Raging Machines: B-flat Trumpet 3
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 5
Item: 98-PC-DB1359_T3
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Description
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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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1359_T3
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages works across orchestral, band, and chamber idioms with equal fluency, having earned commissions and performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and beyond. 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 music appeared in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service and was commissioned by the University of Miami for its presidential inauguration.
As a guest conductor, Balmages regularly works with all-state and regional ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. He has led sessions at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences. Currently Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, he brings both compositional sophistication and deep understanding of how ensembles learn and perform.
Why we love this
Balmages writes aggressive material that sits comfortably at Grade 5 without condescension. The dissonant opening and mechanical themes demand real ensemble precision and control, making this equally valuable as a contest selection and as a teaching tool for managing contemporary harmonic language. Your percussion section will finally get the showcase they deserve.
What to expect
Relentless forward motion meets mechanical precision. The opening hits like a wrench dropped on metal, and from there the band careers through a landscape of jagged chords and driving rhythms that feel less like a storm and more like being inside the machinery itself. It's visceral, demanding, and thrilling.
Who it's for
Competitive bands looking for a contemporary work with real substance will find exactly what they need here. Directors seeking to develop their students' ability to navigate dissonance, complex textures, and high-energy ensemble work should add this to their library.
How to get the most out of it
- Anchor the dissonant opening chords with absolute clarity in the low brass and reeds. The power of this moment depends on precision, not volume.
- Balance the percussion battery so the "clanging metal" texture emerges without drowning out the melodic material underneath. Rehearse those sections separately from the full band first.
- Shape the exuberant themes with forward momentum. Avoid letting the aggressive harmonies flatten into a monotone; the compositional architecture shifts constantly, and your phrasing should reflect that.
- Let the wild sections breathe. The contrast between relentless passages and any moments of relative stillness defines the emotional arc.
How to use it
This is your contest or festival finale, the piece that leaves the audience energized and your ensemble proud. Pair it with something lyrical earlier in the program to maximize the impact of the contrast, or feature it as the centerpiece of a concert exploring modern band repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing dissonant harmonic language
- Balancing complex percussion textures with ensemble blend
- Sustaining ensemble focus through relentless rhythmic material
- Dynamic control in high-energy, aggressive passages
- Ensemble precision in contemporary compositional contexts