Brian Balmages (born January 24, 1975) is an American

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and def ...

, conductor, and music educator. He is best known for composing educational music for wind instruments.

Early life and education

Brian Balmages obtained a

Bachelor's A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ( ...

of Music degree in music industry from

James Madison University James Madison University (JMU, Madison, or James Madison) is a public university, public research university in Harrisonburg, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1908, the institution was renamed in 1938 in honor of the fourth president of the ...

, with a focus on trumpet performance, and a

Master's A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...

of Music in media scoring and production from the

Frost School of Music Phillip and Patricia Frost School of Music is the music school at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. From 1926 to 2003, it was known as University of Miami School of Music. Academics and programs The University of Miami's Frost ...

at the

University of Miami The University of Miami (UM, UMiami, Miami, U of M, and The U) is a private university, private research university in Coral Gables, Florida, United States. , the university enrolled 19,852 students in two colleges and ten schools across over ...

Career

Brian Balmages was the assistant director of bands and orchestras at

Towson University Towson University (TU or Towson) is a public university in Towson, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1866 as Maryland's first training school for teachers, Towson University is a part of the University System of Maryland. Since its foundin ...

. He has been the guest conductor of orchestras around the US, in Canada, Italy, and Australia. Balmages was the Director of Instrumental Publications for the FJH Music Company for over 20 years. Currently, he is the Director of MakeMusic Publications and since 2022 the Director of Digital Education for

Alfred Alfred may refer to: Arts and entertainment *''Alfred J. Kwak'', Dutch-German-Japanese anime television series * ''Alfred'' (Arne opera), a 1740 masque by Thomas Arne * ''Alfred'' (Dvořák), an 1870 opera by Antonín Dvořák *"Alfred (Interlu ...

and MakeMusic.

Works

For wind instruments

* Pele for Solo horn and Wind Ensemble (2004) * Moscow 1941 for Concert Band (2006) * Apollo for Soprano Saxophone and Wind Ensemble (2008) * Summer Resounding! for Concert Band (2008) * Three Celtic Dances for Concert Band (2008) * Arabian Dances for Symphonic Band (2009) * Elements for Concert Band (2010) * Escape from the Deep (2010) * Incantation and Ritual for Wind Orchestra (2015) * Rippling Watercolors for Concert Band (2015) *Kyiv 2022 (a Sequel to Moscow, 1941), (2022) * Into the Arctic * Sapier's Story * Midnight Mission * Endless Rainbows * Fanfare Canzonique * Groove Music

For string instruments

* Backstage Pass for Symphony Orchestra, Concert band, or Jazz band (2015) * It Takes One to Tango for Cello and Orchestra

Personal life

Balmages resides in

Lutherville, Maryland Lutherville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Baltimore County, Maryland, Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, 2010 census it had a population of 6,504. Prior to 2010 the area was part of the Lutherv ...

. He is married and has two children.

Recognition

* A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association * 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest for Love and Light *

Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Visual and Performing Art

References

External links

Official website
*
An interview with Balmages
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balmages, Brian 1975 births Living people 21st-century American conductors (music) Musicians from Baltimore James Madison University alumni University of Miami Frost School of Music alumni People from Lutherville, Maryland American music educators 21st-century American composers Towson University faculty 21st-century American male musicians American male composers American male trumpeters American male conductors (music) Classical musicians from Maryland 21st-century American trumpeters