Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score
Of Emperors and Chariots: Score Sheet Music Preview

Of Emperors and Chariots: Score

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 5

Item: 98-DB1019S
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Description
This thrilling fanfare by Brian Balmages will set the stage for your entire concert. The audience is taken back to the time of the Roman Empire, with the sounds of the parades that preceded the chariot races. (3:30)

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Additional Details
Series: FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU: 98-DB1019S

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages commands respect across orchestral, band, and chamber music spheres, with performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House under his belt. His accolades include the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light, and membership in the American Bandmasters Association. He has served as guest conductor at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and major conferences worldwide, and his work has reached presidential ceremonies and university inaugurations.

Balmages currently leads MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, continuing a career that bridges the professional and educational spheres. His music appears regularly in school and university settings alongside performances by major orchestras, reflecting his deep understanding of what works for both contexts.

Why we love this

Balmages knows how to craft an entrance. This fanfare hits hard without demanding excessive technical facility, making it ideal for Grade 5 groups that still need the visceral thrill of a strong opening number. The historical imagery does real work here, giving students a concrete reason to dig into the sound and phrasing rather than just playing notes.

What to expect

Pageantry and power. Brass and woodwinds converge in layered harmonies that evoke the grandeur of imperial Rome without pretension. The piece carries genuine cinematic sweep, pulling listeners into a procession where every section has a role in the spectacle.

Who it's for

Grade 5 concert bands ready to open a program with authority. Directors programming contest or festival appearances will find a piece that excites audiences and challenges students to execute with precision and drama.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish a rock-solid pulse in rehearsal before worrying about nuance. The martial character depends on rhythmic confidence from every section.
  • Balance the inner voices carefully; they carry harmonic weight that can easily disappear under brass cutoffs.
  • Let the recorded accompaniment anchor the ensemble during early rehearsals, then gradually reduce reliance on it to build independence.
  • Shape the dynamic trajectory as a single arc rather than a series of individual statements. This keeps momentum alive across the full 3:30.

How to use it

Deploy this as your concert opener to establish energy and set a bold tone immediately. It pairs well alongside more lyrical works later in the program, creating dynamic balance while showcasing ensemble capability in the first moments your audience hears them.

Skills your students will build

  • Unified articulation across mixed timbres
  • Dynamic control at forte levels without losing shape
  • Sectional balance and blend in tutti passages
  • Sustained tone quality under rhythmic precision demands
  • Musical storytelling through architectural phrasing

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