Sixty-Six: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Robert Sheldon
Grade: 5
Item: 00-PK-0008772
$120.00
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Description
Embark on this musical road trip along the legendary Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, including references to the music of its heyday in the 1940s, the quirky attractions, neon signs, and the towns that have since faded following the end of the fabled highway's era. From the opening symphonic fanfare to inspiring jazz and everything in between, Sixty-Six, by Robert Sheldon, plays surprisingly well and is guaranteed to bring down the house! (8:00)
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Sixty-Six: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
MakeMusic Symphonic Band
Publisher:
MakeMusic Publications
SKU:
00-PK-0008772
More about this title
About the Composer: Robert Sheldon
Robert Sheldon stands among the most frequently programmed composers in wind band literature today. His works appear on contest rosters and concert stages worldwide, and he has received major recognition from the American School Band Director's Association, Phi Beta Mu, and ASCAP. Beyond composition, Sheldon serves as lead author of Sound Innovations for Concert Band and maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician.
Sheldon's commissions and annual publications reflect a deep engagement with ensemble music at all levels. He has conducted his own works at Carnegie Hall, Orchestra Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Kennedy Center, and has led clinics across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. In 2020, VanderCook College of Music awarded him an honorary doctorate in recognition of his contributions to music education.
Why we love this
Sheldon knows exactly how to write for student bands without sacrificing musical substance. Sixty-Six delivers the pageantry and accessibility of a Grade 5 piece while building real ensemble skills. The programming angle is built in—the Americana narrative and theatrical scope make this a natural centerpiece that audiences immediately connect with.
What to expect
Sixty-Six unfolds like a film score capturing both the romance and the melancholy of American mobility. The writing swings between cinematic grandeur and intimate reflection, channeling 1940s orchestration through a modern concert band lens. You hear the open road, the neon-lit diners, and the bittersweet echo of a vanished era.
Who it's for
Grade 5 concert bands ready for a piece that balances technical ambition with theatrical impact. This works especially well for ensembles with solid fundamentals in jazz articulation and who enjoy programmatic storytelling. Directors seeking a contest or festival selection that also captivates an audience will find this rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the opening fanfare so brass and woodwinds share the spotlight equally; this sets the stage for the dramatic contrasts ahead.
- Establish a steady, confident pulse through the jazz sections. Sheldon's syncopation rewards tight rhythmic ensemble work and punishes rushing.
- Let the 1940s idioms breathe authentically. Resist the urge to over-polish the swing figures; they should feel lived-in rather than precious.
- Use dynamic contrast to guide the narrative. The quieter moments referencing faded towns carry as much weight as the triumphant passages.
How to use it
Program this as a festival or contest selection where its eight-minute arc and narrative clarity will stand out among typical repertoire choices. It also serves as a powerful finale to a concert exploring American music, or as a thematic anchor when programming works about place, history, or cultural identity. The piece's cinematic quality pairs well with concert programs that embrace storytelling.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz articulation and swing rhythm within a concert band setting
- Stylistic contrast between symphonic fanfare writing and swing idioms
- Dynamic shaping and ensemble balance across a narrative arc
- Precision in syncopated rhythmic passages and sectional independence
- Interpretation of programmatic cues and musical imagery