Blue Ridge Reel
By Brian Balmages
FJH Music Company INC
Grade 2.5
Year 2013
Duration: 2'46"
Key: Bb and Eb
Time: 2/2
Tempo: Quarter note = 108
Grade 2.5
Year 2013
Duration: 2'46"
Key: Bb and Eb
Time: 2/2
Tempo: Quarter note = 108
Instrumentation
Flute 1 / 2 Oboe Bassoon Bb Clarinet 1 / 2 Bb Bass Clarinet Eb Alto Sax 1 / 2 Bb Tenor Sax Eb Baritone Sax Trumpet 1 / 2 F Horn Trombone 1 / 2 |
Baritone BC/TC Tuba Bass Drum Castinets/Spoons Guiro/Washboard Crash Cymbals Splash Cymbal Snare Drum Vibraphone Marimba |
Click on SCORE to see the score and listen to the recording.
Suggestions For Small Band Instrumentation
This piece works really well for small bands because many of the parts are doubled in other sections. The open fourths and fifths that are in the trombones are covered in all the low woodwinds most of the time and even trumpet. Clarinet could be easily covered by the trumpet section. An easy fix that worked for me was when I had no flutes and after the introduction and first statement the flute takes over the melody (measure 65) with only rhythm accompanying the Flute. An easy and quick fix is to have the altos play the same melody they play 16 measures later (measure 73) on that section because it is exactly the same melody. Another option would be to transpose that section to be covered by the clarinets. The percussion can easily be covered by 5 individuals even though the piece calls for 7.
Program Notes
Blue Ridge Reel was inspired by a recent visit to Asheville for the National Convention of the American Band Directors Association. I was extremely take with the fun vibe of the town, located in the mountains of North Carolina. During the trip, I had an opportunity to hear several bluegrass bands, including a great performance during a dinner and special four of the Biltmore Estate. This piece is a musical homage to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is reflective of the musical culture of the south. Traditional bluegrass music is deeply rooted in English and Irish dance music and features typical bluegrass percussion, the washboard and spoons. Thus, this piece ties together the spirit of that New Orleans march with my own personal bluegrass experiences. This marks my first time exploring this particular fusion of styles in the wind band idiom, but certainly not my last!
Composer
Brian Balmages (b. 1975) is an active composer, conductor, producer, and performer. His fresh compositional ideas have resulted in a high demand for his wind, brass, and orchestral music throughout the world. He received his bachelor's degree in music from James Madison University and his master's degree from the University of Miami in Florida. Mr. Balmages' compositions have been performed worldwide at conferences including the College Band Directors National and Regional Conferences, the Midwest Clinic, the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, the International Trombone Festival, and the International Trumpet Guild Conference.. His active schedule of commissions and premieres has incorporated groups ranging from elementary schools to professional ensembles, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, James Madison University's School of Music, Boston Brass, members of the United States Marine Band, and the Dominion Brass Ensemble. His music has been performed by members of leading orchestras including the St. Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, and others. He has also had world premieres in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and performances at the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day Parade and abroad.
As a conductor, Mr. Balmages enjoys engagements with numerous state and regional bands, orchestras, university groups, and professional. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Eastern Regional Conference, Mid-Atlantic Wind Conductors Conference, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra Brass Ensemble, and an appearance at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. He has also served as an adjunct professor of instrumental conducting and Acting Symphonic Band Director at Towson University in Maryland.
Currently, he is Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He resides in Baltimore with his wife, Lisa and their sons, Jacob and Collin.
Information Collected From
http://www.jwpepper.com/Blue-Ridge-Reel/10369931.item#.VaiOxsZViko
http://www.brianbalmages.com/biography.htm
Suggestions For Small Band Instrumentation
This piece works really well for small bands because many of the parts are doubled in other sections. The open fourths and fifths that are in the trombones are covered in all the low woodwinds most of the time and even trumpet. Clarinet could be easily covered by the trumpet section. An easy fix that worked for me was when I had no flutes and after the introduction and first statement the flute takes over the melody (measure 65) with only rhythm accompanying the Flute. An easy and quick fix is to have the altos play the same melody they play 16 measures later (measure 73) on that section because it is exactly the same melody. Another option would be to transpose that section to be covered by the clarinets. The percussion can easily be covered by 5 individuals even though the piece calls for 7.
Program Notes
Blue Ridge Reel was inspired by a recent visit to Asheville for the National Convention of the American Band Directors Association. I was extremely take with the fun vibe of the town, located in the mountains of North Carolina. During the trip, I had an opportunity to hear several bluegrass bands, including a great performance during a dinner and special four of the Biltmore Estate. This piece is a musical homage to the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is reflective of the musical culture of the south. Traditional bluegrass music is deeply rooted in English and Irish dance music and features typical bluegrass percussion, the washboard and spoons. Thus, this piece ties together the spirit of that New Orleans march with my own personal bluegrass experiences. This marks my first time exploring this particular fusion of styles in the wind band idiom, but certainly not my last!
Composer
Brian Balmages (b. 1975) is an active composer, conductor, producer, and performer. His fresh compositional ideas have resulted in a high demand for his wind, brass, and orchestral music throughout the world. He received his bachelor's degree in music from James Madison University and his master's degree from the University of Miami in Florida. Mr. Balmages' compositions have been performed worldwide at conferences including the College Band Directors National and Regional Conferences, the Midwest Clinic, the International Tuba/Euphonium Conference, the International Trombone Festival, and the International Trumpet Guild Conference.. His active schedule of commissions and premieres has incorporated groups ranging from elementary schools to professional ensembles, including the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, James Madison University's School of Music, Boston Brass, members of the United States Marine Band, and the Dominion Brass Ensemble. His music has been performed by members of leading orchestras including the St. Louis Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, National Symphony, and others. He has also had world premieres in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and performances at the Macy's Day Thanksgiving Day Parade and abroad.
As a conductor, Mr. Balmages enjoys engagements with numerous state and regional bands, orchestras, university groups, and professional. Notable guest conducting appearances have included the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, College Band Directors Eastern Regional Conference, Mid-Atlantic Wind Conductors Conference, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra Brass Ensemble, and an appearance at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore. He has also served as an adjunct professor of instrumental conducting and Acting Symphonic Band Director at Towson University in Maryland.
Currently, he is Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company Inc. in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He resides in Baltimore with his wife, Lisa and their sons, Jacob and Collin.
Information Collected From
http://www.jwpepper.com/Blue-Ridge-Reel/10369931.item#.VaiOxsZViko
http://www.brianbalmages.com/biography.htm