Words to live by- Euphonium Concerto - Brandon Schwab Feedback Appreciated

Final Draft of a piece that I wrote as a commission for a college in my area. They'll be debuting it in November.

The major 9th climax in the first page is very nice, especially with the elided cadence. Two issues with its context:
The buildup to it the measure before is unconvincing, especially due to the held notes in the band while the soloist moves. The register of the euphonium is such where it sounds like it's struggling against a wall of sound.
Afterward, it tries to get up to that point again, but it's so short that it almost feels like we got there too early. It's a good idea, I just don't particularly agree with how/when you set it.

Hi @Brandon S.

Great music. NotePerformer sounds well here, but it will be impressive live. Nice brass.

Yes, the climax(es) are beautiful.