Greater Than...: String Orchestra Conductor Score

$6.00 USD

Greater Than...: String Orchestra Conductor Score

Name: Greater Than...: String Orchestra Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-ST6488S
Price: 6.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 1;1.5;2;2.5;3;3.5

Item: 98-ST6488S

$6.00

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Commissioned by the National String Project Consortium, this gorgeous lyrical work can be performed alone as an intermediate level piece, or with multi-level supplemental parts (available separately) for beginning and developing string students. Orchestrated to celebrate inclusion and diversity, the multi-level option is designed to sound far "greater than" the intermediate version alone. Not your traditional festival orchestra piece by any means.

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Series: FJH String Orchestra

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444588482

SKU: 98-ST6488S

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has built a distinctive career composing across orchestral, band, and chamber music idioms, earning recognition from both professional orchestras and school ensembles alike. His works have graced stages at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, while his compositions have been championed by everyone from elementary school orchestras to regional all-state groups. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light.

As a conductor and educator, Balmages has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state music conferences worldwide. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and holds the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. His presidential inaugural service commission and work directing MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education underscore his influence in both performance and music education.

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Why we love this

Balmages designed this work from the ground up for inclusive programming, not as an afterthought or retrofit. The scaffolded multi-level parts genuinely enhance the intermediate version rather than merely filling a gap; orchestras perform at their strongest when every student contributes meaningfully. Programming it gives you flexibility to build from beginning strings upward while celebrating the collective sound your full group creates together.

What to expect

This piece unfolds with genuine lyricism, avoiding the predictable harmonic language typical of many contest selections. The orchestration shines with transparent textures that invite individual voices to emerge while supporting a cohesive whole, reflecting the inclusive philosophy it celebrates.

Who it's for

String orchestras at intermediate level and above who want festival-ready repertoire with pedagogical depth. If your program includes multiple ability levels, the supplemental part structure lets beginners and developing students participate in the same concert experience without holding back your more advanced players.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the lyrical lines carefully across sections; with multiple levels performing together, blend rather than project. The piece's beauty depends on cohesion, not soloistic playing.
If performing with multi-level parts, rehearse the intermediate and developing groups separately first to build confidence, then combine them gradually. This builds investment in the larger orchestral sound.
Honor the contrasts between sections. Lyrical passages benefit from sustained tone and gentle releases, while transitions need clarity of articulation to maintain forward motion.

How to use it

Feature this as a centerpiece on a concert dedicated to ensemble growth and community; its programming possibilities expand when you include the multi-level parts, allowing different student cohorts to perform together. It also works as a thoughtful closer to a program, leaving audiences with warmth rather than flash.