Pride of the Clipper: B-flat Contrabass Clarinet
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PC-DB1827_BCBC
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Description
The spirit and industrial sounds of a historical shipyard come to life in this radiant work. From the metallic banging to a celebration of life on the water, the music paints a picture of the famed Baltimore Clipper, known for its speed and ability to outrun enemy ships. Significant tension is introduced as the clipper is put to the ultimate test before emerging in glorious celebration.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1827_BCBC
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor with equal command across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His works have reached audiences at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and the Toronto Centre for the Arts, performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school groups. 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. His music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he has been commissioned by institutions including the University of Miami for presidential inaugurations.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains active engagements with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Conference, and regional music conferences across multiple continents. Currently serving as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, he is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Why we love this
Balmages captures the drama of a specific historical moment with orchestration that genuinely sounds like a shipyard in motion. The structural arc from industrial tension through celebration mirrors the clipper's ultimate test, giving your band a narrative to follow that elevates ensemble cohesion far beyond a typical patriotic march. Contest judges and festival adjudicators respond to music this clear-headed about its subject matter.
What to expect
Industrial energy meets maritime romance. The opening conjures the visceral sound of shipyard labor before shifting into the rolling, dynamic quality of a ship in full sail. When tension arrives, you feel the stakes rising; the final celebration feels earned rather than imposed.
Who it's for
Grade 4 concert bands looking for a programmatic work with genuine dramatic substance and historical content. This piece suits competitive festival programs and concert settings where you want to program something patriotic that avoids cliché.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the metallic percussion effects against the sustained sections so the industrial imagery reads clearly without overwhelming harmonic development.
- Shape the tension section with gradual dynamic and tempo control; let the ensemble feel the building stakes rather than rushing toward the climax.
- Bring out the melodic lines that emerge from underneath the celebration passage; this prevents the finale from becoming merely loud and ensures emotional payoff matches the musical intensity.
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a concert exploring American maritime history or industrial heritage. It pairs well with other descriptive works that value clarity of imagery, and its Grade 4 difficulty makes it accessible for festival competition while maintaining artistic credibility.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing contrasting timbral groups (sustained melody against rhythmic/percussion effects)
- Reading and executing dramatic tempo and dynamic shifts that serve narrative structure
- Ensemble cohesion across extended dynamic ranges and textural transitions
- Interpreting programmatic intent through articulation and phrasing choices