Comet Ride: F Horn
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 1.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1291_H1
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Description
Based on the Deep Impact mission in which scientists crashed a probe into a comet at approximately 23,000 mph, the composer writes, "So what would it be like if someone could actually grab on to one of these comets and take a ride through the solar system?" Conveying that very feeling, the work begins with a sighting of the comet, then takes off on a wild roller-coaster ride, including glimpses of the sheer beauty of outer space. Hold on for the ride of your life!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Comet Ride: F Horn 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 Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1291_H1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work appears across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His compositions have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to school bands in major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House.
Among his recognitions are 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 its sixth president. His music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. As a guest conductor, Balmages regularly appears with all-state and university ensembles across the United States and internationally. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages captures the thrill of space exploration without sacrificing accessibility, making this an ideal choice for young bands eager to perform something genuinely exciting. The narrative arc (spotting the comet, ascending into a wild ride, discovering cosmic beauty) gives students a dramatic story to tell while they're learning Grade 1.5 fundamentals. You'll find the band engaged from the opening note because the music itself does the imagining for them.
What to expect
Comet Ride captures the giddy, breathless sensation of hurtling through space at impossible speeds. After a moment of hushed discovery, the piece launches into exuberant forward motion, punctuated by passages of stillness that let listeners absorb the majesty of the cosmos before plunging back into the fray.
Who it's for
Young concert bands at the beginning of their development (Grade 1.5) who benefit from repertoire with clear dramatic purpose and accessible technical demands. Students who are drawn to storytelling in music will connect with this piece immediately; it rewards solid fundamentals without requiring advanced technique.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening section to build anticipation for the comet's arrival; resist rushing the quieter moments that establish wonder before the ride accelerates.
- Emphasize the contrast between the roller-coaster passages and the quieter glimpses of outer space to give listeners (and performers) a sense of dynamic narrative arc.
- Lock the rhythm section early in rehearsals so the wilder sections feel secure; young bands gain confidence when the foundation is rock-solid beneath them.
- Let the percussion section own the excitement of the ride passages; their energy sets the tempo and mood for the rest of the band.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a concert themed around space, science, or adventure; it pairs well alongside other descriptive works and gives audiences a visceral sense of what young musicians can accomplish. It also works perfectly as a contest or festival selection where judges appreciate both accessibility and genuine musicality.
Skills your students will build
- Dynamic contrast and phrasing in sustained passages
- Rhythmic precision during rapid-fire passages with mixed subdivisions
- Balance between melody and accompaniment across changing textures
- Following conductor direction through tempo changes and narrative shifts
- Ensemble listening and blend during moments of textural variety