*Pandora* is a programmatic work derived from the Greek myth of Pandora, the first mortal woman. After Prometheus stole fire from the gods for man, Zeus decided to punish mortal men. He ordered Hephaestus to create the first woman, Pandora. She was beautiful beyond compare, but she had been made for a specific purpose: to deceive man. Hermes gave Pandora a box (some say a jar), but told her she must *never* open it. She was brought to earth and married the titan Epimetheus, brother of Prometheus. Every day Pandora wondered what was in the box, and soon, she opened it. All of the evils of the world flew out to plague man. This piece of music is supposed to evoke the moment that Pandora opened the box. It begins with the chant tune "Dies Irae" ("Day of Wrath") stated in the first two measures. This is used as the main motive in the work, and it appears in modulated and modified forms throughout. This is one of [[Concert Programs/Fanfare and Festival, June 3, 2026/Randall Standridge|Randall Standridge]]'s earliest compositions, but has been a favourite of students at Notre Dame Collegiate for many years.