Greater Than...: Violoncello A
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 1;1.5;2;2.5;3;3.5
Item: 98-PC-DST6488_VCELLOA
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Description
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.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Greater Than...: Violoncello A 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:
FJH String Orchestra
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6488_VCELLOA
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a major voice in contemporary composition and conducting, working across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms with equal fluency. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras at venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to school orchestras and bands worldwide, earning him the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and a 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest win for Love and Light. He holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and has received distinguished alumni awards from both James Madison University and the University of Miami, where he was commissioned to compose for a presidential inauguration.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains an active schedule guest conducting at all-state ensembles, university orchestras, and professional groups internationally, with appearances at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, shaping the landscape of music education resources.
Why we love this
This piece challenges the conventional festival orchestra work by pairing a beautiful, singable melody with a genuine statement about inclusion. The multi-level design means you're not choosing between sound quality and accessibility; you're building both simultaneously, allowing students at different stages to contribute meaningfully to the same performance.
What to expect
Warm and contemplative, with a lyrical grace that feels contemporary without abandoning the fundamentals that make string writing sing. The piece carries an inclusive spirit that connects to something larger than technical difficulty; it invites every participant into something meaningful.
Who it's for
String orchestras at the intermediate level looking for repertoire with substance and purpose. This is equally compelling for directors building heterogeneous ensembles where students span multiple proficiency levels and need to work together toward a unified sound.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the main theme with a clear arch, letting the legato writing breathe naturally rather than pushing toward the climax too early.
- Establish a confident tempo that allows the lyricism to emerge without dragging; young ensembles often need permission to move slightly forward.
- Balance the parts carefully when supplemental levels are added, ensuring intermediate voices remain audible rather than buried beneath fuller orchestration.
- Rehearse the transition points between sections distinctly so students understand how their voices contribute to the overall harmonic architecture.
How to use it
Program this on a concert celebrating ensemble community or as a festival entry where the programming notes can highlight the commissioned origin and pedagogical philosophy behind the composition. It also works as a anchor piece for a rehearsal block where students at mixed levels rehearse together, demonstrating practical diversity in action.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across multiple measures with consistent bow control
- Balance and blend when playing alongside students at different technical levels
- Understanding how complementary lines interact harmonically within the larger ensemble
- Intonation sensitivity in slower, exposed writing where pitch impurities are audible