Return to the Imaginarium
Return to the Imaginarium - Randall Standridge
Why return to the imaginarium?
Sometimes, the universe just tells me what to write. Such is the case with this piece. Some will look at the title and, no doubt, think “cash grab” or “creatively bankrupt.” But that is hardly the case. Read on.
In 2015, I wrote a piece entitled Imaginarium for the Association of Texas Small School Bands. At the time, it was the largest and most prestigious commission I had received in my career. The piece was premiered by the ATSSB All-State Band that spring under the direction of Dr. Eric Hammer.
Dr. Hammer invited me into rehearsals during the All-State weekend, asked my opinion about his interpretation, and even allowed me to conduct portions of the rehearsal and offer feedback. It was one of the first times in my career that I felt treated like a “real composer,” and it meant more to me than I can adequately express. The premiere was met with great success and enthusiasm, and in the years that followed, Dr. Hammer would occasionally program the work again and send me messages to let me know. Those moments meant a great deal; they made me feel like I was on the right path.
Fast forward ten years, and several things came together that led to this new work.
First, I was commissioned once again by ATSSB, nearly a decade after the original premiere. This time, I also had the privilege of serving as conductor.
Second, I had been going through a difficult creative period, largely due to my ongoing mental health struggles. There were times when I felt like I had lost the joy of writing altogether. This piece became a journey; a literal return to the imaginarium that exists in my mind. Through the process of writing it, I rediscovered something I thought I had lost. That creative “dream factory” was still there, still alive, still producing ideas. I had simply forgotten how to get there.
Third, and most importantly to me, in the intervening years, Dr. Hammer passed away. Though not part of the original commission, dedicating this piece to his memory felt not only appropriate but necessary.
Will this work live up to the original? I hope so. What I know for certain is that writing it brought me a renewed sense of joy and helped me reconnect with myself as a composer. Art is subjective. There will be those who respond to it, and those who do not. That is beyond my control. All I can do is put my best foot forward and be honest in what I create.
And to Eric Hammer,
Thank you for your kindness, your mentorship, and for helping guide me along this journey. I am grateful our paths crossed, and I hope this piece honors your memory.
Peace, Love, and Music –
Randy Standy
Return to the Imaginarium was commissioned by the Association of Texas Small School Bands for the 2026 ATSSB All-State Concert Band.
About the work:
Return to the Imaginarium depicts the journey of rediscovering creativity and reconnecting with one’s most imaginative self.
The piece begins as we board the “train of thought,” setting off across vast and fantastical landscapes of the mind. Along the way, we encounter moments of wonder, curiosity, and possibility. The journey soon leaves solid ground and enters the “Sea of Stars,” where shimmering percussion and cinematic harmonies evoke the vastness of the night sky.
As we approach the far edge of this great expanse, we are confronted with an impossibly wide waterfall. The train plunges over the edge—followed by a moment of silence—before crashing into the waters below.
From there, the journey resumes, though now less controlled. The train veers and surges as imagination runs wild, untethered and free. Eventually, we arrive at the destination: the dream factory. Here, creativity is renewed, energy restored, and the journey comes full circle.