A Solitary Wish: Vibraphone
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2.5;3
Item: 98-PC-DB1737_V
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Description
This emotional and reflective work paints a stunning picture of the holiday season as seen through the eyes of a homeless person on a street corner. The music relies heavily on a juxtaposition of the Ukrainian Bell Carol and Greensleeves, painting a picture of a lonely person who is eventually joined by others. Ultimately, a quartet performs in dramatic fashion before switching to a final duet, leaving the homeless person with a granted wish - company. A stunning and unique work that brings incredible awareness to the holidays and the true spirit of giving.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, A Solitary Wish: Vibraphone 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 Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1737_V
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built an international reputation as a composer and conductor whose works span orchestral, band, and chamber music idioms. His compositions have reached audiences in world-class venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school groups. He holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association. His work "Love and Light" won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest.
As a guest conductor, Balmages maintains active relationships with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras across multiple continents. He has led sessions at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state conferences. His music was performed during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he received commissions from James Madison University and the University of Miami. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages writes with an uncommon gift for emotional storytelling without sentimentality. The narrative arc of this work unfolds naturally through its musical dialogue, allowing the band to inhabit a genuine human moment rather than simply perform a holiday assembly piece. Programming this creates a meaningful conversation about compassion and community that resonates far beyond the December season.
What to expect
A quiet moment observed from a distance, then gradually inhabited. The music begins in solitude, constructed from familiar melodies that carry their own weight and memory. As additional voices enter, the texture deepens and warms, moving toward a brief, luminous transformation before settling into a tender resolution that acknowledges both loneliness and connection.
Who it's for
Concert band directors working with Grade 2.5 to 3 ensembles who want to program something that engages their students emotionally while remaining technically accessible. This is ideal for groups seeking a holiday work with substance, one that opens conversations about community and kindness without requiring advanced technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the two melodic themes carefully during their initial presentations; Greensleeves and the Ukrainian Bell Carol each deserve clarity before they interact more densely.
- Shape the quartet passage with dramatic intent. This moment is the turning point in the story, so encourage players to listen acutely to one another and build momentum toward the final duet.
- Let the ending breathe. The resolution arrives quietly, reflecting the humble nature of the wish that has been granted. Resist the urge to oversell the conclusion.
How to use it
This pairs well with more celebratory holiday selections, allowing you to create a nuanced concert experience that moves beyond singular festive energy. The work's introspective quality makes it particularly effective as a mid-program shift in tone, or as a closing piece that leaves audiences with reflection rather than just celebration.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing two simultaneous melodic lines (Ukrainian Bell Carol and Greensleeves)
- Dynamic control and phrase shaping in a sustained, lyrical context
- Listening and responding to ensemble balance across divisi sections
- Narrative interpretation and emotional expression through instrumental music
- Sectional independence within the context of interconnected thematic material