Rain: Trombone 1
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1357_TN1
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Description
This contemporary lyrical work gets away from the typical ballad written for bands at this level. Instead, thick harmonies and wonderful textures become the canvas of this amazingly artistic work that is quite approachable for young bands, yet very appropriate for mature bands as well. Striking musical moments and subtle effects may actually make this the most memorable piece on your program. Inspirational!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Rain: Trombone 1 comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Young Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1357_TN1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built an international reputation as a composer and conductor whose voice resonates across orchestral, band, and chamber music contexts. His works have graced major stages including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, performed by ensembles spanning 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. An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Balmages holds distinguished alumni recognition from James Madison University and was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of its sixth president.
As a conductor, Balmages maintains an active schedule guest conducting all-state and regional ensembles, university orchestras, and professional groups worldwide. His podium appearances include the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the College Band Directors Conference, among many others. His music reached a national audience when it was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Rain offers something genuine in the Grade 2.5 ballad landscape. Rather than relying on a simple melodic hook, Balmages builds his emotional impact through layered harmonies and textural variety that reward careful listening from both audience and ensemble alike. Conductors will find the balance between accessibility and sophistication refreshing, allowing developing musicians to tackle a piece that sounds mature without requiring advanced technical demands.
What to expect
Rain unfolds as a quiet, contemplative landscape of color and atmosphere. The thick harmonies create a sense of emotional weight, while subtle textural shifts and striking moments punctuate the lyrical surface, giving the piece memorable landmarks despite its restrained character. It is introspective rather than bombastic, inviting the listener into a moment of reflection.
Who it's for
Concert bands at Grade 2.5 seeking repertoire that challenges their artistic maturity without overreaching technically. This is equally suitable for developing young bands wanting to build ensemble cohesion through harmonic listening, or for mature high school programs looking for a contest or festival piece with genuine musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the harmonic progression deliberately; these chords are the content, not the vehicle for melody. Guide players to listen across the full sonority rather than focusing narrowly on their individual lines.
- Attend carefully to dynamic contours in the thick passages. Even subtle shifts in volume between sections will clarify the emotional arc and prevent the piece from becoming static.
- Resist the urge to slow the tempo during lyrical moments. Maintain a steady, confident pulse so the harmonies breathe naturally without dragging.
- Balance the woodwind and brass textures so that when parts double or shift between sections, the listener hears the timbral change as intentional. This clarity of orchestration is central to the work's artistry.
How to use it
Program Rain in a concert slot where you want the audience to settle in and listen closely. Its artistic subtlety makes it an excellent centerpiece between more energetic works, or a fitting conclusion to a first half. The piece also works well in a festival or contest setting where judges will recognize the craft in its orchestration and harmonic language.
Skills your students will build
- Listening to harmonic progression as primary musical content rather than accompaniment
- Blending across woodwind and brass sections to achieve unified sonorities
- Executing dynamic shadings with precision in moderate and soft dynamics
- Maintaining steady tempo and pulse through extended lyrical sections
- Responding to conductor interpretation of subtle emotional nuance