News & Views Monday, March 18, 2024

Happy Birthday, Franz Schubert! 31 January, 2014

Franz Schubert was only thirty-two years old when he died in 1828.  Nevertheless, he was very prolific during his life.   In addition to composing symphonies, chamber works, and string quartets, he composed a lot of  piano solo music. There are twenty-one piano sonatas, the impromptus, D. 899 and D. 935, and the Moments Musicaux.  Some of the most-performed piano sonatas are D840, D845, and D960.  He also composed more piano duet music than any other major composer.  The most famous of his duets is Marche Militaire, D733, #1.  Investigate this rich legacy of piano music!  You may contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Junior High Vocal Solo Collections 30 January, 2014

Choosing music for solo singers at the middle school level can be challenging. Students often have limited vocal range, difficulty with long phrases, or light voices that are easily overpowered by a thick piano accompaniment. Many appropriate selections for beginning soloists can be found in the following collections, great for solo and ensemble competitions, recitals or even church performance.

    “Let Nature Sing” is the newest volume in a series for young singers from BriLee Music.   It contains a wide variety of songs, from spirituals and folk songs to originally composed works, all by female composers. Selected with the treble voice in mind, songs with narrow ranges of six and seven notes progress to songs that expand the range as the voice develops. The nature of the selections is to challenge the voice, not to tax it, to develop its expressive capabilities, not to over-extend it.

The fourth in a series of solo song volumes for young singers, “Tales of Land and Sea” contains spirituals, folk songs and originally composed works by Mark Patterson.  The selections are especially compiled, arranged, and composed for the male changing voice. Songs progress from the “just changing” voice, to selections for young tenors, and finally, to songs for the young baritone. The included CD contains both vocal demo and instrumental tracks for all 10 pieces in the book.

Other selections in this series from BriLee include “My Heart Sings” (treble voices,) “Heroes and Vagabonds” (changing male voice,)  and “Traveling On” (changing male voice.)

folksong     “15 Easy Folksong Arrangements” (available in both Low and High voice,) is designed for those students in the early stages of voice study.  The ranges are modest, and songs have been chosen for both genders. The new arrangements are lovely, fresh and interesting, but keep the simple vocal line in the forefront. The piano accompaniments were deliberately designed for an intermediate level player. The CD is included as a learning tool, and a piano accompaniment track for practice.  Also available in this series are “15 Easy Spiritual Arrangements” (Low and High) and “15  Easy Christmas Carol Arrangements” (Low and High.)

For more advanced singers in this age group, consider “Daffodils, Violets and Snowflakes” (available in Low and High voice.) Joan Frey Boytim has compiled this collection especially for young women singers. The 24 songs – excellent literature for the young classical singer – have been chosen not only for the vocal ability of pre-teens and young teens, but also for the tastes and sensibilities of this age group.

For more information on these collections or other vocal solo literature, please call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit www.stantons.com!

Pop Music for Spring 2014 for Men’s & Women’s Choirs 29 January, 2014

Stanton’s Sheet Music suggests that you make your students the stars this spring with some of these great popular music choices for women’s and men’s choirs.  Whether you’re looking for current pop, an inspirational ballad or a fun novelty number, we’ll help you find the perfect choice for your ensemble!

Now available for choral groups, here is MTV’s Song of the Year for 2012! Call Me Maybe by singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen is infectious, upbeat and fun.

The gospel-style showstopper Here’s Where I Stand from the movie musical “Camp” builds from a soulful opening to a powerful final chorus. Featuring a strong soloist and a self-affirming message, this arrangement would be stirring as a concert or graduation finale.

The Rodgers and Hart classic My Romance is arranged by Greg Jasperse with a rolling rhythmic feel, creating a contemporary sound for this timeless song. Easy jazz harmonies infuse the vocal lines and the ballad performs well with either piano alone or the full rhythm accompaniment.

First introduced in the Broadway musical “Lady Be Good,” the Gershwin hit Fascinating Rhythm has been covered by Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, The Four Tops, and many more. Mark Hayes’ exciting arrangement effectively includes everything from Latin rhythm to swing!

It Only Takes a Moment is a beautiful song from “Hello Dolly!,” and this lush a cappella ballad setting truly does it justice.  With heartfelt lyrics, rubato phrases, and rich choral harmonies, this will be a wonderful feature for jazz, pop and concert choirs.

From Michael Jackson’s 1987 album “Bad” and featured on almost all of his concert tours, the funk-inspired hit The Way You Make Me Feel will make a great feature for guys’ groups with its steady shuffle and R&B style vocals.

For more suggestions, check out our video below, click here to view our complete School Choral promotion for Spring 2014, or contact us!  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Click here to watch video

Exciting New Programmatic Pieces for High School Band 28 January, 2014

barn-012-4207-00-fAside from filling a unique role in your concert programming, programmatic works for band can be great for musical growth and development, fun and motivating for students, and provide points of imaginative thematic and sonic interest for your audience.  They also draw from a wide range of inspiration – from the literary (Call of the Wild) to the magical (Hocus Pocus), the mythical (The Phantom Herd Across the Western Sky) to the historical (The Ides of March; Voyage to the Edge of the World), fostering imagination and creativity within your students, and creating great cross-curricular connections.  Whatever your interest in programming any of these titles, our band staff enthusiastically recommends them for their musical and music teaching qualities alone.

Call of the Wild
Brian Balmages
Grade 3
Based on the novel by Jack London, this powerful work depicts a heroic dog’s struggle as he progressively moves from domesticated animal to a creature of the wild.  The powerful opening fanfare over dissonant woodwind trills moves into a fast-paced section as Buck has his brutal introduction into primitive law. The music becomes angrier as dramatic battles occur along with long journeys without adequate food and water. Eventually the music becomes heroic and resolute as Buck finally completes his transformation, returning to the wild.

Hocus Pocus
James Syler
Grade 3.5
Mischief and fun abound in this magical work that evokes images of some of our favorite young wizards, including the sorcerer’s apprentice. A mystical opening features flute and percussion before moving into a tarantella, a fast dance in 6/8 that almost has a delirious character to it. Themes collide, intensity rises, and pulse quickens as the music moves forward at a feverish rate. Let the magic begin!

The Ides of March
Sean O’Loughlin
Grade 3
Pulse-pounding and haunting, this dramatic composition celebrates the composer’s love of modern film music and displays an intriguing economy of musical material while remaining wonderfully melodic and elegant.

The Phantom Herd Across the Western Sky
Robert W. Smith
Grade 3
An exciting and intriguing work based on the legend of Texas ghost riders and a ghost herd as they embark on a dark and mysterious journey through the night.

Voyage to the Edge of the World
Larry Neeck
Grade 3
The global voyages of the great explorers are portrayed in this bold, adventurous overture.  Driving, themes depict tension and uncertainty, while subtler lyric melodies portray the wonders of the new world.

Be My Valentine 27 January, 2014

Are you playing or singing for a Valentine’s Day party?  This “budgetbook” is just the thing!  There are seventy-four songs in “Love Songs” from Hal Leonard.  In many cases, the melody is in the right hand, so this collection of sheet music can be played for piano solo or to accompany a singer.  There is enough material in this book to keep you going all week long!  For more information about this collection or more collections or sheets of love songs, call 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

The Fiddler’s Fakebook 24 January, 2014

What is a “fakebook”?  It is a book of tunes that has chord names above the tune and lyrics.  The player uses the chord names to improvise, or “fake” an accompaniment to the melody. ” The Fiddler’s Fakebook” contains nearly 500 fiddle tunes from all the major fiddling traditions.  The fiddler can learn the basic tune , then improvise on it.  Chord names are included for each tune, so a banjo, guitar, or mandolin player can strum along.  “La Bastringue” is a French Canadian fiddle tune that is also a folk dance tune.  “Mississippi Sawyer” is from the old-time tradition.  “The King of the Fairies”  has Irish roots.  “The Iron Man” is from Scotland, and can be danced to as a strathspey.   “Georgiana Moon” is a bluegrass tune.  A double nod is given to Central Ohio.  “Camp Chase” is named for the Union prison camp of the Civil War era.  The cemetery of Camp Chase is on the West side of Columbus, OH.  “Big Scioty” is named for the Scioto River, which runs through Columbus, OH, and eventually empties into the Ohio River.  There are plenty of tunes for a jam session in this collection of sheet music! For more fiddle tune collections, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Suggestions for Choral Adjudications 2014 23 January, 2014

choir_imageThe beginning of 2014 is a perfect opportunity to look back at what your students have learned so far this school year, and to look forward to the new and exciting musical challenges you will present to them in the coming months.  As you prepare for your upcoming concerts, festivals or adjudicated events, Stanton’s Sheet Music’s School Choral Music staff would like to recommend these repertoire choices, carefully chosen from many new and classic publications as “the best of the best!”

For advanced SATB groups, Ubi Caritas II: Through Infinite Ages is an excellent example of Ola Gjeilo’s skillful style for a cappella divisi voices.  Exultabunt Sancti in Gloria by Johann Michael Haydn is an exciting choice for developing groups – the lilting 3/8 meter brings vibrancy and sparkle to the vocal parts.  Feature an exciting concert original with Alleluia! by Mark Hayes, or a setting of the classic John Masefield text Sea Fever by David Brunner.

Capable treble choirs will excel with Moses Hogan’s I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart, a multi-layered and challenging spiritual, and younger groups can work on part-singing and ensemble skills with the expressive You Are My Music by Laura Farnell or The Wayfaring Stranger, a haunting arrangement by Greg Gilpin.  Tim Sarsany’s Listen to a Jubilant Song is another strong choice for advanced groups – it’s a perfect concert opener!

The original spiritual Ain’t Judgin’ No Man is a great choice for accomplished men’s ensembles, or try Andrea Ramsey’s setting of a sensitive Helen Keller text, That Which Remains.  For younger choirs, We Shall Not Sleep by Laura Farnell offers a moving setting of the “In Flanders Fields” text, or try the creative Neil Ginsberg arrangement of This Old Hammer.

Click here for all of our suggestions for select pieces for adjudicated events – while we have specifically geared these selections to be appropriate for Ohio Music Education Association events, this quality repertoire is sure to be successful on any spring concert or other event as well!  For even more recommendations, please contact us.

Recommended New Adjudication Options for Junior High Band 22 January, 2014

imagesSelecting pieces for adjudication is always a challenge.  Whether you’re a band director in Ohio looking for the perfect “optional” selection to pair with your piece off of the OMEA Required Lists, or one of our friends in a state like Kentucky where “anything goes” – there is no specified list for junior high/middle school, these six new titles are all great adjudication options.  All of them made our young band promotion for 2013-14, and they provide a variety of programming styles and teaching opportunities.  Hopefully one of these will be the “perfect fit” for your contest program.  Don’t forget to order your judges’ scores and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.  Best of luck at adjudication!

Beyond the Darkness
James Swearingen
Grade 2.5
A dramatic opening gives way to pulsating percussion, driving subdivision, and syncopation throughout the ensemble as this work alternates between thematic sections.  Layered parts address playing independence while powerful unison ensemble punctuations develop confidence in this exciting concert work.                                             

Beyond the Riverbend
Robert Sheldon
Grade 2
If you’re looking for a really good, new A-B-A overture, this one has it all – an energetic A-section; a light, flowing, B-section with lush harmonic shifts; and a solid transition to the recap.  Throw in multiple off-beat syncopations, a strong melody, and layered counter-melodies on the recap., and you have a fantastic program opener.                                                   

Chant, Chorale and Dance
Bill Calhoun
Grade 2
As the title implies, Chant, Chorale and Dance consists of three contrasting styles: the opening Chant features an incessant 8th note pulse and short scale patterns in thirds; the short Chorale section alternates between legato phrases and stately, rhythmic responses; the closing Dance has an underlying 8th note subdivision and light, staccato melody.  This is an ideal work to address style and tempo changes, and watching the conductor.                                                  

Counterbalance
Todd Stalter
Grade 2.5
Alluding to the musical variety contained within, Counterbalance is built around contrasts.  Full of syncopation, subdivision, 8th note lines that pass from section to section, contemporary, angular sounds, a lovely B-section with nice swells and harmonic shifts, accents, and triplets against 8th notes, this is definitely a work for the maturing ensemble.  It is a perfect optional piece for advanced middle school or high school bands going Class C.                                                   

Cradle Hymn
arr. Earl J. Fox, Jr.
Grade 2.5
Based on a lovely Kentucky folk tune, this is a great programming alternative.  The lyrical first setting contains nice counterlines and layers, and plenty of room for rubato phrasing and shaping.  The rollicking second setting features some 16th note work, jam blocks, and mallets before a last statement of the first setting leading to a peaceful conclusion.                                                    

Credo    
William Owens
Grade 2.5
Latin for “I believe,” the optimistic, inspiring sound of Credo makes for a perfect program opener.  Alternating between sections of 4/4 and 3/4, this work contains bold fanfares, engaging harmonies, and hemiolic rhythms along with a variety of tonal textures before leading to a strong finish.                                            

Pop Music for Spring 2014 for Middle School Choirs 21 January, 2014

Stanton’s Sheet Music suggests that you make your students the stars this spring with some of these great popular music choices for middle school choirs.  Whether you’re looking for current pop, an exciting choreography feature or a classic jazz standard, we’ll help you find the perfect choice for your ensemble!

Released as the lead single from Katy Perry’s “Prism,” Roar quickly became Katy’s eighth number one Billboard hit.  It’s a super-charged anthem of empowerment, perfect for any group!

Love Will Keep Us Together was one of the top hits of the 1970s for The Captain & Tennille.  The triadic harmonies and pop groove make this tune absolutely adorable and perfect for younger choirs!

On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe is one of the great, swingin’ “train songs” of the 1940s.  Jay Althouse’s arrangement features a tight, rhythmic “chug-a, chug-a, oo-woo” section straight from the lyricist Johnny Mercer’s own hit recording with The Pied Pipers.

Was it red? No no no. Was it brown? No no no. The famous Ella Fitzgerald rendition of the classic nursery song A-Tisket A-Tasket is a sassy, jazzy twist on the familiar lyrics. A great Discovery Series choice for developing jazz style in your younger choirs!

For more suggestions, check out our video below, click here to view our complete School Choral promotion for Spring 2014, or contact us!  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Click here to watch video

Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing 20 January, 2014

The poem was written in 1899 by James Weldon Johnson, and set to music in 1905 by his brother,  John Rosamond Johnson.  It has become know as “The Black National Anthem“.   Over the course of more than one hundred years, this song has inspired and uplifted millions of Black  Americans through times of trial and triumph.  Stanton’s  Sheet Music tries to always have a few copies on hand.  The low version is in  A flat major, the high version is in B flat major.  To find more music for special occasions, you may call Stanton’s at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Sacred Organ Music for Lent and Easter 17 January, 2014

Aren’t we always looking for new music to play?  It keeps life interesting and keeps us more engaged.  Two books of organ music for Lent  and Easter are worth a look to that end.  “Lenten Reflections for Organ“,  by Franklin D. Ashdown, has eight arrangements on an intermediate to advanced level.  The pedal parts and the stops used in these pieces make them enjoyable to listen to.  “Ah, Holy Jesus“, arranged by Michael Burkhardt, is a collection of six Lenten hymn improvisations.  These beautiful pieces are perfect for preludes.  Stanton’s has more books for sheet music for organ for general use and for different times of the church year. To view our large selection of organ sheet music, visit us at http://www.stantons.com, or at organmusiconly.com.  You may call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, or email us at keyboard@stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

OMEA Piano List 16 January, 2014

Piano teachers and instrumental directors have the same questions every year about the OMEA contest list: ” What is on the list for each class?  What movement(s) are to be played? ”      Stanton’s has made it very easy for you! First, go to http://www.stantons.com. Then click on “Piano and electronic keyboard”.  Then click on “OMEA”, and the three classes pop up: A, B, C.  Click on the class, and you can usually see the pictures of the music covers and prices (which may change every so often), of the music in that class.  Click on the cover of the music, and you get more information: which piece(s) are in which class,  what parts of each piece are to be played, and whether we usually have that edition in stock.  For more information, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band 15 January, 2014

From composer and co-author Chris Bernotas:
“In using Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band I have found the variety of exercises to be tremendously beneficial.  Every day, I am able to approach specific ensemble concepts with new material. It isn’t the same exercise over and over or simply transposed to a new key.  Every exercise is unique.  Even when I do repeat an exercise, it is “like new” because I do not find myself having to repeat that “one” exercise that really works, they ALL work! I also find that I can use just one exercise to create a variety of new exercises for my students by adding dynamics, modifying articulations, changing tempo, and the like.  I think this variety is unique to Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band.  The other thing I have found is that the exercises work really well in small group lessons.  The technical and musical exercises are fun and interesting, and again, are not just one exercise transposed.

The chorales really speak for themselves, they are truly beautiful! They are more than just functional – they are little musical gems by wonderful composers. Using this book in rehearsals, we have the chance to end our warm-up by making beautiful music with them.  The scale chorales are especially useful and flexible; directors can choose who will play the scale and who will play the chorale, making an infinite number of possibilities. Each of these beautiful chorales is a perfect segue to rehearsing the literature for the day.

Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band has been an invaluable resource in my band room. The exercises are fresh, innovative and effective.  I have heard an amazing transformation from my students as they have grown immensely in their understanding of how to perform as an ensemble. In the past I would have to write these exercises on the board, make a “ditto”, or try to describe them verbally for students.  Now, all I have to do is give them the exercise numbers and get to work! And the best part is that I hear them applying these ensemble concepts to our concert literature!

Most importantly, my students really love using these books and so do I!”

About the Book:
Sound Innovations: Ensemble Development for Intermediate Concert Band is a valuable and comprehensive resource for developing your students’ understanding and abilities as ensemble musicians.  It covers numerous aspects of individual and ensemble playing – tone quality & breath support, scales & technique, balance & intonation, rhythm reading & meter studies, and ensemble musicianship, and includes more than 70 chorales by some of today’s most renowned concert band composers including Roland Barrett, Andrew Boysen, Ralph Ford, Rossano Galante, Robert Sheldon, Todd Stalter, Randall Standridge, and Michael Story.  An assortment of exercises is grouped by key and presented in a variety of intermediate difficulty levels.  Where possible, several exercises in the same category are provided to allow variety, while still accomplishing the goals of that specific type of exercise.  Many of the exercises and chorales are clearly marked with dynamics, articulations, style, and tempo for students to practice those aspects of performance, while others are intentionally left flexible for the teacher to determine how best to use them in facilitating and addressing the needs and goals of their ensemble.  Whether your students are progressing through exercises to better their technical facility, or challenging their musicianship with beautiful chorales, this book can be used after any band method or as a supplement to performance music.

Click on the cover above for more details, contact us if you would like to preview a conductor score on 21-Day Trial, and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.

Lent and Easter Music for Piano 14 January, 2014

Lent doesn’t start for about nine weeks, but we know how the time flies!  We also know that ” Practice makes perfect.” (Or at least, it makes better.) “A Month of Sundays, Easter and Lent“,  is arranged by Jan Sanborn for advanced piano.  Four weeks of Lent are planned out with a Prelude, an Offertory, and a Postlude for each Sunday service.  Another top seller is “Prayludes for Spring“,  arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram.  This contains nine flexible piano medleys for Lent, Easter and Pentecost.  Stanton’s has other piano collections for the Easter season.  Check us out at http://www.stantons.com , email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC for more sacred music for piano solo.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Stanton’s Comes To You! 13 January, 2014

       Music educators all over the country are gearing up for convention season!  As you attend amazing sessions that leave you inspired and invigorated,  don’t forget to stop by the exhibit hall and order some of those wonderful pieces at the Stanton’s Sheet Music booth.  We are excited to announce that we will be at the Indiana Music Education Association Convention for the first time this year!   We will also be making our regular appearances at educators’ conferences in New York, Michigan, Kentucky and Ohio, as well as conventions for the American Choral Directors Association,  and the American String Teacher’s Association.  Look up for our signature blue balloon and come by to ask questions, shop, or just say hello and introduce yourself to our knowledgeable staff.  We look forward to seeing you at:

     The Michigan Music Conference-January 16th-18th at Devos Place and the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, MichiganStanton’s booth numbers are 118-120 and 133-135; exhibit hours are Friday 8-6 and Saturday 8-1.

     The IMEA Professional Development Conference-January 23-25, 2014 at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Ft. Wayne, IndianaStanton’s booth numbers are 419, 421, 423, 322, 320 and 318; exhibit hours are Thursday 5-7, Friday 10:30-5:30 and  Saturday 8-2.

      KMEA Professional Development Conference-February 5-8, 2014 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KYStanton’s booth numbers are 600, 602, 604, 606, 501, 503, 505 and 507; exhibit hours are Thursday 10-5, Friday 9-5, and Saturday 9-12.

OMEA Professional Development Conference- Feb. 6–8, 2014 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, OHStanton’s booth numbers are 521, 523, 525, 527, 620, 622, 624, 626 and 628; exhibit hours are Thurday 1-6,  Friday 9-6 and Saturday 9-12:30.

American Coral Director’s Association Central Division Conference-Feb. 26-Mar. 1, 2014 in Cincinnati, Oh. Stanton’s booth numbers and exhibit hours TBA.

American String Teachers Association National Conference-Mar. 5-8 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY.   Exhibit hours are Thursday 5-7:30, Friday 10-6:30, and Saturday 10-2:30.  Stanton’s booth numbers TBA.

Also look for us this summer at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.  More details TBA!

For more information about our conference booths or products, please contact us at www.stantons.com!

Elements of Music 10 January, 2014

Looking for some new ways to teach fundamental concepts in music like pitch, rhythm, harmony, and more?  Searching for activities for your students to work on with a substitute while you are away at your winter conference?  Consider these new resources with reproducible student worksheets to use over and over again!

Elemental Fun by Jeanette Morgan

         Simple, basic, fun–teaching the elements of music can be all of these things!  Each of these six chapters is dedicated to one element of music and includes an introductory page, a listening activity, and four additional worksheets to build and reinforce your students’ knowledge.  Perfect for center work, portfolios, assessments, and the sub tub, all worksheets are included on the CD, in full color, for your convenience.  For grades 4-6.

More Music FUNdamentals by D. Brian Weese

          This collection of reproducible worksheets will challenge your students while providing you with valuable assessment pieces.  Music concepts include writing rhythms based on syllables; matching melodic contours; identifying basic rhythmic notation, pitch notation, and music symbols; working with repeat signs, first and second endings, and da capo and dal segno symbols; and identifying time signatures.  For grades 2-6.

Music Quilt Squares by Beth Wheeler

     This delightful publication includes a compilation of music activities on subjects ranging from music theory to identifying notes and fingerings on the piano and recorder, instrument families, and more! Clever, educational, 100% reproducible and fantastic fun for students in kindergarten and up, use Music Quilt Squares to supplement a unit, as extra credit or homework.

Teaching Music Across History by Valeaira Luppens and Greg Foreman

An outstanding resource for educators, Teaching Music Across History will help your students understand the ways that music and the arts reflect our culture and how historical events have shaped our civilization and customs. Reproducible student pages are included, making lessons a snap to prepare, keeping students actively engaged, and allowing for easy assessment. The accompanying CD contains listening examples of works by great Classical composers to support and reinforce the lessons. By increasing critical and higher level thinking skills with winning, creative, ready-to-teach methods, Teaching Music Across History will help your students meet item 9 of the National Standards for Music Education (Understanding music in relation to history and culture). This excellent curriculum will encourage your students to incorporate a deeper understanding of history and heritage, and allow you to effortlessly integrate historical information within music instruction. Teaching Music Across History is not only necessary, but FUN!

The Best New Young Band Marches 09 January, 2014

Staples of both American music and band repertoire, marches are a traditional component of the band curriculum and concert programming, and make great teaching pieces.  Our band staff has selected these five as the best, most interesting new marches for young bands this year.  As in recent years, our staff march selections are dominated by the quality arrangements being made available by march masters Harold Bennett and Karl King.  While this feature and the grade levels specified on these arrangements are intended for developing bands, both Courage and The Home Town Boy March are perfect selections for Class C adjudication, while Hosts of Freedom, Side By Side, and Welcome are great educational selections for improving march style and performance for high school bands advancing to grade 3 concert literature.

Courage
Harold Bennett
arr. Nicholas J. Contorno
Grade 2.5
Full of great teaching opportunities, Harold Bennett’s young marches also make for delightful programming.  Perfect for learning traditional march style and form, full of 8th note rhythms and off-beat entrances, nice low brass counter lines, and dynamic contrast, they are period pieces at their best!

Hosts of Freedom
Karl L. King
arr. Andrew Glover
Grade 2
A wonderful arrangement of one of March Master King’s most accessible tunes.  There is some basic 16th note work, triplets, and dynamic contrast between sections.  Light staccato playing is answered by big boisterous responses with flute obbligato on the final shout!  A very teachable piece for developing bands – why not teach with the best?

The Home Town Boy March
Karl L. King
arr. James Swearingen
Grade 2.5
Dedicated to long-time friend Meredith Willson of The Music Man fame, this was the last march King wrote.  All of the classic elements are here and evidence that King maintained the quality and integrity of his writing, and James Swearingen’s arrangement ensures teachability.

Side By Side
John Klohr
arr. Laurie Lafferty
Grade 2
Best-known for his Billboard March, John Klohr composed this march specifically for younger bands.  Side By Side contains legato and staccato playing, basic 8th note rhythms, and the range is very comfortable throughout making it very accessible and perfect for exploring the components of a standard march.

Welcome        
Harold Bennett
arr. Larry Clark
Grade 2
Harold Bennett marches are very accessible, teachable, and pleasant programming offerings.  Range and difficulty are kept in check, however, this march does offer an opportunity to learn dotted 8th-16th rhythm, and push the tempo a bit.  The title makes it possible opener, and a welcome alternative to the standard band overture.

Sight-Reading for Band and Orchestra 08 January, 2014

What is one of the weakest technical areas for school bands and orchestras? SIGHT READING!  Not only is it scored at adjudicated events, it is a skill that all musicians need to develop for their musical arsenal.

So how do you strengthen your students’ sight-reading chops?

The answer is:

The Sight Reading Book For Band and The Sight Reading Book For String Orchestra, both by Jerry West.

WJ3015000WJ3035000

The 100 short pieces contain various key signatures and meters, key changes, meter changes, accidentals, reversal of rhythms, repeats of various types, hemiola and isolations of various sections of the ensemble – just like “real” sheet music would, so you all get a true sight reading experience.  Since it is in book form, it can be easily passed out and passed back in and stashed for the next time you want to do some sight reading.

      As your students become better sight readers, they will become better musicians and your group’s overall performance will improve.  It’s a win-win situation for everyone!

For more great materials to help your bands and orchestras succeed, contact the knowledgeable staff at Stanton’s by calling 1-800-42-MUSIC.

Church Reading Session – THIS SATURDAY! 07 January, 2014

Attend Stanton’s Sacred Choral Reading Session this Saturday, January 11th, 2014, and you’ll be fully prepared for the remainder of your church choir season. We will be featuring the best new choral publications for Lent, Easter and beyond, as chosen by Stanton’s sacred choral staff. The clinic will be held in its usual place at the Battelle Fine Arts Center at Otterbein University in Westerville, OH.

Attending this clinic is a fantastic way for you to choose new church anthems for your choir by hearing the music read live. This January’s clinicians will be Stanton’s own Judy Henry and president emeritus Jim Strouse. Please feel free to contact Stanton’s at 1-800-42-MUSIC and speak with a choral staff member for the details of the event. We look forward to seeing you at 8:30 on January 11th for registration, coffee and doughnuts followed by a wonderful morning of singing!

Click here to watch video

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Pop Music for Spring 2014 for High School Choirs 06 January, 2014

Stanton’s Sheet Music suggests that you make your students the stars this spring with some of these great popular music choices for high school mixed choirs.  Whether you’re looking for current pop, a Broadway showstopper or an inspirational ballad, we’ll help you find the perfect choice for your ensemble!

The lovely duet Something to Believe In is one of the new songs in the Broadway musical “Newsies,” transformed here into a beautiful choral piece that speaks movingly about finding the courage to seek your dreams. It’s wonderful for graduation or any other concert program!

Who can forget the infectious Doobie Brothers classic Long Train Runnin’, which hit the Billboard Top Ten in 1973? From the familiar opening guitar lick to the final chord, this arrangement really cooks!

With a strong showing on the Hot 100, Rock and AC charts, as well as a high profile cover of the song by the “Glee” cast, It’s Time by Imagine Dragons crosses generations and genres with its unique mandolin sound that builds into an irresistible chorus.

A cappella choral textures perfectly communicate the touching lyric and classic melody of the beloved ballad Somewhere Out There in a setting that is accessible, yet musically satisfying! Opening with a lyric solo line accompanied by the ensemble, the melody then passes between the soprano and tenor before modulating, and moving steadily forward to the expressive final chords.

For more suggestions, check out our video below, click here to view our complete School Choral promotion for Spring 2014, or contact us!  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

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Getting Over the Winter Blues 03 January, 2014

It’s cold outside, the holidays are over, and nobody wants to be in school!  Here are some great jump starters that will make your students look forward to coming to music class even on the most dismal winter days!

Jammin’ in the Jungle by Denise Hollingworth and Carole Searle

       Come on a musical safari into a magical jungle where you can drum with the monkeys, sing with the lions, and shake like a rattlesnake! Educationally based, this fun-filled collection of songs is jam-packed with practical ideas for enhancing children’s musical development through singing, movement, playing percussion instruments, and other hands-on activities!  Jammin’ in the Jungle is a fantastic resource for both classroom and home use and is suited to children aged 4-8 years. Come along and join in the fun of making music!

Jazz Mosaic by Louise Rogers and Susan Milligan

Jazz Mosaic brings the joy of jazz music into your classroom every day through a variety of age-appropriate, play-centered lessons that can be easily integrated into your existing curriculum. Students will learn about jazz greats, styles, and history through activities and cross-curricular connections that are creative and engaging.  Easy to teach, the music lessons are appropriate for children in pre-school through third grade. The accompanying CD contains example s and vocals for echoing, learning and fun!  Jazz Mosaic provides a broad range of enjoyable and educational activities from which to choose for both classroom and music teachers.  Your students will discover the exciting world of jazz music and will be beboppin’ and scatting with the cool cats in no time with Jazz Mosaic!

Play Along With the Band by Janet Day and Tom Anderson

          Build your own classroom band with ten play-along jammin’ music styles! From country, bluegrass, jazz and blues to reggae, rock, surf and more, there is something for everyone! A variety of reproducible instrument parts are included for recorder, mallet instruments, unpitched percussion and body percussion, so everyone can join in. This flexible series, with suggestions for lower and upper grades, teaches rhythm reading, music notation reading, steady beat, teamwork and ensemble playing. The enclosed CD offers audio-style tracks, with and without the classroom instrument parts for instruction and performance options. This enhanced CD also offers PDFs of the classroom instrument parts to project or print, and a full teacher score to keep the band together!

Church Cantatas for Lent & Easter 2014 02 January, 2014

lenten crossLead your congregation in Lenten or Easter worship with one of these dynamic cantatas, as recommended by Stanton’s expert Sacred Choral Music staff!

In My Place by Craig Courtney
“In My Place” is a poignant musical journey following Christ to the cross. It is a compelling reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus willingly made as He gave His life for each of us. Craig Courtney’s masterful compositions and Pamela Stewart’s inspired narrative will facilitate a memorable and meaningful worship experience for Lent or Holy Week. The music is a distinctive blend of original melodies and creative hymn settings. The narrative focuses on the observations of five first-hand witnesses to Christ’s final hours: Judas, Peter, the thief on the cross, the Roman centurion, and a crowd member who called for Christ’s death. Moving, dramatic, and life-changing are all appropriate descriptors of this exceptional Craig Courtney cantata.

Testimony of Life by Joseph M. Martin
Written in a traditional style and inspired by the celebrated “lessons and carols” format, “Testimony of Life” presents the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Comprised of choral anthems, Scripture and congregational songs, the work also divides easily into three sections, enabling directors to present the work progressively through Lent and Easter. Choirs of any size will enjoy the thoughtful part writing and the easily learned melodies. From joyful celebrations of Christ’s early ministry to the deep sadness of His suffering and crucifixion, from the shadowed whispers of Gethsemane to the brilliant alleluias of Easter, “Testimony of Life” is a thoughtful mix of artistry and ministry.

For more recommendations for your church choir during the upcoming Lenten and Easter season, please call us at 1.800.426.8742.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Happy 2014! 01 January, 2014

Stanton’s is closed today – but we’ll be back tomorrow to help you get a jump on a new year of music!

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