News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Some to listen, Some to play: Album for the Young 31 December, 2014

14043439This collection of sheet music for piano solo includes sixty-six classics written by the masters for piano solo.  Some are easy enough for children to play: “Les Cinq Doigts #1″ by Igor Stravinsky, “Melody” and “Soldier’s March” from Schumann’s collection, “Album for the Young” are among these.  The rest are to play for children.  There is a transcription of “The Elephant” from Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the Animals.”

Francis Poulenc wrote about Babar, the little elephant.  “The Tea Shop” is a musical representation of Babar taking some friends to a tea shop, where they have some delicious cakes.  Two of J. S. Bach’s two-part inventions are included.  The most recent piece was written by George Fenton.  It’s called “At the Beach”.  This music can appeal to any age player,  or to play for any age child or young person.  The music spans several styles of composition.  It’s a perfect collection for exploring the classics from Bach to the 21st  century.  For more information about this collection or others like it, contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Auld Lang Syne 30 December, 2014

“Should auld aquaintance be forgot…”.  We all know the first several words of this traditional New Year’s Eve song.  How 00353010many of us know all the words, and the right words?  Just in case you are shaky on the words or the melody, (and test yourself out, here!), we have the sheet music for this song.   So for the sake of old times, and old friends, revisit this timeless gem of a song!  Contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stanton.com, or visit our website, http://www.stantons.com to check out our extensive offering of seasonal music!  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.


IPA Made Easy 29 December, 2014

Singing in foreign languages is an important benchmark in students’ choral education – but, teaching languages and pronunciation can be intimidating for some teachers. How many years has it been since YOUR last diction class? And if you’re new to the vocal side of music education, you may have NO experience with foreign languages (outside of Italian musical terms!).

The handy guidebook Alfred’s IPA Made Easy is an easy reference for the symbols used in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA): what they look like and how they are pronounced. IPA is a standard set of symbols used for notating pronunciation of spoken language; because the symbols are consistent across languages, a basic understanding provides guidance for singers as they expand their experience with new languages.

Example words for every symbol are included in English, Latin, Italian, German, French, and Spanish. An online resource includes demonstrations of every sound, recorded by a professional voice teacher.  A clear and concise tool for singing in foreign languages, equally useful in the choir room and the vocal studio.

For more choral education resources, please contact us!


Simon and Garfunkel 26 December, 2014

14030202“Simon and Garfunkel’s Greatest Hits”  is a collection of fourteen songs from their halcyon days.  It includes “Bridge Over Troubled Water”,  “The Sound of Silence“,  “The Boxer”, and more.  “Scarborough Fair/Canticle”  includes both parts.  The melody to the songs is included in the right hand part for the piano. and guitar chord grids are provided.  For a walk down memory lane, or for an introduction  to these timeless songs, this collection of sheet music is perfect!  For more information about this collection or other similar collections, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Merry Christmas 25 December, 2014

Happy Holidays!  We are closed today, but we wish you a happy holiday season.  We will open Dec. 26th at 9:00 AM.  In the meantime, feel free to visit us Desktop Wallpaperat http://www.stantons.com!


Christmas Eve Panic! 24 December, 2014

panicIt’s a church musician’s worst Christmas Eve nightmare:  You show up to rehearse the morning of December 24th with your singer, only to find that you have their solo in the wrong key!  With all those services and all the special music, it’s easy to misplace a copy of something.  Make sure that you always have all of the right arrangements/keys of the classics with these bound volumes:

complete gesu bambinoThe Complete Gesu Bambino – FEM00001………………………………………………..$12.95

This beloved Christmas classic by Pietro Yon is presented here for high, medium, and low voice with piano accompaniment; piano solo in advanced, intermediate, and easy editions; an organ solo; an organ/piano duet; and for violin and piano. Also included in this collection is a biographical sketch of Yon. A must for every church musician!

complete o holy night

The Complete O Holy Night (Cantique de Noel) – 00747046………………………………$10.99

Eight versions of the song in one collection, each in both French and English. 3 vocal solos (high, medium, low) with piano accompaniment, and 3 vocal solos (high, medium, low) with organ accompaniment. Also includes organ solo and piano solo.

 

complete ave mariaThe Complete Ave Maria (Bach/Gounod & Schubert) – 00747023……………………..$12.99

A must for any accompanist, this book contains the celebrated Schubert Ave Maria as well as the Bach/Gounod Ave Maria. After a history of both versions, each is presented in three keys with a choice of piano or organ accompaniment. Solo piano and solo organ versions are also included. Sixteen versions of the classic in all.

 

The Complete Lord’s Prayer – 50481088………………………………………………………..$14.99complete lord's prayer

With this 15-version collection, you’ll always be ready to play Albert Hay Malotte’s sacred classic – anytime, anywhere, for anyone. The Revised Edition of this indispensable book is now even more valuable. In addition to Malotte’s classic in five keys for solo voice and organ (E-flat, D-flat, C, B-flat, G), the same five keys for solo voice and piano, and a solo piano and solo organ arrangement, there are three vocal duet arrangements included – soprano and alto (which could be sung by a soprano and baritone), soprano and tenor, and alto and baritone.

For more information on music for the holidays or classical vocal selections, please give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online at www.stantons.com.


Wilbur Held Organ Music 23 December, 2014

10-618New Every Morning” is a new collection of organ solos arranged by longtime favorite arranger Wilbur Held.    This collection of sheet music for organ includes six settings of  morning hymns.  Titles include “When Morning Gilds the Skies” and “Morning Has Broken”.  This collection of new settings for morning hymns is bound to please!  For more information about this collection of sheet music for organ, or other sacred organ collections, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Live from The Midwest Clinic – Day 3 22 December, 2014

by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist

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Richard Canter discussing Scale & Rhythm Chunks

scale & rhythm

Scale & Rhythm Chunks is a hit!!

We’ve reached the third and final exhibition day at the 2014 Midwest Clinic, and I’m glad to say that our booth traffic was brisk – more akin to what we’re used to from the state MEA conferences that we attend! Highlights from Day 3 include Richard Canter (Scale & Rhythm Chunks) returning to our booth and talking over his book with numerous band directors, getting to finally meet our new Hal Leonard representative in person (it’s always nice to put a face with a voice!), and receiving plenty of positive customer feedback about Stanton’s service and website!

full booth

The Stanton’s booth is a hub of activity

After a busy and successful day, the exhibit hall closed at 5:00 pm, and it was time to break down the booth, pack it up, and load out. Since it was ‘old school week’ (packing everything in boxes instead of loading full bins onto our large rolling carts), the entire booth was packed and loaded in about 3 hours. If you’re thinking, “You guys must have been hungry after all that work”, you’d be right. At the recommendation of our good fdinner 1riend and Chicago customer Bob Erickson (Hoffman Estates H.S.), we headed to the south Loop for BBQ ribs and chicken at Miller’s Pub. As you can tell by the picture, it was a feast!

dinner 2

It was a feast!!

Overall, our trip was fantastic! It was great to see some of our regular customers from Ohio, Kentucky, and Michigan. Since The Midwest Clinic is an international conference, we met numerous educators and students from around the world, especially Australia and Japan. If you’re teaching band or orchestra, and haven’t attended The Midwest Clinic before, you really should. It is a world class event featuring the highest quality clinics and concerts; a huge exhibit hall featuring all of the instrument manufacturers, sheet music publishers both large and small, and much more (including Stanton’s!). The very large and modern McCormick Place and adjacent Hyatt Regency are beautiful facilities that do a wonderful job hosting this event.

We had a great time, and look forward to seeing YOU there next year!

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. He enjoyed encountering several Chicago Blackhawks fans on the return trip to Columbus headed to Saturday’s game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is glad to report that the CBJ won 3-2 after a 9 round shootout


Live from The Midwest Clinic – Day 2 19 December, 2014

exhibit hall entranceby Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist

Day 2 of the 2014 Midwest Clinic has come and gone, and it was quite an active day. The Stanton’s booth was busy, especially around mid-day with plenty of educators and students loading up on method books, solo and ensemble repertoire, and new concert pieces. One of my favorite aspects of working our booth is meeting directors that we don’t know, passing along our new band music promotions, and explaining our selection process.

Visitors to the Stanton’s booth included our good friend James Swearingen, FJH orchestra composer Lauren Bernofsky, and Hal Leonard arranger Johnnie Vinson. In addition, I had an engaging and enthusiastic conversation with Alfred composers Chris Bernotas and Vince Gassi. Band Education Specialist Kent White attended the session on Scale & Rhythm Chunks by Ohio’s own Richard Canter. It was standing room only with over 500 people attending his session, and we have all but sold out of the copies we had at the booth!

One of the other unique elements of The Midwest Clinic is the number of composers and arrangers on-hand. As mentioned above, I spent quite a bit of time today speaking with Chris Bernotas and Vince Gassi, as well as Randall Standridge, Grand Mesa president Walter Cummings, and FJH composers Travis Weller and Brian Balmages.

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The “Barnhouse Party Bus,” on the way to dinner

maggianoAgain our day was capped off witbarney awardh a fantastic meal, this time at Maggiano’s Little Italy courtesy of C.L. Barnhouse. It’s in a great historic building that probably dates to the 20’s. To our surprise Stanton’s along with RBC Music of Texas were honored with the presentation of the “Barney” Award in recognition of our long relationship in selling and promoting Barnhouse titles. A much appreciated and heartfelt presentation was given by James Swearingen. I also got to hear a number of fantastic (and hilarious) stories about Chuck Barnhouse since I was seated between Barnhouse president Andy Clark and Ed Peterson of Omega Recordings, the company that records the Washington Winds.

That’s all for today from The Windy City (or Gotham if you’re a fan of the Christopher Nolan Batman Trilogy).

About the Author
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. He is thrilled to have had gelato and fantastic cheesecake for dessert over the past two nights! Seriously, Cheesecake Factory – meh.


Live from The Midwest Clinic – Day 1 18 December, 2014

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Ryan Nowlin & Stanton’s band guru Kent White

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Ryan Nowlin & Stanton’s band guru Kent White

20141217_095909by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist

Sweet Home Chicago

Greetings from the exhibit hall at the 2014 Midwest Clinic! After a full day of set up on Tuesday (check out our time lapse video here), I am excited to share Stanton’s Midwest debut.

20141217_155226

Ryan Nowlin & Stanton’s band guru Kent White

While exhibit hall traffic was light on our first day, things began to pick up after 1:00 pm as more band and orchestra directors, students and parents began to arrive. As always, it is fun to see some of our Ohio and Kentucky friends and educators at national (and international) conferences. Band directors from Westerville, New Bremen, Lexington (OH), and Louisville, KY were among some of the familiar faces on the first day, along with Ohio State, Capital, and Baldwin Wallace having booths here as well. In addition, we were thrilled to be visited by composer and Columbus native Roger Cichy, educator and 2014 Capital Reading Clinic guest Paula Crider, and Ohio native and staff arranger for “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band Ryan Nowlin. Stay tuned for a Q&A post with First Lieutenant Nowlin in the near future!

Of course, professional conferences are about making new friends and bringing sheet music to the masses, but they are also great opportunities to speak with our publisher representatives (and sometimes CEOs!) face-to-face about new music, textbooks, and other products, talk about specific ways to improve service, and catch some music industry scoop.

The day was capped off with excellent food. The Stanton’s staff is happy to recommend RBC Steakhouse, and Café Bionda where I had fantastic southern Italian cuisine (and gelato!).

That’s all for now. Stay tuned for our Day 2 recap tomorrow!

About the Author
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. He is excited to introduce his son to some favorite Christmas specials this year including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Christmas Eve on Sesame Street. Vintage!


Dreamin’ of a White Christmas 17 December, 2014

00313165Stanton’s stocks “White Christmas” movie vocal selections for the season! Of course the classic song “White Christmas” came from this movie, but can you name one or two other songs from this movie that are also well known? How about “Sisters” or “Blue Skies”? The song “White Christmas” was the biggest hit in the history of 20th century pop music. The recording sold more than any other song for the next fifty years. We still hear and sing “White Christmas” all season. If you aren’t familiar with the movie, rent the DVD, sit back with this book of sheet music for the songs, and sing along! For more information about this music, or other Christmas music, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, write us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Tubby the Tuba 16 December, 2014

74-0525477179If you are still looking for a great Christmas gift for your young child or a friend’s young child, Tubby the Tuba is just a phone call away!  Tubby the Tuba plays “oompah” with the orchestra, but wants to play the pretty melody. The classic, endearing tale of how that happens for Tubby is told in this storybook with accompanying CD.  Over the last sixty years, over 13 million copies of Tubby the Tuba have been sold.  Enjoy this classic with your child or grandchild. For more information about this book or other story books, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.


Elementary Musicals for Spring 15 December, 2014

Ready to start planning your elementary spring musical? This year, Stanton’s has something for everyone! Check out these new musicals that will motivate and excite both you and your students!

We Honor the Brave by Dave & Jean Perry
Suggested for Grades K-8
Performance time: approx. 20 minutes
Perfect for any patriotic event, We Honor the Brave is a reproducible musical celebration honoring the men and women who have risked or given their lives to protect our country and those who are currently serving in all branches of the military. Set at a Veterans’ Day parade, five speaking characters, comprised of two older and three younger Americans, tell the story. The additional cast members can be used in a number of ways in each scene – as spectators or parade members. Even the audience is a part of the parade-going crowd while your singers perform original and familiar patriotic songs, including a rap! It’s a wonderful program that works easily for all young singers through middle school. Included are simple staging, prop, performance, and costume suggestions, as well as full performance and accompaniment tracks, reproducible singer pages, and a poster and program for your use to market the show. A Veteran’s Interview is also included for your students to use to learn about local veterans. The seven original and familiar songs include Land of the Free, Yankee Doodle, The Open Sea, On Land On Sea and in the Air, Flying, Veterans’ Day Rap and a reprise of Land of the Free.

Goal! by John Jacobson & John Higgins
Suggested for Grades 1-5
Performance time: approx. 25 minutes
Did you know that over 13 million Americans play soccer? The game that Brazilian “football” legend Pele called “The Beautiful Game” is the setting for this amazingly entertaining musical that not only celebrates the beauty and glory of the sport, but also the value of good sportsmanship, setting goals, being a part of a team and more. Goal is a musical that every cast member will love to perform, whether sports is their “thing” or not. In this musical, nobody is cut from the team, and with musical styles from Latin to Rap and Pop to Broadway, we celebrate setting goals and working as a team to accomplish amazing things together! This ALL-SCHOOL 25-minute musical features five original songs and script with over 30 speaking parts. Songs include: Goal, Awesome, Kick It, El Juego Bonito (The Beautiful Game), It’s Not If You Win.

Freddie the Frog and the Jungle Jazz by Sharon Burch & Rosana Eckert
Suggested for Grades 2-5
Performance time: approx. 25 minutes
Freddie the Frog, Eli the Elephant, Babs Baboon and Micki Macaw join trumpet-playing elephants, trombone-sliding tigers, clarinet-playing monkeys and a flock of seagulls as they scat sing, swing and perform collective improvisation in this swingin’ introduction to jazz. The 25-minute musical for 2nd-5th grade students includes five original songs and dialog with 26 speaking parts, along with unique “beginner band student” adaptations giving students a chance to squawk, buzz and growl on stage as they argue about who’s the best. Sharing their combined talent, the animal friends discover embracing each other’s differences creates the ultimate jungle jam. Songs include Jungle Jazz, We’re the Best, Jungle Jam, I’m So Sorry My Friend, Let’s Celebrate.

Making the Band by Roger Emerson & John Jacobson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: approx 25 minutes
“Move that car! We’re ready to begin. A garage is a place to make music in. With keyboard, drums, guitar and bass; add a singer and we’re all in place!” Explore the instruments of a rock band and start your own garage band. This unique musical revue features fresh new arrangements for unison voices with optional harmony that are accessible and appropriate for upper elementary and middle school singers. Use the program dialog for performance options; connect to the standards with teaching objectives for each song; and extend learning with online video interviews featuring John Jacobson and the studio musicians who recorded the songs in musical revue. “Here we go; the band is complete. We got the singer and we got the beat! Let’s twist and shout and harmonize, too. We’re ready to play a tune for you.” Songs include: We Got the Beat, Twist and Shout, Stand By Me, Your Song, Livin’ on a Prayer, Making the Band.

Pirates 2: The Hidden Treasure by “Captain” John Jacobson & “Jolly” Roger Emerson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: approx. 35 minutes
ARRRR! Our favorite rascally pirates are back at work, seeking adventure and treasure on the high seas! But a mighty storm rolls in and the pirates find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island, or is it? Will the King of the High “C’s” have a plan to save the day? Through the course of their musical adventures, they discover that real treasure is something they have plenty of … friendship and family. Designed for performers in upper elementary and middle school, this 35-minute musical features six original songs, with connecting script and over 20 speaking parts. The Teacher Edition is filled with quality performance material including piano/vocal song arrangements and choreography, script and helpful production guide. For added value, the ready-to-use student books include songs and script, and will enhance the musical experience for your young aspiring actors/singers! Songs include: A Pirate I Will Be, The Storm, The King’s Plan, Talent to Burn, Who Cares, We’ve Got Friends!

Need more ideas or suggestions? Call or email Stanton’s Sheet Music and ask to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members!


Combo Concerts: Band or Orchestra and Choir 12 December, 2014

Recommended by Rachel Steele, School Choral Specialist

The concert schedule foband and choirr lots of schools is the same year-in and year-out.  Consider shaking things up this year with a “combo” concert!  Combine your groups across levels (imagine how big your band will be with students grades 5-12!) or across genres (your 6th grade choir would love to sing a piece or a medley with your high school jazz band!).

Whether it is a holiday performance, patriotic salute, or end of the year celebration, there is no more powerful statement to your community than a performance that features both your instrumental and vocal performing ensembles.  Show your parents, administrators, and school board members how many lives you and your colleagues touch, and give your students an experience that they will remember for years to come.

Dry Your Tears, Afrika – Music by John Williams, choral adaptation by Audrey Snyder, band and strings arrangements by Paul Lavenderdry your tears afrika

This arrangement from the moving 1997 movie Amistad features poetry by Bernard Dadie in the Mende language, and music by arguably the greatest film composer of all time, John Williams.  Since the choral is available in a variety of versions, this can be done with children’s choir, middle school choir, high school choir or any combination.  In addition, the available String Pak means that your orchestra and/or band could play.  Present this with sensitive program notes, appropriate readings or even excerpts of the film – your students will gain a new perspective on the history involved in this amazing music.

***For more advanced orchestral/choral groups, consider the John Williams Signature Edition of this piece for orchestra, SATB Choir and Children’s Choir.

SATB (08741425) – $1.95               SAB  (08741426) – $1.95               2 Part (08741427) – $1.95

Concert Band (04001735) – $70.00               String Pak (04626104) – $40.00

***John Williams Signature Edition, including orchestral & choral parts (04490084) – $375.00

Carols From the British Isles – arr. Douglas Wagner

carols from the british islesI love this carol medley specifically because it uses carols that are not overdone, but still common enough that your audience will recognize the tunes.  Included are “Suogan,” “I Saw Three Ships,” “Good People All, This Christmastime,” and “The Seven Joys of Mary.”  Since the band arrangement and choral arrangement(s) can be done as stand alone pieces, take some time to analyze where you may want to eliminate the melody in the instrumental (so as to feature the choir), or eliminate the chorals for a section to feature your instrumentalists.  The variety of voicings available for the choirs make this piece very do-able for most middle school or high school groups.  The Grade 3 band arrangement should be a cinch for your high school students, and could be playable by a strong middle school group as well.   Students will need the ability to play and sing in 6/8 time, while rhythms and ranges are moderate.

SATB (41762) – $1.85               SAB (41763) – $1.85               SSA (41764) – $1.85

Concert Band (39540) – $65.00

Armed Forces: Pride of America – arr. Larry Clark and Greg Gilpin

armed forces pride of america4th of July, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day – we get calls each year for service medleys that can be performed at all of these occasions.  Our instrumental staff is a fan of this arrangement; it has some great quotations of Sousa marches in between the songs for each branch of the service.  Though written primarily for concert band,  there are reproducible string parts that come with the concert band arrangement.  At just under 7 minutes, it can be a bit of chop buster but this is the ONLY arrangement that features the songs of all 5 service branches. It also encourages audience participation by including a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the National Anthem.  A solid piece for all organizations to have in their music libraries.

SATB (CM8973) – $2.75     SAB (CM8974) – $2.75     2 Part (CM8975) – $2.75     TTBB (CM8976) – $2.75

Concert Band w/ reproducible String Parts (CPS61) – $90.00

If you feel your group is ready for a traditional classical experience, try Schubert’s “Mass in G” or Vivaldi’s “Gloria.”  Both are about 20-30 minutes in length, although doing just the “Gloria in Excelsis” movement of the “Gloria” is an option.  One of the representatives in our choral department will be happy to help you if you’d like more information on pursuing either of these large works.

For more recommendations, give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or email us at choral@stantons.com  Previous posts in this series : Men’s Combo Concerts; Women’s Combo Concerts; High School Choir w/ Children’s Choir

Rachel Steele has been working in the choral department at Stanton’s since 2013.  She previously taught middle school and high school band and choir for 13 years, and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University.  Currently a member of the Heisey Wind Ensemble and a musician at Epiphany Lutheran Church (Pickerington, OH,) Rachel also enjoys reading, sewing, baking and the Pittsburgh Steelers!


Have Yourself a Merry, Folky Christmas! 11 December, 2014

96466leon-00001209-fMost of us are used to piano and organ music for Christmas, but did you know there is Christmas sheet music for folk instruments? From accordion to ukulele, we have collections of Christmas songbooks and instrumental solo books.  Most predominantly feature carols, but two collections have both carols and some Celtic Christmas tunes:  “A Celtic Tinwhistle Christmas” and “A Scottish Christmas for Hammered Dulcimer“.  “Christmas Favorites for Harmonica” includes some carols and at least twelve pop Christmas songs. “Christmas Songs“, for the recorder, includes mostly pop songs.  Whether you are looking for Christmas music for guitar, harp, fiddle mandolin, or another folk instrument, give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC to see what we have for you.  You can also email us at keyboard@stantons.com or browse our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Sacred Clinic in ONE MONTH 10 December, 2014

With Christmas around the corner it seems strange to think that it’s almost time to purchase music for Lent and Easter! Plan to attend Stanton’s Sacred Choral Clinic on Saturday, January 10th 2015, and you’ll be fully prepared for the next “holiday season.”

We will be featuring the best new choral publications for Lent, Easter and beyond, as chosen by Stanton’s sacred choral staff. We are excited to announce that this January’s clinic will be held at Livingston United Methodist Church, just a few blocks from our store in downtown Columbus.

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 10th for registration, coffee and doughnuts followed by a wonderful morning of singing.

Click here to watch video

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Stanton’s Staff Favorites: Christmas Albums – Take 2 09 December, 2014

by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist –

A few years ago, I wrote a post featuring favorite Christmas albums for 3 of our staff including myself. I decided to revisit the subject this year with 3 more staff members. Hopefully you’re getting into the holiday spirit, and you’ll find something new and different to add to your holiday playlist.  Feel free to share your favorites in the comments section – we’re always looking for something new to listen to, and Merry Christmas!

Amy – Bookkeeping & Shipping Specialist
A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi Trio
Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas – Ella Fitzgerald
Harry for the Holidays – Harry Connick, Jr.

Judy – Pop & Keyboard Music Specialist
Christmas Themes – Jim Brickman (piano folio collection)
Glory in the Highest: Christmas Songs of Worship – Chris Tomlin
The Lost Christmas Eve – Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Still the Greatest Story Ever Told – Gaither Vocal Band

Rachel – Choral Music Specialist
Barenaked for the Holidays – The Barenaked Ladies
Bright Day Star – The Baltimore Consort
Christmas Caravan – Squirrel Nut Zippers
The Messiah – Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus conducted by Sir Georg Solti, featuring Kiri Te Kanawa, Keith Lewis, Anne Gjevang, and Gwynne Howell
Sesame Street Christmas Sing-Along – Sesame Street Cast
White Christmas – Bing Crosby

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. All he wants for Christmas is a Pittsburgh Penguins tuque, Guardians of the Galaxy on blu-ray, and some heavy-duty outerwear so he can play in the snow with his son this winter!


Sing Broadway! 08 December, 2014

00000483Hal Leonard publishes an exceptional line of  collections of  Broadway songs called “The Musical Theatre Anthology”  There are five volumes for each voice; soprano, alto/belter, tenor, and bass.  There is a choice of purchasing the book alone or with two accompaniment CDs.  The CDs are the piano accompaniments for the songs in the book.  The songs are in their original keys.  If you, a friend or family member love to sing Broadway songs, you will find a collection you will enjoy in this series.  To find out more about this series, visit our website at http://www.stantons.com, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Christmas Sheet Music 05 December, 2014

00490190Christmas sheet music for piano is always fun to have.  There are plenty of songs for PVG,  (piano, vocal, guitar), that can be played on the piano  or on the guitar.  The songs can be played by both piano and guitar while everybody sings, too.  Some titles are for piano solo on various levels, easy to advanced. Stanton’s has a lot of Christmas sheet music, also books of songs for everything from very easy piano to advanced, accordion to ukulele, and collections of Christmas solos for the band and orchestra instruments. There is a nice selection for  organists as well.  Browse our website to see what suits you best! Whether you play for fun, for friends or family, for church or for parties, you will find something that is just right for you.  Call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or check out our website, http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.


Behind the Scenes: It’s That Time of Year… 04 December, 2014

by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist –

The holidays are already upon us. Thanksgiving has come and gone, and Christmas and Hanukkah are just around the corner. For the Stanton’s staff it means that convention season is also here! This winter we will be exhibiting (and selling!) music at music educators’ professional conferences in New York (NYSSMA), Michigan (MMC), Ohio (OMEA), Kentucky (KMEA), and, for the first time, The Midwest Clinic. These conferences are a great opportunity to talk shop directly with our expert staff, meet customers face-to-face that we may recognize by name (and voice!), and besides, it gets us out of the store! Ever wonder how our 6-8 booths of music get to your state conference? Check out the slideshow below to see how we pull, pack, and transport thousands of sheet music titles and accessory items, and if we’re exhibiting at your conference be sure to stop by the Stanton’s booth (under the big blue balloon) and say “hello”!

Click to view slideshow.

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. All he wants for Christmas is a Pittsburgh Penguins tuque, Guardians of the Galaxy on blu-ray, and some heavy-duty outerwear so he can play in the snow with his son this winter!


Give a Gift of Music 03 December, 2014

winter scarfAre you looking for Christmas gifts for musicians?  Stanton’s has something for every age group!  For music teachers who need some small gift for their students, there are music pencils for 40 cents each, refrigerator magnets for $1.50, bookmarks for $1.99, and much more.    For students searching for gifts for their teachers, there are music ties for $13.95, scarves for $14.95 and $17.95, and beautiful Pashmina scarves for $21.95.  For that special someone, we have water globe music boxes for $45.00, or jewelry priced from about $2.00  and up.  Maybe you can find some sheet music or a music book or two that appeal to someone in your life.  If you aren’t sure about what to get, there are gift certificates available in any amount you choose.  Christmas is coming, and we at Stanton’s are stocking up to serve you!  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!


Great Stocking Stuffers! 02 December, 2014

christmas high schoolAre you looking for stocking stuffers, or smaller gifts to give during the Christmas season?  We offer you a line of Christmas tree ornaments in the shape of  various musical instruments.  The violins, cellos and basses look like the real thing, but in miniature, right down to the purfling.   The brass instruments are well represented. Some of the woodwinds are polished brass, some are wooden.  Prices range from $6.60 to $13.50.  These unique little works of art tempt you to try to play them!   There are refrigerator magnets from the same maker.  Check us out in the gifts category of our website.  You may visit us  at http://www.stantons.com, or contact  us at keyboard@stantons.com, or call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC  for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Behind the Scenes: Picking School Choral Promotions 01 December, 2014

music listening 2By Rachel Steele, School Choral Specialist

A few months ago, my colleague in the instrumental department, Ken Tilger, wrote a post about how that department picks the items for their promotions.  Not to be outdone, I’d like to take the opportunity to let you know how I and my partner in crime, Jen Sper, pick the items for our school choral promotions.

In late winter or early spring, publishers begin to send us their new releases for fall.  We get stacks of music (with demo CDs) to review from Hal Leonard (including Shawnee, Walton, Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, Pavane, Fred Bock etc.), Alfred (including Lawson-Gould), Lorenz (including Santa Barbara and Heritage), Carl Fischer (including BriLee), Hinshaw, Alliance, and a few other smaller publishers.  If you are thinking “Wow, that is quite a bit of music,” you’d be correct.  In fact, if you assign each piece an average listening/evaluation time of 3.5 minutes, we spend about 2,200 minutes, or 48 hours, or 6 full working  days (no lunch or potty breaks!) listening to more than 800 new releases.  For more data on our listening, scroll to the bottom.

When we listen, we’re not only keeping an ear out for our in-house promotions, but also for selections for our clinics (such as Stanton’s Super Session and Excellence in Choral Literature), OMEA Large Group Select Suggestions, and even music for Christmas, graduation and other special occasions.

music listening 3Round 1

Jen and I sit with the octavo in front of us and listen to every single selection from beginning to end.  We write our impressions on the cover of the octavo, usually just a few choice words or phrases.  After this, a piece goes into either the “no” or the “maybe” pile.  Our “no” pile is quite a bit larger than our “maybe” pile.  We consider it a good release if 25-30% of a publisher’s titles end up in the “maybe” category.

Round 2

Now that we’ve combed through the riff-raff, it’s time to consider the balance of our selections for our in-house promotions.  We sort our “maybe” pile by voicing, and then by genre.    Just like good concert programing, we are looking for a variety of styles – current pop, classic pop, broadway, folk songs, spirituals, world/multi-cultural, holiday music and various foreign languages.

Round 3

Now it’s time to play through selections at the piano.  We grab a genre and play through, looking for things like:

1.  Is it well written/voiced in all parts?

2.  Will students/teachers get something educational out of this?

3.  Is it enjoyable to sing/play/teach?

4.  Is it appropriate for school?

5.  Will it appeal to a wide variety of customers?

6.  If the song is available in multiple voicings, is one better than the other?  Why?

The answers to these questions will usually make our choices pretty clear, and then it’s time to make our lists, spreadsheets, and the actual promotional materials that you receive in your mailbox!

Promotions by the numbers 2014By the Numbers – This table shows the number of pieces that we promoted this year by publisher, and the percentage of their total offerings that we promoted.  You’ll see that even those publishers with the highest percentage of promoted items rarely break the 30% mark.

Other Points of Interest

  • Jen and I only look at promotions for school choral.  We have two other people who work specifically on selections for church choirs, and they have even more selections to listen to than we do!
  • While it might sound like a cushy job to sit and listen to music for 8 hours a day, it can be mentally exhausting after a while.
  • No, we don’t always agree, but you’d be amazed at how often 2 very opinionated people say the EXACT same thing about a particular piece.
  • If there is something that one of us truly believes is worth fighting for, the other one will generally give in.
  • The best part about the process is discovering a new piece that is just amazing!

We believe that devoting quite a bit of time and effort to this process is very important.   The 75 or so selections that make the cut are things that we recommend to you, our valued customers, for the entire school year. If you have questions about this process (or would like some recommendations), please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC, ext. 1.

Rachel Steele has been working in the choral department at Stanton’s since 2013.  She previously taught middle school and high school band and choir for 13 years, and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University.  Currently a member of the Heisey Wind Ensemble and a musician at Epiphany Lutheran Church (Pickerington, OH,) Rachel also enjoys reading, sewing, baking and the Pittsburgh Steelers!