A Celtic Celebration: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$65.00 USD

A Celtic Celebration: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: A Celtic Celebration: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50994
Price: 65.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 2.5

Item: 00-50994

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A Celtic Celebration is an original work by Brian Balmages, who pays homage to the rich Celtic musical tradition. The opening is hauntingly beautiful, with natural moments of rubato built into the phrases. Moving into a Jig in 6/8, the music takes on a dance-like character with interesting turns and twists! (3:15)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Celtic Celebration: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: MakeMusic Young Band

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-6530-1

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-6530-2

UPC: 038081583532

SKU: 00-50994

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a distinctive voice across orchestral, band, and chamber music, with performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and countless other venues worldwide. His accolades include the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and membership in the American Bandmasters Association. He served as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, bringing his compositional expertise directly to music education resources.

Balmages has conducted all-state and regional ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras on multiple continents, with notable appearances at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the College Band Directors Conference. His work has been performed at prestigious events including the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he received commissions from institutions including the University of Miami and his alma mater, James Madison University, where he was honored with the inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts.

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Why we love this

Balmages captures authentic Celtic character without sacrificing accessibility. The score balances a contemplative, rubato-driven opening with the rhythmic drive of a jig, giving your band genuine musical storytelling at a grade that doesn't oversimplify the style. The contest/festival designation confirms it's crafted for the rigorous demands of adjudication while remaining rewarding for intermediate players.

What to expect

The piece opens with a wistful, introspective quality as if summoning ancient melodies from mist and moorland. When the jig erupts, the music springs to life with rhythmic vitality and ornamental flourishes, capturing the irrepressible energy of Celtic dance tradition.

Who it's for

Intermediate concert bands seeking repertoire that honors cultural traditions with musical substance. This work suits groups ready to handle expressive, rubato-based phrasing and mixed metric contexts while building ensemble musicality beyond fundamental technique.

How to get the most out of it

Honor the natural phrasing in the opening section by allowing slight flexibility in tempo; this expressive quality distinguishes the Celtic character from strict metronomic playing.
Lock the ensemble pulse in the 6/8 jig section, where the dance-like rhythm needs clarity and energy to lift off the page.
Balance the interesting harmonic turns and twists Balmages weaves through by ensuring inner voices stay audible without drowning the melody.
Differentiate articulation between the contemplative opening and the jig section to reflect the dramatic shift in character.

How to use it

Feature this as a concert centerpiece that introduces your audience to the emotional range your band can command. Its contest/festival credentials and three-minute-plus duration make it equally effective in competitive settings, and the multicultural content strengthens festival programming that celebrates diverse musical heritages.