Gettysburg: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$45.00 USD

Gettysburg: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Gettysburg: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1120
Price: 45.00 USD
Availability: InStock

A Civil War Portrait

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 1

Item: 98-B1120

$45.00

Shipped

One moment…

Using many effects to recreate the events at the Battle of Gettysburg, this piece is perfect for discussing historical perspective (included in the notes). A slow, mysterious opening leads into a depiction of the battle. A short, aleatoric section simulates a huge cannon bombardment with drums and whistling. A great way to utilize percussion while providing many opportunities for the rest of the band as well. Consider this strongly for your programming needs. (2:45)

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Series: FJH Beginning Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 674398209767

SKU: 98-B1120

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His works have been commissioned and performed worldwide by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school groups at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest with Love and Light. His music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden.

As a conductor, Balmages maintains active relationships with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras internationally. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences. An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, he received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award and a commissioning award from the University of Miami for the inauguration of its sixth president. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

This Grade 1 piece accomplishes something rare: it integrates substantial percussion writing without overshadowing younger band musicians, while the aleatoric cannon section gives students a genuinely memorable musical moment rather than a gimmick. The inclusion of historical context notes allows you to connect the music directly to curriculum standards and meaningful discussion, making it far more than an entertaining novelty for festival or concert programming.

What to expect

The piece opens in shadowy stillness before erupting into conflict. Drums and whistles crack the air in a wild, layered percussion section that captures the chaos of cannon fire, then gradually settles back into quieter reflection. Throughout, the orchestration respects young musicians' capabilities while creating genuine dramatic tension.

Who it's for

Beginning band directors and conductors seeking Grade 1 repertoire that challenges the full ensemble while remaining accessible. This work suits programs committed to mixing musical substance with educational themes and students ready to engage with programmatic concepts.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the opening mystery carefully; keep the accompaniment genuinely soft so the lead voice can speak clearly without forcing.
Prepare the percussion section separately for the aleatoric bombardment section so they understand the controlled chaos and can lock in the overall pulse despite individual freedom.
Use the historical notes provided to frame rehearsal discussions, helping students grasp why specific musical effects serve the narrative.
Let the whistling section breathe without rushing; the effectiveness depends on clarity and spacing between attacks rather than precision.

How to use it

Pair this with your fall festival season when students have solid fundamentals but welcome something beyond standard march or overture programming. It works equally well as a concert closer for a patriotic-themed program or as a standalone performance piece that draws strong audience response without requiring advanced musicianship.