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Brian Balmages

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Brian Balmages
Born1975
Occupation(s)composer, conductor, musician
AwardsNBA/William D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest
Websitebrianbalmages.com

Brian Balmages (born January 24, 1975)[1] is an American composer, conductor, and music educator.[2] He is best known for composing educational music for wind instruments.

Early life and education

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Brian Balmages obtained a Bachelor's of Music degree in music industry from James Madison University,[3] with a focus on trumpet performance, and a Master's of Music in media scoring and production from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.[4]

Career

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Brian Balmages was the assistant director of bands and orchestras at Towson University. He has been the guest conductor of orchestras around the US, in Canada, Italy, and Australia.

Balmages was the Director of Instrumental Publications for the FJH Music Company for over 20 years.[5] Currently, he is the Director of MakeMusic Publications and since 2022 the Director of Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.[6]

Works

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For wind instruments

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  • Pele for Solo horn and Wind Ensemble (2004)[7]
  • Moscow 1941 for Concert Band (2006)[8][9]
  • Apollo for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble (2008)
  • Summer Resounding! for Concert Band (2008)[10]
  • Three Celtic Dances for Concert Band (2008)[11]
  • Arabian Dances for Symphonic Band (2009)
  • Elements for Concert Band (2010)[12]
  • Escape from the Deep (2010) [13][14]
  • Incantation and Ritual for Wind Orchestra (2015)[15]
  • Rippling Watercolors for Concert Band (2015)[16][17]
  • Kyiv 2022 (a Sequel to Moscow, 1941), (2022)[18]
  • Into the Arctic[19]
  • Sapier's Story[20]
  • Midnight Mission[21]
  • Endless Rainbows[22]
  • Fanfare Canzonique[1]

For string instruments

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  • Backstage Pass for Symphony Orchestra, Concert band, or Jazz band (2015)[23]
  • It Takes One to Tango for Cello and Orchestra[24]

Personal life

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Balmages resides in Lutherville, Maryland.[25] He is married and has two children.[26]

Recognition

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  • A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association[27]
  • 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light[28]
  • James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Art[29]

References

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  1. ^ 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. ^ "JMU Centennial Celebration ~ Portraits in Bluestone Composer, Brian Balmages". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  3. ^ "JMU Centennial Celebration ~ Portraits in Bluestone Composer, Brian Balmages".
  4. ^ "Brian Balmages". FJH Music Company. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  5. ^ "FJH Composers & Authors: Brian Balmages".
  6. ^ Wissmuller, Christian (May 18, 2022). "Alfred Music and MakeMusic Announce Brian Balmages Now Part of Publishing Team". Musical Merchandise Review.
  7. ^ Fee, Christopher; Webb, Jeffrey, eds. (2016). American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore. Abc-Clio. 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
  8. ^ "Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Holiday Concert". Wicked Local Marion. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  9. ^ Flores, Terry. "Band-O-Rama guest conductor makes connections on many levels". Kenosha News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ "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.
  12. ^ "Castleton University Wind Ensemble". Rutland Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  13. ^ "Escape from the Deep Brian Balmages - FJH Music Company Inc". jwpepper.com. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  14. ^ Drury, Carole; Whitney, Roger (21 April 2015). "Wiscasset Middle School participates in Honors Festival". Wiscasset Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  15. ^ "Bobcat bands in concert tonight". Sentinel-Tribune. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Brian Balmages Interview". Chopsaver. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  18. ^ "Eleven Kelowna school bands combine for Ukrainian concert". Kelowna Daily Courier. June 9, 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. The students, from 11 middle and high school bands, will play 'Kyiv 2022', written by U.S. composer Brian Balmages. It has been performed in more than 200 cities in five countries.
  19. ^ Schenke, Leann (December 3, 2019). "Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble to 'Let it Snow' during winter concert". Kent County News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  20. ^ "Bowden: "Bel Air High School Music Tradition Remains Strong"". The Dagger. May 14, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "Charles County Students Participate in Tri-County Band, Chorus and Orchestra". January 19, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  23. ^ "The 77th Midwest Clinic, December 20 - 22, 2023". The Midwest Clinic. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  24. ^ Jenkins, Amaris (April 15, 2019). "Georgia College to host music, plays, and festival in Macon". WGXA. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  25. ^ McGee, Courtney (July 18, 2018). "Flute choir with strong Towson-area connection readies for Orlando, Fla., performance next month". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The program will feature selections by Baltimore composers, including a premiere by Douglas Buchanan, who was commissioned to compose a work to honor the flute choir's founder; Brian Balmages, a Lutherville-based composer with prominent national recognition, and former Baltimore resident Chris Norman.
  26. ^ "Brian Balmages". ABC of Central Washington University. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  27. ^ "ASBDA - Austin Harding Award".
  28. ^ "2020 William D. Revelli Composition Contest Winner Announced".
  29. ^ https://www.alumni.jmu.edu/s/1591/18/interior.aspx?sid=1591&gid=3&pgid=2940 [bare URL]
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