Brian Balmages' Music for Band and Orchestra

While many often underestimate the extensive colors, harmonies, and emotional ranges available to younger ensembles, this stunning lyrical work sets out to explore those very qualities. While playable by

A beautiful melody and lovely suspensions open this well-written work. Playful themes then set the tone for a bright allegro section. The two styles collide as the allegro abruptly ends and the opening

This explosive fanfare will start your concert off with a bang while using only six notes for all wind instruments! Written to harness the full sound potential of your youngest musicians, the powerful

This sinister-sounding march is perfect for directors looking for something completely different. Using elements from a traditional march set in a contemporary framework, the music is based on tritone

For the very youngest musicians, this highly energetic piece does not use eighth notes, is based on a one-octave D Major scale, and uses mostly stepwise motion throughout. Despite these features, the music

Return to ancient Rome and the revolt of Spartacus! The opening signifies the harsh life of a gladiator, while a fast, energetic section pays homage to his brilliance as a military tactician. Explosive

Energize your performers and audience with this powerful, dynamic work. Opening in rhythmic unison, the piece quickly projects blocks of sound and a flurry of rhythmic activity. The musical texture comes

This sensitive setting is right on target for developing musicality in young performers! Set at a comfortable andante tempo, the work is not technically challenging, yet will help develop important

This hauntingly aggressive work investigates the legends surrounding the exploration of Antarctica. Inspired by recent brutal winters involving the polar vortex, the music depicts magical scenery as well as

Kick off your holiday program with this powerful and festive overture that's an outstanding concert opener. Featuring a mix of original themes and snippets of holiday favorites from lyrical to emphatic,

Many fictional works portray the moon as a living being, alone in space while looking at the Earth. This lullaby honors this "living moon," portraying various emotions including the loneliness of watching

Inspired by pure joy, this work explores uplifting and lighthearted emotions. The music has a constant rhythmic pulse that gently interacts with graceful melodic lines and countermelodies. Engaging

Written for the true beginner, this piece takes the listener on an eerie tour that can best be described as an unsettling experience with a touch of curiosity and anxiousness. Piano and optional celesta

It's great for year-round use, but would be especially scary at Halloween.  The composer describes it as "a dark and sinister night full of strange happenings and ghoulish encounters."  Opening

This aggressive work for true beginners portrays those inherent, sometimes raw behaviors that help a species survive. All string parts move almost entirely by stepwise motion and use just half and whole

This thrilling closing number pairs perfectly with A Festive Fanfare and brings your elementary band holiday program full circle. Loosely based on opening notes of the fanfare, this thrilling and

Inspired by the powerful and magnificent stallion, the music conjures sentiments of pride, strength, daring and sheer power of will. Through simple yet compelling meter changes, one can feel the stallion

Many fictional works portray the moon as a living being, alone in space looking at the earth. This lullaby honors this "living moon," portraying various emotions including the loneliness of seeing us from

Inspired by the masterful work "The Planets" by Gustav Holst, this original piece pays homage to the dramatic first movement. Using only six notes in all instruments, the music has the powerfully

Unleash your orchestra with this wild dance that includes moments of lightheartedness, unabashed lyricism, and intense rhythmic outbursts. A riveting performance will take an audience on an emotional roller