Parade of the Jesters: Concert Band Conductor Score

$6.00 USD

Parade of the Jesters: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Parade of the Jesters: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1104S
Price: 6.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 1.5

Item: 98-B1104S

$6.00

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Perfect for getting away from the usual march sound without excluding one from your program, this creative work adds several interesting twists to the familiar formula. Written primarily in the lydian mode, the piece opens with a soft and playful dance-like melody. A strong trio and surprise ending compliment this exciting composition. An ideal festival work. (2:20)

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Series: FJH Developing Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444461594

SKU: 98-B1104S

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has built an international reputation as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from elementary school groups to professional orchestras in 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 for Love and Light. He holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association and has been commissioned to compose for major institutional events, including the inauguration of the University of Miami's president.

As a conductor, Balmages regularly appears with all-state, regional, and university ensembles worldwide. His guest conducting credits include the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the American School Band Directors Association National Conference. He received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts and currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.

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Why we love this

Balmages sidesteps the traditional march format while honoring its structural logic, creating something that feels fresh without alienating audiences expecting accessible concert band fare. The lydian mode opens creative harmonic possibilities for young musicians while the playful opening melody and strong trio section give conductors clear musical moments to shape, making this a rewarding teaching experience at Grade 1.5.

What to expect

The piece unfolds like a musical jester's procession: playful and slightly unpredictable, with a soft, dance-like opening that draws listeners in before building to a confident trio section. The lydian mode gives the harmonies an almost Renaissance-like sparkle, and the surprise ending prevents the piece from settling into predictability.

Who it's for

This score is designed for developing concert bands at the early level, from middle school through adult community groups seeking repertoire with personality. Directors programming festivals or spring concerts will find a piece that engages both performers and audiences without requiring virtuosic technical demands.

How to get the most out of it

Emphasize the dance-like character of the opening melody by keeping the tempo buoyant and allowing the soft dynamic to float naturally rather than drag.
Shape the transition into the trio deliberately; the shift should feel inevitable rather than abrupt, building anticipation for the stronger material.
Balance clarity in the lydian mode passages by ensuring the raised fourth degree sits naturally within the harmonic context, not as an afterthought.

How to use it

Program this as a festival entry or as a concert centerpiece that bridges between heavier repertoire, offering audiences a moment of wit and musicality. Its modest demands make it an excellent choice for mid-season performance, when sections have built basic fundamentals but haven't yet tackled advanced literature.