Brian Balmages

Using many effects to recreate the events at the Battle of Gettysburg, this piece is perfect for discussing historical perspective (included in the notes). A slow, mysterious opening leads into a depi...

This 4-movement multicultural suite provides a wealth of teaching and performance opportunities, especially at the beginning level. Each movement is based on a Smithsonian National Museum in Washingto...

This exciting new work is based on the griffin, a mythological creature native to India, having the head, legs, and wings of an eagle, and the body of a lion. Starting with open 5ths in the clarinets,...

Premiered at Carnegie Hall, this minimalistic fanfare celebrates SpaceShipOne, the first privately manned spacecraft to exceed an altitude of 62 miles twice within two weeks. The three sections explor...

Experience the stunning true story of Captain Paul Watson and his crew as they set sail in the Antarctic in an attempt to sink whaling ships! Based on these "modern day pirates," the music tells the s...

This dynamic and contemporary fanfare combines elements from Schumann's George Washington Bridge and Copland's Lincoln Portrait. Premiered at the Kennedy Center, this work for mature ensembles spins a...

Experience the mysteries of Bonampak, an ancient structure located in Mexico’s Mayan Riviera. This programmatic work portrays three different rooms within the structure and is thus divided into three...

This dynamic and intense work describes a phenomenon in which clouds follow the same pattern as waves in the ocean. After an introspective opening, the music grows in intensity with long sustained cho...

The dynamic energy of minimalism combines with the epic sounds of thunderstorms in this contemporary and powerful work. Opening with the haunting sounds of vibraphone, piano, crystal glasses and ether...

Experience the International Space Station through the power of music. This epic three-movement work musically depicts several astronauts' first-hand accounts of launch, first experiences of floating,...

This concerto for soprano saxophone and wind ensemble is based on the tragedy of the Apollo 1 mission, in which a fire swept through the command module during a preflight test on January 27, 1967. All...

Lyrical melodies meet powerful fanfares in this emotionally-charged work that tells the true story of a world premiere and a band program’s final performance. 3-part fully adaptable with percussion an...

This original Broadway-style overture by Brian Balmages is full of energy and will transport audiences to the world of musical theater. The curtain comes up, the spotlight turns on, and the magic begi...

The glorious melody of Beethoven's Ode to Joy gets an adrenaline boost as your orchestra rolls down the windows and turns up the volume! Ideal as an opener or closer, this exciting work by Brian Balma...

Embark on an epic sonic adventure with Into the Wildlands by Brian Balmages! This captivating piece begins with mystery, then explodes into vibrant energy, mirroring a thrilling expedition. Soaring me...

Unleash the full power of your orchestra program with A Hundred Horizons, an incredibly versatile festival work by Brian Balmages! Written for grade 2, 3, and 4 orchestras, each grade level can be per...

Unleash the power of music to inspire profound generosity and bring communities together! The Gift of Giving is a deeply moving work by Brian Balmages, who musically shares a selfless Make-A-Wish stor...

Experience the high-energy drive of this virtuosic work by Brian Balmages! Relentless is characterized by a constant, driving rhythmic pulse and perpetual motion that will keep everyone on the edge of...

Feel the tension as a powerful force reaches its peak in this high-velocity string work by Brian Balmages! Clever rhythmic interplay and contemporary harmonies keep the audience on edge, yet the music...

Open your concert with an explosion of energy! This aggressive work will immediately command your audience's attention as it combines bold and powerful lines with moments of delicacy and lyricism. Vio...

Written as a powerful sequel to Moscow, 1941, this work changes the narrative, where the theme from Moscow now becomes the aggressor, and the heroic people of Ukraine are represented by the Ukrainian...

Written as a powerful sequel to Moscow, 1941, this work changes the narrative, where the theme from Moscow now becomes the aggressor, and the heroic people of Ukraine are represented by the Ukrainian...

Fasten your seatbelts for this aggressive and harmonically colorful work! Clutch is an intense experience, using percussion to establish a strong rhythmic pulse that compliments the powerful melodic l...

Based on the beautiful hymn tune "God Be With You Till We Meet Again," this powerful work by Brian Balmages uses increasingly complex harmonies to achieve achingly beautiful resolutions while simulati...

Based on the beautiful hymn tune "God Be With You Till We Meet Again," this powerful work by Brian Balmages uses increasingly complex harmonies to achieve achingly beautiful resolutions while simulati...