Clinician Detail

Understanding Difficulty Levels in Band Compositions: Insights from Concert Band Composers and Editors

Clinic Synopsis:

Directors often seek to understand how composers and publishers rate the difficulty of their compositions. In this panel discussion, acclaimed concert band composers and editors will discuss the process of rating band composition difficulty levels, sharing their criteria, methodologies, and philosophies. Participants will gain practical strategies for balancing challenge and accessibility in ensemble grading, including selecting grade-appropriate repertoire for diverse ability levels.

Brian Balmages - Biographical Information

Brian Balmages is known worldwide as a composer and conductor who spans the worlds of orchestral, band, and chamber music. His music has been performed at prestigious venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House, among others. He is also a recipient of the A. Austin Harding Award from the American School Band Directors Association and won the 2020 NBA William D. Revelli Composition Contest with his work Love and Light, which was premiered by the “Pershing’s Own” United States Army Band. He received the James Madison University Distinguished Alumni Award and was commissioned by the University of Miami to compose music for the inauguration of Dr. Julio Frenk, the institution's 6th president. His music was also performed at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Prayer Service in the presence of President Obama and Vice President Biden. As a conductor, Mr. Balmages regularly conducts all-state and regional ensembles, as well as university and professional groups worldwide. He has also conducted notable guest appearances at various conferences and events, including the American Bandmasters Association Convention, the Midwest Clinic, and the American School Band Directors Association National Conference, among others. He is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association and has taught instrumental conducting at Towson University, where he also served as Assistant Director of Bands and Orchestras. He currently serves as the Director of MakeMusic Publications and Digital Education for Alfred Music and MakeMusic.

Carol Brittin Chambers - Biographical Information

Carol Brittin Chambers, composer and arranger, is currently the composer and owner of Aspenwood Music, LLC, aspenwoodmusic.com. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, where she is also on the music faculty at Texas Lutheran University, teaching composition and serving as Composer in Residence. Chambers is commissioned each year to compose and arrange works for concert band, marching band, orchestra, and various other ensembles. Her concert works have been selected to the J.W. Pepper Editor’s Choice List and the Bandworld Top 100 and have been performed at state educator conferences across the country, including the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. She was named the winner of the 2019 WBDI (Women Band Directors International) Composition Competition. She has arranged and orchestrated marching shows for numerous high school and college bands across the country, as well as The Crossmen Drum Corps. Before coming to TLU, Chambers taught middle school and high school band and private lessons for many years in the North East Independent School District, San Antonio, TX. She has also consistently performed with groups such as the Mid-Texas and San Antonio Symphonies. Chambers received a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Music Education from Texas Tech University. She studied under Vincent Cichowicz, John Paynter, Arnold Jacobs, James Sudduth, and Will Strieder.

Tyler Arcari - Biographical Information

Tyler Arcari is a composer, arranger, author, and clinician whose music is played around the world. He received his B.A. and M.S. degrees in music education from Troy University where he studied with composer Ralph Ford and Euphonium under Dr. Mark J. Walker. As a teacher, Tyler has taught at both the middle and high school levels. Tyler’s primary focus when writing has been for the young musician. He became passionate about and interested in the needs of developing musicians as a classroom teacher and finds writing for musicians at this level to be very rewarding. Tyler's music can currently be found published through Excelcia Music Publishing, Wingert-Jones Publications, Kendor Music Publishing and Carl Fischer Music. His original works have been featured across the globe, appear on numerous state contest lists and events such as the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference. As an arranger and commissioned composer, Tyler has worked with many high school, university, and community groups as well as professionals such as Carl Hilding “Doc” Severinsen and vocalist Holly Shelton. As a Clinician, Tyler regularly appears as composer in residence as well as guest clinician for honor bands and festivals. Currently, Tyler serves as the Director of Music Production and Editing at Excelcia Music Publishing LLC, Wingert-jones Publications, Kendor Music Publishing and RBC Publications. He is an avid animal lover and lives in Lakeland with his wife Heather, their two rabbits named Maximus and Marshmallow, their peach cat named Otis, and dog named Hilda.

William Owens - Biographical Information

William Owens (b. 1963) is a native of Gary, Indiana. A seasoned music educator, he is highly active as a composer, clinician and conductor throughout North America. His compositional style for young ensembles displays a keen, practical approach which has firmly established him as a leader in the field. Since 1993, Mr. Owens has over 300 titles to his credit for concert band, string orchestra and small ensemble. His music is performed and appears on required music lists nationally and abroad. Many of his works have been analyzed in educational text, and are staples of the young band repertoire. William is a 1985 graduate of Chicago's VanderCook College of Music and the recipient of numerous awards and grants for composition. Principal commissions include those from the South Plains College (TX) Department of Fine Arts, Phi Beta Mu International and the American Bandmasters Association. Professional memberships include the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), the Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB) and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. He is recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus by his alma mater, and a recipient of the Texas Bandmasters Association’s Meritorious Achievement Award. William formally retired from duty as band director in Texas in 2014 after 30 years of service and resides in Fort Worth, TX with his wife and best friend, Georgia.