Funky Penguins: Score
By Mike Collins-Dowden
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PR-0007283
$10.00
Pickup currently not available
Description
Funky Penguins by Mike Collins-Dowden will bring some Antarctic fun to your next concert! An ice-cold bass line supports a bluesy melody with lots of slip-sliding slurs; all backed up by the percussion section playing a funky rock beat. Your audience will tap their flippers while waddling in the aisles! (2:10)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Funky Penguins: Score comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
Open in the Player
Jump straight in and assign it today.
Start Your Free Trial
Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Developing Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PR-0007283
More about this title
About the Composer: Mike Collins-Dowden
Mike Collins-Dowden has been teaching concert and jazz band to 4th and 5th graders at Pleasant Ridge School in Glenview, Illinois, since 2007. He earned his B.M. in music education and trombone performance from the Eastman School of Music in 2003, where he performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble's 2004 Japan tour, and completed an M.M. in music education from Temple University in 2007.
Collins-Dowden composes regularly for young musicians, drawing directly from his classroom experience. He has published over 30 works with Alfred/Belwin, FJH, and Jalen Music. Beyond the classroom, he maintains an active performance life on trombone and guitar, and when time permits, explores electronic music composition on Nintendo Game Boy.
Why we love this
This piece walks the line between accessibility and personality. A Grade 1.5 arrangement that never feels condescending, Funky Penguins hooks your students with a groovy bass line and bluesy melody while keeping the technical demands genuinely achievable. The funky rock beat and playful character make it an instant morale booster, yet the writing is clean enough that it sharpens rhythmic precision without frustration.
What to expect
Imagine penguins waddling in time to a jazz bar: cool, bluesy, and undeniably fun. The rhythm section drives forward with a rock-solid groove while smooth slurs in the melody evoke the playful sliding movement of ice. It's lighthearted without being trivial, funky without requiring advanced technique.
Who it's for
Beginning concert bands ready to move beyond march-based repertoire and into contemporary styles. Grade 1.5 players benefit from the straightforward technical demands while staying engaged with the groovy, modern sound.
How to get the most out of it
- Lock the bass line and percussion groove first. That ice-cold foundation is what makes the blues melody land; once the low end is solid, the slurs and slides on the melodic voices sit naturally on top.
- Emphasize the slip-sliding slurs in the melody line. These aren't just ornamental; they're what give the piece its playful Antarctic character. Lean into the legato and make the slides vocal and intentional.
- Let the percussion section own the funky rock beat. This rhythm section moment is your chance to highlight percussion and give drummers a genuine spotlight. A crisp, driving backbeat transforms the whole energy of the piece.
- Bring dynamic contrast to the blues melody. Even at this grade level, shaping phrases with subtle dynamics will keep the audience engaged and prevent the tune from sounding flat.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a concert opener or a second-half energizer. Program it alongside hymn arrangements or processionals to showcase your band's stylistic range, or pair it with other novelty works to highlight your beginning band's growing musicality and charm. At just over two minutes, it's also ideal for festival or contest contexts where you want to make an impression without demanding extensive rehearsal time.
Skills your students will build
- Legato slurring and slide technique on melodic lines
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated, groove-based contexts
- Balancing individual voices within a cohesive texture
- Listening to and locking with a rock/funk rhythm section