Silence Overwhelmed: B-flat Trumpet 1
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 5
Item: 98-PC-DB1429_T1
$7.00
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Description
This mature lyrical work uses complex harmonies and textures amidst a sea of colors and timbres. Great opportunities for chamber playing exist throughout, with solos provided for oboe (cued elsewhere) and trumpet. From the softest and darkest of sounds to the most powerful and soaring lines, this work is certain to take you on an incredible emotional journey.
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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1429_T1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor whose work spans orchestras, bands, and chamber ensembles with equal fluency. His music has 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. An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Balmages holds the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
As a guest conductor, Balmages maintains a robust schedule with all-state and regional ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras worldwide. His conducting appearances include major conferences such as the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and the American School Band Directors Association National Conference. His compositions were performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he received a commission from the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of the institution's president. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages crafts a work that demands maturity from your ensemble while rewarding their vulnerability. The contrast between intimate chamber passages and sweeping full-band climaxes creates genuine emotional stakes, making this a standout choice for groups ready to explore nuance without sacrificing impact.
What to expect
The piece moves between hushed, intimate moments and soaring, full-bodied expressions, creating a soundscape that shifts from the darkest tones to brilliant, uplifting lines. You'll hear rich harmonic colors woven throughout, with chamber-like passages that feel almost vulnerable before the ensemble surges forward with conviction and warmth.
Who it's for
Advanced high school and college concert bands seeking sophisticated repertoire that challenges both musicianship and emotional maturity. This work suits ensembles comfortable with complex harmonies and capable of sustaining nuanced, transparent textures alongside powerful climaxes.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the oboe and trumpet solos against the surrounding textures by having the ensemble pull back dynamically; these voices carry the emotional core and need space to breathe.
- Shape the softest passages with deliberate attention to intonation and blend, as sparse textures expose pitch variations that fuller sections can mask.
- Allow the complex harmonies to inform your phrasing rather than imposing external rubato; the harmonic language itself suggests where to release tension.
- Explore the color possibilities in your instrumentation during rehearsal; Balmages writes for specific timbral effects, and time spent on orchestration will deepen the overall impact.
How to use it
This work fits powerfully as a contest or festival selection for Grade 5 bands, or as a dramatic centerpiece in a concert program exploring emotional range. It pairs well alongside lighter concert fare, as its depth and maturity will elevate an entire program's sophistication and coherence.
Skills your students will build
- Listening for and matching complex harmonic colors across the band
- Sustaining soft dynamics without losing tone quality or pitch stability
- Balancing solo voices against accompaniment in transparent textures
- Reading and executing sophisticated rhythmic and harmonic language
- Responding to subtle dynamic and textural shifts to shape musical meaning