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String Orchestra Repertoire

The document summarizes two string orchestra pieces composed by JMU alumni: 30,000 and Forever by Brian Balmages and Perseus by Soon Hee Newbold. 30,000 and Forever was written after Balmages' son was sick and captures the emotions of leaving him. It was commissioned to honor graduating seniors. Perseus was also commissioned and tells the story of the Greek hero Perseus. Both pieces present challenges like musicality, complex rhythms, and meter changes but could engage audiences with their stories if students dedicate time to master the techniques.

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180 views2 pages

String Orchestra Repertoire

The document summarizes two string orchestra pieces composed by JMU alumni: 30,000 and Forever by Brian Balmages and Perseus by Soon Hee Newbold. 30,000 and Forever was written after Balmages' son was sick and captures the emotions of leaving him. It was commissioned to honor graduating seniors. Perseus was also commissioned and tells the story of the Greek hero Perseus. Both pieces present challenges like musicality, complex rhythms, and meter changes but could engage audiences with their stories if students dedicate time to master the techniques.

Uploaded by

api-476208698
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Xaiver Williams

Dr. Maynard
MUED 308
14 January 2021
String Orchestra Repertoire Reflection

The two pieces that I selected to review are composed of two James Madison University
Alum. 30,000 and Forever, arranged by Brian Balmages, (’98) and Soon Hee Newbold’s (’96)
Perseus, are two phenomenal works that can be played by upper high school orchestra
ensembles. These works are Grade 3 and 4 but that is also can be determined by what state the
piece is being played in and how that Band and Orchestra association determines that grade
should be.
30,000 and Forever is based on when Balmages’ son was extremely sick for some time
and had been in and out of the hospital as a result. Mr. Brian was scheduled to leave shortly after
his son departed from the hospital for a 2-week trip to Australia. The first 17 measures of this
piece were written on that flight to release some of the emotions that he had built-in on the inside
due to having to leave his son and not being able to be there for him. Originally titled “New
Journeys,” Balmages composed 30,000 and Forever at the request of Holly Burton. Burton is the
director of Orchestra at V. R. Eaton High School. She wanted to honor its first class of
graduating seniors with a piece that they will remember forever. That is when Balmages got to
work on the piece and is noted, saying, “Looking back, I see how much I grew as a musician,
father, husband, and more. Similar to the first steps those seniors will take as they graduate and
head out all over the world for what seems like “forever” on their way to experience their
growth. However, the music reminds us – ALL of us – that there is peace, stability, and a quiet
resolve at the end of the journey. And in this case, the new journey ends right back at home.”
One of the major challenges in teaching this song would be the overall musicality of the
ensemble. Musicians must not look at this song as another set of their concerts, but a unique
story that can be taught if the right amount of time and dedication is put in to help create a
beautiful story for the audience to hear. 30,000 and Forever is a beautiful lyrical piece that can
help any Orchestra develop a unique sound to WOW their audience away!
Perseus is a grade 4 piece that involves difficult and complex rhythms and melodies. Like
the Balmages piece, Perseus was commissioned by the Grandville High School Symphony
Orchestra to commemorate the first graduating class of the Grandville, MI Orchestra Program in
2008. Newbold includes in the score notes that musicians should “take a journey with the
legendary hero Perseus in this dynamic and stunning symphonic work as he slays the snake-
haired Medusa and rescues the princess, Andromeda. From the opening rhythmic figures to the
soaring melodies, this piece will command the attention of your audience and plunge them into a
whirlwind of adventure!”
One of the major challenges in teaching this song would be rhythmic consistency as this
can be a fast piece for some musicians. It can also present a level of difficulty because it is in a
compound meter with a few changes throughout. With strict attention to detail and focused
practicing, a high school orchestra could add this piece to their concert repertoire and add a
unique journey for their audience to experience.

Presentation:
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DwgLvgYPFQy1VNX_CDh2GKqGUoyShE_95k3PO-
V259s/edit?usp=sharing
Scores: http://media.lucksmusic.com/pdf/64954.pdf - 30,000 and Forever
Xaiver Williams
Dr. Maynard
MUED 308
14 January 2021
http://media.lucksmusic.com/pdf/64692.pdf - Perseus

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