summer dances by Brian Balmages

[@yourfaceson8]

why is no one talking about the section at 50? That's one of the best parts, it grooves so well. GO TROMBONES!

[@bruhemianbobbert7136]

Snare/low Tom player here. Can confirm, does groove. Grooves slightly less when sight reading rhythms but nonetheless still groves.

[@solstice1510]

I agree, I play trombone, I’m the only trombone in the whole school and I played this piece, but at 1:16 (73 or 79 I forgot what measure) I’ve been hearing that the trombone part is not in with the melody with the trumpets. It’s the same with every recording I’ve listened to. But it’s still an amazing piece. I love the solos I got.

[@KevinLeroyGrant]

I honestly preferred the orchestra version because sections like that grooved even more. The colors of the strings also really stood out in the quiet sections. It's a shame there's not too many good orchesta recordings

[@peoples_7736]

@@bruhemianbobbert7136 yeah those rhythms make no sense sight reading

[@a.b.sproductionsllc]

I played trombone on this song when I was in high school back in 2005, we used to get down at 0:50

[@snowy3339]

A story to read while listening, with instruments to mark your place: There's a forest in the summer, teeming with life . There are deer and butterflies and bears and birds, and they all live in harmony. All the animals go about their daily lives, hunting, eating, grooming, and playing. A bit of dry grass alights in a flame in the sun, and soon it becomes raging forest fire. The noise in the forest roars louder and louder, animals calling from every direction. Then clouds roll in and open up, rain pouring down and slowly silencing the fire and the forest. (1:32) All is quiet. The fire has burnt the forest to ashes and husks, a skeleton of its former self. A lone mouse (flute) scuttles through the wreckage, scavenging for any remaining scrap of life, something of its former home to salvage, but it finds nothing. Suddenly, a shaft of light (oboe solo) pierces through the clouds and illuminates a tiny sapling breaking through the ash . It rises up and uncurls in hope, reaching toward the light. Then, the clouds move back over the light. The fragile sapling curls back a little and is unsure. Will it survive? There is a moment of unbearable tension as the clouds shift in the sky. A lone butterfly (piccolo) appears and flutters around the tiny plant, and the heartbeat of the forest pounds, willing the sapling to thrive. Will the light return and save it? YES! Rays of sunlight pierce the clouds, raining down on the forest in victory. More saplings burst forth from the ashes, and animals come out of hiding as the sunlight overpowers the clouds and chases them away. More butterflies (high woodwind run and trill) appear to accompany the first one. Soon the trees are tall again, and bears (trombones) come out to roar and scratch their backs on the bark. (3:27) Suddenly, the sun hits the horizon, and a red glow flashes over the forest. A pack of wolves comes into view, their hungry eyes glowing red in the light. They begin the chase, hunting a rabbit. It flees in terror, and the bloodthirstiness of the forest is revealed. The wolves finally catch and kill the rabbit with savage quickness, and in its last moments, its heart flutters with fear (trill) and the light leaves its eyes. Then, the sun sinks below the horizon. The wolves return to being gray and black, and they hunch in the shadows like the wretched creatures they are. They sulk back to their cave with their kill. The forest goes to sleep with the setting of the sun, and all is quiet. (4:32) Suddenly, an animal call (french horn) awakes the forest from its slumber. It is quickly returned by an answering call. Soon, the air is filled with noises and calls of animals, and birds (clarinets, then flutes and other woodwinds). Butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds flit about, going about their business with the flowers. The forest is busy, much like its former self, (zoom out) and the animals wake up with joy that their forest has returned. A bird hops out of its nest and takes to the air, (5:42) climbing suddenly, and bursts from the treetops. It soars joyously over the forest (continuously zoom out), showing all the life it holds. The forest will never give up! Hope you enjoyed!

[@giuseppepanarello9906]

Thank you

[@leanijones584]

I will never be able to look at this song the same way I did before, while reading your comment I was continuously listening to all the birds butterfly's and bears and heard them all. I felt really moved by this since I'm a Bear. Thank you I really enjoyed this. By the end I was so happy and full of joy that the forest was saveddddd.

[@edgarbautista9341]

What are the tubas xD

[@snowy3339]

@@edgarbautista9341 The towering oaks. :)

[@edgarbautista9341]

@@snowy3339 I was really excited to play this for my spring concert but now since we are all not going back to school till next school year I'm really sad :(

[@sofia-kq7br]

Whenever I listen to this song for some reason it reminds me of my first year of marching band. The first upbeat part (0:00 - 1:28) is the excitement you feel before your first practice or before your before your first game. The slow and solemn part (1:43 - 2:16) is that nervousness you feel right before your first hit/note of the show as you're standing on the field. The next dramatic part (3:27 - 3:47) is like your last game. You're performing the show for the last time. The "sad" sounding part ( 3:47 - 4:30) is like when you're having to say goodbye to the seniors. And then at the end of the song (4:35 - 6:10) it goes back to upbeat. That's like when you find out next year's theme and you start to look forward to next year.

[@_bebspac]

cheesepuff_03 NICEEEE

[@BunnyBooHipHop]

Me too. Because I did play it during my first year of marching band.

[@hanlovestruck01]

This basically sums it up But marching band season is coming back soon 😂😆

[@snowy3339]

You are so right!!

[@NightFlame669]

I played this in 7th grade and our band got a national award for it

[@MusicNerdMIDI]

4:58 that low brass entrance always gives me chills. Great composition!

[@AnnaZverina]

I played this song last year, and this is a very difficult piece to play. I love this song to death. I still get the chills in the same measures. Always my favorite.

[@letemknowjulio6798]

What you hear when you get chills is what's known in the trade as the "Face of God" moment. I remember my band director telling us, "This is the Face of God moment, and she's pissed." :) Exactly at 3:27

[@AnnaZverina]

lol

[@joshmcmahan8697]

Hi

[@AnnaZverina]

Uhh... hi?

[@AnnaZverina]

no.

[@tylerblack5838]

Those horn rips at the end are awesome.

[@patrickfoit8261]

when your horn doesn't do the rips at the end 😭

[@tylerblack5838]

+Patrick Anderson How dare them.

[@supernova9177]

Yassss

[@paytonk01]

tyler black we had no French horns last year so no horn rips :(

[@cuntasaursrex3273]

I'm the only decent horn in my band so I'm left to deal with the rips at end

[@sofia-kq7br]

This is actually pretty difficult music to learn if you've never played in 6/8 time but it's just such a beautiful piece when it all comes together. I love the flute part at 1:50.

[@paytonk01]

cheesepuff_03 ikr it’s amazinggggg it’s one of the best pieces of music when it all comes together. When I first got it I was like wut But then when it all came together I was like omg wowwww

[@papercutsunset]

This was one of my favorite pieces to play. The little horn bit at the end? Made my entire year-- no, my entire *life*.

[@HavenMarches]

I love how this piece features literally every single instrument, I'm a first trumpet player and even the few parts we have are awesome.

[@tweennluvv2172]

The Alto solo...my heart, my soul. I fell in love with this piece today as I listened to Waltrip High School's Ram band beautifully perform it for UIL. I envy ya'll Rams XD

[@christopherquiroz9458]

Ha

[@jakester5204]

Yhenifer Diaz I play that alto solo lol

[@a.b.s_productions]

I played this song about 10 year ago when I was in the Bloomfield Youth Band. I loved the trombone part at 0:57. I played the hell out of it. I think "Summer Dances" and "Winter Dances" were the best songs we did.

[@paytonk01]

Adam B. Smith I've never done winter dances lol

[@solstice1510]

I’m doing this piece now and it’s quite good. I’m 1st and only trombone. So I got quite the solo at 0:50. We are also playing a piece called morning alleluias (winter solstice) by Ron Nelson (check it out it’s absolute ridiculously beautiful). Funny how we both had summer dances and a winter song

[@johnbreinholt8275]

Dang all I hear are those trombones rocking the house

[@volt1068]

What we do best.

[@matthewjreynolds1048]

@@volt1068 agreed!

[@rohanmista8239]

John Breinholt hell yeah!!!

[@leanijones584]

*baritones

[@eetthhaann4806]

all i hear is trumpets

[@Jamie-ht1hd]

I love this recording because it’s done very similar to how we perform it at my school. Granted, there are a number of differences, but the general ideas are the same. I love this song so, so much. Especially the middle slow section. It’s doesn’t get much better than that folks. I just played this song earlier today at the last festival of my high school career. We got a unanimous superior and it’s really because of the song... my band is the type of band who has to really like a piece yo play it well, and this is definitely one of them. In fact, our band director did a fantastic job of picking pieces we would do well with. He’s only been with us for two years now and as a senior I am so appreciative of what he’s done for our band. Our previous director was good but he was old-fashioned and didn’t help us to grow. We didn’t go to competitive festivals, he didn’t care about tone and intonation, he just wanted to play music.. which is fine to an extent, but we never truly learned how to be musical. We have grown so much over the course of these two years and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the band in the years to come. Meanwhile I’ll be having my own adventure going into music in college! Anyway I basically just shared my life story but the point is I love this song and it brings back these amazing memories. It will always hold a place in my heart 💕

[@paytonk01]

Jamie me too. This song will always be on my mind and the perfect song for getting into the summer time kinda mood

[@thedefectivememe]

I was just handed this song, looks like I need to throw away most of my plans for spring break

[@lbelsch]

Bassoon is by far superior to all other sections

[@ScooterGuerra]

Real

[@johnbreinholt8275]

I think I melted at the alto solo

[@jakester5204]

John Breinholt I play that alto solo lol

[@benjaminnewlon7865]

the altos in our band suck balls, so it sounds not so bueno...

[@paytonk01]

I had that part for baritone sax so I played it too lol. This was one of my fav pieces of sophomore year. I sight read it on a chilly winter morning...played it for spring. Perfect piece for spring bc summer was coming

[@yourmom-lz4sz]

I played summer resounding for band last year. I got the chills listening to it. This is a good piece as well. Go trumpets!!🎺🎺

[@genefranceschini5027]

I'm in 11th grade playing this on tuba for high school band and it sounds great. Best parts are at 3:10 with the brass solo and at 4:58 with the beautiful brass entrance. Really enjoying the piece

[@nickgattuso]

Gene Franceschini so beautiful many wow, such great comment. 8/8

[@stevenk113]

This is my favorite (non-jazz) song I ever played throughout middle and high school.

[@abbywalnut]

I’m a french horn and it’s my first year in wind ensemble.... glad i get to start out my highschool career with this song. While the horn parts are fairly easy, i love the whole thing put together 😊

[@solstice1510]

French horn on this piece is quite good, blends really well with alto sax and some chorda

[@Fawksthephoenix1]

We're playing this song for our spring concert in the symphonic (honors) band at our school! I love the flute part!

[@osoroshime9046]

We r playing it in freshman band

[@sumthin3789]

Im playing this a euphonium!!!

[@yonathangonzalez6670]

4:57 as a euphonium, this is my favorite part of the song

[@michaelastanley3848]

One of the fun oboe solos I've played. I miss this piece.

[@extremelyawesome92]

TUBA SOLO!!! Man, this song was a finger fumbler. You just have to love it though.

[@elis4085]

If you look up Brian Balmages on the internet, you'll find he also re-arranged this for full orchestra. Sounds much better.

[@benjaminhe299]

Holy smokes, those horn rips at the end are insane!!!😂

[@tiasweet2422]

I played 2nd clarinet and I always got chills when I played from 4:35 to the end.

[@ethancavagnaro4760]

Playing this piece for my Middle School Honor Band Performance. 6 8 is Hard :')

[@DonnyDoo42]

I remember playing this my Freshman year. It was awesome. HORN POWER!

[@lskidz45]

bassoon for life

[@julailuke]

Sight-read this one day in class. I get insane chills at 3:27 every time!

[@andrewprawat8199]

nice to see a drum corps soloist around here

[@williamlei9873]

asmr?

[@ItsTimeFTW]

Julia Wong SAME and before that with the Trumpet tuba 3rd trombone melody gives me the chills

[@ScooterGuerra]

Nah frll

[@JetliThach]

I miss songs like this:( This year our band isnt skilled enough as a 7th grader last year this was an amazing experience to play

[@capslock4604]

We played Summer Dances in our Jr. High Honors band for UIL 2015! We love you Ms. D!

[@ramuneguy2173]

Played this as a bass trombone man this song slaps

[@mosathrafeek5117]

i play trumpet, its great piece!!

[@sayzar9474]

Played this in 7th grade honor band and again in 8th grade and it’s still one of my favorites now that I’m 25 lol

[@solstice1510]

26 and you have a great taste in music

[@curtisstaples6466]

I'm in concert band this year, but our symphonic band played this at competition, and I fell in love with it.

[@twokeira]

In LOOVE with this piece! It sounds like it's telling a story almost.

[@paytonk01]

keirasuniga ikr!! I totally thought that all throughout the time I played this!

[@aysiawrites232]

I love this song and I wish I could have the opportunity to play it. I love the middle section of the song and the transition into the end. It gives me these crazy chills every time I listen to it.

[@The4blu]

Thank you for posting this! I played this in band many years ago and it remains my favourite song I’ve ever played. Hearing it again makes me so happy!

[@gabrielwyatt8643]

Playing this song currently in Wind Ensemble, I'm the tuba player and the part I have with the trumpets and trombones at 3:10 is killing me but I love playing this! :D

[@chrischamberlain7034]

I played 3rd Clarinet... The little part at (0:40) always got me... I could play it, but I felt this awesome feeling after I played that little part.

[@kylekatarn380]

I play third too! The spot for me that i tripped over was always 4:40

[@chrischamberlain7034]

Syzygy Awww I remember that part... I still have the music, it brings old memories...

[@LillyPotter7]

i wish i was a clarinet so i could play the beautiful slow part. i would put my heart and soul into that

[@justjoshin7886]

I remember playing this piece in middle school, still love it to this day.

[@cactuspeach2517]

Played 2nd clarin on this my sophomore year, 4:59 never fails to make me emotional. The music swelling is just. OH MY GOD HOW DO YOU CONDENSE SO MUCH JOY INTO SO LITTLE MUSIC..

[@paytonk01]

This song is my absolute favorite of all the songs I’ve played in high school so far. Basically this one takes the prize

[@canofjardeens]

Im A Bari Sax, were playing this for UIL next month.

[@dabblerjr2135]

Same

[@youwhat7517]

+Dabblerjr Lol same but like 2 weeks for us

[@rrichard8056]

same but like 4 yrs ago

[@paytonk01]

Omg yesss I played this on bari sax too!

[@benjaminnewlon7865]

TENOR SAX!!! why do they forget we even exist...

[@SmilesForFailure]

I love the low b flat after the solo Amazing! So deep,and dark,and evil. I love it

[@SuperSonicElite]

Trombones For Life!!!!!!! dat bass bone damn!!!! our band has a bass bine and we played it this tempo and its epic!!!!

[@VokunG20]

were playing this for floorshow. and i get to play this as a tuba. which means i get the melody with the trumpets! woot woot! Brass pwns all (except for percussion)

[@demob74]

I played this piece in High School, Such an awesome piece of music, i really enjoyed and i got emotionally attached to it

[@mc7410]

Timpani with its insanely long roll..so beautiful

[@danielgibbs514]

I played this in 8th grade for honor band as an oboe!!!

[@capslock4604]

+Daniel Gibbs You, me, and Nguyen all the way!

[@toadstar1004]

+Daniel Gibbs Funny, I'm playing this for 8th grade honor band as a bassoon. (2016 UIL) Double reeds 4 life!

[@aureliushermawan3765]

+Daniel Gibbs Eyyy buddiessssss

[@capslock4604]

Yo wassup?

[@williamlei9873]

oboes are so cool but bassoons are better

[@deathbokken6800]

Band nerds be like: "AW SWEET! 6 minutes. amazing song." Non-band nerds be like: "fuck I wasted 6 minutes of my life!"

[@andrewprawat8199]

i know a few people that appreciate band that arent band nerds, but they either close friends with a band nerd or somehow tied with music

[@TheGlitchyMario]

I think this is my favorite song I’ve played in school so far. Especially at 3:28

[@spenspen3]

I love the piccolo/oboe play at the beginning of the piece. I'm playing this song on 1st flute.

[@sobefreckles]

Played this last night! 1st clarinet. LOVE THIS PIECE!

[@texasbackyardshed]

I play trumpet and this is HIGH for a trumpet to play! But I love this song and were going to play it for UIL this year.

[@zzApotheosis]

midnight on mainstreet is by far my favorite piece by brian balmages

[@supernova9177]

Where are my French horn players at?

[@cxout6911]

Not here

[@jacolby101]

💯

[@slusieous]

🔥🔥

[@sarahfoster9988]

1st year on piccolo and this song is amazing

[@paytonk01]

We played this last night I had fun playing it even tho it was difficult, it’s such a beautiful piece. I love it so much. It’s almost like this one tells a story.

[@Thompson9940]

4:58 was my favorite part to play because the trombone chords we did there are so good

[@solstice1510]

Agreed the Perfect 4ths and 5ths Blend nicely

[@AnonymousOblivion]

This one of the most difficult and beautiful pieces our high school band ever played. 4:38 caught us all off guard, as that part is so beautiful but so difficult to play. We practiced this for months before CHSAA, and our feeling of achievement when we played it still bring a smile to my face so many years later. - The only Trombone player that year of band.

[@solstice1510]

This piece wasn’t challenging that much for trombone that I remember. Only part was the high G at 50. But it’s easily manageable

[@Haiisu]

*looks at all the comments and sees hardly anything about percussion* PSHA! GO TRIANGLE! X3

[@addy3954]

5:56 THATS WHAT HORNS ARE MADE FOR!!

[@DonnyDoo42]

Man, this piece is so EPIC!!! I loved playing this today!!!!

[@irishluck1997]

I play trumpet and I'm in eighth grade. We are playing this for UIL in March or may I believe. I am so excited for this.

[@JaydenMartinez-co3qq]

Im playing this peace currently in middle school band im the best horn frll

[@gmhughes024]

I love this song ! Just so amazing !! :D

[@seanlasker4147]

where my first trombones at

[@insidr1074]

Dancing to 0:50

[@viscosity7893]

Yes

[@nicolecalton8780]

Fellow firsts unite

[@rudyramos7582]

Yes sirr

[@hanlovestruck01]

But like second trombone-

[@sViv4SHIZ]

French horns

[@Thompson9940]

I played first trombone part of this song in high school and it was a great piece to play

[@solstice1510]

Same here, learning it rn matter of fact. I’m freshman and I’m the only trombone in the whole school. No one else plays it. Only other low voice we have is bari sax. So we’re gonna have some nice solos

[@Dupre89]

i played this today in band, secont trumper!!

[@wildchuckster]

Only tuba in my wind ensemble and we're playing this at graduation in 2 weeks! I'm a freshman (9th) and my senior friend (euphonium) played this as a tuba, so I have a lot riding on me at graduation!

[@WhereMyDollazAt]

I'm playing this song in band class right know and I love it!!! I play Bass Clarinet!

[@vincentgarza8109]

Played this for our spring concert this past year(8th grade) and it was a piece we coulda played for uil but instead we did it for our concert, pretty much mastered it in a little less than a month #GoHowardBand

[@MusicNerdMIDI]

Such a great piece, played it at high school, it was tough but great to play!

[@mpelay8311]

MusicNerdMIDI same

[@CoachNoahLangley]

I love the trumpet solos Go Trumpets!!!

[@siguvgaming3780]

This bring backs memories of when I would just listen to my sister play the French horn part

[@WhiteasSnow997]

What an awesome piece.

[@PaintBrushify]

Ahh played this my last year in middle school. So amazing

[@seanathonnerd]

TROMBONE TO DA MAX BABY!

[@MrSkillerrush]

we played this song my 8th grade year and i got the saxophone solo :) loved this song

[@cloudenix3901]

I loved playing this on Alto!

[@a7xbeacon]

this song is a lot of fun, the first trumpet part is SICK, especially starting around 2:50. best part in the piece :)

[@ryanmadden4768]

First Alto represent

[@PDWhandbook]

My school band is playing this at UIL this week. I love this song so much.

[@Kanogisdi]

i remember playing this years ago when it first came out. trombone here btw. balmages from what i've heard has been doing great. almost a new age robert w. smith. have any of you ever heard of invictus by balmages? i keep trying to find it on the web but so far no luck. if you haven't had the chance to hear it, you must. as far as i know, it's one of his tougher compositions.

[@ZBud93]

This song is awesome. It is not often that the bassoon is given this much to do. GO 2nd BASSOON. 2 soli's. WE DON'T NORMALLY GET THAT LUCKY!!

[@lesliealatorre9274]

i got accepted into the southern california honor orchestra and play the tuba. we're playing this piece. it's sick.

[@jiwooyou7936]

Haha. I'm also in the All Southern California Full Orchestra. I play the cello and I also love this piece.

[@bendl2]

you can also count 6/8 like it's 2/4, or common time (it just takes two measures for one measure of common)

[@4brotherskids]

this man is such a genius!!!

[@omartaylor2335]

We played this my freshman year when I went to all-region, This song was my first

[@dbuster22FTW]

i love this piece for clarinet!

[@jacobfield2214]

Anyone else thinking Hobbits and the Shire?

[@nolancall8250]

Pedal B flat is my favorite part!!!! :)