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News
July 2007:
It has been a
while since updates have been posted as Brian has been so busy with
commissions, guest conducting appearances, and of course, his new son
Jacob. In addition, he was appointed the Acting Director of the
Symphonic Band, Towson University's premiere ensemble.
There were several
world premieres over the last few months, including:
Winged
Victory – Kenosha (Wisconsin) Unified School District
No. 1
Three Celtic Dances
– Georgia District Ten High School Honor Band
Starscapes
– Nash-Rocky Mount Middle School Honor Band
Raging Machines
– Glenbard West High School, Mark Hengesh, director
Apollo
– premiered by Lynn Klock on soprano saxophone with the Grissom
High School Symphonic Band under Bill Connell.
Apollo, a
concerto for soprano saxophone and winds, was recently recorded by
Lynn Klock and the Virginia Wind Symphony under Dennis Zeisler. Brian
Balmages produced the recording, which will be part of a CD of
saxophone concertos commissioned for Lynn Klock.
August 2006:
The past months
have been extremely busy, most importantly with the birth of our son,
Jacob, in March! Be sure to see the gallery
for pictures – he is young but is already posing for the camera.
The past few
months have also seen several world premieres, including guest
conducting appearances in Virginia, Kansas, Minnesota, Illinois, and
Maryland. Also of note was the exceptional performance of Fanfare Canzonique
and Symphony No. 1 for Brass by the Monarch Brass Ensemble at
the International Trumpet Guild and International Women's Brass
Conferences. This all-female brass ensemble represents the finest of
America's professional orchestral and freelance musicians. The ITG
review can be seen be seen by clicking on this link:
www.trumpetguild.org/2006conference/thur/314.html
Recordings of both
pieces are available on this website in the audio section.
November 2005:
November is going
to be an exciting month with performances of two different works for
band and choir:
• The first
will be at Friends University in Wichita, KS, where Brian has been
asked to conduct his 18-minute work Sapier's Story. This
emotionally intense work is based on a poem written by a 5th grade
girl (Sapier) who was in school a block away from the World Trade
Center when it was hit on 9/11. Sapier and her parents will be in
attendance. Her father, Udi, was unable to make the world premiere as
he was on television raising money for a charity he started called
"Ground Hero Kids." The performance will include the
Friends University Band and a combined 150-piece choir. It is sure to
be an emotional night. Check back - we hope to have pictures posted
after the event.
• The
Baltimore County (MD) High School Honors Band and Choir will be
premiering I Hear America, a commissioned work based on the
Walt Whitman poem "I Hear America Singing" and America,
The Beautiful. This is particularly nostalgic for Brian as he
grew up in Baltimore County and was once a member of this group. In
addition to this finale, he will be conducting the entire concert
band program at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD.
October 2005:
In preparation for
their performance at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago, the Beaumont
Middle School band flew Brian in to rehearse his new publication, Chant
and Savage Dance. The kids were extremely enthusiastic and their
directors (Teresa J. Elliott and Ashley Burris) should be commended
for such a refined band at this age. Be sure to come see their
performance at Midwest in December.
August 2005:
A month of reading
sessions! Brian made two trips to the west coast to conduct reading
sessions in Portland, OR and Vancouver, BC. Both sessions were great
fun and there were a lot of enthusiastic directors in attendance.
Many thanks to the people at Sheet Music Service of Portland and Tom
Lee Music for making this happen and for being such wonderful hosts!
June 2005:
• The flash
mp3 player in the audio section of the website is now functional! You
can now either hear audio of pieces under the composition link, or go
to the audio link to open the flash mp3 player and listen to pieces
while you navigate throughout this and other sites. Be sure to check
back as the mp3 player will be updated with new recordings.
May 2005:
May was a busy
month with three world premieres and several guest conducting trips...
• Brian
visited Northern Virginia to conduct the Northern Virginia
Invitational Middle School Band and the Riverside Wind Symphony. The
RWS performed Escapades with Chuck West, professor at Virginia
Commonwealth University, performing the solo clarinet part. The
performance was outstanding and you can hear the recording on the
website. An invitation was extended to Brian to come guest conduct
the piece with the Fairfax Wind Symphony at VMEA later this fall.
• The world
premiere of Motion took place in Blue Ridge, Georgia, with the
composer conducting. The spirited group of students at Fannin County
High School did an excellent job and many thanks to their directors,
Elden and Wanda Moates.
• The world
premiere of When Spirits Soar was given by the Douglas S.
Freeman High School Band under the direction of Jimmy Pennington in
Richmond, VA. While the composer was not able to be present, it was a
very emotional night as the piece celebrated both the 50th
anniversary of the school and mourned the loss of two seniors in a
tragic accident. The title, When Spirits Soar, holds a double
meaning to reflect both events.
• The world
premiere of ...Not Afraid to Dream was given in Rochester, MN
by the John Marshall High School Bands, Christopher Jarvis, director.
The piece was written in memory of a student who lost his life in a
tragic cliff hiking accident. The title is taken from the eulogy,
which was presented by his band director, Mr. Jarvis.
April 2005:
• April saw
the world premiere of Chant and Savage Dance with the
Woodlands Regional High School Band along with a guest conducting
appearance with the Yale Concert Band. Thanks to Trish Cornett and
Tom Duffy for all their preparations, and thanks also to members of
the Yale Concert Band for assisting with the off-stage percussion
parts to really bring the savage dance to life!
March 2005:
• Flight,
a new minimalistic-style fanfare was premiered in Carnegie Hall to
an enthusiastic audience. Many thanks to Dennis Johnson and the
Murray State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble for an excellent performance! |
