(You Are) Amazing: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts
By Brian Balmages
Grade: 2.5;3
Item: 98-DST6529
$80.00
Pickup currently not available
Buy Extra Parts (Digital PDF Download)
| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| (You Are) Amazing: Score | $12.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Violin 1 | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Violin 2 | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Violin 3 (Viola T.C.) | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Viola | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Violoncello | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Double Bass | $7.00 | |
| (You Are) Amazing: Piano | $7.00 |
Parts Added to Cart!
Description
Pay it forward with this message of hope, joy and beauty. Inspired by a sidewalk chalk message, the uplifting music reminds us that we each bring something unique and valuable to the world. Simple time signatures combine with a driving, syncopated rhythmic background to create a work that is spirited and forever joyful!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, (You Are) Amazing: String Orchestra Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
FJH Developing Strings
Publisher:
The FJH Music Company, Inc.
SKU:
98-DST6529
More about this title
About the Composer: Brian Balmages
Brian Balmages has established himself as a composer and conductor with an expansive reach across orchestral, band, and chamber repertoires. His works have been commissioned and performed worldwide, from professional orchestras at landmark venues like Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center to school ensembles, and he has received numerous honors including the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest.
As a guest conductor, Balmages regularly leads all-state ensembles, university orchestras, and professional groups internationally. He earned his Distinguished Alumni Award from James Madison University's School of Visual and Performing Arts and was commissioned by the University of Miami for a presidential inauguration composition. Currently, he serves as Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.
Why we love this
Balmages uses a simple but effective formula here: straightforward time signatures paired with rhythmic vitality that keeps every section engaged. The syncopated accompaniment patterns give string players genuine rhythmic interest without overwhelming them, and the uplifting harmonic language lands perfectly for young orchestras performing at contest or concert.
What to expect
Energetic and optimistic, with a modern rhythmic drive that propels the piece forward without ever feeling aggressive. The syncopated textures create movement and vitality while the harmonic language remains accessible and bright, evoking the spontaneity of a sidewalk message transformed into musical celebration.
Who it's for
Grade 2.5-3 string orchestras looking for repertoire with genuine emotional content and rhythmic substance. This work suits groups preparing for festival or contest, as well as orchestras seeking a piece that builds ensemble cohesion while delivering an affirming message.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the syncopated rhythmic background as the heartbeat of the piece. Have your accompaniment voices lock in that pulse before adding the main melodic material, ensuring the foundation stays rock-solid throughout.
- Balance the message in the music with clear articulation. This piece conveys joy through precision and energy, not through rushing; maintain a steady tempo even when the syncopated patterns feel energetic.
- Bring out the contrasting lines when the primary melody passes between sections. Young orchestras thrive when they understand exactly when they're in the spotlight and when they're part of the texture.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to set an upbeat, forward-looking tone for your audience. It works beautifully as a festival or contest entry for young orchestras, and its positive message pairs well with either lighter community-focused repertoire or more substantial works later in the program.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining syncopated rhythmic patterns across an ensemble
- Balancing melodic and accompaniment textures in string arrangements
- Reading and executing simple time signatures with rhythmic accuracy
- Ensemble precision and collective pulse in contemporary idioms