Miles of Blue: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

$90.00 USD

Miles of Blue: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Miles of Blue: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1792
Price: 90.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 4

Item: 98-B1792

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One moment…

This powerful work was written in the wake of the death of NYPD Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo, a hero whose last words and actions saved the life of his partner. His wife Lisa Tuozzolo, an avid speaker and supporter of her “blue family,” is also a close cousin of composer Brian Balmages. It was widely reported that over 20,000 first responders lined the streets to salute Tuozzolo one final time along the route from the funeral home to the church. This piece chronicles that unforgettable drive and pays homage to the many officers that fall in the Line of Duty each year.

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Series: FJH Symphonic Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444409732

SKU: 98-B1792

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work spans orchestral, band, and chamber music with equal fluency. His compositions have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to school groups in prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He holds the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest, and serves as an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association.

Balmages has received commissions from major institutions, including the University of Miami for the presidential inauguration ceremony, and his music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. As a guest conductor, he regularly appears with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide, with notable engagements at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and international conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

This piece anchors itself in real historical tragedy and honor, drawing from composer Brian Balmages' family connection to Sergeant Paul Tuozzolo's story. The Grade 4 scoring makes this powerful work accessible to high school bands while maintaining the dignity and emotional weight the subject demands, allowing young musicians to engage meaningfully with patriotic music that carries authentic purpose rather than generic sentiment.

What to expect

Miles of Blue unfolds with the pacing of a ceremonial procession, moving through passages of quiet reflection and moments of solemn affirmation. The music conveys both the gravity of loss and the collective respect of thousands honoring fallen service; it is contemplative without being maudlin, dignified without being stiff.

Who it's for

High school concert bands seeking repertoire with genuine emotional weight and social relevance. This Grade 4 work serves bands that are ready to engage with patriotic themes through careful musicianship rather than technical display.

How to get the most out of it

Establish a deliberate, processional tempo that honors the solemn context without dragging; the piece's strength lies in its steadiness and forward momentum through sustained phrases.
Balance the full band's dynamic markings carefully so that thematic material in the inner voices remains audible; this ensures the narrative quality of the piece comes through clearly.
Pay close attention to section transitions and key moments where the orchestration shifts; slight ritardando or rubato in these passages can deepen the emotional arc without losing structural integrity.
Work with your brass section to achieve warm, centered tone on sustained passages; avoid thin or bright sounds that would undercut the piece's contemplative character.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert dedicated to community service, first responders, or patriotic themes. Its Grade 4 accessibility allows it to stand alongside more technically demanding pieces without feeling out of place, and its emotional core makes it a natural anchor for programming that aims to leave audiences reflective rather than entertained.

Skills your students will build

Phrasing over longer harmonic progressions with sustained melodic lines
Balancing inner voice clarity within a full ensemble texture
Interpreting and executing emotionally mature musical content with restraint and respect
Ensemble precision in sectional transitions and key changes