Boom and Bust: E-flat Alto Saxophone 2
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1747_AX2
$7.00
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Description
Economies throughout the world experience the cycle of tremendous growth followed by decline as markets “correct themselves” over time. Beginning with engaging, hopeful fanfares, the music showcases a booming economy before becoming more reflective with moments of despair. Dissonance paints a picture of uncertainty, fear and anger before the economy begins to roar once again and optimism is renewed. A triumphant work with significant cross-curricular potential.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1747_AX2
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built a distinguished career as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber music idioms. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school bands in venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association. His composition Love and Light won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest.
As a conductor, Balmages regularly leads all-state, regional, university, and professional ensembles worldwide. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous national conferences. His musical output has reached audiences at prestigious venues and occasions, including a performance during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages captures economic cycles with genuine musical storytelling rather than heavy-handed program music. The emotional arc moves naturally from triumph through crisis to renewed hope, giving students a piece that asks them to shape dramatic narrative through sound without requiring extensive interpretive discussion.
What to expect
The piece opens with infectious optimism and bright fanfares that feel like markets on the rise. As dissonance creeps in, the mood shifts to unease and worry, with moments that convey real uncertainty. The final section restores confidence and energy, leaving audiences with a sense of resilience and renewed hope.
Who it's for
Grade 2.5 bands looking for concert and festival repertoire with genuine programmatic depth. Directors seeking cross-curricular connections to economics, social studies, or current events will find natural teaching angles here. Students benefit from a piece that rewards expressive playing without demanding advanced technical facility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening fanfares with clear articulation and bright tone to establish the booming economy's optimistic energy.
- Balance transparency in the dissonant sections so the harmonic uncertainty registers without muddying the ensemble sound.
- Let the return to triumphant material build gradually; avoid jumping to full volume too early and losing the sense of recovery.
- Use dynamic contrast between the reflective passages and moments of despair to help the audience follow the economic narrative.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert exploring topical themes or as part of a festival submission where programmatic works stand out. Its Grade 2.5 difficulty level and strong melodic identity make it accessible enough for bands not yet tackling Grade 3 repertoire while remaining engaging for more advanced ensembles.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained dynamic control across longer phrases
- Balancing dissonance and clarity in chromatic passages
- Shaping a narrative arc through careful phrasing and sectional transitions
- Reading and responding to expressive markings that convey emotional content
- Ensemble tuning in dissonant harmonic contexts