Star Above, Shine Brightly: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 4
Item: 98-DB1053
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Description
This beautiful ballad for concert band is based on a melody written by the composer's father. Skillfully scored to expose students to more complex harmonies reminiscent of Percy Grainger, this wonderful piece explores chorales, chamber music, and full ensemble writing. An excellent choice for your contest warm-up or change-of-pace concert selection. (4:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Star Above, Shine Brightly: Concert Band 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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Additional Details
Series:
FJH Symphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DB1053
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built a career moving fluidly across orchestral, band, and chamber music worlds, earning recognition from institutions like Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. 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 conducted all-state and regional ensembles on multiple continents and was commissioned by the University of Miami for the presidential inauguration of Dr. Julio Frenk.
Balmages' work has reached audiences from elementary schools to professional orchestras, and his compositions were performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. He currently serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
The Grainger-influenced harmonies give Grade 4 students genuine substance to sink their ears into without overwhelming them. Built on a personal melody from the composer's father, the piece carries emotional authenticity that students recognize and respond to, making it equally strong as a contest selection or a refreshing palate cleanser in a full concert.
What to expect
A quiet, reflective piece that unfolds through shifting textures. The opening establishes an intimate, almost hymn-like quality before the music expands into richer harmonic colors and fuller textures, then settles back into gentleness.
Who it's for
Grade 4 concert bands ready to move beyond straightforward writing but still building technical confidence. Programs looking for a ballad with genuine musical substance work well here, and the contest-friendly designation makes it a smart choice for groups preparing for festival season.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring out the inner voices during the chorale sections; they're where Balmages plants the harmonic interest that gives the piece its character.
- Use the chamber music passages to balance dynamics carefully. Without the full ensemble, even small mistakes in intonation become audible, this actually sharpens your section work.
- Shape the full ensemble moments with a long, singing line rather than driving the tempo. The 4:10 duration gives you room to breathe.
- Layer in the melody early during rehearsals so students understand the father's original line before they encounter it woven into the arrangement.
How to use it
Place this early in a concert to establish focus and quiet listening, or use it as a thoughtful bridge between more energetic works. Contest programs benefit from starting with this ballad, which sets a musical foundation before moving into other repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Harmonic analysis and voice leading in tertiary chords
- Balance and blend in chamber music scoring
- Lyrical phrasing over longer musical phrases
- Reading multiple textures and shifts between soloistic and ensemble writing