Thomas Downey High School senior Stephen Van Dusen has added “composer” to his growing list of accomplishments with the debut of his original work, Ballade No. 1 in D# Minor, Op. 4. He was one of only nine high school students featured at the California Music Educators Association’s Music Composition Walking Gallery during the California All-State Music Education Conference in January.
Van Dusen’s passion for music is rooted in stringed instruments, as he skillfully plays the viola and guitar in Downey’s orchestra, mariachi, and jazz ensembles. The Ballade marks his fourth arrangement. He draws inspiration from classical masters like Beethoven, Chopin, and Liszt, blended with the modern orchestral creativity of DM Dokuro.
To create the composition, Van Dusen tackled the complexities of double sharps and harmonic scales for the first time, crafting a musical journey designed to evoke powerful emotions. The dynamics shift with every phrase—from tender to ferocious—creating a vivid narrative of inner conflict and fleeting peace.
The opus opens delicately, with light, airy notes reminiscent of floating through a serene sky filled with soft clouds. The melody flows gently and offers a sense of peace and reflection. But the calm is fleeting. The mood abruptly shifts as stormy chords crash like thunder and rumble with intensity. Each note is infused with raw emotion, capturing the essence of despair, unrest, and anger as they ebb and flow.
Van Dusen’s work showcases his dedication to both technical skill and emotional storytelling, solidifying him as a talent to watch in the world of music composition.
“Stephen plays his thoughts,” said Alexis True, Downey High’s instrumental music director, who has taught Van Dusen since he was a freshman. “He’s a gifted thinker who loves dissecting music, and it’s amazing to watch his confidence blossom.”
Van Dusen plans to study piano performance and composition in college. "Music is my companion, my puzzle, and my passion,” he shared, “I listen to it, deconstruct its layers, and feel its essence."
To immerse yourself in the powerful emotional journey of Ballade No. 1 in D# Minor, Op. 4, click here.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEPHEN VAN DUSEN