Fanfare for the Fearless: 2nd Percussion
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 1
Item: 00-PC-0019444_PC2
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Description
Fanfare for the Fearless is a dynamic fanfare by Brian Balmages celebrating those willing to take risks in an effort to grow musically, personally, or academically. Powerful melodic statements contrast with shifting tonal centers and pulsating rhythmic hits. Audiences will be stunned by the complexity of the music, yet it is quite accessible to younger players! (1:50)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Fanfare for the Fearless: 2nd Percussion 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 Developing Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019444_PC2
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor with a rare ability to move seamlessly between orchestral, band, and chamber contexts. His works have been performed by ensembles of all levels, from elementary school groups to professional orchestras, in landmark 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 for his contributions to band music.
Balmages' honors include winning the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest and receiving the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. His music has appeared at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service and has been commissioned by major institutions. As a conductor, he regularly appears with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide, and currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages has a gift for writing music that sounds far more sophisticated than its technical demands. A Grade 1 band will play passages that feel genuinely dramatic and impactful, building confidence in young musicians who discover they can execute something genuinely impressive. The shifting tonal centers keep the piece fresh and engaging for both players and listeners, preventing the simplicity of the grade level from feeling elementary.
What to expect
Fanfare for the Fearless radiates confidence and forward momentum. Powerful harmonic moments punch through, while the music shifts underneath you in unexpected ways, keeping the listener alert and engaged. The piece celebrates risk-taking with genuine musical substance rather than empty spectacle.
Who it's for
Young concert bands at the Grade 1 level who are ready for music that challenges them intellectually without overwhelming them technically. Directors seeking a contest or festival piece that sounds polished and professional, regardless of ensemble experience.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the powerful melodic statements by ensuring your strongest players anchor each section; secondary parts should support without overshadowing the primary voice.
- Let the rhythmic hits breathe slightly. These moments of punctuation are most effective when they land with clarity and intention rather than rushing forward into the next phrase.
- Experiment with the contrast between sections. The tonal shifts are your roadmap to shaping the piece; mark clear tempo and dynamic boundaries in your score to help students understand the architecture.
How to use it
This fanfare works beautifully as an opening concert selection or as a contest entry that showcases your band's musicality and precision. The brief duration (1:50) also makes it ideal for festival circuits where timing requirements are strict, or as the centerpiece of a program pairing newer composers with established works.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and responding to shifting tonal centers without losing pitch security
- Executing rhythmic precision in complex ensemble passages
- Balancing dynamic contrast between primary and secondary melodic material
- Interpreting fanfare idioms and ceremonial pacing