Song of the Sea Maidens is a programmatic work which tells the story of sailors who, while on a peaceful trading voyage, are caught in a violent storm that sweeps their ship off course. The sailors struggle against the storm, but eventually the waves become too powerful and the sailors are no longer able to maintain their position. They are pushed toward the dangerous cliffs of a remote island, but are unable to detect the impending disaster because of the storm. Sea Maidens, living on the cliffs off the island, see the sailors in troubled water below and begin to sing. The sailors hear the song in the distance, softly at first, but growing louder. As the song surges above the roar of the waves, the sailors realize the danger they are in and quickly direct their ship around the island. The storm soon dissipates and the sailors are once again left to the tranquility of the sea.

Song of the Sea Maidens was commissioned by John Bell and the Park Hill Senior High School Symphonic Band for their performance at the 1992 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.