In 2017, while I was a senior at the University of Delaware, the music department lost a freshman horn player named Steven Martineau. The day after his passing, the atmosphere in the department was that of loss, but also that of compassion. Compassion for the people who closely knew Steven, but also compassion for our sense of community that had been shaken by the loss of someone we intimately created music beside.

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You’re Not Alone was written to commemorate Steven’s untimely death and for all of the victims of suicide and mental illness. It is comprised of two primary melodies at letters A & E, both of which were written while experiencing a surge of emotions and inspiration in an hour-long piano practice session the day after Steven’s passing. The unfinished piece sat on my computer for three more years until I finally decided to finish it in the summer of 2020, mixing together my newer style of writing in a way that I believe still fit the pieces’ character.

 

If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts or mental illness, always remember that help is available.

 

You Are Not Alone, You Are Never Alone.