Nevermore Brian Balmages

[@ultimatesniperb507]

"This modern work based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" tells the eerie story of a man confronted by a sinister bird, and his slow descent into utter madness. A haunting piano line starts the piece, surrounded by contemporary effects and textures. As the man becomes more irritated, the music picks up in tempo and becomes increasingly dissonant and violent until it erupts in a cacophony of chaos. Finally, the man "breaks," and the unsettling sounds of the opening piano return to conclude the piece. A truly dramatic work for band". These are the words of the composer.

[@sirenity_buchanan]

that seems kind of similar to his other piece apparitions. but in. a way very different apparitions didn't have a snare and ghostly but in a uniquely different manor. I play percussion and I played timpani earlier this year at my final concert.

[@ultimatesniperb507]

I agree. And I play flute

[@corinnapittenger5701]

whoa yeah i like this song. And i LOVE the Raven

[@bleach9945]

Funny that our show had this song and was this exact theme

[@cdayracer6555]

My current band director performed and played at Hiram college, when he was a student there, his director said this "If a band can pull this off, you'll know you have a special band".

[@aether413]

It sends chills up your spine. The whole song the man is losing his mind but then at the end it's just a creepy stillness like he might not even know who he is anymore.

[@lbchoc4]

Man it's been like 9 years since I played this in middle school and it STILL slaps

[@clementine2444]

NO SAME THO. I played this in Gr.7 (8?) concert band and it still haunts me to this day

[@CaRG0d46]

Hello 2023 here and we are playing this in our concert its a good song

[@DianaGarcia-mw2rm]

Hello 2024 and we play this song for my senior year and got a superior

[@3Speedboy]

played the saxophone solo in this, it gave me chills just listening to the sounds my sax was making

[@IsaacGriffin2010]

I'm gonna play the sax solo this year for our Halloween concert!!! 🎷💪

[@gidget.11037]

Ayy, I’m the bass clarinet solo (but I play euphonium bc I’m cooler)

[@bobtheloggy]

I played the marimba and tubular bells in this and it was great fun

[@aLbInO-dk7m]

My friend is playing that part

[@RandomPerson-65c816]

I played the Bass Clarinet solo in this song near the end

[@Timthefingerboarder]

Also played The Great Locomotive Chase... Love that

[@megan8765]

Man the trombone glissandos... felt so happy when I got the sheet music and saw them marked on there cx

[@ProductiveLife822]

Dude same I was so happy

[@heybucko182]

Clarinet, alto sax, and bass clarinet solo at the end is 10/10

[@clementine2444]

I played the bass clarinet solo for this song in middle school at nationals and we came first 😎

[@mioshye]

on GOD

[@BioTrekker1]

Trombones go crazy right before the final piano conclude

[@CodeBruh]

I'm a tenor sax and me and the rest of the low voices dominate at measure 80 😈

[@kristian6819]

Zanoh so do altos☺

[@huskypuppypaws4850]

same!!!!!!!!!

[@tylernewton2844]

Lol completely agree man. Nice to meet you. I'm a tenor saxophonist as well lol.

[@sanketdeshpande369]

Ya the bass drops so hard

[@warhammer5002]

Hey! I'm a tenor too! Nice to see more of us!

[@kaillimb1949]

IVE NEVER HEARD THE 2ND TRUMPET PART THIS CLEARLY. I had 1st on this and wow, this trumpet section is killer.

[@moonreaps3753]

we performed it a week ago, it went fire, I played first as well, but kept screwing up around line 88

[@zacharypederson6816]

ha, all these people with 1st chair parts from the clarinet and alto sax sections. anyway, greetings from a bari sax player. (the only one in our band...)

[@LybraScales]

+Zach Pederson ayyy some here

[@brendaguevara1804]

Same, except tenor sax

[@pippin123765]

+Zach Pederson bass sax... XD and all instruments that are bass clef... XD

[@radioactive_baby]

I play soprano, Alto, tenor and bari sax. Nice to meet you! I love saxophones

[@tylernewton2844]

Know how it feels dude. I'm the only tenor sax in our high school concert band. We are playing this as well in Scotland in a competition called the SCBF.

[@kkluvschocolateful]

I played this my 7th grade year it was really cool. Clarinets rock!!!

[@victorgabrielpetre]

Indeed. They are epic, if played properly. Sadly, all the 10+ clarinets in my school band suck. Only about 2 of them can actually get a scale... Thankfully, I am going to the honor band festival in Bruxelles, and man, it will be epic. I play flute, and I hate those lessons where we don't get to play at all because of the clarinets not being able to play... Man, the festival will be epic!

[@judewalters5796]

Clarinets are the BEEZ NEEZE

[@oliviabale5826]

Clarinets unite!!!

[@Symbiotictimereaper]

Stop lying to yourselves we all now that trumpets are the best

[@Michelley1025]

Clarinet squad!

[@inkuii]

playing this in band T^T can't wait to see what the flute part looks like

[@meep_maap0007]

InkBlackShadow oof you are in for no breathing for a lot of measures. Lol I do the flute :)

[@FennTheFeral]

It is a lot of fast playing and then a lot of rests, but it's really fun to play!

[@Lucarionite-uf4vc]

The 16th run at measure 103 gets me everytime😭, but it sounds so cool

[@obeyroyal4583]

We playing this in our band rn

[@skylar7346]

I play flute and the trickiest part for me was playing the chromatic and runs super fast 😂

[@madynotmadi]

I played this about a year ago in eighth grade with my Wind Ensemble band. One of my favorite pieces to play and listen to...

[@kevyhuynh4173]

I play clarinet in my band, but I'm playing the piano part for our concert this spring. :)))

[@bobjoe-p9h]

Same, but I play trombone

[@AlexandraBolz]

I played this my seventh grade year on trumpet and it was so fun; I am now a freshman. It brings back memories too 😍

[@oh_its_katie5212]

how’s college man

[@AlexandraBolz]

@@oh_its_katie5212 doing good

[@KP-cm3fh]

We're playing this for our high school advanced band. I have the piano part and I'm super excited!!

[@pauldong]

we're playing this for our high school beginner band.

[@800551ew]

That clarinet chromatic part at 3:35 is the hardest part I think 😂 in our band, this is only our second year playing, we aren't that great at 16th notes yet, but we can play them!, so the clarinets it's pretty much end up not playing that part because its so hard😂

[@suna2847]

Erica Woods listen to Flight of the Eagles. There’s a chromatic flute part and we have to replay it like 5 times

[@Me-fv7iv]

We actually have to play it. And ive got part 1, so its really high.

[@oliviabale5826]

Wait for highschool...

[@cheeseman1772]

Lol Altos have this too

[@piesmuggler7268]

it's fast enough that you can basically just do a chromatic smear. trying to count it just messed me up on alto.

[@BethyKinzsh]

Played the piano for this my freshman year. God it was amazing. I miss this piece.

[@BethyKinzsh]

+Fatching Tam that's amazing! It is definitely a challenge learning the piano. I'm not very good at it, but my director knew i played a little piano. It was between myself (1 of 5 alto saxophones) and our only baritone saxophone player (who is much better than I am) and they chose me. I worked my ass off for months to play this and we were able to go to district competition because I learned it. It's a challenging piece for beginners but so worth it!!!

[@BethyKinzsh]

+Fatching Tam haha that's awesome. ☺️ and I went to Ashland High School in Ohio. It's usually our top band that goes to competition each year, (I was in the bottom band that year we played this) but since I was going to play piano, my director wanted to try competition and we qualified for districts. Didn't make it to State (because i messed up a few notes and played too loud on the grand piano which I had never played one before so I wasn't aware how loud it would be lol 😂). But we still qualified for Districts and had a great time!

[@m44p25]

I'm from ironton which borders Ashland have you heard of rock hill schools

[@huskypuppypaws4850]

we're playing this piece right now

[@A..lie..sha3]

I am playing first trumpet for my freshmen year

[@800551ew]

Ahh, yess😍😍😍 were playing this for our Halloween concert alone with Tell-tale heart and Primordium😍 playing the clarinet is the best 😍

[@MichaelBrownmikeiplierREBORN]

1 person shall live NEVERMORE!

[@KeiraKMusic]

This song is so mysteriously beautiful it just gives me chills

[@thekick101]

It sounds like it out of blood borne

[@Cheezy_Cruckles]

I got the piano part at my Highschool and I'm a freshman I'm so happy : )

[@TheDragonbel]

Played this at ETSBOA Blue band, first chair clarinet, truly an amazing song. Sent chills down my spine, and still does. Probably one of my favorite songs ive had the honor to preform in.

[@MrSinister640]

Just got started on this for the 10th grade band. shout out for the trombones

[@icewingthefox9423]

I'm 8th grade band and I'll be playing this song

[@kolencone2662]

Mr. Mister64 YEA BOII TROMBONEEE

[@nolanklindt354]

Ice Wing the Fox same

[@sonofanarchy6254]

Eyyy

[@JD-yn3wm]

Ice Wing the Fox I’m n 7th grade band

[@tristangabriel8370]

I am honored to play this masterpiece. The ending always brings me chills.

[@mattj313]

Haunting. Just haunting.

[@MONSTER-se4yb]

My sister played this in her band recently, and it was my favorite piece of music they played. So I'm glad I found this here!

[@paigekohl7765]

Playing 1st horn for this, it's so fun I love how Erie this piece can get.

[@IzzySavides]

Stressedoutgirls Eh Hi, fellow horn player! I was fifth chair out of five, but only because I had joined the symphonic band halfway throughout the year and we never had a chair test.

[@masterpat123biggestfan2]

I got the 1st mallet Percussion part (marimba, bells, xylo) and I volunteered to take the chimes part and now I’ve gotta practically run from part to part and it’s just a ton of fun being a seventh grader finally getting a challenge 😀

[@nickcato9758]

I remember playing this peice in my class, I played a bunch of stuff on it. if I can remember correctly I played wind chimes, suspended cymbal and timpani

[@tzippytalksball5511]

Nick Cato aye I’m playing suspended cymbal too

[@snowbringercult]

i have 8 strokes every time the fucking time signature changes

[@SereneSpirit1226]

I was sitting in the auditorium while my school band practiced this piece... I couldn't stop listening. I got chills and just felt so enthralled. I adore music like this

[@trashbandicoot6235]

This takes me back to senior playing this and getting all ones... I miss band something bad

[@JordyD08]

This piece is the reason I absolutely fell in love with trumpet, I hated baritone so much, but in this song it wasn’t that bad, the resonance was great, then when the alto sax, clarinets, and flutes play that graceful part around 2:20 and then the trumpets come in.... TOTAL DECIMATION... trumpets overpower everything with their strong and demanding sound and uhhh they are by far the best part, this song is incredible, the haunting sounds, leading into the powerful clear sounds of trumpets just make it the best.. I love this song it’s the reason I got interested in band really

[@gabi_ily8225]

I play the flute, I got the flute solo along with my other flute buddy and we are so excited to play it in our concert next week

[@sunfishb-word2583]

Using this song for a piano audition, it's so creepy and I love it!

[@InsaneCoasterJunkie]

Back in my senior year of high school, my student teacher was choosing a piece to direct. She chose this one but was unsure about it because of the difficult percussion parts. My band director responded, "Jay is a really good timpani player." If if wasn't for my expert skills on that instrument, this piece wouldn't be possible for my school's band at the time and ended my senior year on a high note. I would not see my student teacher again until this year in college marching band. Thank you for making this possible and putting your trust into my good hands for the rest of the percussion!

[@M4rco_710]

im playing this in middle school

[@Speedysnail9999]

Our bad teacher gave this song to us on Halloween. We decided to rehearse it. When we played through the whole song, we looked up and he disappeared. Then the bell rang for 7th period

[@taylorstates6405]

This is such an awesome piece!! Im obsessed with Poe’s famous “The Raven” this is my favorite band song I’ve heard yet! Fabulous!!!

[@Photographyoddify]

SO EXCITED to play this for my Band Festival! ❤❤

[@geodedoesstuffs]

We played this at our last concert for band and the girl on the keyboard found a haunting setting for it and it made the song infinitely better

[@radioactive_baby]

This song was so fun to play. I miss High School Wind Ensemble

[@mlefeb]

Performing this in middle school honor band tomorrow. I play Mallet Percussion Tubular Bells, Glockenspiel, and Xylophone.

[@lukasnovella9001]

Matthew LeFebvre eh! Me too!

[@kiddnasty1733]

Why does everybody have to announce that they're playing this?

[@DublHH]

+Jacob Markowski because it sounds cool to them, don't judge, eh

[@gamewavestatic5218]

+DublH I'm Canadian also!!

[@davecrunch]

are you triggered, trigger lord?

[@oliviabale5826]

Because we like to talk music

[@spectrumzee3504]

My band just performed this piece along with Annabelle Lee and The Heart of Madness. Needless to say our concert was kickass

[@pryorb987]

I love this piece were playing it for out fall band concert ! Can't wait

[@gobletknight4072]

I'm playing this with the high school band and the alto sax part is awesome! One of the only pieces we've played were we have the melody for more then 5-7 measures

[@Cobalt_11]

We played this song last year and I fell in love with this song. This song is my favorite piece out of all the songs I have played

[@agetkratosbyt6264]

this was our opener this year in marching band

[@camrynluvvsbanddd]

Bro there’s no way we get to play this at my school RIGHT AFTER I MOVEEEE 😭😭😭

[@hawkfire24]

Played this in ninth grade symphonic band, god those were the days. Still my favourite piece ever and damn was that flute part hard back then!

[@celiaschipper9618]

We're playing this in our 9th/10th grade band this year and it's like the first time we've ever had a modern music piece! We've always had the classics or traditional stuff. I play the flute and it's so fun!!! The higher notes at the end and all the counting in the beginning were the hardest for us to get down.

[@hawkfire24]

It was the exact same for us too! The beginning is easier when the piano part is rock solid. The lower notes are really fun once you get them down. Also once the beginning flute/piano part is down and the rest of the brass parts are added, it can get really beautiful/creepy. Use to give me shivers! To be honest I hated the notes at that end, too high for my tastes haha!

[@iphoto860]

Played it in 8th grade :P

[@WorstNightmare65]

Grassisn'tgreen Same.

[@Cody0201]

trumpet 3rd part is just repeats of the same note. My conductor told us that it was referring to the man going crazy.

[@yenku]

I’m in 8th grade band bassoon and I’m resting for legit 40 measures 😢

[@toluca8371]

sophomore clarinet player here, super excited to start this piece

[@josephraven8687]

Played for Halloween concert in 8th grade. Ahhhhh, memories

[@thekick101]

Blood born all over again

[@Beans4every1]

I played this in middle school and we had the LA teacher reciting the raven during it and it slaps so hard.

[@Jakkunn8]

3:23 This part for some reason reminds me of either It or Soul Eater.

[@lukasnovella9001]

Firefox_GamingXD I play the bell part and LORDY does it just pierce my ears right there

[@tylernewton2844]

It's like the screechy part in psycho. Totally agree man

[@kaylabarber9328]

I loved played this part. I participated in a festival and this was one of my favorite pieces that we played.

[@ThatoneAnomaly]

Let me tell you, the 1st flute part at the end there is a nightmare to play. Even so, i still absolutely adore this song (probably because edgar allan poe is one of my favorite authors).

[@pooderd]

played this last year as a Freshman love this song

[@cplhicks646]

So did I!!!

[@Ma2terR02h1]

I'm playing it in 7th grade, same exact version

[@kalsfunepic9304]

Wish we can play it for a marching season

[@dinahmuehling1368]

doing this song for seating (measures 88-96) I love it.

[@Paradisemisplaced]

why is this under auto snd vehicles?!

[@oliver.zenther]

Playing this in band! I’m the timpanist :) I love this piece, I’m sat in front of the brass and I just love their solo

[@pippin123765]

Sounds amazing and love the low end of this song

[@pippin123765]

+Ashley M and RIP flutes and others who have to do the scale close to the end... sounded like 16 notes...

[@toluca8371]

+Ashley M oh wow, hi, Ashley, fancy seeing you here.

[@pippin123765]

hia

[@pippin123765]

:3

[@hwkrbchcrft54]

+Ashley M Do you two know each other?

[@Astxxa]

I play saxophone and just the sheer speed gets me riled up and I feel like I could do anything

[@madelyneinot2126]

this piece is beautiful to listen to and fun to play at first but when you play it for months is gets old.

[@VeyVey_2546]

2:15 check point for me

[@jackwagon9716]

We played this song at contests and our marimba player dropped and chimes so we didn't have a good tempo change. Later in the song we almost fell apart. But at the end. Our gong player waked that thing and it's still ringing to this day.

[@APOLLO_PRINT]

Bruh the switching time signature is screwing my brain over

[@catasterphe]

You can normally listen to the other parts and figure out the time you're in, measure numbers are also pretty good for this piece as they're basically just cues for people coming in

[@myahhughes5633]

God I played this song my 8th grade year and I loved this song it sounded so amazing

[@aLbInO-dk7m]

My band is playing this for there fall concert and I think it is going to be amazing playing it the band is Goodson middle school band

[@mellophonesheikah6223]

Sophomore pianist for this song. Having so much fun with all the solos!!!!!

[@DrNeonGaming]

Just played this in band, was a joy to play

[@Speedysnail9999]

Well, our band conductor told us to watch the music. Follow the notes. He tapped the music stand 20 times to get the beat in our heads. Then we just played.

[@MilleniumForce637]

1st alto! So fun :D

[@jackwagon9716]

Ya it is... But I didn't get the solo😭😭😭

[@Plokiju]

Playing this at wibc!

[@Walter_melonnn]

Playing this for UIL can’t wait for march!

[@Jmor23.]

My band is playing this song and I have third part And it’s hard for me Rip

[@JordyD08]

Kuphy dude ur fine just have fun with it what do you play? If ur a trumpet god damn you should have fun with it don’t worry if it’s hard you’ll get better as time goes

[@yoshistar05]

Its fun when I am the only trumpet and I'm on third... I play really loud so that was fun... Love this song

[@Aspect113]

I'm playing this for my band concert next year!!!

[@Error-4O4]

What if you wanted to see your wife in heaven but the quoth the raven “Nevermore”

[@shade32113]

Starting this piece in concert band! I'm super stoked but I have 1st clarinet and it's super hard!

[@Flapjack505]

Hyped to play the sax solo in this

[@BadLeaf07]

playing alto sax 2 for this piece for our next concert i love it

[@hinauzumaki4979]

Playing this song for festival this year with the trombone 1 part so much fun but my mouthpiece is almost always stuck by the end 😂

[@gidget.11037]

Playing this in my spring concert as euphonium, but I also have the bass clarinet solo at the end! I honestly love this year’s choice of songs, the high school songs are always the best

[@gidget.11037]

i changed my mind i literally cant play the solo bc the sax solo cant get the timing right LMAO

[@3mo2007]

@@gidget.11037 😭😭

[@JustBeingMe-kn9pl]

They didn't let me play the queues for the Bass clarinet :( I run Euph aswell. Shits a f'in banger bro

[@veronicasawyer7674]

Playing this for band (I play alto sax) and I really hope I get one of the solos, wish me luck!!!

[@Kimbabycakes]

Awesome! Can't wait to play it this year! (:

[@TriplePowerPushPop44]

playing 3rd trombone on this. I love playing this one. It's so cool sounding.

[@KittenofTwilight24]

I'm so excited to play this for our fall concert!!

[@myahhughes5633]

My band is playing this song and I’m very excited

[@haydenrondy4868]

Playing this at a Festival. I love the tempo change. A solid 160 beats per minute

[@PaulSimonNumberOneFan]

I like this version, but second trumpet is totally high-jacking the part. Secons trumpet is totally hiding the first trumpet.

[@davecrunch]

second trumpet thats me sry first trumpet

[@TheSeyLobster]

We played this one for our fall concert and we said parts of the poem during the song

[@wooster8269]

playing this in band currently, kinda pog sounding unlike most songs we get.

[@zaniesx1787]

Trombones where u at?!

[@harkinsyt1960]

GamingAbyss 911 bass trombone 👌🏻

[@randomidontknow2779]

GamingAbyss 911 yoooooo

[@metaberd5879]

Yo my mate

[@justanotherlemon8847]

@@metaberd5879 what upppp

[@beev.2656]

Two years late, but I'm here and I'm SO READY TO PLAY THIS IN BAND

[@emmett7107]

I know this was in 2013, but it's 2017 and we're playing this and I think it sounds rlly cool

[@MrNewVegas436]

I spent forever trying to sing this with my computer because of the space at the beginning, o was cannoning it

[@xiaomin4444]

I miss middle school band so much