For Max Fink, a Frost School of Music B.M. Music Media Scoring and Production major and a former Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate, the trauma that happened on February 14, 2018, when he was just a junior at the school, and the overwhelming sadness that followed, will always be a part of him.
Five years later, the experience of surviving the mass shooting that killed 17 people, including two of his bandmates, Alex Schachter and Gina Montalto, inspired the young composer to write a symphonic orchestra piece called "Forever and Always: A Reflection."
"I think this piece summarizes and puts into music what everyone's emotions and feelings were up to this five-year mark," Fink says. "I hope the music becomes an emotional outlet that will let me share that light at the end of the tunnel for other people and a big step forward for their recovery."
Divided into three movements, "Forever and Always: A Reflection" depicts the emotions of that day. The music starts light and upbeat in the first movement, called Normalcy. After all, it was Valentine's Day on a sunny, bright day in South Florida, with a hint of romance in the air.
Suddenly, you're hit with the second movement, called Devastation. Everything turns dark, like the time when the tragedy happens. Then, there's the third movement, called Triumph, when there's a release of energy and emotion all at once, like when although everyone's grieving, they're also elevating one another as a community, hoping to move forward and find a brighter future.
At various parts of the piece, there are symbolic references to the 17 victims. At one point, you hear 17 chimes and, in another, 17 snare drums. What perhaps many have not been able to express into words, Fink has captured in this touching composition—an ode to his lost friends at Stoneman Douglas.
The piece was performed on February 19, just a few days after Valentine's Day, by the Florida Youth Orchestra, as a dedication to every life that was lost during the tragedy.
"I was actually in the band room the day it happened, which is kind of crazy because I feel like music has had a profound connection with my life in many ways, but particularly with this piece," says Fink. "Seeing it performed live by the Florida Youth Orchestra at Plantation Heritage Park was a real treat. There was a great audience, and many people from my school showed up, so that was very special."
Fink will be graduating this May, and he says this piece would not exist had it not been for the education he's received at Frost. He says, "I am incredibly thankful for all the Frost School of Music faculty. I didn't have any music theory knowledge or compositional skills before coming here. I knew I wanted to compose for film and television and compose music in general, and that I wanted to work with award-winning artists like Professor Carlos Rafael Rivera."
Rivera is an assistant professor and director of the Media Writing and Production Program at Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, and an Emmy Award-winning composer, whose career has spanned several genres of the music industry.
Four years ago, when he first saw Fink's portfolio, he instantly realized he'd found a star. "I remember conducting the student auditions and was very interested in Max's portfolio," recalls Rivera. "When students audition for the Media Scoring and Production program, aside from a portfolio, they usually need to audition playing an instrument. So, when it came to Max, I made sure to attend his trumpet audition, silently rooting for him, and was glad he did incredibly well. Max is in my current Media Scoring in Production class, and it's great to watch him develop his scoring skills while taking criticism like a pro."
With "Forever and Always: A Reflection," Rivera concludes, "Max has eloquently expressed in music what can never be put into words."
