Spartacus: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

$70.00 USD

Spartacus: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts

Name: Spartacus: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-ST6163
Price: 70.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Brian Balmages

Grade: 2.5

Item: 98-ST6163

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Return to the time of the Roman Empire and Spartacus, one of the most famous gladiators to have lived during that era. The opening of the music signifies the harsh life of a gladiator while a fast, energetic section pays homage to his brilliance as a military tactician. Explosive rhythms, memorable melodies, and innovative harmonies all combine to make this piece unforgettable!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Spartacus: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: FJH Developing Strings

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 674398223749

SKU: 98-ST6163

More about this title

About the Composer: Brian Balmages

Brian Balmages composes across orchestral, band, and chamber music with equal fluency, earning performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, and countless other venues worldwide. 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. He has been commissioned by universities, conducted at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic and Western International Band Clinic, and had his work performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service.

Currently Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic, Balmages maintains an active guest conducting schedule with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras internationally. He holds degrees from James Madison University and the University of Miami, institutions that have both recognized his contributions to music education and composition.

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Why we love this

Spartacus delivers exactly what a grade 2.5 string orchestra needs: dramatic narrative arc without technical overreach. Balmages pairs the programmatic storytelling with genuine compositional craft; the shift from brutal opening to tactical brilliance gives students a real emotional journey to communicate, and the explosive rhythms and memorable melodies make this rewarding to hear performed well.

What to expect

The opening broods with the weight of chains and survival, all grinding determination and sparse textures. Then the music ignites; rhythms collide and interlock, melodies soar with the confidence of a military mind at work, and the orchestration crackles with inventive harmonies that keep the energy from feeling predictable.

Who it's for

Grade 2.5 string orchestras preparing for contests, festivals, or concerts that welcome programmatic work. Directors seeking a piece that engages students with historical narrative while staying within reasonable technical demands will find strong material here.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening section with sustained bow control to establish the weight and oppression of gladiatorial life before the energy accelerates
Balance the fast section's rhythmic drive with clarity in the melodic lines so the heroism comes through, not just the noise
Mark the transitions between contrasting sections clearly in rehearsal so students understand the dramatic structure they're building

How to use it

This works beautifully as a centerpiece on a thematic concert pairing ancient history with music, or as a contest selection that stands out without requiring advanced technical skills. Pair it with lighter repertoire to showcase your orchestra's range, or use it as a goal piece mid-season to build ensemble confidence through a narrative-driven rehearsal process.

Skills your students will build

Coordinating ensemble rhythms across changing tempos and meters
Drawing expressive tone quality from sustained passages under dynamic pressure
Responding to dramatic contrasts and maintaining articulation clarity at faster tempos
Reading and executing rhythmic figures that support programmatic storytelling