Creepy-Crawly Creatures: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

Creepy-Crawly Creatures: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Creepy-Crawly Creatures: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51954
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Level:.5-1

Item: 00-51954

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"Creepy-crawly creatures, often out of sight. Snoozing all throughout the day and partying all night..." So begins the accompanying poem to this delightful work by Brian Balmages, celebrating those friends with whom many of us have "complicated relationships." A clever work playable by the youngest of bands! (1:40)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Creepy-Crawly Creatures: Concert Band 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: MakeMusic First Performance Band

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-7666-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7666-7

UPC: 038081598994

SKU: 00-51954

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work reaches across orchestral, band, and chamber music traditions. His compositions have been heard in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school bands. He holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association. His 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest winner, Love and Light, reflects his gift for creating music that speaks to diverse audiences.

Balmages has been honored with the James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award and was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose for the inauguration of the institution's sixth president. His music was performed during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. As a guest conductor, he regularly leads all-state ensembles, university orchestras, and professional groups worldwide, with notable appearances at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and international music conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

Balmages delivers exactly what beginning bands need: a piece that entertains while it teaches. The whimsical subject matter and accessible writing keep young players engaged, and at just 1 minute 40 seconds, it fits perfectly into an emerging ensemble's confidence-building concert. The poem grounds the music in storytelling, making rehearsals feel purposeful and fun.

What to expect

Playful, quirky, and delightfully creepy in the gentlest possible way. The music bounces along with lighthearted mischief, painting a vivid picture of nocturnal critters scampering through the dark. There's wit in the orchestration and warmth in the melodic writing that makes you smile even as your youngest musicians are reading it for the first time.

Who it's for

This piece serves elementary and middle school beginning bands, especially those in their first or second year of playing. Conductors working with young ensembles who want accessible repertoire that doesn't condescend will find it an ideal fit for building confidence and musicianship.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the articulation in the percussion parts so they click and scurry without overwhelming the melodic lines; these creatures should scurry, not stampede.
Shape the phrasing around the text painting in the poem; let the music breathe when the creatures are 'snoozing' and bounce when they're 'partying.'
Work the rhythmic precision section by section rather than in full ensemble until the ensemble is locked; young players often rush this style of music.

How to use it

Program this early in a concert to set a playful tone and warm the audience's mood. It works beautifully as a palate cleanser between heavier repertoire or as the opening number to a family concert where young musicians need a chance to shine without excessive technical demands. Consider pairing it with other works from the MakeMusic First Performance Band series to create a cohesive program for a beginning ensemble showcase.