Deck the Halls: Score
Traditional / arr. Mike Collins-Dowden
Grade: 2 (Medium Easy)
Item: 00-PR-0004838
$9.00
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Description
A clever calypso arrangement that is easy to play. Features include a written solo for tenor 1, a trumpet 1 range to written F top line, and an interlude with counterpoint. (2:58) This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Deck the Halls: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Young Jazz Ensemble
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
98
SKU:
00-PR-0004838
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mike Collins-Dowden
Mike Collins-Dowden has been teaching instrumental music to upper elementary students at Pleasant Ridge School in Glenview, Illinois, since 2007. He holds a B.M. in music education and trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music (2003) and an M.M. in music education from Temple University (2007). During his time at Eastman, he performed with the Wind Ensemble on their 2004 Japan tour.
Collins-Dowden is a prolific composer for young concert and jazz bands, drawing directly from his classroom experience to create music his students genuinely want to play. He has published over 30 works with Alfred/Belwin, FJH, and Jalen Music. Beyond the classroom and composing studio, he maintains an active performing schedule on trombone and guitar, and has been known to explore unconventional musical platforms like the Nintendo Game Boy.
Why we love this
Collins-Dowden's calypso treatment of this standard gives ensembles a rhythmically engaging, Grade 2-friendly arrangement that feels contemporary without requiring advanced technical demands. The written tenor 1 solo and carefully voiced counterpoint in the interlude create genuine musical interest across the band, and the trumpet 1 range topping out at written F keeps this accessible for developing lead players.
What to expect
Warm, buoyant, and distinctly tropical. The calypso rhythm gives this familiar carol a sun-soaked character that feels celebratory without losing the melody's essential shape. The interlude adds harmonic complexity and textural variety that rewards careful listening.
Who it's for
This arrangement serves Grade 2 jazz ensembles that want a seasonal piece with real musical substance. It works equally well for students encountering jazz idioms for the first time and for developing bands seeking repertoire that combines accessibility with sophisticated arranging touches.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the calypso feel early in rehearsals by having the rhythm section lock in the characteristic swing and lilt before layering in the melody parts.
- Give the tenor 1 soloist room to phrase expressively during their featured section; this is a chance to showcase developing musicianship and individual voice.
- Balance the interlude's counterpoint by rehearsing each voice part independently first, then layering them in pairs before bringing the full texture together.
- Use the recorded accompaniment in MakeMusic Cloud to help students internalize the groove and support sectionals during preparation.
How to use it
Program this as a winter concert closer or standalone winter performance piece that breaks up a program of more traditional seasonal fare. Its upbeat character and manageable length (2:58) make it an ideal palate cleanser or finale, and the accessible Grade 2 reading level means rehearsal time stays efficient even with other winter obligations.
Skills your students will build
- Playing jazz swing feel and syncopated rhythms
- Reading and balancing counterpoint
- Performing featured solo passages with musical maturity
- Articulating clearly within the calypso rhythmic style
- Listening to and blending with ensemble texture