Burst!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

Burst!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Burst!: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-ST6235
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 1.5

Item: 98-ST6235

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Open your concert with an explosion of energy! This aggressive work will immediately command your audience's attention as it combines bold and powerful lines with moments of delicacy and lyricism. Violin players are introduced to the G string and get to explore limited divisi. An outstanding concert opener!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Burst!: String Orchestra 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: FJH Beginning Strings

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 674398228171

SKU: 98-ST6235

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has built a career as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber contexts with equal fluency. His works have reached audiences in some of the world's most prestigious venues, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school groups. He holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and has received significant recognition including the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest.

Balmages serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic. His conducting schedule includes regular appearances with all-state and regional ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His music has been featured at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the American School Band Directors Association National Conference, and was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.

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Why we love this

Balmages understands what Grade 1.5 string orchestras need: immediate musical payoff without unnecessary technical barriers. The piece grabs attention from measure one while introducing genuine string techniques (G string work, limited divisi) that feel purposeful rather than exercises. This is the rare opener that works equally well for concert programming and festival competition.

What to expect

Burst opens with uncompromising energy, establishing presence immediately. The piece pivots between driving intensity and moments of genuine lyricism, creating texture and drama without pretense.

Who it's for

String orchestras at the early intermediate level who need a strong opening piece that introduces new techniques without overwhelming players. Directors looking for contest or festival repertoire that demands musicianship while remaining accessible will find this particularly useful.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the bold, aggressive material against the lyrical passages by rehearsing them as distinct characters. The contrast will feel more striking and keep the piece from becoming one-dimensional.
Give your violinists permission to explore the G string texture without overcomplicating the approach; at this level, tone production matters more than technical perfection.
Shape the entrance strategically. Since this is designed as a concert opener, make sure your ensemble commits fully to the opening gesture. Hesitation kills the impact.
Address the divisi sections early in rehearsal so violins understand which parts they're playing and why it matters to the overall sound.

How to use it

This works best as your concert opener when you want to command the room immediately and set a confident tone for the rest of your program. The piece also competes well in festival settings, where a strong first impression can energize both performers and adjudicators.