A Scottish Festival: Bassoon
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 1
Item: 98-PC-DB1849_B1
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Description
This spirited work depicts a parade in Scotland from a spectator’s viewpoint. Based on the popular folk song Aiken Drum, the piece layers various elements to create the iconic sound of Scottish pipes and drums. Original music intertwines with Celtic sounds as the parade reaches its peak with a full battery of percussion contributing to the joyous atmosphere.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Scottish Festival: Bassoon comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Beginning Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1849_B1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms. His works have been commissioned and performed worldwide, from professional orchestras in major venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to school ensembles at every level. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association.
Balmages serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic. His conducting has taken him to all-state ensembles, regional groups, and university organizations across the United States and internationally. He holds degrees from James Madison University and the University of Miami, institutions that have both recognized his contributions to music and the arts.
Why we love this
Balmages has a gift for building ensemble energy through accessible writing that never talks down to young players. The piece captures authentic Scottish character without requiring advanced musicianship, making it an excellent choice for groups ready to move beyond basic march forms but still developing foundational skills. Programming this opens doors to multicultural concert themes and gives beginners a genuinely fun piece that connects them to folk traditions.
What to expect
The piece evokes the sensory spectacle of a Scottish parade unfolding before you. Pipes and drums create a vivid soundscape built layer by layer, with the joy and movement of the celebration becoming unmistakable as the percussion swells toward the climax. It feels celebratory without ever losing its grounding in folk tradition.
Who it's for
Grade 1 concert bands looking for festival or contest material with genuine character and energy. Groups at the early stages of their development will find straightforward parts that still allow for expressive playing and ensemble cohesion. This works equally well for concert programming or festival performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the folk melody with the original musical material layered underneath; neither should overwhelm the other as the arrangement develops.
- Shape the percussion battery's entrance at the peak as a true crescendo moment—let it build naturally rather than starting loud.
- Encourage clear articulation in the woodwind sections to define the Scottish character, especially during the layered passages where texture matters.
- Keep the Aiken Drum melody recognizable even when surrounded by countermelodies; think of the traditional tune as the heart the audience listens for.
How to use it
Use this as a multicultural concert centerpiece or festival opener; its accessibility and clear structure make it memorable as a first impression. It pairs well with other folk-based arrangements or world music selections, establishing a themed concert around cultural traditions. The piece also carries enough musical substance to hold its own as a standalone Grade 1 showpiece without needing support from more advanced works.
Skills your students will build
- Layering of melodic and harmonic elements
- Balance between folk melody and original countermelody
- Clear articulation in ensemble contexts
- Responding to dynamic buildup and structural development
- Introducing multicultural and folk music styles