Unleash Your Musical Imagination
LEE COMPOSES
My Compostions
Though not my absolute first, this is the inaugural chamber orchestra piece I feel truly confident in sharing. It was conceived during a period marked by self-doubt and loathing, serving as a passionate, musical outlet to express frustrations in a way only honest music can. The composition navigates emotional landscapes of grief and intense longing for an idealized, unattainable place—a "forbidden palace." Yet, beneath these themes lies an undercurrent of undeniable hope and fierce passion. This piece is graded at approximately a level 6 difficulty. I hope you enjoy it.
Arranged by yours truly, I just wanted to say it’s truly been a wild ride with these people and all the LCSE Seniors! I love you all ❤️
This duet for violin and viola is inspired by the Kawit Novena, sung in honor of St. Mary Magdalene, the patron saint of Kawit, Cavite in the Philippines. The arrangement features two beloved devotional pieces, “Ang Tanging Alay Ko” and “Mabuhay Ating Patrona.”
St. Mary Magdalene is more than a saint to the people of Kawit. She represents strength, redemption, and compassion — values that have carried through generations of devotion. Every year, the town gathers to celebrate her feast with processions, music, and prayer, transforming faith into something that lives and breathes within the community.
Her image, housed in the historic St. Mary Magdalene Church, holds deep meaning. The statue bears a small mark on her forehead, a mysterious detail that many believe symbolizes the moment when Jesus appeared to her after His resurrection. That same church once served as refuge during times of war, when locals sought safety within its walls as the town faced bombardment. Even through destruction, both the church and the devotion to St. Mary Magdalene endured, reminding everyone of the strength of faith in the face of struggle. For me, this piece is a way to connect with that legacy.
It is a musical offering to the place my roots come from and to the culture that has shaped who I am. Through this duet, I want to honor the beauty, faith, and resilience of Kawit and my Filipino heritage — and to share that same spirit through sound.
About Me
Hi, I’m Lee Castillo, an 18-year-old senior at Norview High School and a member of the LCSE Program. I have been studying music composition for over three years and have played the viola for nearly seven. Music is more than a hobby for me. It is something I build, piece by piece, like an engineer crafting a machine.
I mainly compose string orchestra and classical pieces, but I also enjoy exploring different styles such as gag music, symphonic works, and modern compositions. I love challenging myself to step outside the lines of genre and expectation, experimenting with sound the same way I experiment with materials and mechanisms in engineering. More of my work will be released soon, each one a reflection of my growth and creativity.
I have always been drawn to creation, whether it’s designing robots, composing melodies, or telling stories. As the President of Team 1793 Robotics, founder of Norview Pilot News Entertainment, and a leading member of the Strolling Silver Strings, I have learned that engineering, art, and leadership all share the same foundation: soul and intention.
My goal is to study mechanical engineering at a collegiate level, but my passion reaches beyond metal and circuits. I want to keep building things that matter — machines, music, and relationships. Every composition I write carries that same purpose and energy.
I am also proudly Filipino, and my heritage influences the rhythm, warmth, and emotion that I pour into everything I create.
Contact Me
Interested in working together or a commisioned piece? Contact me here.