This dynamic and contemporary fanfare combines elements from Schumann’s George Washington Bridge and Copland’s Lincoln Portrait. Premiered at the Kennedy Center, this work for mature ensembles spins a web of fanfare themes and lyrical melodies that all converge on each other in a massive statement of power and triumph. Outstanding!
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Brian Balmages has built an international reputation as a composer and conductor working fluently across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms. His works have premiered at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to 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. 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.
Balmages has guest conducted at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the College Band Directors Conference. He has also led performances with all-state and regional ensembles and university groups worldwide. His music was featured during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
This is the kind of Grade 5 work that actually challenges a mature ensemble without requiring virtuosity. Balmages pulls melodic threads from recognizable American sources (Schumann and Copland) yet weaves them into something entirely contemporary. The convergence sections deliver genuine impact when rehearsed with clarity and precision, making it a standout choice for festival competition or concert programming.
What to expect
Majestic and confident, with echoes of American ceremonial tradition. The fanfare sections pulse with forward momentum while the lyrical passages breathe with genuine song, creating a dramatic arc that builds toward an undeniable statement of triumph and power.
Who it's for
Conductors of mature concert bands seeking substantial festival or concert repertoire that sits squarely at Grade 5 difficulty. This work suits ensembles with solid fundamentals in blend, intonation, and technique who are ready to handle layered textures and dramatic structural arc.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the fanfare sections carefully so the multiple melodic lines read distinctly rather than muddying together; clarity at concert halls with longer reverb times especially matters.
Shape the lyrical passages with meaningful phrase arcs before the momentum builds toward the final statement; rushing through the cantabile sections diminishes the payoff.
Use the premiere recording or video if available to hear how the layered themes interact during convergence points, then have sections mark exactly when their material enters the texture.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or closer on a concert that celebrates American musical heritage. It pairs well with other contemporary band works and concert arrangements, and its festival-ready writing makes it ideal for late-season contest dates or championship concerts where mature ensembles can showcase precision and musicianship.
Skills your students will build
Balancing multiple thematic lines within a single texture
Shaping long musical phrases with dramatic arc
Articulating and controlling fanfare-style passages
Reading complex ensemble scores with layered counterpoint
Executing dynamic shifts that enhance structural convergence
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