Kindred Spirits: Score
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 3
Item: 98-DB1414S
$13.00
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Description
The ultimate in expressiveness, this lyrical work was born out of the tragedy of an entire family who was lost. Specifically designed to be quite approachable technically, this work focuses on everything that is musical, allowing you and your students to realize the full emotional potential of the work. Moments of intense sadness collide with powerful statements of resolve and hope as the piece explores a dazzling array of emotions. Simply stunning.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Concert Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1414S
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to school groups in prestigious 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 and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest. Balmages was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association and holds the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains an active schedule guest conducting all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he has received commissions from major institutions including the University of Miami for the presidential inauguration. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages writes with profound emotional depth without compromising accessibility. A Grade 3 work that explores grief, hope, and resilience while remaining technically manageable means your students can invest themselves fully in the music's meaning rather than wrestling with notation. The contest and festival designation confirms what directors will discover immediately: this piece rewards musicianship and interpretation, making it ideal for meaningful ensemble growth.
What to expect
The music moves through profound territory: intimate moments of sorrow giving way to declarations of strength and affirmation. Balmages creates a sonic landscape where vulnerability and resilience coexist, pulling listeners into reflection before lifting them toward hope.
Who it's for
This work suits any concert band program seeking a piece with substantive emotional content at a manageable technical level. Directors preparing for contests or festivals will find a composition that showcases musical maturity and expressive depth in Grade 3 bands.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the lyrical phrases with vocal legit, letting the band breathe naturally through longer melodic lines rather than subdividing into strict rhythmic segments
- Balance the dynamic contrasts deliberately; allow the softer, introspective passages to truly recede so that moments of powerful statement land with full impact
- Attend carefully to intonation during the harmonically rich sections where sadness and resolve intersect, as slight tuning issues will cloud the emotional clarity
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece on a concert exploring themes of loss, renewal, or human connection. Its emotional weight pairs well on a program with both lighter opening works and other pieces of substance, allowing the audience time to process its message. Festival appearances benefit from its ability to demonstrate serious musicianship at an accessible grade level.
Skills your students will build
- Shaping long melodic phrases with consistent support and direction
- Balancing foreground and background voices in dense harmonic textures
- Executing dynamic contrasts with control and intention
- Maintaining ensemble blend and intonation in sustained harmonic passages
- Interpreting emotional content through musical choices rather than technical facility