New POPS for Spring Monday, February 15, 2016
recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist
If you’re planning a concert of popular music with your choir this spring, we’ve got some great recommendations for you! Lighter repertoire is a fun option for end-of-year concerts, but don’t forget to find some good musical challenges for your students as well – you want to showcase all the progress they’ve made throughout the school year!
FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS
Fight Song arr. Roger Emerson
This anthem from Rachel Platten has become a summer favorite! Now sing it with your own choirs – it’s infectious!
Geronimo arr. Roger Emerson
From the Australian pop band Sheppard, this uplifting song has a driving rhythm fused with folk elements and powerful vocals for great dramatic impact and mainstream appeal.
Truly Brave arr. Mac Huff
“Truly Brave” is a special mash-up of two great songs: “Brave” and “True Colors.” As a part of the NBC Today Show’s “Shine a Light” series, Hoda Kotb brought together Sara Bareilles and Cyndi Lauper to create this arrangement and to raise money and awareness for pediatric cancer. Most importantly, it captures the heart-breaking strength and live-for-the-moment attitudes that these kids with cancer have.
FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS
Budapest arr. Mac Huff
George Ezra’s popular tune is now in a choral format for students to enjoy. The infectious “oohs” in this song will be fun to sing, and would even work as a good warm up!
Homeward Bound arr. Roger Emerson
This iconic song by Paul Simon from the 1966 Simon & Garfunkel album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme was also a hit single that same year. With lyrics that express loneliness and longing for home and well-loved and familiar harmonies, choirs will enjoy recreating the sound of an earlier era.
Sweet Home Chicago arr. Roger Emerson
Introduce your young singers to the blues with this Robert Johnson classic from 1937, memorably covered by The Blues Brothers. With the shuffle style rhythm, vocal fall-offs and accessible jazz harmonies, learning opportunities abound!
FOR WOMEN’S CHOIRS
It’s the Girls (Medley) arr. Mac Huff
From the Bette Midler album of the same name, this 5-minute medley of hits is a salute to the super girls’ groups of the past! Songs include: Be My Baby (the Ronettes), One Fine Day (The Chiffons), Tell Him (The Exciters).
Let Me In arr. David Kirkendall
Emmy Award-winning composer Kurt Bestor, best known for “Prayer of the Children,” teamed with Sam Cardon on this hauntingly beautiful selection. Flowing vocal lines, moving lyrics, and an optional violin obbligato combine to make this a new favorite.
FOR MEN’S CHOIRS
Drift Away arr. Kirby Shaw
Now available in an irresistible a cappella setting that echoes its roots, this song shot to the top of the charts in 1973 with strong lyrics and great hook, “Give me the beat, boys and free my soul.”
The Impossible Dream arr. Mark Hayes
Inspirational lyrics, a lush accompaniment, and well-crafted vocal harmonies. What more could you ask from this thrilling new arrangement by Mark Hayes? A real tour de force that is equally moving with either the full piano accompaniment or the complete orchestration.
For more suggestions, click here to view our complete School Choral promotion for Spring 2016, or contact us!
About the Author:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.
