Afterburn: Violin 1
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DST6296_VN1
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Description
Turn on the afterburners with this intense and engaging musical tour-de-force. A great way to open a program, this work makes a bold and powerful statement that will hook your audience from the first note. Easy multi-meter passages provide the backdrop or aggressive rhythms and soaring melodies as the piece kicks into overdrive. Simply outstanding!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Afterburn: Violin 1 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 Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6296_VN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built a career composing and conducting across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires, with performances spanning Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center. 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 received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award and was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose for the inauguration of President Julio Frenk; his work was also featured at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains regular engagements with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His guest conducting credits include the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, Maryborough Music Conference, and numerous state ASTA conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages writes with the instincts of a conductor who understands exactly what energizes an audience and an ensemble. The rhythmic propulsion and accessible multi-meter changes keep young orchestras engaged while delivering genuine excitement, making this an ideal opener that lands with impact without requiring advanced technical chops.
What to expect
Afterburn charges from the downbeat with controlled intensity, combining easy multi-meter changes with driving rhythms and soaring melodic lines that build momentum. The piece operates on adrenaline and forward motion, delivering the satisfaction of a powerful opening statement without losing musicality in the process.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the 2.5 grade level seeking repertoire that opens a concert with genuine musical substance rather than novelty alone. Directors programming festival contests, regional concerts, or all-state audition pieces will find this rewarding for both players and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the pulse in the rhythm section (cello and bass) from the first measure; their steady foundation will anchor the ensemble through the meter shifts and aggressive rhythmic figures.
- Shape the dynamics with intention during the soaring melody passages so they contrast clearly against the rhythmic intensity of the surrounding material.
- Mark the multi-meter transitions in each part ahead of rehearsal and isolate them in sectionals before bringing the full orchestra together; this prevents stumbling in performance.
- Balance the upper strings' aggressive figures against the melodic content so neither overwhelms the other; this clarity will enhance the sense of forward momentum.
How to use it
Open your concert or festival performance with this piece to establish energy and command immediate attention. It pairs well with lyrical or slower works that follow, allowing Afterburn to establish a dramatic contrast and serve as an effective establishing moment for your program.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing multi-meter passages (shifting between different time signatures)
- Playing aggressive, rhythmically precise figures in ensemble
- Balancing soaring melodic lines with accompanying rhythmic material
- Maintaining tempo and pulse through meter changes
- Dynamic control in fast-moving, energetic contexts