environment and the technology to do so.
Lyrics
Love Conquers All, whether big or short or small or tall If it’s Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall
It doesn’t matter at all…
‘cause Love Conquers All Breaking fear, breaking Walls Healing us when we fall
With a Hope and a Promise that Love Conquers All
There is a Light that shines from Above, but also glows from deep inside In the Darkest skies and in each others’ eyes
The Stars will always shine And the Darkness dies
The morning brings back the sunrise
Love Conquers All Just Remember that call When you stumble and fall ‘cause Love Conquers All!
Love Conquers All, whether big or short or small or tall It it’s Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall
It Doesn’t matter at all…
‘Cause Love Conquers All Breaking fear, breaking Walls If we answer the Call
‘Cause Love Conquers All
- Reprise from “Love Conquers All”
- The Gift of God’s Love, Always
Lyrics
LOVE CONQUERS ALL
Once on the darkest night a Star shown oh so bright reflecting Heavens light to bring new hope to life
may our hearts be full of light like that Star that shined
On that Holy night
For love conquers all
it helps us rise with every fall it is the answer to recall Yes love conquers all
The Star the way did show So very long ago
Is eternal light We all can follow we need that light We need goodwill
It’s been a hard few years lets release our fears
For love conquers all yes love conquers all the answer to recall
because love conquers all
Light a candle Say a prayer
sing forth loud and clear love conquers all
All of Life is a Gift to Love
Listen, listen to the symphony of life,
For if you listen you can hear
The heartbeat alive
in each blessed breath of light, the love that feeds its presence here.
You can tune in to the pulse of humanity As it vibrates oh so clear,
Earth speaks to us in each moment, Through the oceans, through the air, And all the creatures who abide here
If you listen you can hear
The music of the universe,
Alive in the energy,
Alive throughout the spheres.
hear the heartbeat of the cosmos
As it dances with dark and light,
Each Star’s song is alive
With its own destiny in life.
The Master answers our prayers,
if we rest our head upon his chest,
We may hear the heartbeat of love.
Brilliant symphonies of life
Sweet callings of each breath,
Merge us with the universe each day
As the song of life infinitely plays.
Listen, listen for God’s energy,
As it speaks in blessings that abound,
In the heartbeat of the universe
Holds a mystic symphony of sounds
All of life
is a hymn to love
and expression of living the precious gift giving
the sound of the heart and soul shared in the moment to know
frequency within frequencies
in Heavenly colors merging as they unfold with the music speaking
their true story that’s told
all of life
is a hymn to love
creations secrets the cosmos hold
reflected here in a mirror shining back its light
through the filters of time and the many dimensions that carry the flight
of existence in space and time
but the eyes always show the truth that they hold
the energy that the hymn is told in all of life’s hymns to love
Such love all of life
is a hymn to love and expression of living the precious gift giving
the sound of the heart and soul shared in the moment to know
frequency within frequencies
in Heavenly colors merging as they unfold with the music speaking
their true story that’s told
all of life
is a hymn to love
creations secrets the cosmos hold
reflected here in a mirror shining back its light
through the filters of time and the many dimensions that carry the flight
of existence in space and time
but the eyes always show the truth that they hold
the energy that the hymn is told in all of life’s hymns to love
The STORY of the STARS
What spark could light that Star That shines from so far
That shines so far
With blessings that reach me here In a Universal Language that appears.
what creates those clouds across the sky those thoughts that cross my mind
hide the light of those billions of Stars And distract the presence of love divine
So I burn away the clouds with a breath and sweep clear the mind
That hides this grace to find
I open up my heart and ask Lord please
help me find the spark that lights Her sacred energy
In this gift of space and time the light of the Stars dance
to the music of this cosmic fire alive in the universal mind
we can wish upon those Stars And see Stars that Mary wears We can bring them down to Earth
And let that light through us appear
What spark could light that Star That shines from oh so far
the blessings of a Holy birth that once came here to Earth
we can listen to the Stars and let them light the fire that lights our inner spark that gift that inspires our life
And here we all are
In this miraculous time and space
With dancing with the mystic fire
the gift of love’s great saving grace
MARY’S LULLABYThe Stars Lullaby
spoken Word
The lord once heard To the Stars sing
at His time of birth
echoed in the living light he brought down here to Earth
As Mary sang a lullaby the Angels sang along heard across the universe
the Creator’s blessings to his son
And Heavens doors they opened wide With the birth of the Christ child That love he brought to Earth
As we unite with love in life
listen
to the lullaby of light Mary’s blessings bring The promise of eternal life
Of which the Stars did sing
Listen, listen
to the bright Stars song echoed in deep in our soul It brings us joy and hope That living light to hold That we all can know
We can still listen As Mary did
To the Stars holy song And be lifted up to Heaven
And hear the Angels sing along
listen to the Angels sing that lullaby divine
As the Christ child listened And brought us eternal life
listen to the Stars sing celebrate that shimmering light On that Holy night
Bringing peace and goodwill to life
LOVE IS THE ANSWER
love is the answer that we all seek Love holds the key that sets us all free
Love is the answer God’s smile in your heart
and helps us to heal All our broken parts
It brings a light that shines so bright
And when you are lonely look within and find
LOVE IS THE ANSWER
A light from that Star That we all wish upon And guides from afar
Love is the answer don’t worry or fear
take a deep breath of joy see the good that is here
let that light of spirit shine And you will find
love is the answer the whole world needs
The GIFT of GOD’S LOVE
You are the one That guided us here That Star so bright Bringer of eternal light
We offer gifts
Of that precious love
you hold such light Brought here to life Your Heavenly destiny To Earth has come
Thank you God The miracle you bring
Such timeless blessings Here In being
The Angels sing A holy theme
The Stars symphony Through the cosmos ring
you are God’s hymn brought here to Earth An answered prayer this Heavenly birth
Beloved child God will guide Your way to teach How to let love be
This love divine Will change our lives Your truth we’ll find throughout all time
you are the light Of the wondrous Star brought here to Earth to reveal who we are
the Star of Wonder that Star so bright
The hope of redemption and eternal life
God’s precious light Shines in you so bright Heaven so divine
In you we find
The call is heard Across the world God here on Earth Such love we find Transforms mankind
The Journeys done the time has come The gift of Love Holy spirits dove
you are the light From that brilliant Star brought here to Earth to reveal who we are
A spirit comes
The heart understands The gift of God’s love Alive in all man
The hymn that sings Speaks to our soul It makes us whole
You are hymn of all the Earth Love of all loved
Your holy birth
Throughout all time
God’s light sublime
In you I see all We’ll ever be
Hear the Angels on high sing
The Angels awaken to the morning Star,
A light so bright, it beckons from afar,
We see the light that is hanging
There from Heaven’s doors open
With the gift that will save the world
And we recognize the spirit
That lives there as a Star.
Come then, Angel of the morn,
And bring the hand of God down,
To reach us here on Earth,
To sing in celebration of your new birth.
We feel the peace of your presence,
As the Angels welcome you back home,
And the choir of Angels sing in Heaven,
In the distance their song is welcoming.
This is a brand new day for you,
And there is a magic that your passing brings,
The welcoming the Angels celebrate and sing,
Christ is born Welcome to the King of kings The joy that your life did bring.
The bells ring out, Our hearts are touched,
And your new life is reborn, Form to spirit, spirit to God, To live forevermore.”
If you listen you can hear
The music of the universe,
Alive in the energy,
Alive throughout the spheres.
You can hear the heartbeat of the cosmos
As it dances with dark and light,
Each Star’s song is alive
With its own destiny in life.
The Master answers our prayers,
Although sometimes it’s hard to tell,
But if we rest our head upon his chest,
We may hear the heartbeat of love.
Brilliant symphonies of life sounds,
Sweet callings of each and every breath,
Merge us with the harmony of the universe,
As the song of life infinitely plays.
Listen, listen for God’s energy,
As it speaks freely in blessings that abound,
In the heartbeat of the symphony of sounds,
Alive in us as the music of love.
HEAR THE ANGELS SING (Joy of the Angels)
Hear the Angels on high sing
The Angels awaken to the morning Star,
A light so bright, it beckons from afar,
We see the light that is hanging
There from Heaven’s door, open
With the gift that will save the world
And we recognize the spirit
That lives there as a Star.
Come then, Angel of the morn,
And bring the hand of God down,
To reach us here on Earth,
To sing in celebration of your new birth.
We feel the peace of your presence,
As the Angels welcome you back home,
And the choir of Angels sing in Heaven,
In the distance their song is welcoming.
This is a brand new day for you,
And there is a magic that your passing brings,
The welcoming the Angels celebrate and sing,
And with your passing we remember
The joy that your life did bring.
The bells ring out, Our hearts are touched,
And your new life is reborn, Form to spirit,
spirit to God,
To live forevermore.
Outline for Stage (script, video)
Scene 1.
The Perception of the Power of God’s Love
The opening scene is a dark night sky full of Stars. The intensity of one bright Star, laser- like, comes into focus, illuminating the sky.
The Magi, the three masters, look up and see the Star. A montage takes place at the same time. A shepherd boy looks up and sees the Star. We then see Mary and Joseph looking up and also witnessing the Star.
The song, Love Conquers All, begins. Mary listens and then joins in singing. She understands the importance and true meaning of this Love that conquers all.
Scene 2.
The Angels
With the music of Take Heed Souls of Earth, we see a beautiful image of a Heavenly Angel. This is the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel sings without words, the highest intonations and vibrations of the blessings of the Holy Spirit coming forth to Mary. She merges with that energy of the Holy Spirit, which transforms her.
Scene 3.
Illumination
The next scene is the illumination of Mary after her visitation from the Angel. This is a spoken word, All of Life is a Hymn to Love.
This piece portrays Mary’s understanding of life and the greater plan. She understands our purpose. Mary’s purpose in life is to express the true love of God coming to Earth to save the world.
Scene 4.
The Magi Astronomer
“How this Star is going to bring light to the world?” The astronomer explores many configurations of mathematics and magic as he tries to understand the Star of Wonder.
The astronomer realizes that the answer is beyond just intellect. He has a vision. The truth that comes to him. His heart opens to the magic beyond what his mind can conceive.
Scene 5.
The Stars Lullaby
The Star of Wonder gives voice to all the other Stars . They sing their symphony to the Holy Light. The Stars Lullaby brings Truth to Earth. As Mary hears the Stars speak to her, so does the Blessed Child.
Scene 6.
The Shepherd
In this scene, the answer comes as the Shepherd Boy looks up to the Stars. In the magical night sky, he is there with his sheep. The Star of Wonder illuminates the manger. So too is the shepherd lit when he realizes that love is the true answer.
Scene 7.
The Gift of God’s Love
The Gift of God’s love is the moment when the Christ child is born. In a vision, Mary sees all of what has been prophesied in the Christ.
In a montage, Mary sees Jesus growing up, studying, and teaching. She sees the moment where He is praised and enters Jerusalem. She experiences the great sadness of His crucifixion. She also sees millennia into the future and how His life transforms the world.
Scene 8.
The Joy of the Angels
Gloria! The Angels joyously sing, celebrating this most brilliant Light of all lights and the blessings of the King of kings.
Scene 9.
Love Conquers All, the Gift
A chorus of children sing that Love Conquers All. The piece ends with a beautiful visualization set to an instrumental version of the Music. All of the characters are on stage; Mary, Joseph, the Shepherd Boy, the Magi, the Christ-child, and the Angels. All shine in the light of this love that conquers all.
Acknowledgments
There are many Angels that helped make this project possible. First and foremost is Stephen Melillo, who put in countless hours to make this album truly a reflection of the highest light in the universe. The devotion he gave was so impressive, that it’s really hard to give enough gratitude to him.
Thanks to Darlene Koldenhoven, Catherine Geach, Roland Stuppin, the two Wonderful and talented brothers, Spencer and Shafer Melillo, and to Wilson Solomon. Their heartfelt contributions are much appreciated.
A special thanks to the Smithfield High School and Middle School Choruses, Kathryn West and Paul Putnam, Music Educators, and Catherine Day (Soloist).
I’d like to also thank Father Care-Piet van Eeden for his support, and my sister Charmaine. My love to my family and my daughter Heather Marie Paulos and my son-in-law, Carlos.
I thank God, and the spirit of Mother Mary and Christ.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 24
Rev. Dr. Cindy Paulos is an inspirational speaker, author, lyricist, composer, producer, artist and longtime announcer and co-founder of KAOI RADIO in Maui, and KUOS in Sedona.
She loves creating inspiring CD’s and has collaborated with dozens of musicians over the years.
Cindy was one of the first women rock DJ’S in LA. In 1979 she
co-launched a chain of new stations across the country and as part owner of and Vice-President of KVRE in Northern California, in l984, Cindy started her own TV show, Tubeworks. She has interviewed a long list of celebrities over the years, including, Mick Fleetwood, Jackson Browne, Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, Jon Anderson, Wayne Dwyer, Neal Donald Walsch, Mary Ann Williamson, Anita Moorjani, Ram Dass, Swami Satchadanada, Alan Cohen and has done over 17,400 interviews over the years. She has over 40,000 followers of her popular podcasts.
Cindy is a voting member of NARAS (Grammys) and HARA. She has been nominated for 6 Na Hoku HanoHano Nominations and 4 HMMA nominations, A Global Music Award, an Akademia Music
award, COVR music award, RoundGlass Music nomination. She was honored to be awarded UNESCO Center for Peace announcer for 2020 Cross-Cultural & Peace Crafter Award Laureates. She received the 2021 Gandhi Peace Award and was named Outstanding Metaphysician and Media Personality by the Harvest Convention.
She has 13 CD’s out and has 8 books released.
Cindy Paulos is a teacher on Insight Timer with over 4,000 followers, her pieces there have been played over 207,000 times .
https://www.cindypaulos.com
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 25
Stephen Melillo - Short BIO by Dr. James McCrann
A world-renowned composer, Stephen’s more than 1310 works include 4 symphonies, several concerti and over 45-hours of Music for Ensembles of the 3rd Millennium™. Stephen’s Symphony IIII: Lightfall, was nominated for the Pulitzer and Nemmers Prize in Music. Winner of three 2009 Telly & Ava Awards for his 2005 Visualized Concert, Kakehashi: That We Might Live, Stephen’s concert-version of that work was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. A fourth Telly Award was given for “Best Use of Music” in the 2019 feature film, One Little Finger produced by Rupam Sarmah. A fifth Telly Award included Stephen’s work on the 2019 Reckoning of Darkness produced by Christopher Kulikowski. Stephen’s 15 feature film scores include the Oscar-nominated 12:01PM and the Jonathan Heap horror thriller, The Unwilling.
Stephen has been a recipient of the ASCAP Concert Awards each year since 1992. STORMWORKS, Stephen’s pioneering, self-publishing entity, has gone from 0 to many thousands of worldwide renderings since 1992 simply by word-of-mouth. He has 42 Albums and 9 books on varied streaming services and novels, including Only for Now, Ahab, a Love Story, the prequel to Melville’s Moby Dick, and most recently the sequel, Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story.
Complete BIO: https://stephenmelillo.com/bio
WIKI ENTRY: https://stormworld.com/wikipedia-entry-with-images Digital Libretti here: https://stephenmelillo.com/digital-libretti Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/stephenmelillo Amazon EDIT PAGE: https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile
RSS FEED LINK: http://stephenmelillo.com/blogs/stories-stormlog.rss
Love Conquers All, When Heaven Merges With Earth features:
Grammy Award ™ Winning Vocalist, Darlene Koldenhaoven Catherine L. Geach, Wilson Solomon, Shafer Melillo, Spencer Melillo
Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator
Catherine Day (Soloist), Chloe Elmore, Abigail Gebreyesus, Haylie Heid, Leah Koeppen, Kayla McMillian, Adrianna Melvin, Peyton Rayner, Rylee Sequoyah Tyler Rose ThomasSummer Quimby, Gianna Garrett
Smithfield Middle School Chorus, Paul Putnam, Music Educator
Kiley Cecil, Myra-Ki Smallwood, Hanna Williams, Shiloh Wilcher, Reagan BresnahanPhetchinda Mady, Braylee Witt, Morgen Deibler, Megan Whittacre, Haden Doore, Cloe Bucher, Wesley Poole
Music Produced by © Cindy Paulos & Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2022
Love Conquers All, the Gift is Recorded by Roland Stuppin wind-records.com
Music is Conducted, Recorded & Produced by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2022
CindyPaulos.com stormworld.com
- The Story of the Stars feat. Stephen Melillo as “The Astronomer” 4:06 From Cindy:
Looking up at the Stars we always feel a sense of wonder, and sometimes if we’re very quiet and open, the Stars will speak to us. In this piece, the learn’d astronomer knows how to create the charts and diagrams using numbers, proofs
and figures to plot the destiny of the Stars. Then, in a moment of illumination, he realizes that there is so much more going on than just numbers and figures and what can be plotted.
The learn’d astronomer is in effect one of the Magi, or Masters. He becomes open to receiving the Messages of the Stars, and is able to understand from the perception of God’s understanding, of how the universe and Stars work in coordination with the Earth. In this sacred moment, when his mind steps back, and his heart and soul takes over, the learn’d astronomer becomes infinitely aware. In this very creative piece, Stephen Melillo is able to express beautifully that something quite special is going to happen with that Star of Wonder.
From Steve:
The beginning of this piece came from photographs made of the Stars when I was seventeen. Many years later, with computers able to plot Star positions, I input the time of my first Son’s birth; 8:18:18 on 11 September 2001. The Star Chart was sent to the Porter Music Box Company and punched into a 15.5-inch Brass Disc that played on a Porter Music Box in Alexandria, Virginia. In the beginning of the piece, you are literally hearing the Position of the Stars in our ecliptic plane. Because this same “Star Disc” was used in a concert band work entitled, “Our Time as a Song in the Universe,” detailed documentation of the process is a part of that Score from STORMWORKS Chapter 13: Whispers on the Wind. Enjoy. Sharing the same residual dust, we are all born under those same, eternal Stars.
06. Love is the Answer
feat. Wilson Solomon, Voice & Shafer Melillo, Flugelhorn 3:39
This lullaby took on a life of its own, as pieces will when they are birthed. Just as the Stars spoke to the learn’d astronomer, they also spoke to Mary at the time of Christ’s birth.
Often Mary is seen wearing a Crown of Stars. The Crown of Stars, created from the Highest Light, is a real living Crown of Stars that came to her. She carried the energy of each of these 12 Stars back to Earth.
Mary heard the Stars sing at the time of the birth of Christ and she sang along. Mary’s Lullaby, Song of the Stars, was part of the hymn of love sent from God, into the Light of that Star of Wonder, down to her at the time when Heaven merged with Earth. It was a lullaby from the Heart of God, from the Universe, from the Music of the Spheres.
In this piece we feel the experience of Mary’s awe and wonder as she sees Jesus for the first time.
It is spoken by Stephen Melillo, who holds the energy of the Magi along with the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
From Steve:
Think of the Brahms Lullaby, the familiar song Moms and Dads sing to their children. What would Mary have sung to the baby Jesus?
Wilson Solomon studies Musical Theater at the prestigious Governor’s School of the Arts in Virginia. He is also a rising senior at Smithfield High School. He is passionate about the arts and is grateful for any opportunities. His most recent role was Mr. McQueen in Urine Town with GSA. Other credits include: Cinderella’s Prince in Into The Woods with TADA, and Dancer in Miracle On 34th Street with SLT. Wilson would like to thank his family and friends for their support! One day, Wilson was downstairs singing “When I Fall in Love”. Bringing the phone downstairs, Cindy Paulos was asked to listen. That was it. Not only did Cindy love Wilson’s voice, but she said, ”My Mom used to listen to that song all the time.” Welcome aboard, Wilson!
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 7
With Two-Hearts-of-Gold and a ‘Zorba the Greek’ approach to Life, rising senior, R. Shafer Melillo, plays in the Smithfield High School Concert, Marching and Jazz Bands. He’s a member of the National Honor Society, the 2022 Boys State from Virginia, and plays on the Varsity Football Team. With one of the best “ears” we’ve heard in years, he also doubles on French Horn and works as a busboy in a local restaurant. Shafer wants to pursue a career in Medicine.
From Cindy:
Out in the fields and looking up at the Star of Wonder, Love is the Answer, is sung by a shepherd boy. He is captured in that same energy of this wondrous Star and realizes through all the difficulties of life that love is indeed the answer to everything.
Finding the right shepherd to sing this song was a blessing. A beautiful young man named Wilson Solomon sings for us. He has the voice of an angel and the innocence to believe that love IS the answer.
The shepherd boy represents the innocence and also the dedication of a young person who is responsible for watching over the sheep, protecting them from attack and the elements. It might seem like a job for a simpleton, a job devoid of fame, wealth and social status, yet that shepherd boy represents Christ.
The shepherd is the holy image of a caring person, a guardian for humanity. The shepherd represents the innocence of the young, with the gift and the power of belief and love. One with the ability to see the Miracle of the Star of Wonder, bringing us hope and promise with the birth of Christ.
From Steve:
Shafer and Wilson are lifelong buddies. It’s great that for the rest of their lives, and the lives of their heirs, they are inside of this Message. Oh, and by the way, “Shafer” is a German name. It means... “Shepherd.”
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 8
07. The Gift of God’s Love
Feat. Stephen Melillo 3:53
From Cindy:
The Gift of God’s Love is a Magical moment, that special time when Mary looks at Jesus for the very first time.
In this interpretation, we use the Magi, the Magical astronomers and Masters who see the miracle happening with Mary and the Holy Child. They are transformed with the realization that the prophecy has come into being. They offer gifts knowing that the offerings are merely small tokens compared to the gifts that Christ will bring to Earth.
This song offers recognition of what Mary’s vision is and of Joseph’s energy of the Holy Spirit in his adoration. It embodies a Holy Moment when Mary sees the Miracle of Christ coming to Earth. In this Holy Moment, she recognizes the destiny that this Christ child holds. She realizes the power and the pain that this beautiful innocent child will face. She feels the responsibility a mother feels for her child. In this vision of what Jesus‘s life will bring, all the trials, all the blessings, and the death on the cross, Mary also sees the gift of what Christ
and his life will represent for thousands of years to come, helping to change the world.
It’s a very Holy, sacred time when she realizes the fulfillment of that prophecy and the reality we all face when we know that miracles hold responsibility.
This is spoken and beautifully sung in such a tender way by Stephen.
From Steve:
Originally, my singing on this piece was designed to be a demo for a woman we would find and who would later play the Blessed
Mother. I am no singer. There was never any intention of my demo vocal track remaining.
When Cindy heard the demo, she said that it needed to remain as it was. “Perhaps it can be Joseph who sings, or one of the Magi?”
Cindy won. Since everything was written to serve her vision, there was no need to counter.
But for me, that “voice” IS Mary... and Joseph, and the Magi, and all of us who give birth again and again to the Savior of Humanity within ourselves.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 9
08. Joy of the Angelsfeat. Cindy Paulos 6:26
Ah. The angels celebrate The Birth of Christ. We remember that Mary, the Holy Mother, is called the Queen of the Angels. They celebrate with her during this wonderful time and are brought forth to guide Mary and Christ in life to fulfill the gift of the Prophecy of Christ.
I see the angels heralding this precious moment with songs and music that ring throughout the Universe.
I see the angels around Mary and Christ. I see the angels on the highest mountain tops. They surround the Earth in celebration.
What a blessing angels are! They are connected to God, the Source of all energy, and are there to help and protect us in everything we do. Angels will lead us to Heaven and be there when we arrive. We have many angels we can call upon at any time we are in need.
Guardian angels are with us for a lifetime. You may not see the angels but you may feel their presence. Often they can be felt as a slight breeze or a soft, shimmering feeling. It is easy to reach the angels. All you have to do is call on them or think of an angel and it will be there for you.
- Love Conquers All, the Gift feat. Smithfield, Virginia School Choirs, Catherine Day, Solo Vocal, Spencer Melillo, Flugelhorn
From Steve:
More than a reprise of “Love Conquers All,” this variation, with the addendum, “the Gift,” tells a new, but related Story. It reveals an innocent, ever-timely Message that only children could send.
We asked our local Smithfield, Virginia, High School and Middle School kids to sing and become the Message-bearers. Roland Stuppin, who recorded STORMWORKS Chapter 55: Way of the Wanderer, flew in from Germany carrying $50,000 of recording equipment.
While avoiding school bells, morning announcements, and the air conditioner, we had only 2 hours in the morning to record. Because the teachers couldn’t be there on the day of the recording, Roland and I visited the kids the day before to help them feel more comfortable.
A very Special thank you to the Smithfield Middle School Principal, Kristy Buggs, who not only gave us the “keys to the kingdom,” but managed
to get the air conditioning turned off for an hour. She also took a special interest in the project and helped us in every way. Thank you, Ms.
Buggs!
Thank you, Singers of Smithfield!
From Cindy:
At a time when children fall under attack, there is great despair in the world. I had the advantage of hearing this song right away. With the voices of Children, it rang out to encourage us to remember that there is a Love that overcomes fear and darkness.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 10
Spencer Melillo Flugelhorn
Born 24 minutes before the first building was hit on 11 September 2001, S. Spencer Melillo, built his first boat at age eleven. Now a rising junior at Virginia Tech, Spencer studies Naval Architecture with ambitions to design everything from Yachts to commercial vessels. Also, a great Musician, Spencer plays trumpet with the Marching Virginians while being ranked #2 in Virginia Tech’s Ocean Engineering Major.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 11
Catherine Day Solo Vocal
ROLAND STUPPIN, Recording EngineerRoland Stuppin began his musical education in Ravensburg, Germany, at the age of 5 on the piano, followed by guitar and clarinet. At 14 he began his training on the trombone. He first completed his studies (orchestral musician) at the Music College on the trombone and then worked as an instrumental teacher at various music schools and as an orchestra musician with the Deutsche Bläserphilharmonie (German Wind Philharmonic).
For several years he was a member of various orchestras and his experience as a musician under well- known composers and conductors had a decisive influence on his musical development.
In addition to an extra-occupational course in conducting wind orchestras, he also completed a state- certified course as a Recording Engineer. Mr. Stuppin is a member of the Association of German Sound Engineers and has received the right to use the professional title “Master of Sound Engineer” from this association.
In addition to CD recordings with his own recording studio for various publishers, well-known concert orchestras such as the Military Orchestra of the German Armed Forces, the Saxony Wind Philharmonic and the Luxembourg Military Orchestra have been among his clients for many years.
The love of music and the fascination for its potential impact determine his work with his studio WIND RECORDS located in Cloppenburg, Germany. Personal experience as a musician paired with technical know-how play a crucial role here. Every artist strives for his or her best performance. Roland Stuppin has the skill, expertise, and experience to implement the environment and the technology to do so.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 12
Love Conquers All, whether big or short or small or tall If it’s Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall
It doesn’t matter at all…
‘cause Love Conquers All Breaking fear, breaking Walls Healing us when we fall
With a Hope and a Promise that Love Conquers All
There is a Light that shines from Above, but also glows from deep inside In the Darkest skies and in each others’ eyes
The Stars will always shine And the Darkness dies
The morning brings back the sunrise
Love Conquers All Just Remember that call When you stumble and fall ‘cause Love Conquers All!
Love Conquers All, whether big or short or small or tall It it’s Winter, Summer, Spring or Fall
It Doesn’t matter at all…
‘Cause Love Conquers All Breaking fear, breaking Walls If we answer the Call
‘Cause Love Conquers All
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 16
SMITHFIELD CHORUSES
The Smithfield Middle School Chorus is open to all students in grades 7 & 8 as a year- long elective. The Smithfield High School Chorus is comprised of students in grades 9 - 12 enrolled in class each semester. Chorus students perform a variety of programs and concerts each year for the local school and community.
Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator Catherine Day (Soloist)
Chloe Elmore Abigail Gebreyesus Haylie Heid
Leah Koeppen Kayla McMillian Adrianna Melvin Peyton Rayner Rylee Sequoyah Tyler Rose Thomas Summer Quimby Gianna Garrett
Smithfield Middle School Chorus, Paul Putnam, Music Educator Kiley Cecil
Myra-Re Smallwood Alanna Williams Shilah Wilcher Reagan Bresnahan Phetchinda Mady Braylee Witt Morgen Deibler Megan Whittacre Haden Doore
Cloe Bucher Wesley Poole
- Reprise from “Love Conquers All”
- The Gift of God’s Love, Always
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 17
Lyrics
LOVE CONQUERS ALLOnce on the darkest night a Star shown oh so bright reflecting Heavens light to bring new hope to life
may our hearts be full of light like that Star that shined
On that Holy night
For love conquers all
it helps us rise with every fall it is the answer to recall Yes love conquers all
The Star the way did show So very long ago
Is eternal light We all can follow we need that light We need goodwill
It’s been a hard few years lets release our fears
For love conquers all yes love conquers all the answer to recall
because love conquers all
Light a candle Say a prayer
sing forth loud and clear love conquers all
HYMN TO LOVEListen, listen to the symphony of life, For if you listen you can hear
The heartbeat alive
in each blessed breath of light, the love that feeds its presence here.
You can tune in to the pulse of humanity As it vibrates oh so clear,
Earth speaks to us in each moment, Through the oceans, through the air, And all the creatures who abide here
If you listen you can hear The music of the universe, Alive in the energy,
Alive throughout the spheres.
hear the heartbeat of the cosmos As it dances with dark and light, Each Star’s song is alive
With its own destiny in life.
The Master answers our prayers, if we rest our head upon his chest, We may hear the heartbeat of love.
Brilliant symphonies of life
Sweet callings of each breath, Merge us with the universe each day As the song of life infinitely plays.
Listen, listen for God’s energy,
As it speaks in blessings that abound, In the heartbeat of the universe Holds a mystic symphony of sounds
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 18
All of Life is hymn to love all of life
is a hymn to love
and expression of living the precious gift giving
the sound of the heart and soul shared in the moment to know
frequency within frequencies
in Heavenly colors merging as they unfold with the music speaking
their true story that’s told
all of life
is a hymn to love
creations secrets the cosmos hold
reflected here in a mirror shining back its light
through the filters of time and the many dimensions that carry the flight
of existence in space and time
but the eyes always show the truth that they hold
the energy that the hymn is told in all of life’s hymns to love
Such love all of life
is a hymn to love and expression of living the precious gift giving
the sound of the heart and soul shared in the moment to know
frequency within frequencies
in Heavenly colors merging as they unfold with the music speaking
their true story that’s told
all of life
is a hymn to love
creations secrets the cosmos hold
reflected here in a mirror shining back its light
through the filters of time and the many dimensions that carry the flight
of existence in space and time
but the eyes always show the truth that they hold
the energy that the hymn is told in all of life’s hymns to love
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 19
The STORY of the STARSWhat spark could light that Star That shines from so far
That shines so far
With blessings that reach me here In a Universal Language that appears.
what creates those clouds across the sky those thoughts that cross my mind
hide the light of those billions of Stars And distract the presence of love divine
So I burn away the clouds with a breath and sweep clear the mind
That hides this grace to find
I open up my heart and ask Lord please
help me find the spark that lights Her sacred energy
In this gift of space and time the light of the Stars dance
to the music of this cosmic fire alive in the universal mind
we can wish upon those Stars And see Stars that Mary wears We can bring them down to Earth
And let that light through us appear
What spark could light that Star That shines from oh so far
the blessings of a Holy birth that once came here to Earth
we can listen to the Stars and let them light the fire that lights our inner spark that gift that inspires our life
And here we all are
In this miraculous time and space With dancing with the mystic fire the gift of love’s great saving grace
MARY’S LULLABYThe Stars Lullaby spoken Word
The lord once heard To the Stars sing
at His time of birth
echoed in the living light he brought down here to Earth
As Mary sang a lullaby the Angels sang along heard across the universe
the Creator’s blessings to his son
And Heavens doors they opened wide With the birth of the Christ child That love he brought to Earth
As we unite with love in life
listen
to the lullaby of light Mary’s blessings bring The promise of eternal life
Of which the Stars did sing
Listen, listen
to the bright Stars song echoed in deep in our soul It brings us joy and hope That living light to hold That we all can know
We can still listen As Mary did
To the Stars holy song And be lifted up to Heaven
And hear the Angels sing along
listen to the Angels sing that lullaby divine
As the Christ child listened And brought us eternal life
listen to the Stars sing celebrate that shimmering light On that Holy night
Bringing peace and goodwill to life
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 20
LOVE IS THE ANSWERlove is the answer that we all seek Love holds the key that sets us all free
Love is the answer God’s smile in your heart
and helps us to heal All our broken parts
It brings a light that shines so bright
And when you are lonely look within and find
LOVE IS THE ANSWER
A light from that Star That we all wish upon And guides from afar
Love is the answer don’t worry or fear
take a deep breath of joy see the good that is here
let that light of spirit shine And you will find
love is the answer the whole world needs
The GIFT of GOD’S LOVEYou are the one That guided us here That Star so bright Bringer of eternal light
We offer gifts
Of that precious love
you hold such light Brought here to life Your Heavenly destiny To Earth has come
Thank you God The miracle you bring
Such timeless blessings Here In being
The Angels sing A holy theme
The Stars symphony Through the cosmos ring
you are God’s hymn brought here to Earth An answered prayer this Heavenly birth
Beloved child God will guide Your way to teach How to let love be
This love divine Will change our lives Your truth we’ll find throughout all time
you are the light Of the wondrous Star brought here to Earth to reveal who we are
the Star of Wonder that Star so bright
The hope of redemption and eternal life
God’s precious light Shines in you so bright Heaven so divine
In you we find
The call is heard Across the world God here on Earth Such love we find Transforms mankind
The Journeys done the time has come The gift of Love Holy spirits dove
you are the light From that brilliant Star brought here to Earth to reveal who we are
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 21
A spirit comes
The heart understands The gift of God’s love Alive in all man
The hymn that sings Speaks to our soul It makes us whole
You are hymn of all the Earth Love of all loved
Your holy birth Throughout all time God’s light sublime In you I see all We’ll ever be
Hear the Angels on high sing The Angels awaken to the morning Star, A light so bright, it beckons from afar, We see the light that is hanging
There from Heaven’s doors open With the gift that will save the world And we recognize the spirit
That lives there as a Star.
Come then, Angel of the morn, And bring the hand of God down, To reach us here on Earth,
To sing in celebration of your new birth. We feel the peace of your presence,
As the Angels welcome you back home, And the choir of Angels sing in Heaven,
In the distance their song is welcoming.
This is a brand new day for you,
And there is a magic that your passing brings, The welcoming the Angels celebrate and sing,
Christ is born Welcome to the King of kings The joy that your life did bring.
The bells ring out, Our hearts are touched,
And your new life is reborn, Form to spirit, spirit to God, To live forevermore.”
If you listen you can hear The music of the universe, Alive in the energy,
Alive throughout the spheres.
You can hear the heartbeat of the cosmos As it dances with dark and light,
Each Star’s song is alive With its own destiny in life.
The Master answers our prayers, Although sometimes it’s hard to tell, But if we rest our head upon his chest, We may hear the heartbeat of love. Brilliant symphonies of life sounds, Sweet callings of each and every breath,
Merge us with the harmony of the universe, As the song of life infinitely plays.
Listen, listen for God’s energy,
As it speaks freely in blessings that abound, In the heartbeat of the symphony of sounds, Alive in us as the music of love.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 22
HEAR THE ANGELS SING (Joy of the Angels)
Hear the Angels on high sing The Angels awaken to the morning Star, A light so bright, it beckons from afar, We see the light that is hanging
There from Heaven’s door, open With the gift that will save the world And we recognize the spirit
That lives there as a Star.
Come then, Angel of the morn, And bring the hand of God down, To reach us here on Earth,
To sing in celebration of your new birth. We feel the peace of your presence,
As the Angels welcome you back home, And the choir of Angels sing in Heaven, In the distance their song is welcoming.
This is a brand new day for you,
And there is a magic that your passing brings, The welcoming the Angels celebrate and sing, And with your passing we remember
The joy that your life did bring.
The bells ring out, Our hearts are touched,
And your new life is reborn, Form to spirit, spirit to God, To live forevermore.
Outline for Stage (script, video)
Scene 1. The Perception of the Power of God’s LoveThe opening scene is a dark night sky full of Stars. The intensity of one bright Star, laser- like, comes into focus, illuminating the sky.
The Magi, the three masters, look up and see the Star. A montage takes place at the same time. A shepherd boy looks up and sees the Star. We then see Mary and Joseph looking up and also witnessing the Star.
The song, Love Conquers All, begins. Mary listens and then joins in singing. She understands the importance and true meaning of this Love that conquers all.
Scene 2. The AngelsWith the music of Take Heed Souls of Earth, we see a beautiful image of a Heavenly Angel. This is the Archangel Gabriel. Gabriel sings without words, the highest intonations and vibrations of the blessings of the Holy Spirit coming forth to Mary. She merges with that energy of the Holy Spirit, which transforms her.
Scene 3. IlluminationThe next scene is the illumination of Mary after her visitation from the Angel. This is a spoken word, All of Life is a Hymn to Love.
This piece portrays Mary’s understanding of life and the greater plan. She understands our purpose. Mary’s purpose in life is to express the true love of God coming to Earth to save the world.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 23
Scene 4. The Magi Astronomer“How this Star is going to bring light to the world?” The astronomer explores many configurations of mathematics and magic as he tries to understand the Star of Wonder.
The astronomer realizes that the answer is beyond just intellect. He has a vision. The truth that comes to him. His heart opens to the magic beyond what his mind can conceive.
Scene 5. The Stars LullabyThe Star of Wonder gives voice to all the other Stars . They sing their symphony to the Holy Light. The Stars Lullaby brings Truth to Earth. As Mary hears the Stars speak to her, so does the Blessed Child.
Scene 6. The ShepherdIn this scene, the answer comes as the Shepherd Boy looks up to the Stars. In the magical night sky, he is there with his sheep. The Star of Wonder illuminates the manger. So too is the shepherd lit when he realizes that love is the true answer.
Scene 7. The Gift of God’s LoveThe Gift of God’s love is the moment when the Christ child is born. In a vision, Mary sees all of what has been prophesied in the Christ.
In a montage, Mary sees Jesus growing up, studying, and teaching. She sees the moment where He is praised and enters Jerusalem. She experiences the great sadness of His crucifixion. She also sees millennia into the future and how His life transforms the world.
Scene 8. The Gift of God’s LoveGloria! The Angels joyously sing, celebrating this most brilliant Light of all lights and the blessings of the King of kings.
Scene 9. Love Conquers All, the GiftA chorus of children sing that Love Conquers All. The piece ends with a beautiful visualization set to an instrumental version of the Music. All of the characters are on stage; Mary, Joseph, the Shepherd Boy, the Magi, the Christ-child, and the Angels. All shine in the light of this love that conquers all.
AcknowledgmentsThere are many Angels that helped make this project possible. First and foremost is Stephen Melillo, who put in countless hours to make this album truly a reflection of the highest light in the universe. The devotion he gave was so impressive, that it’s really hard to give enough gratitude to him.
Thanks to Darlene Koldenhoven, Catherine Geach, Roland Stuppin, the two Wonderful and talented brothers, Spencer and Shafer Melillo, and to Wilson Solomon. Their heartfelt contributions are much appreciated.
A special thanks to the Smithfield High School and Middle School Choruses, Kathryn West and Paul Putnam, Music Educators, and Catherine Day (Soloist).
I’d like to also thank Father Care-Piet van Eeden for his support, and my sister Charmaine. My love to my family and my daughter Heather Marie Paulos and my son-in-law, Carlos.
I thank God, and the spirit of Mother Mary and Christ.
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 24
Rev. Dr. Cindy Paulos is an inspirational speaker, author, lyricist, composer, producer, artist and longtime announcer and co-founder of KAOI RADIO in Maui, and KUOS in Sedona.
She loves creating inspiring CD’s and has collaborated with dozens of musicians over the years.
Cindy was one of the first women rock DJ’S in LA. In 1979 she
co-launched a chain of new stations across the country and as part owner of and Vice-President of KVRE in Northern California, in l984, Cindy started her own TV show, Tubeworks. She has interviewed a long list of celebrities over the years, including, Mick Fleetwood, Jackson Browne, Jerry Garcia, David Crosby, Jon Anderson, Wayne Dwyer, Neal Donald Walsch, Mary Ann Williamson, Anita Moorjani, Ram Dass, Swami Satchadanada, Alan Cohen and has done over 17,400 interviews over the years. She has over 40,000 followers of her popular podcasts.
Cindy is a voting member of NARAS (Grammys) and HARA. She has been nominated for 6 Na Hoku HanoHano Nominations and 4 HMMA nominations, A Global Music Award, an Akademia Music
award, COVR music award, RoundGlass Music nomination. She was honored to be awarded UNESCO Center for Peace announcer for 2020 Cross-Cultural & Peace Crafter Award Laureates. She received the 2021 Gandhi Peace Award and was named Outstanding Metaphysician and Media Personality by the Harvest Convention.
She has 13 CD’s out and has 8 books released.
Cindy Paulos is a teacher on Insight Timer with over 4,000 followers, her pieces there have been played over 207,000 times .
https://www.cindypaulos.com
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth, page 25
Stephen Melillo - Short BIO by Dr. James McCrann
A world-renowned composer, Stephen’s more than 1310 works include 4 symphonies, several concerti and over 45-hours of Music for Ensembles of the 3rd Millennium™. Stephen’s Symphony IIII: Lightfall, was nominated for the Pulitzer and Nemmers Prize in Music. Winner of three 2009 Telly & Ava Awards for his 2005 Visualized Concert, Kakehashi: That We Might Live, Stephen’s concert-version of that work was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. A fourth Telly Award was given for “Best Use of Music” in the 2019 feature film, One Little Finger produced by Rupam Sarmah. A fifth Telly Award included Stephen’s work on the 2019 Reckoning of Darkness produced by Christopher Kulikowski. Stephen’s 15 feature film scores include the Oscar-nominated 12:01PM and the Jonathan Heap horror thriller, The Unwilling.
Stephen has been a recipient of the ASCAP Concert Awards each year since 1992. STORMWORKS, Stephen’s pioneering, self-publishing entity, has gone from 0 to many thousands of worldwide renderings since 1992 simply by word-of-mouth. He has 42 Albums and 9 books on varied streaming services and novels, including Only for Now, Ahab, a Love Story, the prequel to Melville’s Moby Dick, and most recently the sequel, Death to Moby Dick, a Love Story.
Complete BIO: https://stephenmelillo.com/bio
WIKI ENTRY: https://stormworld.com/wikipedia-entry-with-images Digital Libretti here: https://stephenmelillo.com/digital-libretti Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/stephenmelillo Amazon EDIT PAGE: https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile
RSS FEED LINK: http://stephenmelillo.com/blogs/stories-stormlog.rss
Love Conquers All, When Heaven Merges With Earth features:
Grammy Award ™ Winning Vocalist, Darlene Koldenhaoven Catherine L. Geach, Wilson Solomon, Shafer Melillo, Spencer Melillo
Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator
Catherine Day (Soloist), Chloe Elmore, Abigail Gebreyesus, Haylie Heid, Leah Koeppen, Kayla McMillian, Adrianna Melvin, Peyton Rayner, Rylee Sequoyah Tyler Rose ThomasSummer Quimby, Gianna Garrett
Smithfield Middle School Chorus, Paul Putnam, Music Educator
Kiley Cecil, Myra-Ki Smallwood, Hanna Williams, Shiloh Wilcher, Reagan BresnahanPhetchinda Mady, Braylee Witt, Morgen Deibler, Megan Whittacre, Haden Doore, Cloe Bucher, Wesley Poole
Music Produced by © Cindy Paulos & Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2022
Love Conquers All, the Gift is Recorded by Roland Stuppin wind-records.com
Music is Conducted, Recorded & Produced by © Stephen Melillo, IGNA 2022
CindyPaulos.com stormworld.com
Enjoy the Story! Get your free,
accompanying Libretto at
ThisLoveConquersAll.com
Love Conquers All ... When Heaven Merges with Earth
Being asked to compose Music for someone’s project, album, vision, and hopes and dreams is always a Gift. When writing for Cindy (Paulos) however, the expectation at the onset was to write Music that invoked the Spirit, honored God, and reawakened the potentials in all of us across the world, one Family under the same Stars. For that reason, I am humbled and blessed to be a part of this undertaking. Thank you, Cindy
for allowing me to be inspired by your words and thoughts and for inviting me into this world of shared Good and Hope, where, as the Gift of God’s Love, all of Life becomes a Hymn to Love, the forever answer for an ever-emerging world where Love Conquers All. Godspeed!
Stephen Melillo, Compose
Being asked to compose Music for someone’s project, album, vision, and hopes and dreams is always a Gift. When writing for Cindy (Paulos) however, the expectation at the onset was to write Music that invoked the Spirit, honored God, and reawakened the potentials in all of us across the world, one Family under the same Stars. For that reason, I am humbled and blessed to be a part of this undertaking. Thank you, Cindy
for allowing me to be inspired by your words and thoughts and for inviting me into this world of shared Good and Hope, where, as the Gift of God’s Love, all of Life becomes a Hymn to Love, the forever answer for an ever-emerging world where Love Conquers All. Godspeed!
Stephen Melillo, Compose
The Story
In the midst of the darkness, when the heart and soul cried for help and light, a Star came. It shined so bright on a very Holy Night, when Heaven merged with Earth. An echo of that time, 2000 years ago, is still heard. Through these extremely challenging times we have all been going through, we ask the Lord for love and for guidance.
Looking up at the Stars before Christmas, these words came to me daily. With the help and inspiration of Stephen Melillo, this whole project came into being. It unfolded in a beautiful way that kept inspiring each step of the journey. It opens with the prelude of many asking for guidance and the belief of one beautiful soul, the heart of Mary, believing that love can conquer all.
What is this love that can conquer all?
It is God’s love. God’s love merged with Mary’s heart and soul. This perfect love brought the Light to Earth from Heaven in the human form of Christ.
Sung by GRAMMY® Award-winning Darlene Koldenhoven. Music, so powerful, finding a voice to capture the emotional and technical range covered was quite a challenge. Thank You Darlene.
2. TAKE HEED OH SOULS ON EARTH 5:39
FEATURING CATHERINE GEACH
The Angel appears. Archangel Gabriel, the wonderful Messenger of the Highest, brings the Holy Spirit to Mary. Pure love and grace transforms Mary and brings her the blessing of the Highest. Hail Mary, the Lord is with you! The Angel comes with a heavenly song that bridges heaven and Earth.
Sung by Catherine Geach. Catherine had just survived Covid and recorded this piece in her apartment in Italy during the quiet of the night. She sang while on her knees in prayer. Stephen wrote this piece with Catherine’s heavenly voice in mind, knowing she would sound like an angel. Angels come to us in times of need.
This piece was recorded the night before the invasion of Ukraine.
Special thanks to Violinist and Soprano, Catherine Louise Geach for her Voice, Heart & Soul.
03. All of Life is a Hymn to Love
Feat. Cindy Paulos & Stephen Melillo 7:20
In this piece is the gift of looking at life from the amazing state of grace. After the visit of the Holy Spirit and the Angel of the Lord, Mary understood her purpose and the purpose that Christ would have. She realized the beauty of all life through the Eyes of God. Through the Eyes of God, All of Life is a Hymn to Love.
This love is an unconditional love that God sent to us through Christ. A love that understands and has compassion for the human state. It understands the frequencies in the energy that Heaven brings to Earth through Christ. And in that state of grace, there is indeed a vision that is seen and understood by those whose hearts are open to see the miracle. As soon as we believe as Mary did, in the vision of Heaven coming to Earth, then we become the messengers of love.
We can begin to see and believe that all of life is a learning process. And through such enlightenment, we are able
to become the highest love possible in this form. It takes forgiveness, as Christ learned on the cross. It takes believing as Mary did. It takes us holding that vision of love for all mankind as Christ and Mary did.
All of life then is seen in culmination as the beauty of having that gift of God’s unconditional love come to Earth through Mary, creating a miracle for all humankind.
4. The Story of the Stars
feat. Stephen Melillo as “The Astronomer” 4:06
From Cindy:
This piece has many levels of meaning. It brings in the Creation of the Universe, and the role that the Star of Wonder plays in the transformation of the understanding of the astute astronomer.
Looking up at the Stars we always feel a sense of wonder, and sometimes if we’re very quiet and open, the Stars will speak to us. In this piece, the learn’d astronomer knows how to create the charts and diagrams using numbers, proofs
and figures to plot the destiny of the Stars. Then, in a moment of illumination, he realizes that there is so much more going on than just numbers and figures and what can be plotted.
The learn’d astronomer is in effect one of the Magi, or Masters. He becomes open to receiving the Messages of the Stars, and is able to understand from the perception of God’s understanding, of how the universe and Stars work in coordination with the Earth. In this sacred moment, when his mind steps back, and his heart and soul takes over, the learn’d astronomer becomes infinitely aware. In this very creative piece, Stephen Melillo is able to express beautifully that something quite special is going to happen with that Star of Wonder.
From Steve:
The beginning of this piece came from photographs made of the Stars when I was seventeen. Many years later, with computers able to plot Star positions, I input the time of my first Son’s birth; 8:18:18 on 11 September 2001. The Star Chart was sent to the Porter Music Box Company and punched into a 15.5-inch Brass Disc that played on a Porter Music Box in Alexandria, Virginia. In the beginning of the piece, you are literally hearing the Position of the Stars in our ecliptic plane. Because this same “Star Disc” was used in a concert band work entitled, “Our Time as a Song in the Universe,” detailed documentation of the process is a part of that Score from STORMWORKS Chapter 13: Whispers on the Wind. Enjoy. Sharing the same residual dust, we are all born under those same, eternal Stars.
05. Mary’s Lullaby 5:35
FEATURING STEPHEN MELILLO
From Cindy:
This lullaby took on a life of its own, as pieces will when they are birthed. Just as the Stars spoke to the learn’d astronomer, they also spoke to Mary at the time of Christ’s birth.
Often Mary is seen wearing a Crown of Stars. The Crown of Stars, created from the Highest Light, is a real living Crown of Stars that came to her. She carried the energy of each of these 12 Stars back to Earth.
Mary heard the Stars sing at the time of the birth of Christ and she sang along. Mary’s Lullaby, Song of the Stars, was part of the hymn of love sent from God, into the Light of that Star of Wonder, down to her at the time when Heaven merged with Earth. It was a lullaby from the Heart of God, from the Universe, from the Music of the Spheres.
In this piece we feel the experience of Mary’s awe and wonder as she sees Jesus for the first time.
It is spoken by Stephen Melillo, who holds the energy of the Magi along with the Presence of the Holy Spirit.
From Steve:
Think of the Brahms Lullaby, the familiar song Moms and Dads sing to their children. What would Mary have sung to the baby Jesus?
07. The Gift of God’s Love 3:53
FEATURING STEPHEN MELILLO
07. The Gift of God’s Love
feat. Stephen Melillo 3:53
From Cindy:
The Gift of God’s Love is a Magical moment, that special time when Mary looks at Jesus for the very first time.
In this interpretation, we use the Magi, the Magical astronomers and Masters who see the miracle happening with Mary and the Holy Child. They are transformed with the realization that the prophecy has come into being. They offer gifts knowing that the offerings are merely small tokens compared to the gifts that Christ will bring to Earth.
This song offers recognition of what Mary’s vision is and of Joseph’s energy of the Holy Spirit in his adoration. It embodies a Holy Moment when Mary sees the Miracle of Christ coming to Earth. In this Holy Moment, she recognizes the destiny that this Christ child holds. She realizes the power and the pain that this beautiful innocent child will face. She feels the responsibility a mother feels for her child. In this vision of what Jesus‘s life will bring, all the trials, all the blessings, and the death on the cross, Mary also sees the gift of what Christ
and his life will represent for thousands of years to come, helping to change the world.
It’s a very Holy, sacred time when she realizes the fulfillment of that prophecy and the reality we all face when we know that miracles hold responsibility.
This is spoken and beautifully sung in such a tender way by Stephen.
From Steve:
Originally, my singing on this piece was designed to be a demo for a woman we would find and who would later play the Blessed
Mother. I am no singer. There was never any intention of my demo vocal track remaining.
When Cindy heard the demo, she said that it needed to remain as it was. “Perhaps it can be Joseph who sings, or one of the Magi?”
Cindy won. Since everything was written to serve her vision, there was no need to counter.
But for me, that “voice” IS Mary... and Joseph, and the Magi, and all of us who give birth again and again to the Savior of Humanity within ourselves.
08. Joy of the Angels
feat. Cindy Paulos 6:26
Ah. The angels celebrate The Birth of Christ. We remember that Mary, the Holy Mother, is called the Queen of the Angels. They celebrate with her during this wonderful time and are brought forth to guide Mary and Christ in life to fulfill the gift of the Prophecy of Christ.
I see the angels heralding this precious moment with songs and music that ring throughout the Universe.
I see the angels around Mary and Christ. I see the angels on the highest mountain tops. They surround the Earth in celebration.
What a blessing angels are! They are connected to God, the Source of all energy, and are there to help and protect us in everything we do. Angels will lead us to Heaven and be there when we arrive. We have many angels we can call upon at any time we are in need.
Guardian angels are with us for a lifetime. You may not see the angels but you may feel their presence. Often they can be felt as a slight breeze or a soft, shimmering feeling. It is easy to reach the angels. All you have to do is call on them or think of an angel and it will be there for you.
09. Love Conquers All, the Gift
feat. Smithfield, Virginia School Choirs, Catherine Day, Solo Vocal, Spencer Melillo, Flugelhorn 4:18
From Steve:
More than a reprise of “Love Conquers All,” this variation, with the addendum, “the Gift,” tells a new, but related Story. It reveals an innocent, ever-timely Message that only children could send.
We asked our local Smithfield, Virginia, High School and Middle School kids to sing and become the Message-bearers. Roland Stuppin, who recorded STORMWORKS Chapter 55: Way of the Wanderer, flew in from Germany carrying $50,000 of recording equipment.
While avoiding school bells, morning announcements, and the air conditioner, we had only 2 hours in the morning to record. Because the teachers couldn’t be there on the day of the recording, Roland and I visited the kids the day before to help them feel more comfortable.
A very Special thank you to the Smithfield Middle School Principal, Kristy Buggs, who not only gave us the “keys to the kingdom,” but managed
to get the air conditioning turned off for an hour. She also took a special interest in the project and helped us in every way. Thank you, Ms.Buggs!
Thank you, Singers of Smithfield!
From Cindy:
At a time when children fall under attack, there is great despair in the world. I had the advantage of hearing this song right away. With the voices of Children, it rang out to encourage us to remember that there is a Love that overcomes fear and darkness.
The Smithfield Middle School Chorus is open to all students in grades 7 & 8 as a year- long elective. The Smithfield High School Chorus is comprised of students in grades 9 - 12 enrolled in class each semester. Chorus students perform a variety of programs and concerts each year for the local school and community.
Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator Catherine Day (Soloist)
Chloe Elmore Abigail Gebreyesus Haylie Heid
Leah Koeppen Kayla McMillian Adrianna Melvin Peyton Rayner Rylee Sequoyah Tyler Rose Thomas Summer Quimby Gianna Garrett
Smithfield Middle School Chorus, Paul Putnam, Music Educator Kiley Cecil
Myra-Re Smallwood Alanna Williams Shilah Wilcher Reagan Bresnahan Phetchinda Mady Braylee Witt Morgen Deibler Megan Whittacre Haden Doore, Cloe Bucher Wesley Poole
CATHERINE DAY,SOLO,
SPENCER MELILLO, TRUMPET
Born 24 minutes before the first building was hit on 11 September 2001, S. Spencer Melillo, built his first boat at age eleven. Now a rising junior at Virginia Tech, Spencer studies Naval Architecture with ambitions to design everything from Yachts to commercial vessels. Also, a great Musician, Spencer plays trumpet with the Marching Virginians while being ranked #2 in Virginia Tech’s Ocean Engineering Major
Acknowledgments
There are many angels that helped make this project possible.
First and foremost is Stephen Melillo, who put in countless hours to make this album truly a reflection of the highest light in the universe. The devotion he gave was a so impressive, that it’s really hard to give enough gratitude to him.
Thanks to Darlene Koldenhoven, Catherine Geach, Roland Stuppin, the two wonderful and talented brothers, Spencer and Shaffer Melillo, and to Wilson Solomon. Their heartfelt contributions are much appreciated.
A special thanks to the Smithfield High School Chorus, Kathryn West, Music Educator
Catherine Day (Soloist) and the entire chorus.
I’d like to also thank Father Care-Piet van Eeden for his support, and my sister Charmaine. My love to my family and my daughter Heather Marie Paulos and my son-in-law, Carlos.
I thank God, and the spirit of Mother Mary and Christ.
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