Shadows Unleashed: Concert Band Conductor Score

$12.00 USD

Shadows Unleashed: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: Shadows Unleashed: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1566S
Price: 12.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 1.5

Item: 98-B1566S

$12.00

Shipped

One moment…

Exuding a dark and mischievous character, this inventive work paints a picture of shadows moving into and out of darkness as they carry on a wild ritualistic dance. Playful at times and sinister at others, the haunting melody builds into a fury of harmonic and melodic activity. A simple piano part and vocal effects add depth and sophistication. Incredibly powerful, yet amazingly achievable!

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Series: FJH Concert Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444506516

SKU: 98-B1566S

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages has built a career moving fluidly between orchestral, band, and chamber music, with his compositions heard everywhere from Carnegie Hall to elementary school gymnasiums. His accolades include the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, first place in the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest, and membership in the American Bandmasters Association. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and ensembles across the globe, and his work was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.

Balmages holds degrees from James Madison University (which honored him with their inaugural Distinguished Alumni Award) and the University of Miami, where he was later commissioned to compose for the institution's presidential inauguration. Currently, he leads MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, shaping how educators access contemporary band repertoire.

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Why we love this

The genius here is how Balmages delivers genuine theatrical impact without drowning your band in technical demands. Shadows Unleashed sits at Grade 1.5, yet it sounds far more sophisticated thanks to the interplay between the ensemble and the added piano and vocal effects. You'll find yourself programming this for festivals not because it checks a box, but because it genuinely moves an audience.

What to expect

Imagine shadows cast by candlelight, dancing with intention and mischief across a wall. The piece pulls you into a ritualistic world that feels both playful and unsettling, building from whispered darkness into a wild, cascading climax. By the final measures, the shadows have taken on a life of their own.

Who it's for

Conductors leading Grade 1.5 bands who want to program something with real personality and contest viability. This works equally well for groups building confidence in musicianship as for experienced ensembles looking for a showcase moment.

How to get the most out of it

Let the piano and vocal effects breathe as distinct colors rather than accompaniment texture. They're not background; they're characters in the narrative.
Shape the transitions between playful and sinister sections with dynamic clarity. The contrast is what sells the choreography of the shadows.
Commit to the rhythmic pulse during the ritualistic passages. Precision here creates the uncanny quality Balmages is after.
Bring the harmonic buildup to full intensity in the final section. This piece earns its fury.

How to use it

Open a concert with Shadows Unleashed to establish an atmospheric, dramatic mood that sets expectations high. It's ideal for festival competition because it showcases both musical maturity and ensemble cohesion at a realistic level, and pairs effectively with both classical arrangements and contemporary works.

Skills your students will build

Controlling dynamic contrast across extended phrases
Balancing ensemble texture when non-traditional voices (piano, vocal effects) are introduced
Sustaining musical tension through harmonic buildup
Responding to fast-moving compositional gestures with precision
Interpreting program music through intentional, characterful playing