Hall of Heroes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$50.00 USD

Hall of Heroes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Hall of Heroes: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51986
Price: 50.00 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By Brian Balmages

Level:.5

Item: 00-51986

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This stunning fanfare by Brian Balmages uses only quarter notes and half notes. All instruments use just five notes (D to A) with the exception of Violin 1, which uses the full D major scale; yet all string crossings involve open strings. Despite its playability, Hall of Heroes is powerful, harmonically sophisticated, and highly compelling! (1:30)

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Series: MakeMusic Developing Strings

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-7574-9

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7574-5

UPC: 038081598086

SKU: 00-51986

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a major voice in orchestral, band, and chamber music composition, with his works performed worldwide by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary school groups. His music has graced stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association.

Balmages earned the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts and was subsequently commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the presidential inauguration of Dr. Julio Frenk. His work was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. As a conductor, he maintains regular engagements with all-state and regional ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras internationally, with notable appearances at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

Hall of Heroes demonstrates that constraint breeds creativity. By limiting the entire ensemble to five pitches (with Violin 1 accessing the full D major scale) and using only quarter and half notes, Balmages crafts a piece that sounds grand and harmonically layered despite its elementary technical requirements. The open-string string crossings make this accessible for developing players while delivering the impact of a genuine fanfare, making it an ideal opener or closer for any concert.

What to expect

Hall of Heroes announces its purpose from the first note: ceremonial, confident, and bright. Despite its limited pitch palette, the piece radiates harmonic sophistication and forward momentum, creating the impression of something grand unfolding. The interplay of open strings across the ensemble produces a shimmering, resonant quality that feels far richer than its technical simplicity suggests.

Who it's for

String orchestras in the early stages of development will find Hall of Heroes both playable and deeply rewarding. Directors seeking repertoire that sounds professional and exciting while respecting the technical limits of young players will discover this fanfare perfectly calibrated to build confidence without compromising musicianship.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the rhythmic figures with clear articulation on quarter notes; let the half notes breathe and ring with full tone.
Balance the harmonic progression by bringing out inner voices on each chord change rather than letting the sound sit passively.
Maintain a unified downbeat across all sections; the simplicity of the rhythm is precisely what allows for chamber-like precision in ensemble playing.
Sustain the fanfare character through the entire piece by keeping energy forward into each new phrase, avoiding the tendency to drop volume on repeated material.

How to use it

Open a concert with Hall of Heroes to set a formal, energetic tone that immediately signals musicianship and intention. Its 1:30 duration makes it an efficient, impactful addition to a recital or festival program, and its contrapuntal clarity pairs well with longer or more technically demanding pieces that follow.