Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages
Born January 24, 1975
Occupation(s) Composer, musician
Instruments Trumpet
Website Official Site

Brian Balmages is an American producer, conductor, performer and composer[1] of music.

His music for winds, brass, and orchestra has been performed in countries throughout the world. His active schedule of commissions and premieres has incorporated groups ranging from elementary schools to professional ensembles including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, Boston Brass, Off Bass Brass, and the Dominion Brass Ensemble. His music has been performed by members of leading orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Chicago Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, National Symphony, and others. World premieres have included prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. His music was also performed as part of the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service in 2013, which was attended by both President Obama and Vice President Biden.

Balmages received his bachelor's degree in music from James Madison University (Virginia) and his master's degree from the University of Miami (Florida). He is a recipient of the prestigious A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and was also featured in James Madison University's "Be the Change" campaign.

As a conductor, Mr. Balmages has enjoyed engagements with numerous all-state and regional bands and orchestras as well as university and professional groups. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Eastern Regional Conference, American School Band Directors Association National Conference and others. Additional conducting appearances have included the Kennedy Center and Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. He has also served as an adjunct professor of instrumental conducting and Acting Symphonic Band Director at Towson University in Maryland.

Currently, he is Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Compositions

Grade 0.5

  • Conquest
  • Jingle Bell Tones
  • Midnight Mission
  • Midnight Sky
  • Miramar Fanfare
  • Fanfare Heroica

Grade 1 – 1.5

  • African Journey
  • Chesapeake Serenade
  • Comet Ride
  • Courtly Dance and Procession
  • Dragonfly
  • Etowah
  • Gettysburg (A Civil War Portrait)
  • Incantation and Ritual
  • Into the Sky!
  • Kilauea (The Volcano's Fury)
  • Legend
  • Majestica
  • Olympia
  • Parade of the Jesters
  • Proclamation
  • Rite of Passage
  • Smithsonian Suite
  • Spunky
  • Whispering Winds

Grade 2 – 2.5

  • Afterburn
  • Blue Ridge Impressions
  • Blue Ridge Reel
  • Camptown Variations
  • Chant and Savage Dance
  • Escape from the Deep
  • Images of Ireland
  • Instant Christmas Spirit
  • Jungle Dance
  • Legacy (Processional for Band)
  • Medieval Wars
  • Moscow, 1941
  • Nevermore
  • Rain
  • Shenandoah Triptych
  • Spartacus
  • Through Courageous Eyes
  • Whale Warriors

Grade 3

  • Among the Clouds
  • O Mio Babbino Caro

(solo for tuba or euphonium and band)

  • Not Afraid to Dream
  • Proudly We Hail
  • When Spirits Soar
  • Kindred Spirits

Grade 4

  • Still
  • Elements
  • Beyond the Summit
  • Flight of the Griffin
  • In Nature's Glory
  • Loudoun Praises
  • Motion
  • Sound Prisms
  • Summer Dances
  • Star Above, Shine Brightly
  • Winter Dances
  • Arabian Dances

Grade 5

  • The Awakening
  • Flight
  • Fusion
  • Invictus
  • Journey By Night (published by Belwin)
  • Of Emperors and Chariots
  • Summit City
  • Symphonic Episodes
  • A View of the World
  • Everything I Own "I stole it from you"
  • Raging Machines
  • Silence Overwhelmed

Sparks was also another composition created by Balmages. When he made this is unclear. Film Scores

He recently wrote "Reverberations" which was premiered at UGA Mid-fest in 2008 and he recently returned to Georgia to conduct the All-State Band, which concluded with a performance of his "Sun Cycles."

References

  1. Watson, Scott (July 28, 2011). Using Technology to Unlock Musical Creativity. Oxford University Press. pp. 303–. ISBN 9780199742769. Retrieved June 11, 2012.

External links