Hope Ahead: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$75.00 USD

Hope Ahead: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Hope Ahead: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51033
Price: 75.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 3

Item: 00-51033

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Based on a student's artwork of a broken robot overlooking a magnificent city, Hope Ahead uses vibrant colors to contrast elements of despair and hope. Brian Balmages uses unique effects and bold melodic lines to tell a powerful story of finding peace in a broken world. Based on the artist's thoughts as well as essays from students all over the country, this piece is sure to inspire your ensemble and audience. (5:15)

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Hope Ahead: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: MakeMusic Symphonic Band

Publisher: MakeMusic Publications

ISBN10: 1-4706-7120-4

ISBN13: 978-1-4706-7120-4

UPC: 038081592893

SKU: 00-51033

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work bridges orchestral, band, and chamber music with equal fluency. His compositions have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to school bands in iconic 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, 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 later commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of the institution's sixth president. His work has been performed at the Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service and has been featured at major conducting conferences worldwide. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

Balmages crafts a genuinely moving narrative without sacrificing musicality or accessibility. The juxtaposition of broken and beautiful imagery gives your band a real artistic purpose to communicate, and the Grade 3 scoring ensures your ensemble can deliver that message with confidence. This piece resonates with student musicians because it speaks directly to their world and asks them to perform something that matters.

What to expect

Hope Ahead moves from desolation to uplift with an artistic arc that feels earned rather than forced. The unique effects and bold melodies create vivid contrasts, painting a world where beauty and brokenness coexist. By the end, the piece leaves your audience with genuine hope rather than empty sentimentality.

Who it's for

This work suits Grade 3 concert bands that are ready for pieces with real expressive content and thematic substance. It's ideal for ensembles seeking repertoire that engages both performers and audiences on an emotional level, whether preparing for festivals, concerts, or community performances.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the melodic statements across sections. The bold lines carry the emotional weight of the story, so ensure the primary voice isn't overshadowed by accompaniment figures.
Lean into the programmatic intent during rehearsal. Reference the artwork and student essays with your band so they understand what the 'broken' and 'hopeful' moments represent musically.
Shape the contrasting colors deliberately. Use dynamics and articulation to highlight the vivid imagery; avoid letting transitions blur together.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece of a concert that explores themes of resilience or perspective, pairing it with pieces that either echo its emotional journey or provide contrasting material. Its five-minute span and programmatic clarity make it equally effective as a festival selection or as the anchor of a thematic concert.