Wings to the Mind: B-flat Tenor Saxophone
By Brian Balmages
Level:.5
Item: 98-PC-DB1847_TX1
$7.00
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Description
This fanfare-style work celebrates the famous quote by Plato in which he states "Music... gives wings to the mind [and] flight to the imagination..." Despite using only six notes and basic rhythms, the work sounds shockingly mature and powerful. A strong, celebratory work for your youngest musicians! (1:15)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Wings to the Mind: 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:
FJH Starter Series
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-PC-DB1847_TX1
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor working fluidly across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His works have been performed by ensembles ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary school groups in major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. He holds the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association.
Balmages won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest and received the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts. His music was performed as part of the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service attended by President Obama and Vice President Biden. As a conductor, he maintains active engagements with all-state ensembles, university groups, and professional orchestras internationally. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages demonstrates here that constraint breeds clarity. By limiting himself to six pitches and straightforward rhythms, he has written something that younger musicians can execute with confidence while still delivering the impact of a genuine fanfare. The piece proves that sophistication lives in the architecture and orchestration, not in technical complexity, making it an ideal choice for building student confidence in a festival or concert setting.
What to expect
Wings to the Mind rises with the immediate confidence of a ceremonial fanfare. Despite its spare harmonic palette, the piece achieves a mature, resounding character that feels both celebratory and thoughtful. The work captures the essence of Plato's vision about music and imagination: it soars without strain.
Who it's for
This work is designed for developing bands at the earliest stages of reading music. Students still building fundamental skills in rhythm and pitch accuracy will find the six-note limitation encouraging without sacrificing the reward of performing something that sounds genuinely impressive. It is equally suitable for elementary school ensembles and very young middle school groups.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the melodic material across sections so that the six-note idea remains audible even when voiced throughout the ensemble; this clarity is what creates the sense of power.
- Shape the piece with forward motion and intent rather than forcing unnecessary dynamic swells; the celebratory character emerges naturally from clean ensemble attacks and releases.
- Treat the fanfare character literally by ensuring articulations are unified and crisp across all parts, especially in rhythmic unisons.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set a confident, celebratory tone while showcasing your youngest ensemble's musicianship and ensemble discipline. Its compact length (1:15) makes it an excellent vehicle for festivals or competitions where first-time performers benefit from a successful, high-impact experience. It also pairs naturally with other accessible repertoire from the FJH Starter Series when programming a full concert.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic accuracy using whole notes, half notes, and quarter notes
- Unified articulation and ensemble balance
- Reading and performing fanfare-style material
- Fundamental breath control and phrase shaping