Momentous (for single or multi-level string orchestra): Piano
for single or multi-level string orchestra
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 0.5;1;1.5;2
Item: 98-PC-DST6546_K
$7.00
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Description
So many performance options and combinations! Equally suited as an opener or closer, this "Baroque-meets-contemporary" festival-style work has exceptional performance flexibility as a multi-level OR single-level work! Play it entirely as a grade 2 or play it as a grade 1. Additionally, both may be combined, and directors can add the grade ½ parts, which are based on open strings and limited first finger. Innovative and exciting!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Momentous (for single or multi-level string orchestra): Piano comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Beginning Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DST6546_K
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor with work across orchestral, band, and chamber music repertoire. His compositions have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary school groups in venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and Toronto Centre for the Arts. He is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association.
Balmages received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts and was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of the institution's sixth president. His work has been performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service and at major conducting forums including the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state ASTA conferences. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Momentous delivers genuine multi-level flexibility without sacrificing musicality at any difficulty stratum. The Baroque-contemporary fusion gives it sophisticated harmonic interest even in the ½ and grade 1 versions, making it an intelligent choice for festivals where mixed-ability orchestras perform. Its dual nature as both opener and closer means you solve your programming needs with one piece rather than hunting for festival selections that work across your skill range.
What to expect
Momentous opens with an elegant, measured quality rooted in Baroque harmonic language before contemporary elements introduce rhythmic vitality and unexpected harmonic color. The piece feels assured and confident without demanding technical virtuosity; it has the grandeur of festival-opening music with surprising melodic warmth that carries through to a satisfying conclusion.
Who it's for
Directors with multi-ability string orchestras who need flexible festival repertoire will find Momentous solves the mixing-levels challenge with integrity. Beginning string programs working toward performance goals benefit from its open-string accessibility in the ½ part while advanced students tackle more complex rhythmic and technical demands. It works equally well for directors seeking a signature opener or closer that sounds polished regardless of ensemble depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the grade 2 parts against lower levels when combining sections; the ½ and grade 1 lines work as foundational voices, so ensure they remain audible rather than buried.
- Establish a clear harmonic anchor with your lower strings (cello and bass) regardless of which level configuration you perform; this stabilizes the contemporary elements within the Baroque framework.
- Shape phrase endings with slight ritardando rather than dramatic tempo shifts; the festival context calls for forward momentum with refined articulation.
- When performing as a single-level work, commit fully to that arrangement and resist layering in higher parts mid-rehearsal; the scoring is complete at each level.
How to use it
Use this as your festival opener to set a sophisticated tone and showcase your program's range in a single selection. Alternatively, close a concert with it to leave the audience with something both substantial and accessible. If you're managing a mixed-level orchestra rehearsal, perform the level that fits your moment; the piece is complete and rewarding at any difficulty grade.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing grade ½, 1, 1½, and 2 parts within a single arrangement
- Maintaining intonation in harmonic contexts that blend Baroque and contemporary tonality
- Ensemble balance when orchestral combinations vary from rehearsal to performance
- Phrasing and articulation in a festival-style work with defined musical character
- Flexibility across open-string writing, first-position technique, and intermediate-position shifts