News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Classical Favourites from Russia 31 July, 2014

ue36070522994f3a8ff7_195x255Russia has a rich heritage of classical music.  Much of that heritage has been shared with the rest of the world.  We all know at least something about Tchaikowsky‘s  “The Nutcracker”, represented in this collection of sheet music by “The Dance of the Reed Flutes”, and “Swan Lake”,  represented by the main theme from “Swan Lake”.  “The Flight of the Bumblebee”  came from Rimski-Korsakov’s opera, “The Tale of Tzar Saltan”.  Khatchaturian‘s “Sabre Dance” came from his ballet, “Gayane”.  In all, there are thirteen pieces by six Russian composers  transcribed from the string repertoire for piano by Nicolai Podgornov.  This fun collection of intermediate to advanced pieces will entertain you for hours, and add to your repertoire of performance pieces for recitals or just for enjoyment.  For more information about this collection or other music, please 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!


First Date the Musical 30 July, 2014

first dateIn July 2013, after a sold-out run in Seattle at 5th Avenue Theater, Zachary & Weiner’s original musical comedy-with book by Austin Winsberg- began performances on Broadway  at the Longacre Theatre.  The stars were Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez.  Starting in 2014, “First Date” is beginning productions all over the globe.  Get the vocal selections, and own your own little piece of this fun, funny production!  For more information about this sheet music collection from Broadway or others, 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!


Band Directors Teaching Choir-SAB or SATB? 29 July, 2014

Here at Stanton’s12VBF_ConspirareHandel, we’re aware of the rising number of music teachers working outside of their specialty.  Cutbacks have forced many instrumental specialists to begin teaching choir-but never fear!  In this series, we will try to give some advice on where to start, as well as recommending some “tried and true” products that will help you become a great choral educator!

SATB is the standard voicing for high school mixed choirs and SAB/3-Part Mixed arrangements have the same designation at the middle school level.  However,  a teacher’s world is rarely perfect.  There are many reasons why you might have a need to use SAB pieces in a high school or SATB pieces in a middle school.

If one or more of the following apply to your high school singers….

-You have less than half as many men as women; putting the men on the same part will balance the group

-Your male singers are inexperienced enough that  they need the strength in numbers

-You are working on a new concept (language, choreography, etc.) and want to simplify the number of parts

…you may want to try one of these excellent SAB pieces:

Canon of Praise – Pachelbel, arr. Hal Hopson – MW1226

Der Tanz – Schubert, arr. Patrick Liebergen – BL382

Die Nachtigall – Schubert, arr. Russell Robinson – 08501705

Elijah – Dan Davison – 00126742

Praise the Lord – Handel, arr. Hal Hopson – 35017273

Sicut Cervus – Palestrina, arr. Russell Robinson – 31089

If one or more of the following apply to your middle school group…

-The young men in your choir are overpowering the light, healthy sound of your middle school women

-You have enough men that they are able to sing 2 different parts and still balance your women

-You have boys whose voices are changing in different ways; some still comfortable in a cambiata range and some who have temporarily lost their mid-range (from about A below middle C to E above)

-You teach in a junior high instead of middle school and have 7th, 8th and 9th graders in the same group

…you may want to try one of these beginner SATB pieces:

Adoramus Te – Emily Crocker – 08740061

Beachcombers – Amy Bernon – 15/2538H

Bound for Jubilee –  Joyce Eilers – SV7903

Come to Me, O My Love – Allan Petker – HMC997

Going Over Home – Sonja Poorman – BL334

Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name – Dennard Brazeal – 35009892

Song of the Sea – Raymond Hannisian – SV7802

Three Madrigals – Emma Lou Diemer – 48003439

Hope Is Like the Wind – Ruth Elaine Schram – 15/2677H

Remember, voicing does not always indicate difficulty level.  With some sleuthing you can find appropriate pieces for all ages in a variety of voicings.

Still not sure what to choose?  Don’t be shy about asking for help, especially if you are new to the choral world.  As always, the experienced choral directors at Stanton’s are thrilled to help you select materials, make recommendations, or give advice.    Contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, extension 1 or visit our store.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Previous posts in this series: Warm-Ups and Rounds; Sight-Singing; SAB or 3 Part Mixed; Help! I’m Not a Pianist!; Solo and Ensemble Pt. 1; Solo and Ensemble Pt. 2


The Stanton’s Difference: Big Enough to Serve Your Needs; Small Enough to Serve You 28 July, 2014

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!

We’re Big Enough to Serve Your Needs-
*
Stanton’s Sheet Music has direct access to all major and many minor, independent, and European publishers allowing us to carry and order hundreds of thousands of print music titles for you.

*Stanton’s e-Tools are designed to make your job easier. Use our Listening Library, Jukebox, Virtual Workshop, Wish List, and Digital Delivery features to compare and organize titles for your music program. Watch for our upcoming blog series spotlighting each of our e-Tool features.

*Itemized purchase orders, bids, and large orders are no problem. We work with a number of schools around the country and U.S. International schools who “bulk order” over the summer.

*Besides providing music to customers all over the country, access to publishers like Hal Leonard and Alfred combined with stantons.com gives Stanton’s Sheet Music global reach with numerous international orders and worldwide shipping destinations.

But Small Enough to Serve YOU-
*
Stanton’s Sheet Music is still a single, family-owned store in downtown Columbus, Ohio. We do not have a warehouse or call center, and our website is just another way to shop for music with Stanton’s.

*We have 3 departments each with a specific number of dedicated, specialized staff: Choral & General Music, Band & Orchestra, and Keyboard & Pop. While anyone in a respective department can help you, if you find a specific staff member you like to work with, feel free to request them.

*We are your customer service. We answer your phone calls and e-mails. We fill your orders and process your internet orders. We personally handle your “sheet music emergencies.” We solve any problems should they arise. We will get to know you by name, and by working with you over time, get to know your program.

*We are your partner in music education. We choose Stanton’s Suggestions and Top Choices to make your job easier. We organize and conduct Stanton’s numerous clinics, workshops and reading sessions. We develop Stanton’s e-Tools with you, the music teacher, in mind.

We hope that over the course of this series we have given you some reasons to make Stanton’s your #1 choice for sheet music. If not, give us a call or place an order with us, and see why Stanton’s Sheet Music has been Sheet Music Specialists since 1960!

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers, Setting Up Accounts, Make It a Road Trip!, Going the Extra Mile


The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 25 July, 2014

00125210The music of James Newton Howard, composed for “Catching Fire”, is now available for piano solo!  Eleven pieces from the second of  The Hunger Games trilogy are included in this book of sheet music from the movie.  The story written by Suzanne Collins took shape on film, and this music expresses the emotions of the characters and the feel of the environments they have to deal with.  There is a certain satisfaction when playing  “Arena Crumbles“.  For more information on this collection or other movie music, please 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!


“Beautiful” , the Carole King musical 24 July, 2014

00123827Twenty five of  Carole King’s best songs have been pulled together to make a new musical, “Beautiful“, about her.   From her beginnings in the early 1950s to her rise as one of America’s favorite songwriters, this collection of sheet music she wrote  for herself  and for others traces the path of her career.  Included are favorites “You’ve Got a Friend”, “I Feel the Earth Move”,  “It’s Too Late”, and “The Loco-Motion”.  For more information about this book of sheet music or other music you may be interested in, 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!


JUST ONE MONTH – Excellence in Choral Literature! 23 July, 2014

Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to announce our 21st annual Excellence in Choral Literature Clinic on Saturday August 23, 2014! This session was designed to help you select concert and contest literature from some of choral music’s most distinguished composers, featuring the best in new music for mixed, treble, and men’s choirs at all levels of difficulty. Registration fee includes a complimentary packet of over 30 titles.

Come join us to discover beautiful music and share ideas with colleagues and friends! For more information, please check out our video below, contact us by email, or call us at 1.800.426.8742. Register online NOW!

Click here to watch video


This summer, learn to play the guitar! 22 July, 2014

00-42548Stanton’s got a shipment of the best guitar methods from Alfred!   You can learn to play rock guitar. blues, electric,  jazz or acoustic.   We got some ukulele books and bass guitar books, too. While away the  evenings on your deck (or patio) with your guitar in the summer breeze!  For more information about these helpful methods, 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!

 


The Stanton’s Difference: Going the Extra Mile 21 July, 2014

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!  Today we’d like to spotlight a couple of ways the Stanton’s staff goes above and beyond for you.

So you want to program an old title. You call us to order it, or place your order at stantons.com. While taking/processing your order, our knowledgeable staff realizes the age of the title, either because we remember when it was published (yes, many of us have been here that long), or we’re tipped off by the catalog number – in fact, old Belwin/Columbia Pictures numbers contain the year of publication within them. Rather than just place the title on backorder, and hope it comes in, we often check the availability of old titles in real time! The Alfred and Hal Leonard dealer websites allow us to check the status of a title, and, if it is urgent, we are happy to call our representatives with other publishers on your behalf. This way you know as soon as possible whether you can expect to receive your title, or if you need to consider programming another piece. Sure, we hate to disappoint, but we’d rather you know sooner than later if a piece is unavailable so you can plan accordingly.

You need music in a hurry! Despite your best planning, sometimes music and scores get lost before an impending performance or an administrator/civic leader requests a specific title that’s not in your library for performance at the end of the week. If you find yourself in a “sheet music emergency,” Stanton’s can help! First, if the music you need is in-stock, we will strive to get it out the same day as long as we have your order before 4:30 pm, and we’ll work with you to find the right balance of expedited shipping time and cost. If your item is not in-stock, we can arrange for drop-ship service directly from most publishers so that your music will ship within 24 hours. If your timetable is REALLY urgent, we will personally call your drop-ship order in to the publisher to ensure that it is handled properly and shipped the same day – most publishers can get expedited orders out the same day if they are placed by noon or 12:30 local (publisher) time.  We strongly recommend that if you need to place an expedited or drop-ship order that you call us asap so that we can give your order the detailed attention it requires, and you the service you deserve!

Does your sheet music store do this? If not, give us a call and see why Stanton’s Sheet Music has been the “Sheet Music Specialist”  for over 50 years, and why you should shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers, Setting Up Accounts, Make It a Road Trip!


Can you tell me how to get to Sesame Street? 18 July, 2014

00312479This great book of Sesame Street songs has forty songs from childhood’s favorite on-screen street.  From the “Sesame Street Theme” to “We Are All Earthlings”, these perennial favorites include guitar chords in addition to the piano part, which includes the melody in the right hand.  So set the rubber duckie next to the keyboard, line the kids up next to the piano and get ready to sing the summer away! For more information about this collection of sheet music, 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!


O’Neill’s Music of Ireland 17 July, 2014

This one-inch thick book of 1,850 Irish melodiesResizeImageHandler.ashx is a library of tunes in one volume.  There are set dance tunes, which are tunes for a “set”, or group of dancers in couples, many of O’Carolan’s tunes, folk song tunes, and more.  The melody is laid out, ready to be played, embellished upon, or arranged by a group or soloist.  There are many familiar tunes; “The Minstrel Boy”, “The Bard of Armagh”, “Planxty Irwin”, reels, hornpipes, and more.  The words are not included, nor are there chords provided.  The melody is the main emphasis in this collection. For more information about this collection or other tune books or fiddle books, please call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Jam Session! 16 July, 2014

00240112What is a jam session?  It is a musical event, process, or activity where musicians play (“jam”) by improvising.  At a typical folk music or Bluegrass jam, players in the group take turns choosing a tune to play and the key to play it in. (Example- “Let’s play “In the Pines” in the key of D.”)  Most of the group will be familiar with the songs, so people can strum, pick, or fiddle along to the song.  Maybe one person will sing the verses, and everyone will sing the chorus in harmony.  Often, the leader will give a nod to different people and the chosen person will improvise a solo for a verse of the song.  Jams can go on for hours with people coming and going as time passes.  It’s great fun!  I’ve been in jams where I’ve alternated playing fiddle, mandolin, or ukulele.   Sometimes, I stop playing and just sing. To learn the songs associated with a particular style of music, fakebooks are helpful, as is listening to lots of music in your chosen style. Eventually, your ear kicks in, and you can play “by ear”.  That is, you can hear a song and play it without sheet music.  For information about fakebooks for different styles of music, 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!


Band Directors Teaching Choir: Solo and Ensemble Pt. 2 15 July, 2014

Here at Stanton’s12VBF_ConspirareHandel, we’re aware of the rising number of music teachers working outside of their specialty.  Cutbacks have forced many instrumental specialists to begin teaching choir-but never fear!  In this series, we will try to give some advice on where to start, as well as recommending some “tried and true” products that will help you become a great choral educator!

Just when you’ve gotten comfortable with the daily running of your choral group(s), it’s time to begin preparing for Solo and Ensemble festivals. The general procedures for vocal and instrumental music are often similar, but there are some differences that new choral teachers should be aware of.  This post will focus on small ensembles.

Conducting-Depending on the size of the ensemble, a conductor may or may not be allowed, so consider the difficulty of entrances and phrase endings when choosing music.  Be sure to have at least one student who is able to give small conducting gestures for starting, stopping, and changes of tempo.

Doubling Parts-Unlike a brass quintet or a flute trio, most vocal ensembles allow for parts to be doubled.  Usually there is a limit to the number of singers in an ensemble, but more than one singer may be on a part.

Pianists-Don’t forget to engage an accompanist for your groups.  Unless they are singing a cappella, vocal groups will need an accomplished accompanist.  If you must use a CD or electronic accompaniment, be sure your selection has a CD available.

Literature-Small vocal ensembles use the same music as a large choir of the same voicing.  For example, a 3 part women’s ensemble (SSA) could use the same music as your women’s choir; a mixed group could use the same SATB music as your mixed choir.  Not all pieces work well for small groups though, so use your state’s music list as a guide or check our website for suggestions .

As always, individual states’ rules vary.  Please check your state rule book  for more information.

Still not sure what to choose?  Don’t be shy about asking for help, especially if you are new to the choral world.  As always, the experienced choral directors at Stanton’s are thrilled to help you select materials, make recommendations, or give advice.    Contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, extension 1 or visit our store.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Previous posts in this series: Warm-Ups and Rounds; Sight-Singing; SAB or 3 Part Mixed; Help! I’m Not a Pianist!; Solo and Ensemble Pt. 1


The Stanton’s Difference: Make It A Road Trip!! 14 July, 2014

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the next few weeks, we want to take the opportunity to highlight just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!

Places where you can browse and buy A LOT of sheet music are hard to come by. It’s amazing how many times we hear, “It’s so nice to be able to look at music before you buy it,” and “I live in                                              , and there is nowhere like this to buy music.”  This last statement includes cities like New York and Los Angeles, and has been made by some of the touring Broadway Across America musicians who come through Columbus.  If you live within driving distance of Columbus, and you’re wondering if a trip to Stanton’s is worth it the answer is “absolutely!”

Who doesn’t love a road trip? We’re not as far away as you might think. Columbus is only a 2 hour drive from Cleveland and Cincinnati, and 3 hours from Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Lexington and some of the farther reaches of Ohio. Besides, Stanton’s Sheet Music is in a former A&P grocery store (complete with cupola) that has hundreds of thousands of sheet music titles in stock!

While you’re here, you are welcome to look through and compare all of the music that’s on hand. You can pull up a chair at our listening station or use the Stanton’s app on your smart phone to scan titles and listen to them throughout the store. If it’s your first time at Stanton’s, let us know – we’ll give you a tour! Did we mention that you can also take advantage of our knowledgeable staff, too?

Need to grab lunch, or staying in town for dinner? In addition to sheet music suggestions, our staff can recommend plenty of great, non-chain places to grab a bite. Within walking distance are Dirty Frank’s, Little Palace, The Jury Room, Katzinger’s Delicatessen, and Indian Oven, as well as Mikey’s Late Night Slice and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams at the Columbus Commons (and you’ve got to try Jeni’s!)  Also nearby are plenty of restaurants in German Village, on Gay Street, and in the Short North and Arena Districts.

“My spouse will be bored/we have the kids with us.” Guess what? Your spouse/kids can take advantage of the many attractions Columbus has to offer while you shop, or plan a whole day or overnight trip for some quality family time. Downtown destinations include programs at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, PB & Jazz kids’ concerts, COSI, the Santa Maria, Ohio Statehouse tours, and the Columbus Museum of Art, as well as events at the downtown theaters like the CAPA Summer Movie Series and Broadway Across America. The Columbus Commons hosts many events including food trucks on Thursdays, Commons for Kids on Fridays (with free carousel rides!), and the Columbus Symphony Pops concerts. Also nearby are the North Market, Franklin Park Conservatory, Crew Stadium, and the Columbus Clippers at Huntington Park – a fantastic venue to take in a ballgame, the Columbus skyline, and eat City Barbeque!  Other annual events include the Columbus Arts Festival, Actors’ Theatre performances, the Ohio State Fair (July 23-Aug. 3), and the upcoming Jazz & Ribs Festival (July 18-20). Within driving distance are shopping at Easton Town Center and Polaris Fashion Place, as well as the renowned Columbus Zoo and Aquarium featuring the newly added Heart of Africa region, and Zoombezi Bay water park.

Have we given you enough reasons to come to Columbus and visit us? We look forward to seeing you soon!

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers, Setting Up Accounts


The Boss is Back! 11 July, 2014

Bruce Springsteen’s new album, “High Hopes” has been released for piano/vocal/guitar, and for guitar.   This collection includes several old favorites (The Ghost of Tom Joad”)  and several newly re-recorded  songs are presented (The Wall.)  The Boss is back on tour, and back on a roll!  Play along with the Guitar Songbook Edition!  For more information about “High Hopes” or other Springsteen music, 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!


Piano Workshops, August 8 and 9! 10 July, 2014

00420168On Friday August 8, from 9 AM to 12:30 PM, there will be a free workshop for piano teachers at Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. 4th st.  Enter from Noble St., which runs East and West between Main st and Mound St. Parking is free.  You may get to Noble St. from either 4th St. or 5th St.  Registration begins at 8:30 AM.  This year, Randall Faber, co-author of the Piano Adventures series, is our workshop leader.  Come meet him and learn how the Piano Adventures series of lesson books can help your students to learn the piano skills they want and need!

The next day, Saturday August 9, from 2 PM to 4:30 PM, Larry Shackley, a well-known arranger of sacred music, will present new arrangements of sacred piano music.  Registration is at 1:30 PM.  Come listen to these new arrangements, and see what you want to buy to play for your church, Sunday School, or just for yourself to play at home.8622

Both of these popular annual events are well attended, fun and informative. They are only about a month away. Come join us! You may call us at  1-800-42-MUSIC, or email us at  keyboard@stantons.com for more information.


Church Clinic 09 July, 2014

Make sure you’re ready for the next church season with our August Sacred Choral Reading Session!

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome Larry Shackley as our clinician for the August Church Choral Music reading session! Larry is a full-time composer and music editor from Columbia, SC.  From 1995-2007, he taught and directed the music program at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. Prior to that, he worked for several years at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, creating original music and Shackley, Larryproducing radio programs for the Moody Broadcasting Network. He also served as staff keyboardist for ten years at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. Larry’s published music includes over 200 choral pieces, seven cantatas, and 400 keyboard arrangements, as well as vocal and instrumental collections and numerous orchestrations. He has received writing awards from ASCAP every year since 1998, and has fulfilled commissions from schools, churches, and community choirs across America.

Your registration includes a packet of over 35 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. We look forward to seeing you on August 9th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Sacred Choral Reading Session
Saturday 8/9/2014, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Battelle Fine Arts Center, Otterbein University
195 West Park St., Westerville OH 43081
Cost: $20.00 (There is no pre-registration; you may register the day of the clinic beginning at 8:30.)
email our choral department for more details

Sacred Piano Reading Session
also featuring Larry Shackley
Saturday 8/9/2014, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music,
330 South 4th St., Columbus OH 43215
Cost: Free!
email our keyboard department for more details

Click here to watch video

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

The Rocky Horror Show 08 July, 2014

14042919We present to you the 40th Anniversary Songbook for The Rocky Horror Show!  Forty years of Rocky Horror?  Yes!  Beginning in June 1973,  “Upstairs” at the Royal Court Theatre,  “Rocky Horror” has swept the world with the stage production and the movie.   It is a humorous tribute to the “B” horror films and science fiction films from the 1940′s through the 1970′s. Richard O’Brien’s zany story has a world wide cult following.  The film is the longest running release in film history.  This book of sheet music from the stage production includes a download card which gives you online access to professional backing tracks for all the songs!  To order this collectible album, 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!

The Stanton’s Difference: Setting Up Accounts Is Easy! 07 July, 2014

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the next few weeks, we want to take the opportunity to highlight just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!

If you’re a school, church or community music director, your purchases are usually made to an account to be paid by your institution. If you are new to any of these positions, or have recently changed gigs, give us a call! We will be happy to provide you with your organization’s account number(s), and walk you through the billing process.

Are you new to shopping with Stanton’s? Rest easy – our staff can check to see if your organization already has an account (many often do), and if not, setting up a new account is easy! In fact, we can help you set up a new account when you place your first order, or make your first purchase, in a matter of minutes!

What we need:
- Name of the organization to be billed
- Billing address
- Billing phone number
- Purchase order number (if required by billing institution)

Let us know where you would like to have your order shipped, and you’re done!

Some notes:
*
Stanton’s can bill your: School Board/District; Church; School Building Activity Fund; Booster organization; Community Band/Choir organization

*We can assign multiple ship-to addresses and institutional credit cards to your account.

*You can bill orders to your account at our store, over the phone, at stantons.com, or at any conference or reading session where we’re exhibiting!

If you have any questions, give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC and speak with our sales staff, or press 4 to speak directly with our accounting department, and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

 

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers

Happy Independence Day! 04 July, 2014

Stanton’s is closed today in observance of the 4th of July! We’ll be back tomorrow to serve all your sheet music needs.

The Best of Hank Williams 03 July, 2014

00490475This second edition of Hank Williams‘ best songs contains thirty-eight songs, including guitar chords.  I bet you knew he wrote “Cold, Cold Heart” and “Jambalaya”.  Did you know he was the writer of  “I Saw the Light”?    Of course “Kaw-Liga” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart” are included!  Revisit this country icon’s songs in this newly reissued book of country sheet music.  For more about this collection or other music you may be interested in, 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!

LESS THAN 4 WEEKS – Stanton’s Super Session! 02 July, 2014

ss logoDo you need to put a little “spark” in your choral program? Is there just too much new music out there for you to review? Join us for a fun, enriching day of music education with Andy Beck, Greg Gilpin, and Stanton’s own Jen Sper featuring music from Alfred Publications, Shawnee Press and many other choral publishers.

Stanton’s Super Session
Saturday 8/2/2014, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
at Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth St, 43215
REGISTRATION: $55.00 (includes lunch)

Nowhere else will you find such a variety of new choral selections and teaching resources to inspire and motivate you and your students as you begin the school year.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Band Directors Teaching Choir-Solo and Ensemble Pt. 1 01 July, 2014

Here at Stanton’s12VBF_ConspirareHandel, we’re aware of the rising number of music teachers working outside of their specialty.  Cutbacks have forced many instrumental specialists to begin teaching choir-but never fear!  In this series, we will try to give some advice on where to start, as well as recommending some “tried and true” products that will help you become a great choral educator!

Just when you’ve gotten comfortable with the daily running of your choral group(s), it’s time to begin preparing for Solo and Ensemble festivals. The general procedures for vocal and instrumental music are often similar, but there are some differences that new choral teachers should be aware of.  This post will focus on solo literature.

Memorization-Unlike instrumental events, vocal events must be memorized.  Though a piece might seem easy on the surface, the memorization of text and/or musical elements can be an issue for some.  Consider the number of verses, language,  and the difficulty of entrances or phrase endings when thinking about a student’s ability to memorize.

Pianists-An accomplished accompanist is extremely important, especially when young singers are involved.  While a live accompanist is always best, many standard vocal collections now come with a CD.  This can be an invaluable tool for a student who may not get much rehearsal time with an accompanist or instructor.  Click here to see a selection of collections available with accompaniment CD’s.

Literature-While most instrumental solos are available as singles, most vocal literature can be found in collections.   These budget-stretching books can have many solos that appear on your state list, often at different difficulty levels and/or in different ranges.  Don’t forget to order an original copy for the accompanist as well.  Click here to see our best-selling vocal collections.  For students in junior high/middle school, check out our previous blog post on this topic.

As always, individual states’ rules vary.  Please check your state rule book  for more information.

Still not sure which collections to invest in?  Don’t be shy about asking for help, especially if you are new to the choral world.  As always, the experienced choral directors at Stanton’s are thrilled to help you select materials, make recommendations, or give advice.    Contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, extension 1 or visit our store.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Previous posts in this series: Warm-Ups and Rounds; Sight-Singing; SAB or 3 Part Mixed; Help! I’m Not a Pianist!