March of the Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score

$11.00 USD

March of the Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score

Name: March of the Dragons: Concert Band Conductor Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 98-B1743S
Price: 11.00 USD
Availability: InStock

By Mike Collins-Dowden

Grade: 1.5

Item: 98-B1743S

$11.00

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One moment…

Three fearsome dragons do battle in this exciting and unique concert march. Each strain represents the character of a different dragon, with every instrument getting an opportunity to play at least one of the menacing themes. There’s even a “dragon fight” section where the winds and percussion trade rhythmic hits. Sure to add some fire to your next concert!

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Series: FJH Developing Band

Publisher: The FJH Music Company, Inc.

UPC: 241444524268

SKU: 98-B1743S

More about this title

About the Composer: Mike Collins-Dowden

Mike Collins-Dowden teaches band at Pleasant Ridge School in Glenview, Illinois, where he has shaped young musicians since 2007. He studied trombone performance and music education at the Eastman School of Music, graduating in 2003, and went on to earn a master's degree in music education from Temple University in 2007. His time at Eastman included performing with the Wind Ensemble on their 2004 Japan tour, an experience that deepened his understanding of ensemble musicianship at the highest level.

As both a teacher and composer, Collins-Dowden writes with a clear sense of what young bands need and can accomplish. His catalog of over 30 published pieces for concert and jazz bands reflects years of knowing his own students' abilities, interests, and growth trajectories. Beyond the classroom, he remains an active performer on trombone and guitar, and has even composed music for Nintendo Game Boy, revealing the creative restlessness that makes his arrangements and original works engaging for developing ensembles.

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Why we love this

Collins-Dowden nails the balance between accessibility and genuine drama here. Each dragon gets its own musical voice, so students don't just play the same material four times over; they're learning to shape distinct characters while staying within their technical grasp. The trading section between winds and percussion gives every section their moment to lead, which keeps rehearsals energized and prevents any part from feeling relegated to accompaniment.

What to expect

A fantasy film score in miniature. Each dragon rumbles and snarls with its own personality, and when they collide in the fight section, the energy surges. It's theatrical without being cheesy, playful without losing focus.

Who it's for

Grade 1.5 bands that want an exciting march with real character development. This works for any ensemble that can handle clean articulation and straightforward rhythmic precision without being bored by simple harmonic language.

How to get the most out of it

Make the three dragon strains sound unmistakably different during rehearsals. Work each one individually at a slow tempo first, asking students to describe what makes their dragon unique before speeding up to performance tempo.
Balance the 'dragon fight' section carefully so the rhythmic trades feel like genuine combat rather than chaos. Have winds and percussion lock eyes and count together for the first few run-throughs.
Light dynamic contrast between strains will showcase the compositional variety without requiring complex score marking. A modest lift in volume for the second dragon and a slight dip for the third can make the form crystal clear to listeners.

How to use it

Perfect as a show-opener at a winter or spring concert, especially in a program with other lighthearted or thematic works. The narrative clarity gives audiences something to latch onto immediately, making it an ideal first-half closer before intermission.