Raging Machines: Concert Band Conductor Score

$19.00 USD

Raging Machines: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Raging Machines: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1359S
Price: 19.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 5

Item: 98-B1359S

$19.00

Shipped

One moment…

While not specifically programmatic, this aggressive work paints a picture of mechanical rage in a rollercoaster of sound. From the opening dissonant chords to the exuberant themes and wildly aggressive harmonies, this work is certain not to disappoint! A large battery of percussion helps recreate the sound of clanging metal as the work drives forward in a whirlwind of fury. Captivating and relentless!

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Series: FJH Symphonic Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444485972

SKU: 98-B1359S

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has built a rare dual career as both a prolific composer and sought-after conductor, with commissions and performances spanning orchestral, band, and chamber music across the world's major stages. His accolades include the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest, and membership in the American Bandmasters Association. His work has appeared at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and Sydney Opera House, while also reaching elementary school classrooms, reflecting his deep commitment to music education across all levels.

Balmages continues to shape the field as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic. He maintains an active conducting schedule with all-state, university, and professional ensembles internationally, and his music was performed during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. His alma maters, James Madison University and the University of Miami, have both honored him for his contributions to music and composition.

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Why we love this

Balmages crafts this work with genuine structural substance beneath the aggressive surface; the dissonant opening and mechanical percussion create genuine theatrical impact without sacrificing musical coherence. Contest and festival directors know this piece reliably earns audience engagement and adjudication respect, making it a smart choice when you want to program something with real teeth that your band can sink into.

What to expect

Raw mechanical aggression meets musical sophistication. The soundworld is deliberately unsettling, with clashing harmonies and relentless rhythmic drive that evokes industrial chaos without ever feeling purely destructive. Energy and precision collide throughout.

Who it's for

Grade 5 bands with strong rhythm sections and percussion players ready to own the technical demands. This work suits ensembles confident in modern harmonic language and unafraid of dissonance; it's an excellent choice for bands seeking challenging contest repertoire.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the percussion battery carefully in early rehearsals. Isolate the metallic effects from the pitched percussion to ensure clarity; these colors should cut through the band without muddying the harmonic content.
Mark the aggressive harmonic shifts with your conducting gesture to help the ensemble recognize tonal center changes. This music moves fast and the dissonance can disorient sections without clear visual leadership.
Push the tempo in final rehearsals closer to performance speed than feels comfortable. The work thrives on relentless momentum, and what sounds wild at moderate tempo becomes truly captivating at full energy.

How to use it

Pair this as a powerful closer or a bold centerpiece when you want to showcase your band's technical maturity and willingness to tackle contemporary sonorities. The aggressive character works well in a concert built around a theme of modern or experimental music, and its contest-ready credentials make it especially valuable for festival season.

Skills your students will build

Reading and executing dissonant harmonic structures with intonation precision
Maintaining rhythmic intensity and accuracy across extended passages at driving tempos
Balancing dense instrumental textures and competing melodic lines
Coordinating with specialized percussion effects (metal effects, industrial sounds)
Sustaining ensemble focus through rapid harmonic and tonal shifts