Miles of Blue: E-flat Contra Alto Clarinet
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PC-DB1792_CAC
$7.00
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Description
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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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1792_CAC
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 orchestras to school bands in major 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 is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and holds the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award.
As a guest conductor, Balmages regularly leads all-state and regional ensembles, university bands, and professional orchestras worldwide. His conducting engagements have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences. His compositions have also been performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages brings personal narrative and genuine emotional weight to this Grade 4 work without oversimplifying the music. The piece honors a specific, meaningful event while remaining accessible to young players, and it offers the kind of contemporary patriotic repertoire that resonates deeply with student musicians and audiences alike. Programming this connects your band to a broader conversation about service and remembrance.
What to expect
The piece captures the solemnity and gravity of a procession, moving with steady purpose and quiet dignity. There is strength in its orchestration and a sense of collective respect woven throughout, creating an experience that feels both ceremonial and deeply human.
Who it's for
Concert bands at the intermediate to early advanced level seeking repertoire with substance and meaning. This work suits bands that have developed consistent tone production, secure rhythmic foundations, and the maturity to handle emotionally significant material.
How to get the most out of it
- Study the historical context with your students before rehearsals begin. Understanding Sergeant Tuozzolo's story and the significance of the funeral procession will help players invest in the emotional arc of the piece.
- Balance the expressive sections carefully; this music demands maturity in tone production and phrasing from the entire ensemble, not just the featured voices.
- Conduct with clear, confident gestures through the structural narrative. The piece charts a journey, and your conducting should guide players through its emotional trajectory.
- Allow space for the music to breathe in quieter passages. Resist the urge to rush forward; the power lies in the sustained moments of reflection.
How to use it
This work functions powerfully as a centerpiece for a concert focused on service, community, or remembrance. It also serves well as a closing piece for a program, leaving audiences with a reflective and respectful final impression.
Skills your students will build
- Phrasing in slow, expressive passages
- Sustained ensemble balance across multiple sections
- Emotional interpretation and musical maturity
- Attention to dynamics and tone color in patriotic repertoire