Summer Dances: B-flat Tenor Saxophone
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 4
Item: 98-PC-DB1020_TX1
$7.00
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Description
Exciting woodwind flourishes set the stage for the heroic main motive of the piece, stated by the brass. This theme is woven throughout the piece in contrasting settings, styles, and colors. A beautiful, lyric chamber section gives way to a stately dance presented by the full ensemble. A powerful ending caps this dynamic piece. (6:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Summer Dances: B-flat Tenor Saxophone 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:
FJHSymphonic Band
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1020_TX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has built a distinguished career as a composer and conductor working across orchestral, band, and chamber music idioms. His works have been commissioned and performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to school bands in celebrated venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He received the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association, won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest, and holds membership in the American Bandmasters Association.
Balmages serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic. He has guest conducted at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous all-state and university ensembles worldwide. His music was performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service, and he has been commissioned by the University of Miami and James Madison University, where he earned his degrees.
Why we love this
Balmages crafts a piece that delivers genuine impact without sacrificing musical substance. The contrasting sections (heroic brass statements, intimate chamber writing, full ensemble dance) keep students engaged while building their ability to shape larger formal structures, and the 6-minute runtime fits naturally into most concert programs without demanding excessive rehearsal time for a Grade 4 work.
What to expect
Summer Dances moves between heroic declarations and intimate lyricism with architectural clarity. The piece breathes with the ease of a summer day while building genuine dramatic momentum, culminating in a satisfying, full-bodied climax that rewards ensemble precision and musicality.
Who it's for
Grade 4 concert bands ready to perform works with structural sophistication and multiple musical characters. This piece suits groups that have developed confidence with rapid woodwind passages and sustained brass writing, and it programs well for bands aiming to showcase their range and maturity at festivals or concerts.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening woodwind flourishes with the brass entrance so the main theme emerges clearly as the structural anchor; the supporting figures should recede slightly.
- Shape the lyric chamber section with deliberate dynamic control to establish contrast before the stately dance gains momentum; this moment of restraint heightens the impact of the full ensemble.
- Secure the rhythmic precision of the dance section early in rehearsals since its success depends on crisp articulation and locked ensemble playing across all sections.
- Build toward the powerful ending with clear direction in the final phrases; resist the urge to rush despite the energy level, letting the conclusion land with intentional weight.
How to use it
Place this as a centerpiece in a concert program where its contrasting sections and clear narrative arc command full attention without overwhelming an audience accustomed to shorter Grade 3 pieces. It pairs effectively with lighter novelty selections or shorter solo features, allowing the band to demonstrate technical capability and musical depth.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing foreground and background material across multiple instrumental choirs
- Shaping musical contrasts between lyric and energetic sections
- Executing rapid articulation in woodwind flourishes with precision
- Sustaining legato phrasing in the chamber section
- Locked ensemble rhythmic playing in syncopated dance sections
- Dynamic control from soft, intimate textures to powerful full-band statements