04 Graham - Your Hero's Journey (Condensed Score)

Condensedoe
YOUR HERO’S
JOURNEY
EMILY
GRAHAM

Program Notes
Your Hero’s Journey follows the story of an unsuspecting protagonist, focusing
on their transformation from ordinary person to hero or heroine, specifically as they
grow in strength. Imagine a training montage as they practice and refine their craft, or
perhaps as they forge a unique weapon meant to slay the monster at the end of their
tale. But this tune represents only a snippet of your hero's actual journey, the rest is
unfinished. It’s still foggy, as if seen through frosted glass. They need your help to be
successful. Can you help finish their story?
Subtitle Note - Yes, the subtitle is intentional! As you shape the story of this piece with
your group, I encourage you to add your own unique subtitle.
Instrumentation
Your Hero’s Journey is a fully flexible arrangement. Three parts are included for each
instrument. While the mallet percussion part indicates Bells it may be doubled on any
mallet instrument. I have also included additional string parts for violin and viola to
support and string players you may have in your ensembles. .
C Treble Clef - Flute, Oboe, Violin (down one octave)
Bb Treble Clef - Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone (up one octave), Trumpet
Eb Treble Clef - Alto Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone
F Treble Clef - Horn
Alto Clef - Viola
C Bass Clef - Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Bassoon, Tuba (down one octave)
Percussion - Snare drum, Bass drum, Bells, Triangle, Suspended Cymbal, Tambourine
ELA Connection: The Hero’s Journey
The Hero with A Thousand Faces by Joseph Cambell (1949) describes the
“monomyth” or universal story structure found throughout our literary history in tales
like The Odyssey, The Lord of The Rings, The Lion King, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Moana,
Frozen and so many more. I’ve created some resources and questions to help students
explore this story structure and tell the rest of the story of the piece. These questions
can be answered as a class, as warm-up discussion activities, small groups or as
individual writing assignments. Please visit my website to check them out:
https://www.emharmonicmusic.com/music/your-heros-journey
For more information about the Hero’s Journey, check out The Hero With A
Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell, A Practical Guide to The Hero with a Thousand
Faces, by Christopher Vogler, or The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers also
by Christopher Vogler. Or go chat with your ELA teachers, I am willing to bet they
would enjoy talking about it!

About the Composer
Emily Graham (b. 1990) is an educator, composer, and
musician currently residing in Tacoma, WA. She holds
a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from the
University of North Dakota and is celebrating her 12th
year in education. Emily has a rich background in
elementary general music, middle school band, and
currently teaches Beginning Band in Bethel School
District.
As a percussionist and trombonist, Emily performs with several community wind
ensembles and never misses a chance to do live band karaoke. Her musical influences
span a wide spectrum, drawing inspiration from medieval chant and big band jazz to
the traditional Irish and old-time folk music she grew up around.
Her goal as a composer is to craft pieces that resonate with every student, providing
them with a part they just can't wait to play. As an educator, Emily strives to cultivate a
space where students experience the joy and exhilaration of achieving something
challenging together and learn the skills to grow their own practice and artistry on
whatever path they choose. Beyond her musical pursuits, Emily is also a visual artist
and longarm quilter, adding a unique dimension to her creative expression.

ELA Connection: The Hero’s Journey
The Hero with A Thousand Faces by Joseph Cambell (1949) describes the
“monomyth” or universal story structure found throughout our literary history in tales
like The Odyssey, The Lord of The Rings, The Lion King, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Moana,
Frozen and so many more. Campbell breaks down the cycle into a series of check
points within three “acts”:
Departure: This is where the hero (that’s the main character) lives a normal life—like
you going to school, hanging with friends, or dealing with family stuff. But something
happens that shakes things up. Maybe there's a problem, a mystery, or a danger that
appears. The hero is invited to go on a journey—sometimes they’re excited, but often
they’re unsure or even scared.
Example: Moana lives on her island, but something’s wrong with the ocean and
crops. She’s called to sail beyond the reef and fix things.
Initiation: Now the real adventure begins! The hero leaves their comfort zone and
enters a new world—this could be a magical land, a different city, or even just a new
part of themselves. They face tests, meet allies (friends) and enemies (villains), and
grow stronger. They might learn big lessons or discover something important about
themselves or others.
Example: In Harry Potter, Harry leaves the normal world and enters Hogwarts.
He learns magic, makes friends, and faces danger from Voldemort.
Return: After facing the biggest challenge (like a final battle, a hard choice, or a scary
moment), the hero returns to their normal world. But they’re not the same
person—they’ve changed. They might be braver, wiser, or ready to help others. They
bring something valuable back: a treasure, a lesson, or even peace.
Example: In The Lion King, Simba returns to the Pride Lands after running away,
defeats Scar, and becomes king, restoring balance.
Why does it matter?
The Hero’s Journey isn’t just about fantasy stories. It’s also like your own life. Any
time you face a challenge, learn something new, or go through a big change, you're
going through your own mini Hero’s Journey. So even if you’re not fighting dragons,
you’re still becoming the hero of your own story.
For more information about the Hero’s Journey, check out The Hero With A Thousand
Faces by Joseph Campbell, A Practical Guide to The Hero with a Thousand Faces, by
Christopher Vogler, or The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers also by
Christopher Vogler. Or go chat with your ELA teachers, I am willing to bet they would
enjoy talking about it!

Tell Your Hero’s Story
The story can be created as a class, in small groups, or as an individual task. It can be
an informal discussion, a series of free-writing warm-ups, or as a formal assignment,
whatever best fits your class. Consider the following questions to help create the
foundation of the story,
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
What type of background does the hero come from? (do they have a large
family? were they orphaned as a small child?)
What do they carry forward from their childhood into their current phase of
life? (a fear of wild horses, a fondness for cheese with raspberry jam,
overwhelming nostalgia whenever they see children that look like their lost
siblings, etc?)
What are the hero’s strengths and weaknesses? (do they have any hidden
powers they’ve yet to discover or secret kryptonite that a villain might use
against them?)
What is the hero’s goal or quest? (Are they seeking glory, or revenge? Is
there a deeper meaning to their quest that you want the listener/reader to think
about?)
Who will help the hero on their journey? (Do they have any mentors or close
friends to confide in and seek guidance from?)
Who stands in their way? (Is there a singular villain that challenges the
hero? Are they sabotaging themselves, or somehow standing in their own
way?)
What secrets will be revealed as part of their quest? (A long lost relative
who’s turned evil? An ancient discovery?)
What challenges will they have to overcome?
Example Writing Prompts
The Ordinary World - This is your character’s normal life before the adventure begins.
1. Describe your character’s normal day. What makes them feel stuck, bored, or
misunderstood?
2. What is your character’s biggest fear in their ordinary world? How do they avoid
facing it?
3. Your character has a hidden talent no one else knows about. How do they use it
in everyday life?
The Call to Adventure - Something disrupts normal life and calls the hero into action.

4. The Unexpected Letter - Your character finds a mysterious letter in their locker
with one sentence: "You’ve been chosen to save what no one else can." What
happens next?
5. The Portal in the Basement - While helping clean out their grandma’s
basement, your character discovers a glowing doorway. What world lies beyond
it, and what quest awaits?
6. A Friend in Trouble - A best friend disappears during a storm, and only your
character knows where they went—and how to bring them back. What dangers
must they face?
7. The Forgotten Heirloom - Your character finds an old object (watch, necklace,
sword) that once belonged to a great hero—and now it’s chosen them. Why?
What powers does it hold?
8. The Animal Guide - A talking animal appears one morning and insists your
character must help save their magical homeland. What is this world like, and
what must your character do?
Refusal of the Call - The hero is scared or unsure and resists the journey.
9. Your character thinks the quest is a mistake and tries to walk away. What
changes their mind?
10. Your character fears they’re not good enough to succeed. Who helps them see
otherwise?
Meeting The Mentor - A guide appears to help the hero get started.
11. Your character meets someone wise—but strange—who teaches them
something powerful. What is it?
12. Write a scene where your character doesn’t trust the mentor at first. How do
they change their mind?
Crossing The Threshold - The hero leaves their ordinary world and enters the
unknown.
13. Describe the moment your character leaves their world behind. What do they
see, hear, or feel?
14. Write about the first strange creature or person your character meets in this
new world.

15. As soon as your hero steps into the new world, something goes wrong. What is
it?
Trials and Allies - The hero faces challenges, makes friends, and meets enemies.
16. Your character must solve a riddle or puzzle to continue. What is it?
17. A new ally joins your hero—but has a secret. What is it, and how does it affect
the journey?
18. Your character is tricked by someone they thought was a friend. What happens
next?
Approaching the Innermost Cave - The hero prepares for their biggest challenge.
19. Your hero is warned that once they enter, they might not return. Do they go
anyway? Why?
20. Your character finds the enemy’s lair or a hidden truth. How do they prepare to
face it?
Abyss/Big Test - The hero faces death or their greatest fear.
21. Write about the hardest choice your hero must make—one that could cost
them everything.
22. Describe the moment when your character almost gives up. What keeps them
going?
23. The villain reveals a secret that shakes your hero’s confidence. How do they
respond?
The Reward - After surviving the ordeal, the hero takes possession of a treasure or
lesson.
24. Your character receives a reward—but it’s not what they expected. What is it,
and why does it matter?
25. The hero gains a new power or understanding. How will they use it?
26. Your character must choose between going home or staying to protect the new
world. What do they decide?
27. On the way back home, your character discovers something terrible happened
while they were gone. What is it?

The Resurrection - The hero is tested once more before truly becoming transformed.
28. Just when your character thinks it’s over, a final danger appears. What is it, and
how do they win?
29. Your character sacrifices something important to protect others. What do they
give up?
30. How does your character use what they’ve learned in the final battle?
Return Home - The hero starts the journey home but faces more challenges.
31. Your character comes back home, but everything feels different. How have they
changed?
32. Your character sees their old life in a new way. What has changed?

Score
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
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