Creepy-Crawly Creatures: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Brian Balmages
Level:.5-1
Item: 00-PK-0009150
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Description
"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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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic First Performance Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0009150
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages composes across orchestral, band, and chamber genres, with performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. His honors 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.
Balmages has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Conference, and ensembles throughout the world. He holds degrees from James Madison University and the University of Miami, where he received the institution's inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award and was later commissioned to compose music for the president's inauguration. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
This piece proves that young bands don't need to choose between fun and musicality. Balmages's witty text-painting and straightforward writing keep every section engaged without sacrificing orchestration or character, making rehearsals energetic and performances genuinely entertaining for audiences of all ages.
What to expect
Playful, slightly spooky, and full of personality. The music darts and skitters with just enough harmonic color to feel sophisticated while remaining completely accessible. It's the kind of piece that makes an audience smile and reminds students why they play.
Who it's for
Beginning to early-intermediate concert bands (grades 2-3 and younger high school groups) looking for repertoire that delights audiences without demanding advanced technique. This work celebrates composers who write idiomatically for young players while maintaining genuine musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the accompaniment poem set the mood in rehearsal. Having students hear or read the text builds ownership of the musical narrative and sharpens their awareness of how the instruments paint each creature's personality.
- Shape the shorter phrases with clear gestures; at 1:40, momentum matters more than lingering on individual moments. Keep the ensemble moving forward while respecting dynamic contrasts.
- Balance the tutti sections so no single color overwhelms the texture. Young bands often crowd the middle register, so listen carefully for clarity across all parts.
How to use it
Open a family concert or young musicians' showcase with this piece. Its brevity and engaging character work beautifully before or after a more substantial work, or use it as the perfect closer on a concert designed for elementary school audiences.
Skills your students will build
- Articulation clarity and independence in staccato passages
- Ensemble balance in transparent textures with multiple moving parts
- Rhythmic precision at moderate tempos with varied note values
- Character and style from descriptive, programmatic content
- Confidence reading and playing within 1-2 sharps or flats