Sixty-Six: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts

Sheldon crafts concert band music that balances accessibility with genuine artistic substance, and Sixty-Six demonstrates this perfectly. The programmatic storytelling and 1940s musical references give students context for their playing while the writing remains clean and rewarding at Grade 5. Directors consistently report that this piece excites both ensemble and audience, making it an ideal choice when you need a work that plays well and sounds impressive.

Sixty-Six captures the optimism and wanderlust of America's most iconic highway, from the bold opening gesture through passages that recall the swing era and the quirky charm of roadside attractions. The music balances symphonic ambition with an accessible, celebratory spirit, creating moments of real beauty alongside the humor and nostalgia woven throughout. At eight minutes, the journey feels complete and satisfying rather than indulgent.

Concert bands at the Grade 5 level seeking an entertaining, musically substantial work that engages performers and audiences alike. Directors programming festival or contest events will find a piece with genuine merit beyond its novelty appeal. Students at this level gain exposure to programmatic writing, jazz idioms, and orchestration concepts while working with material that maintains their engagement through an extended structure.

• Shape the opening fanfare with weight and clarity; let the brass establish the journey's grandeur before moving into the jazz sections.
• Keep the 1940s-styled passages lyrical and song-like rather than stiff. The band should swing these sections with genuine forward motion.
• Balance the programmatic moments (quirky attractions, neon signs) with the more substantial musical ideas so neither overshadows the other.
• Use dynamics and articulation choices to paint the different locations and moods along the route; each section rewards specific color and character work.

Program this as a mid-concert showpiece that shifts energy and mood. It pairs well in a lineup with serious classical works since it holds its own musically while offering contrast through its programmatic character. The Grade 5 difficulty makes it accessible for bands that include younger or less advanced musicians while remaining engaging for advanced ensembles, making it ideal for concerts where you're mixing repertoire levels.

• Phrasing and dynamic shaping across extended melodic lines
• Swing and jazz articulation conventions
• Reading and executing programmatic musical cues
• Balancing multiple musical ideas and transitions at concert tempo
• Ensemble blend in both symphonic and jazz-inflected contexts