Centered around the various stages of grief, the music cleverly uses theme and variations to take the audience on a roller coaster of emotions. From the “everyday norm” to moments of grief, anger, sorrow and acceptance, the powerful musical lines eventually lead into a massive ending reminiscent of Stravinsky’s Firebird. Epic in every sense of the word.
Discover MakeMusic Cloud: thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Brian Balmages composes and conducts across orchestral, band, and chamber music with equal fluency, earning recognition from institutions ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. His honors 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 served as guest conductor at the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, and numerous state and national conferences.
Balmages holds degrees from James Madrid University and the University of Miami, both of which have recognized his contributions to music education and composition. His work has been performed by ensembles ranging from professional orchestras to elementary school bands, and his music was featured during the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service. Currently, he directs MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages crafts a narrative arc through concert band sound that actually respects the intelligence of your ensemble and audience. The theme-and-variations approach gives you flexible interpretive control while the emotional journey from everyday life through grief and into acceptance feels earned rather than imposed, making this a genuinely moving choice for both players and listeners.
What to expect
The score mirrors the emotional terrain it describes: grounded and familiar at first, then fracturing into moments of raw intensity before rebuilding toward catharsis. The final passage recalls the relentless energy of Stravinsky, creating a sense of triumph earned through emotional honesty rather than sentimentality.
Who it's for
Grade 3 concert bands ready for programmatic music with real emotional depth. This works for ensembles that have solid fundamentals and want to explore theme and variations in a contemporary context, whether preparing for festival or concert performance.
How to get the most out of it
Shape the thematic material carefully across the ensemble; the emotional weight depends on clarity of line rather than dynamic volume alone
Attend closely to the transitions between grief, anger, and sorrow; they're marked by orchestration changes that need decisive interpretive choices
Build the final section methodically to match the Stravinsky-inspired scale; resist the impulse to rush into the ending
How to use it
Program this as the centerpiece of a concert exploring grief, resilience, or emotional complexity. It pairs well alongside works from different eras or styles since the thematic content is self-contained; consider pairing it with lighter opening selections and reflective encores to let the emotional arc breathe within the full concert experience.
Skills your students will build
Sustaining phrase shape across theme and variation sections
Responding to subtle orchestration changes that signal emotional shifts
Building dynamic intensity toward a climactic ending without overplaying early passages
Balancing ensemble blend during dense, multi-line textures
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
