Brian Balmages

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Brian Balmages (born January 24, 1975)[1] is an American composer, conductor, and music educator. He primarily composes wind ensemble works.

Life, training, and Major Works of Mr. Brian Balmages

Born in Baltimore on the 24th of January, 1975, Brian Balmages is known today as a great performer, producer, conductor, a composer for a wide range of ages, and he is currently Director of the FJH music company. Brian Balmages' parents were both musicians, his mother was an opera singer and his father was a trumpet player. Balmages began his career as a trumpet player, just like his father. When Brian was in elementary school, he did not have much time to play or hang out with friends, because his father was the elementary school’s instrumental teacher who gave him no excuse to not practice his instrument. Later on, in Brian’s life, Balmages went to Dulaney High school. Brian enjoyed playing his instrument and being included in an Orchestra. This brought him to James Madison University, where his hard work had paid off and he obtained a bachelor's degree in music and earned a master's degree from Miami, Florida. After finishing his trumpet career he published music and focused on composition. Brian Balmages has influenced many people over the years, but he was influenced by Robert W. Smith who had assisted him in joining the FJH Music Company. On May 6, 2018, Mr. Balmages was being interviewed by Dan Gosling who was asking about Brian's advice for future writers, composers, and musicians. Answering Dan’s question Brian said “I learned more from writing bad music than good music” the example he used was when he was in a trumpet ensemble so he created a piece for trumpet ensemble and that there were things that were great about it and there were things that were not. As of 2021 Brian Balmages is 46 years old, lives in Lutherville, Maryland, married to his wife Lisa and the father of a boy and a girl, he also continues his job at the music company.

There is an interview that Brian Balmages did with JW Pepper outlining his musical life. Brian Balmages has done in-person clinics with high school wind ensembles and community wind ensembles. The North American premiere of 'Shrine of the Fallen' was presented at a high school band concert in Sedro-Woolley, WA, USA.

Works[]

Wind instruments[]

  • Pele for solo horn and wind ensemble (2004)[2]
  • Moscow 1941 for concert band (2006)[3][4]
  • Apollo for soprano saxophone and wind ensemble (2008)
  • Summer Resounding! for concert band (2008)[5]
  • Three Celtic Dances for concert band (2008)[6]
  • Arabian Dances for symphonic band (2009)
  • Elements for concert band (2010)[7]
  • Incantation and Ritual for wind orchestra (2015)[8]
  • Rippling Watercolors for concert band (2015)[9]
  • Into the Arctic[10]
  • Sapier's Story[11]
  • Midnight Mission[12]
  • Endless Rainbows[13]
  • Fanfare Canzonique[1]

String instruments[]

  • Backstage Pass for symphony orchestra, concert band, or jazz band (2015)
  • It Takes One to Tango for cello and orchestra[14]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Battisti, Frank (2012). Winds of Change II – The New Millennium: A Chronicle of the Continuing Evolution of the Contemporary American Wind/Band Ensemble. Meredith Music. p. 68. ISBN 9781574632040. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ^ Fee, Christopher; Webb, Jeffrey, eds. (2016). American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore. p. 775. ISBN 9781610695688. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Google Books. In 2004, Brian Balmages composed the powerful, haunting Pele for Solo Horn and Wind Ensemble
  3. ^ "Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Holiday Concert". Wicked Local Marion. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  4. ^ Flores, Terry. "Band-O-Rama guest conductor makes connections on many levels". Kenosha News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  5. ^ "Instrumental Winter Concert to take place Dec. 12". Lincoln Journal. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The concert band will perform “Billboard March” by John Klohr, “Antecedium” by Ed Huckeby, and “Summer Resounding” by Brian Balmages.
  6. ^ "An operatic experience". Young, New South Wales. August 19, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The Junior Band played “Three Celtic Dances” by Brian Balmages comprising The Reel, The Air and The Jig.
  7. ^ "Castleton University Wind Ensemble". Rutland Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  8. ^ "Bobcat bands in concert tonight". Sentinel-Tribune. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Johnson, Hannah (December 11, 2019). "'Out of nothing': All-Campus Band showcases semester's work in concert Tuesday". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble to 'Let it Snow' during winter concert". Kent County News. December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  11. ^ "Bowden: "Bel Air High School Music Tradition Remains Strong"". The Dagger. May 14, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  12. ^ Love, Joyanna (March 9, 2018). "CMS students chosen for honor bands". The Clanton Advertiser. Retrieved December 28, 2019. “Midnight Mission” by Brian Balmages was Williams’ favorite piece of music from her performance. “Different people entered at different times because we were supposed to be secret, and then we had to be silent at times,” Williams said.
  13. ^ "Charles County Students Participate in Tri-County Band, Chorus and Orchestra". January 19, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  14. ^ Jenkins, Amaris (April 15, 2019). "Georgia College to host music, plays, and festival in Macon". WGXA. Retrieved December 28, 2019.

External links[]

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