Solstice Celebration: Concert Band Conductor Score & Parts
By Mike Collins-Dowden
Grade: 1.5
Item: 00-PK-0008508
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Description
Solstice Celebration by composer Mike Collins-Dowden depicts the spirit of these celebrations through a joyous, energetic melody passed between all sections of the ensemble, and with a more somber, reflective interlude. (2:13) 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, Solstice Celebration: 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:
Developing Band Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
SKU:
00-PK-0008508
More about this title
About the Composer: Mike Collins-Dowden
Mike Collins-Dowden has been teaching 4th and 5th grade band at Pleasant Ridge School in Glenview, Illinois since 2007. He studied music education and trombone performance at the Eastman School of Music, earning his B.M. in 2003, and later completed an M.M. in music education from Temple University in 2007. He performed with the Eastman Wind Ensemble during 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 own students can perform. He has published more than 30 compositions through Alfred/Belwin, FJH, and Jalen Music. Beyond composing and teaching, he performs on trombone and guitar and has explored music composition on unconventional instruments, including the Nintendo Game Boy.
Why we love this
Collins-Dowden writes from the bandroom perspective, and it shows. Solstice Celebration strikes an uncommon balance at Grade 1.5: an opening theme that genuinely captivates all sections, a reflective moment that actually lets players breathe, and nothing that frustrates young musicians with unnecessary technical demands. It's concert-ready material that feels rewarding to conduct and play.
What to expect
Bright and celebratory energy opens the piece as the melody passes from one section to another like a torch being carried through an ensemble. The contrasting interlude brings stillness and contemplation, creating a moment of genuine musical reflection before the joyful spirit returns.
Who it's for
Grade 1.5 concert bands seeking programmatic repertoire that works for both performance and festival contexts. Students benefit from playing thematic material that travels across the ensemble, and directors value straightforward conducting and scoring that doesn't compromise musicality.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening theme as it passes from section to section; have each group commit fully to their moment rather than retreating into accompaniment.
- Let the reflective interlude slow down naturally in your conducting, allowing the softer dynamics to create genuine contrast without feeling static.
- Balance the return to the energetic section by bringing back the brightness without losing the clarity you built during the quieter passage.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or closer on a concert that includes other pieces with contrasting moods; the programmatic narrative about solstices works well in winter or spring concerts. Its accessible level and strong thematic appeal also make it suitable for festival performance where audience engagement matters.
Skills your students will build
- Following thematic material as it moves between instrumental sections
- Playing with deliberate contrast between energetic and reflective sections
- Maintaining clarity of melody when multiple voices are active
- Listening for balance when passing the primary theme to other parts of the ensemble