Lakota West - COLLIDING VISIONS by Brian Balmages - 2011 Midwest Clinic Preview Concert

lakotawestbands.org Lakota West High School Symphonic Winds in West Chester, Ohio, performs "Colliding Visions" by Brian Balmages (Grade 1), Midwest Clinic Preview Concert, December 12, 2011. Greg Snyder, Director.
Brian Balmages shares this program note tor his work, "This may quite possibly be the most ironic piece I have ever written in my life. It began when a music program received a grant to commission a new work. The work was to be the highlight of the year for the students, But, just before starting the piece, I received notice from Rick Palese, band director at Prairie Hill Elementary in Cary, Illinois, that the district had a budget shortfall. The grant itself was not affected, but one of the mandated cuts was the band program, grades 5-8, So began the process of writing a world premiere for a band that would no longer exist after its performance. Even more ironic was that it was written as the final piece for their concert. It would now be the last work the band would ever play. The title, Colliding Visions, focuses on this important issue facing the arts everywhere. This piece serves as an important reminder that we must all share our passion for music with others. When people look to cut funds, we should state with a firm and unified voice that it should not be from the arts. The arts are crucial to our culture and to our own well-being."
FUTURE OF THE LAKOTA BAND PROGRAM? School funding issues have led to the elimination of the elementary band program and 8 band directors across the Lakota School District. Significant additional cuts are expected to be made as result of the failure of a school operating levy in November, 2011.

[@KyaliArabimitore]

I played this song when I was in middle school. I still have it and play it every time I practice. Absolutely beautiful piece

[@RickPalese]

I'm so glad to see that this piece is appreciated. I was at this performance and it was great to hear it played so well. We learned so much form commissioning Colliding Visions, and Brian was great to work with. Definitely a highlight of my years directing bands at Prairie Hill School.

[@starkirby1000]

so beautiful......my band is paying this song!!!

[@OhioBandDad]

@sumthin3789 This was performed at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago. Only five high school bands are selected to play each year based on auditions. Each band is required to perform music from all grade levels.

[@flyinfingers303]

I'm playing this for middle school!!!!!!! Great piece too :P

[@adjubiful]

lovely

[@samuelclough9024]

i played this when i got 1st chair in the corpus christi middle school all city band

[@anthonygarcia9318]

beautiful sound.

[@alez2222]

I'm playing this I have first trumpet yay!

[@nbmspercussiongurl12]

really good! i hope my school band sounds this good when we play this song next week at our concert. i play snare drum and cymbal for it

[@RickPalese]

Actually, I should clarify. I was in attendance at the Midwest performance.

[@anthonygarcia9318]

i'm playing this song in band!!!! :)

[@GreenAddiction18]

This sounds like the professional recording that I heard

[@MrNarutotran32]

I am in a band right ow we are going to play that at UIY COLLIDING VISIONS From travis

[@johnyang5241]

Im Playing This Song In My Concert.

[@bethanysmith83]

Me to i'm in 6th grade

[@greytabby183]

Same here

[@Boscia2]

me too :D

[@ybbutelet]

This almost sounds like the official/real version! The notes didn't really sound off tune. However, when after the slow part, you did seem to go a bit too fast. Otherwise, I loved this song much!! Haha. A comment 7 years later.

[@koolkidmcn9958]

Damn that an echoey room

[@pepperbg7500]

I'm playing it and I'm 5th grade lol

[@MrJoshiewawa]

I bit off with the conducter at the beginning, but good job