Hope Ahead: Piccolo
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 3
Item: 00-PC-0019465_P1
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Description
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: Piccolo 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:
MakeMusic Symphonic Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PC-0019465_P1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a versatile composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber music. His works have reached audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school 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, Balmages maintains a robust schedule of guest appearances with all-state, regional, university, and professional ensembles worldwide. He has 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 was later commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of its sixth president. His work was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. Balmages currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages crafts a piece that balances genuine emotional weight with accessibility at Grade 3, using programmatic elements to guide students toward musical storytelling without sacrificing clarity or ensemble cohesion. The contrast between despair and hope creates natural sectional variety that holds student attention while giving audiences a clear narrative arc to follow. Programming this piece demonstrates your ensemble's ability to convey meaning beyond notes on the page.
What to expect
Hope Ahead moves between stark, fragmented moments and sweeping, affirmative gestures, mirroring the visual contrast of a broken robot against a thriving cityscape. The piece builds from darker introspection toward luminous resolution, creating an arc that feels earned rather than imposed. Performing it leaves both band and audience with a sense of meaningful catharsis.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands seeking repertoire with genuine artistic substance and a clear emotional journey. This work suits ensembles ready to engage with programmatic storytelling and those looking for meaningful contest or festival material that resonates with both performers and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the melodic lines with intention; Balmages's bold writing asks for deliberate phrasing choices that underscore the emotional arc from brokenness to hope.
- Balance the vibrant colors and unique effects so contrasting textures land without overwhelming the underlying harmonic structure.
- Establish the programmatic context early in rehearsal by sharing the student artwork and essays that inspired the piece; ensembles perform with greater conviction when they understand the story.
How to use it
Anchor this piece as a centerpiece of a thematic concert exploring resilience or student creativity, pairing it with complementary works that explore similar emotional territory. Its five-minute length and Grade 3 accessibility make it ideal for mid-year festival or contest season when your ensemble has the technical foundation to tackle its expressive demands.
Skills your students will build
- Programmatic interpretation and translating visual/narrative concepts into musical phrasing
- Balance and blend of diverse instrumental colors and textures
- Sustaining musical tension and release across longer formal structures
- Dynamic control and expression within Grade 3 technical parameters