Brian Balmages
Born1975
Occupation(s)composer, conductor, musician
AwardsWilliam D. Revelli Memorial Composition Contest

A. Austin Harding Award

James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award
Websitebrianbalmages.com

Brian Balmages (born January 24, 1975)[1] is an American composer, conductor, and music educator.[2]

Early life and education

Prolific and renowned American composer, Brian Balmages obtained a Bachelor's of Music degree in music industry from James Madison University,[3] with a focus on trumpet performance, and a Master's of Music in media scoring and production from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami.[4][5]

Career

Balmages is known worldwide as a composer and conductor in the orchestral, band, and chamber music world. His music has been performed by groups ranging from professional symphony orchestras to elementary schools in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House, Toronto Centre for the Arts, and many more.[6]

Balmages is a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association,[7] won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest with his work Love and Light,[8] and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. Balmages was awarded the inaugural James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Arts.[9] In the same year, he was commissioned by his other alma mater, the University of Miami, to compose music for the inauguration of the institution’s 6th president, Dr. Julio Frenk.[10] His music was also performed as part of the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service,[11] which was attended by both President Obama and then Vice President Biden.

As a conductor, Balmages works with all-state and regional ensembles as well as university and professional groups throughout the world.[12] Notable guest conducting appearances include the Midwest Clinic, Western International Band Clinic, Maryborough Music Conference (Australia), College Band Directors Conference, American School Band Directors Association National Conference, numerous state ASTA conferences, Teatro dell’Aquila (Italy), and others.[13]

Balmages was the Director of Instrumental Publications for the FJH Music Company for over 20 years[14] and is currently the Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred and MakeMusic.[15]

Works

For wind instruments

For string instruments

Personal life

Balmages resides in Lutherville, Maryland.[34] He is married and has two children.[35]

References

  1. ^ a b Battisti, Frank (2012). Winds of Change II – The New Millennium: A Chronicle of the Continuing Evolution of the Contemporary American Wind/Band Ensemble. Meredith Music. p. 68. ISBN 9781574632040. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  2. ^ "JMU Centennial Celebration ~ Portraits in Bluestone Composer, Brian Balmages". www.jmu.edu. Retrieved 2023-11-27.
  3. ^ https://www.jmu.edu/centennialcelebration/composer.shtml
  4. ^ "B i o g r a p h y". brianbalmages.com. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Brian Balmages". FJH Music Company. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  6. ^ https://www.chopsaver.com/brian-balmages-interview/
  7. ^ https://www.asbdaband.org/what-we-do/awards/austin-harding-award
  8. ^ https://nationalbandassociation.org/2020-william-d-revelli-composition-contest-winner-announced/
  9. ^ https://www.alumni.jmu.edu/s/1591/18/interior.aspx?sid=1591&gid=3&pgid=2940
  10. ^ https://commencement.miami.edu/about-us/traditions/music/index.html
  11. ^ https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/01212009-Presidential-Inaugural-Prayer-Service-Barack-Obama-1000-FINAL-2.pdf
  12. ^ https://blogs.jwpepper.com/the-inside-voice-an-interview-with-brian-balmages/
  13. ^ https://bandworld.org/wibc/View.aspx?p=WIBCu_Balmages
  14. ^ https://www.fjhmusic.com/authors/display.php?id=7
  15. ^ https://mmrmagazine.com/site/news/news-people/alfred-music-and-makemusic-announce-brian-balmages-now-part-of-publishing-team/
  16. ^ Fee, Christopher; Webb, Jeffrey, eds. (2016). American Myths, Legends, and Tall Tales: An Encyclopedia of American Folklore. Abc-Clio. p. 775. ISBN 9781610695688. Retrieved December 28, 2019 – via Google Books. In 2004, Brian Balmages composed the powerful, haunting Pele for Solo Horn and Wind Ensemble
  17. ^ "Old Rochester Regional Junior High School Holiday Concert". Wicked Local Marion. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  18. ^ Flores, Terry. "Band-O-Rama guest conductor makes connections on many levels". Kenosha News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  19. ^ "Instrumental Winter Concert to take place Dec. 12". Lincoln Journal. December 9, 2019. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The concert band will perform "Billboard March" by John Klohr, "Antecedium" by Ed Huckeby, and "Summer Resounding" by Brian Balmages.
  20. ^ "An operatic experience". Young, New South Wales. August 19, 2015. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The Junior Band played "Three Celtic Dances" by Brian Balmages comprising The Reel, The Air and The Jig.
  21. ^ "Castleton University Wind Ensemble". Rutland Herald. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  22. ^ "Escape from the Deep Brian Balmages - FJH Music Company Inc". jwpepper.com. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  23. ^ Drury, Carole; Whitney, Roger (21 April 2015). "Wiscasset Middle School participates in Honors Festival". Wiscasset Newspaper. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Bobcat bands in concert tonight". Sentinel-Tribune. December 10, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  25. ^ Johnson, Hannah (December 11, 2019). "'Out of nothing': All-Campus Band showcases semester's work in concert Tuesday". Indiana Daily Student. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  26. ^ "Brian Balmages Interview". Chopsaver. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  27. ^ "Eleven Kelowna school bands combine for Ukrainian concert". Kelowna Daily Courier. June 9, 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. The students, from 11 middle and high school bands, will play 'Kyiv 2022', written by U.S. composer Brian Balmages. It has been performed in more than 200 cities in five countries.
  28. ^ Schenke, Leann (December 3, 2019). "Eastern Shore Wind Ensemble to 'Let it Snow' during winter concert". Kent County News. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  29. ^ "Bowden: "Bel Air High School Music Tradition Remains Strong"". The Dagger. May 14, 2010. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  30. ^ Love, Joyanna (March 9, 2018). "CMS students chosen for honor bands". The Clanton Advertiser. Retrieved December 28, 2019. "Midnight Mission" by Brian Balmages was Williams' favorite piece of music from her performance. "Different people entered at different times because we were supposed to be secret, and then we had to be silent at times," Williams said.
  31. ^ "Charles County Students Participate in Tri-County Band, Chorus and Orchestra". January 19, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  32. ^ "The 77th Midwest Clinic, December 20 - 22, 2023". The Midwest Clinic. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  33. ^ Jenkins, Amaris (April 15, 2019). "Georgia College to host music, plays, and festival in Macon". WGXA. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  34. ^ McGee, Courtney (July 18, 2018). "Flute choir with strong Towson-area connection readies for Orlando, Fla., performance next month". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved December 29, 2019. The program will feature selections by Baltimore composers, including a premiere by Douglas Buchanan, who was commissioned to compose a work to honor the flute choir's founder; Brian Balmages, a Lutherville-based composer with prominent national recognition, and former Baltimore resident Chris Norman.
  35. ^ "Brian Balmages". ABC of Central Washington University. Retrieved 3 December 2023.

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