News & Views Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Spirituals for Choir 29 December, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists

FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS
All Night All DayAll Night, All Day arr. Greg Gilpin
Charged with gospel-style excitement, this traditional spiritual, in new SATB and SSA voicings, comes alive in energy and style. A powerful chorus, hand claps, stacked vocal section and key change builds to a big ending that is sure to please your singers and audience.

I Can See the River JordanI Can See the River Jordan
by Jay Althouse
This sturdy original is composed in the style of a traditional spiritual. A symbolic text leads to crossing metaphoric River Jordan as the music recalls songs from early America. Opens with brief solos, builds to a hand clapping almost a cappella bridge, and concludes only after full choral harmonies fade and voices unite on a single pitch.

Let Me FlyLet Me Fly arr. Kirby Shaw
In a bright, spirited a cappella swing, this traditional spiritual is so fun to learn and sing! The energy is built right in to the rhythmic text and the contemporary harmonies are delightful. Optional descant sits on top of the final choruses taking the piece to a “high flying” end!

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS
Ezekiel Saw the WheelEzekiel Saw the Wheel arr. Mary Lynn Lightfoot
Looking for a fun, creative programming contrast to add some sparkle and zest to your next concert? This lively, spirited setting of the traditional spiritual is certain to fit the bill. Complete with handclaps and snaps, young and developing choirs are certain to enjoy this playful and engaging arrangement.

FOR WOMEN’S CHOIRS
Goin' Home on a CloudGoin’ Home on a Cloud arr. Cristi Cary Miller
Opening expressively with a solo, this spiritual favorite moves then forward into a brisk tempo that will showcase developing SSA choirs with style! Well-written vocal parts and a supportive accompaniment make this appealing for middle through high school treble choirs.

I Couldn't Hear Nobody PrayI Couldn’t Hear Nobody Pray arr. Victor C. Johnson
Johnson’s dynamic and spirited a cappella setting of the traditional spiritual opens with an expressive choral introduction before it kicks into high gear. One or more soloists can be featured in the call and response section which leads into an exhilarating section of vocal layering and interesting textures before its strong, powerful conclusion.

FOR MEN’S CHOIRS
Roll Jordan RollRoll Jordan Roll arr. Ruth Morris Gray
A rhythmic piano accompaniment drives this well-crafted arrangement of the classic spiritual. Singers will love the crescendoing choral riff that connects the syncopated refrains to the call and response verses. A vibrant descant grows more and more soulful toward the end, bringing the piece to a climactic close!

Walk in JerusalemWalk in Jerusalem arr. Rollo Dilworth
Already available for SATB and SSA, now, at last, an arrangement for men. With a powerful piano accompaniment, your men will really be able to “dig in” and sing with the full power of their voices.

Wade in the WaterWade in the Water arr. Dan Davison
Wade In the Water was written specifically to bring success to male choirs of all ages. With comfortable vocal ranges for young tenors and basses, Davison’s arrangement has a strong, driving beat, and serves to highlight the male choirs’ masculine sound.

If you have any questions about these or other similar pieces, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext.1. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
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.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot… 27 December, 2017

leon-00353010-fAs you prepare for New Year’s Eve festivities, have you mislaid your copy of “Auld Lang Syne?” Did you loan it out and never get it back? Stanton’s to the rescue! We have “Auld Lang Syne” in stock at our store, and you can also find it via Digital Delivery, where you can transpose it to any key you like. Many of our digital downloads come in PDF format, so you can print it, or save it to your tablet or PC. Browse our digital download library for more options as well – you will be amazed at all you find!

For more information about this topic, call us at 800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit us online. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Middle School General Music: Music History 22 December, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

The middle school general music classroom can be an exciting (and/or terrifying) place! Throughout this school year, we’ve been sharing with you some valuable resources to help you develop enthusiasm and skills in your middle school musicians! Today, here are some great new options for teaching music history:

alfred-8304358452-fFrom Ragtime to Rock by Daniel Glass
“From Ragtime to Rock” is an educational DVD from award-winning author, historian, and educator Daniel Glass. This 2-disc package walks you and your students through 100 years of music evolution, covering the end of the Civil War (1865) to the dawn of the British Invasion (1965). The 90-minute “Ragtime to Rock” film can be shown in a single setting, or divided into 14 stand-alone units, offering educators a flexible way to customize and strengthen any existing curriculum. “From Ragtime to Rock” includes a 69-page Educator Guide that incorporates reproducible student activity sheets, perfect for planning classes or preparing meaningful substitute teacher lessons. Offer your students a deeper connection to the music they listen to today. As author Daniel Glass quotes, “You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” This resource is a FANTASTIC value for the price of $24.95!

alfred-483440Accent On Composers by Jay Althouse, Judith O’Reilly, and Sally K. Albrecht
Available in two volumes, “Accent On Composers” is a 100% reproducible music appreciation and music history resource! Each volume features 22 composers with a biography, a portrait, a listing of the composer’s musical genres, interesting factoids, a timeline, as well as a CD with listening examples for each composer. Reviews/tests for each plus more than two dozen pages of supplementary material make both valuables great for a composer unit or for your sub tub. Volume One includes: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Copland, Debussy, Handel, Joplin, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and more. Volume Two includes: Berlioz, Bernstein, Chopin, Ellington, Gershwin, Prokofiev, Puccini, Purcell, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Strauss, and more!

alfred-46048-fThe Women of Western Music: Hildegard to Ella by Anna Wentlent
Balance your music history curriculum with this indispensable classroom resource! This long-awaited manual focuses exclusively on the female artists who haven’t made it into most textbooks. Biographies, student assessments, and recordings are included for 18 important women who enriched the world with their incredible talents, such as Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, Marian Anderson, Ethel Merman, and Billie Holiday. Recommended for grades five and up. Book is 100% reproducible.

Find more resources for middle school general music on our website, or contact us for more ideas! And remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
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.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


Solo and Ensemble Time Is Near! 20 December, 2017

OMEAIt’s almost January, which means Solo & Ensemble season for the Ohio Music Education Association is soon upon us! For our local, Central Ohio customers in OMEA District 15, the event date is Saturday, January 27. Here are some reminders to make sure that this busy day goes smoothly for you and your students:

1) Make sure that your student is playing from an original copy, not a photocopy, of music (even if you have purchased the music, copying it and playing from a photocopy is an infringement of copyright law).

2) Similarly, make sure the judge has an original score (with measures numbered!) from which to read.

3) Make sure that your student is playing from the correct edition of their music. To check the list of approved editions, follow these steps:
– Visit the OMEA Solo and Ensemble page
– Under High School, select “Search HS Required list,” or Junior High, select “Search JH Suggested list”
– Click “search,” choose your area, then select your instrument
– Select the event and class, then click “search”
– Click on the title of the piece (they will be listed alphabetically by title), then “View Approved Editions”

4) Contact us with any questions you may have about OMEA music! We are happy to help you, and can be reached at 1.800.42.MUSIC using any of the following extensions, or via email:
– ext 1: Choral and Classical Vocal (choral@stantons.com)
– ext 2: Instrumental (instrumental@stantons.com)
– ext 3: Piano and Guitar (keyboard@stantons.com)


“On the Shoulders of Giants” 18 December, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Ready to start planning for your elementary spring musical? Here are some exciting new options for all grade levels!

leon-513807On the Shoulders of Giants by John Jacobson & Mac Huff
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: about 35 minutes
In the words of Sir Isaac Newton, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Join us as we pay tribute to leaders and heroes who have come before us and paved our way so we can live as we do today. Ben Franklin – author, inventor, scientist, diplomat – there’s nothing he can’t do! At the ‘great invention convention,’ learn about the contributions of Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver. Others were statesmen, literary giants, artists, teachers, soldiers, doctors, and those who worked for civil and human rights – Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Mandela and more – in their march for freedom. See how one child can change the world. It’s time to stand tall! Be a giant; be a dreamer!

leon-510977Rock Around the 50s by John Jacobson & Roger Emerson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: about 25 minutes
Hello Baaaaaaaby! Get ready to rock around the clock with songs and interesting fun facts from the era of sock hops, Elvis and doo-wop. These easily-produced Express Musicals are perfect for a short program in the spring or fall, community outreach events, or as part of a larger program. Short narrations for up to 23 speakers set up the songs.

alfred-515609Two for the Show by Sally K. Albrecht
Suggested for Grades K-4
Performance time: about 30 minutes (both combined)
These charming mini-musicals make a perfect pair for primary-aged students! Both of the traditional folk tales are told with brief unison songs and short scenes (featuring a small cast of characters plus up to 25 narrators). Minimal rehearsal time, few props, creative costume pieces, and a simple set make for no fuss in-class or on-the-stage productions. Whether you present them separately or as a set, your youngest performers will shine as adorable farm animals, fluffy forest creatures, or the territorial “mean and nasty” troll.

Find more creative choices for your young students on our website, or contact us for more ideas! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
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.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


Classical Transcriptions for Orchestra – Grade 3-4 15 December, 2017

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Music Specialist

It’s time to get your high school string orchestra music nailed down for spring concerts and festivals – here are some absolute winners! If your high school string orchestra is not quite ready for standard literature that is Grade 5 and up, be sure to pay attention to these excellent classical transcriptions at the Grade 3-4 level. Covering Baroque, Classical, and Romantic composers – and Igor Stravinsky! – you have a plethora of options from among the best new classical transcriptions that are out for the 2017-2018 school year. From symphonies, operas, choral music arrangements and solo features, these pieces all have plenty to offer in terms of teaching elements, generous orchestration and programmability. Don’t miss any of them!

grandm-gmmor178-fJoyful Jig by Bob Latchaw, Grade 3
Probably our favorite piece for 2017, this spritely, original, 6/8 jig morphs into a surprising rendition of Ode to Joy. With short solos for principal first violin and cello, it has tons of fun for everyone and will help reinforce 6/8 time as well as the opportunity to pit 2 against 3. Part independence and accidentals will also encourage maturity within your group. Plus it’s just a great performance piece!

Symphony No. 16 (1st Movement) by F.J. Haydn/arr. Brendan McBrien, Grade 3
Boundless enthusiasm permeates this bright opening movement from Haydn’s 16th symphony composed when he was only 25 years old. This prime example of Haydn’s fondness for using a monothematic structure shows his creative economy in symphonic construction. Upper strings carry the melody, but the lower strings are the absolutely necessary engine and there is plenty to teach with here, including shifting, Classical trills starting on the note and the buoyant Classical style.

wj-3035771-fAllegro from Symphony #17 by W.A. Mozart/arr. Steven J. Campbell, Grade 3
The youthful energy is contagious when you capture the Mozart style in this offering from when he was merely sixteen! The second of three symphonies he wrote that year, it contains his signature chromatics and a sixteenth/dotted eighth note rhythm that keeps it spritely. Typical of that era, the lower strings primarily provide the (absolutely necessary) “motor” while the upper string carry the melody and close harmony, and it’s the combination of the two that make it magically Mozart!

Pulcinella (Overture) by Igor Stravinsky/arr. Robert D. McCashin, Grade 3.5
It’s not often you can program Stravinsky for a high school string orchestra, so this one is a real treat! Being neo-classic it will not test students’ aural skills too far, but the part independence will keep everyone busy. All parts are absolutely essential and fairly involved, so no one can claim boredom! Enjoy a few short, shiny solos and superb Stravinskian idiosyncracies!

fjh-st6417-fMenuetto from Symphony #5 (3rd Movement) by Franz Schubert/arr. Robert D. McCashin, Grade 3.5
This minuet is so boistrous, it could be construed as a scherzo! Taken in “1” with light-hearted rhythms and chromatic melodies, it will fairly jump off the stage into your appreciative audience’s ears. The delightful melodies are primarily, but not totally, in the upper strings, but without the oom-pah-pah anchoring the accompaniment, it just wouldn’t be a minuet!

Andante from Symphony #4 by Felix Mendelssohn/arr. Robert S. Frost, Grade 4
The music of Mendelssohn is delightful to hear, but often challenging to perform. This selection, however, is accessible for developing string orchestras. The cellos and basses will find it particularly rewarding as they are featured with a walking bass line. In all respects this arrangement follows the original closely, with the necessary wind parts carried by upper strings.

kendor-10086-fNabucco Overture by Giuseppe Verdi/arr. Deborah Baker Monday, Grade 4
Every bit of Grade 4, this will take a mature group, but will increase their maturity by being worked on and performed! It will be very impressive and memorable when polished. Offering all the themes from the original overture, it will keep your students on the edge of their chairs since they are covering all the full orchestra parts with just strings. Being a full-sounding arrangement, it will increase your players sense of ensemble as they listen while they play. Make sure to keep the down-up-up bowing steady and you will have a piece to be proud of.

Concerto for Two Violins in D Major by Antonio Vivaldi/arr. Brendan McBrien, Grade 3
Adapted from Vivaldi’s Lute Concerto in D Major, this arrangement for two solo violins and orchestra creates an opportunity to feature your top violinists in the opening movement of this classic work. Your musicians and audience will be charmed by this Italian masterpiece which includes passages for solo cello and optional keyboard accompaniment to lend it that authentic flavor.

wj-3035791-fSymphony #5 (1st Movement) by Franz Schubert/arr. Brian Holmes, Grade 3
Here is a wonderful way to expose your students to Schubert’s legendary melodic writing – he was the “King of German Lieder” after all, which were 99% melody! Most people know his Unfinished Symphony, but his other symphonic works need to be appreciated as well. This impressive masterwork will really allow your group to shine. Since it is a full orchestra work that has been collapsed down to just strings, it will give everyone lots to do to get all the parts covered. It is in G major, but is filled with accidentals such as A#, D# and Bb, it gets your first violins up into third position and promotes feeling the pulse in “2” – so there is plenty of educational emphasis as well as just plain gorgeous music.

alfred-45884-fDay of Wrath (from Requiem) by Giuseppe Verdi/arr. Deborah Baker Monday, Grade 3.5
“Day of Wrath” (translated from the Latin “Dies Irae”), with its dramatic extremes of emotion, is the perfect choice for any concert or festival. Students may recognize it from the video game Mobile Strike! This setting by Verdi in his Requiem Mass was first performed in 1874 and now has been arranged by Deborah Baker Monday. Repeated sixteenth notes are used extensively along with divided parts to create a full, sonorous effect with huge dynamic contrasts from the fortissimo opening to the “morendo” ending.

Contact us for more recommendations, and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Dan C. has worked at Stanton’s since 1979, primarily with orchestra music and print promotions. A “working” musician, he’s a classical cellist, a rock & jazz bassist and a folk & country guitarist/singer. His free time is spent with family or reading, gardening, cycling and working puzzles. His series of musical puzzles (RP3 Rebus Puzzle Picture People) can be found on the Stanton’s Facebook page each Sunday. He also has a reputation as a pretty good joke teller. Seriously.


Ken’s 10: New Pieces for HS Concert Band 14 December, 2017

by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist –

The first Ken’s 10 post featured my 10 favorite new titles from our 2017 Signature Selections for Young Band.  It only makes sense to follow it up with my 10 favorites from our Signature Selections for High School Band.  Like the first post, these are unranked.  While most of them are programmatic, there is also a previously unpublished Claude T. Smith march and 3 of them draw from varied influences and sources.  They are pieces that will be fun to play, enjoyable for your audience, and provide some nice choices for select adjudication numbers.  I hope you like them, too.

Across the Great Plains
William Owens – Grade 3.5-4
The awe-inspiring legacy of the Pony Express gallops to life in this thrilling musical tale of one of America’s greatest institutions! Conceived from a single rhythmic motif, this adrenaline-fueled, rhythmically packed work yields heroic melodic statements, brilliant runs and a beautifully contrasting 3/4 section.

The Blue Ridge
arr. Robert Sheldon – Grade 4
The Blue Ridge Mountains have a rich history of folk music handed down by the families of the settlers in this region. Who better than Robert Sheldon to weave a tapestry of four of these wonderful songs into a setting for concert band?  Includes the spirited (and syncopated) Jack-a-Roe; the haunting Come All Ye Fair and Tender Ladies in a subtle call-and-response; the very popular Tom Dooley (watch those meters!); and a lush setting of the beautiful Barbara Allen.

Der Lehrmeister
Robert Sheldon – Grade 3.5
Don’t shy away from this title.  Translated from German as “The Master Teacher” and written in a style reminiscent of Richard Strauss, Der Lehrmeister was commissioned by the Florida Bandmasters Association in memory of Jack Crew, one of the all-time great teachers and musicians in the world band music.  Robert Sheldon has crafted a wonderfully authentic, sophisticated homage to German symphonic and operatic repertoire.

Dos Danzas Latinas
Andre Waignein – Grade 3.5
Want something different?  This dramatic, Latin dance style work is a guaranteed sonic palette cleanser!  Based on a habanera rhythm, the opening features oboe (cued in clarinet) and flute in a reminiscent dialogue. As the music builds, it accelerates into a wild and exciting rumba that drives to a fiery finish.

Fable
Erik Morales – Grade 3
Fable was inspired by ancient collections of children’s stories such as Aesop’s Fables and Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  Broad, memorable themes jump off the page along with an energetic rhythmic pulse that propels the narrative forward. The music maintains a veil of darkness and intrigue that will capture the imagination of the listener from start to finish, and your students will love its awesome, epic soundtrack quality!

Honor Guard March
Claude T. Smith – Grade 3.5
Traditional in all the best ways!  Previously unpublished, Honor Guard March was composed by Claude T. Smith in 1959 while he was teaching in Cozad, NE. Premiered in 1961and written in traditional form, this march contains a contemporary flair and sound that is unique to Smith’s distinctive style, and features an unusual meter shift from 6/8 to cut-time at the trio.  A wonderful addition to your school band library!

The Lost Temple
Jared Barnes – Grade 3
The Lost Temple captures the intrigue of ancient legends, lost treasures, and adventures into the unknown. A quiet, mysterious theme opens the piece (with just a hint of Indiana Jones!), eventually giving way to a rhythmic adventure theme. A sense of calm and wonder emerges as dangers reveal themselves amid flowing musical lines. A triumphant flourish ends the musical journey.  This title is on the 2018 Ohio High School Class A list.

Rise of the Silver City
Rossano Galante – Grade 4.5
There’s a reason why Rossano Galante is among my favorite band composers, and Rise of the Silver City is a great example.  Brass flourishes, lyrical woodwinds, and stately themes lead to a heroic climax in this work full of the orchestral soundtrack qualities that are his hallmarks – if you close your eyes you can see the closing credits.  Sure to be a piece your students are most excited about!

Soaring
Naoya Wada – Grade 3.5
Open your concert program by lifting off with this lofty work that lives up to its title!  Memorable, soaring melodies, upper woodwind obbligati (fingers are flyin’), and traditional A-B-A form set the stage for this exhilarating opener. The flowing middle section unfolds in an uplifting way through two key changes, before ascending back to full flight and soaring through the exuberant ending.

Vanguard
Chris M. Bernotas – Grade 3.5
Vanguard is an exciting and energetic piece that shifts between dynamic brass fanfare gestures, flourishes, and sweeping melodic lines.  All sections have a chance to shine on this attention-getting concert opener that starts big and bold and somehow manages to build to an ecstatic finish.

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004.  His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies.  He is excited to add Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings’ It’s a Holiday Soul Party to his Christmas rotation this year (on vinyl, of course!).  8 Days (of Hanukkah) and Ain’t No Chimneys In The Projects fills your stocking with funky goodness, Silent Night is simply gorgeous, and White Christmas is flat out smokin’!


Sacred Choral Clinic in ONE MONTH 13 December, 2017

Lullington_Church_with_spring_flowers_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1103346With 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 13th 2018, and you’ll be fully prepared for the next “holiday season.”

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday January 13th, 2018
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

We will be featuring the best new choral publications for Lent, Easter and beyond, as chosen by Stanton’s sacred choral staff. 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 13th for registration, coffee and doughnuts followed by a wonderful morning of singing!

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Organ Arrangements of Jewish Melodies 11 December, 2017

702076It is rare to find Jewish liturgical music arranged for organ, so we were pleased to see this new collection, “Sim Shalom,” which features includes eight lovely organ arrangements by Christina Harmon, who served as organist at Temple Emmanuel-El in Dallas, Texas. In addition to Jewish services, these arrangements can be played in Christian services as well, as a way to highlight shared spiritual heritage, for interfaith occasions, or in recital.

For more information about this collection or other organ music, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email keyboard@stantons.com, or visit us online. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!


Prep for Summer Jazz Festivals 08 December, 2017

recommended by Ben Huntoon, Jazz Specialist

It may be cold outside, but this is the time of year to think about all of the upcoming spring and summer jazz festivals. Here is our list of classic showstoppers guaranteed to make a lasting impression!

sierra-smp240-fBig Swing Face by Bill Potts, Grade 5
This is the real thing, as written for and recorded by the Buddy Rich Band on the Big Swing Face CD. It is a medium-up swing chart that provides plenty of solo space for alto sax (al la Ernie Watts), piano (a la Ray Starling) and trumpet (a la Bobby Shew). Features a terrific saxophone section soli. Buddy’s band played this one a lot! Big Band Swing at its best!

Computer by Bob Mintzer, Grade 4.5
As recorded by the Bob Mintzer Big Band on Incredible Journey, a recurring melodic motif, driving funk groove, and fully-voiced harmonic landscape give this chart real substance and audience appeal. Solos are assigned to alto and tenor sax, and paying very careful attention to articulations throughout will yield best results. Rhythm section parts are partially notated with chords cued.

alfred-jlcm01005-fSuch Sweet Thunder by Duke Ellington & Billy Strayhorn, Grade 5
Warner Bros. Publications is proud to present this important series, Jazz at Lincoln Center Library. Each selection was selected by the Center’s musical director, Wynton Marsalis. Each transcription is direct from the recordings of the immortal Duke Ellington, and they are not only authentic, they are perfect for your jazz ensemble. Features information about the original recording, rehearsal notes from Jon Faddis and Brent Wallarab, and performance suggestions from Wynton Marsalis. These classic tunes represent jazz at its finest!

Blue Rondo a la Turk by Dave Brubeck/arr. Kris Berg, Grade 5
A show-stopping tour de force! Dave Brubeck’s fabulous tune from his classic quartet album Time Out. Arranger Kris Berg worked hard on this chart to capture the essence of Brubeck. The meter changes from 9/8 to 12/8 Afro-Cuban groove with the Brubeck rhythm patterns. Solo space for alto 1, trumpet 2 and drums. Lead trumpet goes up to high C. This is an exceptional chart for concert or festival!

barn-036-0279-00a-fOpen Wide by Don Ellis/arr. Bob Lowden, Grade 5.5
This incredible Don Ellis chart was the highlight of his best-selling ‘Live At Montreux’ Album. Intense jazz samba that features the trumpet…naturally!

Satin Doll arr. Sammy Nestico, Grade 5.5
This is the authentic Nestico arrangement as recorded by the Count Basie Orchestra! Opening with a piano introduction, this medium swing chart progresses through statements by the saxes, expertly woven brass figures, and shouting ensemble sections. Includes solo space for trumpet, tenor and piano. This definitive version is a masterpiece of arranging craftsmanship!

kendor-4500-fBig Dipper by Thad Jones, Grade 4.5
As recorded by the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra on Central Park North (Solid State #18058), this classic swinger is a winning mix of solo-with-rhythm-section and full-band passages. Designated soloists include piano, trumpet and tenor, with the drummer taking a solo just before the final four bars. Rhythm section parts are partially notated with chords cued.

About the Author:
Ben Huntoon is the Jazz Education Consultant at Stanton’s Sheet Music. He received bachelors and masters degrees in music from Capital University and The Ohio State University respectively. As a professional trumpeter, Ben is accomplished in a wide variety of genres and has performed throughout the Midwest on many stages over the past 30 years. He also teaches trumpet, coaches brass ensembles and serves on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.


Modern Worship Christmas for Guitar 06 December, 2017

44744recommended by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist

The collection “Modern Worship Christmas for Guitar” includes 20 songs that are new to the Christmas repertoire since the year 2000, including “Born Is the King (It’s Christmas)” by Hillsong; “Hallelujah” by Darlene Zschech; “How Many Kings” by Downhere, and “Joseph’s Lullaby” by MercyMe. The guitar parts are written out both in tablature and note, the words and vocal parts are all written out, and there are also some cues for keyboard – perfect for a praise band to use! It’s not so easy to find this many new songs in one collection, so check it out!

For more information about this collection or others like it, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, stantons.com. For this holiday season, shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Barb M. has worked in the Keyboard Department at Stanton’s since 1981. An active folk musician in the Columbus area, Barb also works with ensembles at her church and plays in the Columbus State Concert Band. In her spare time, Barb loves working with animals and computer games.


World Music for the Elementary Classroom 04 December, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Folksong Partners Around the WorldFolksong Partners Around the World arr. Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid
Here are more flexible folksongs to introduce young singers to beginning part-singing and experience a variety of world cultures. The reproducible singer songsheets feature each folksong and its partner on separate pages for a variety of teaching options. Teach these world folksongs in the lower grades. When singers are ready, teach the partner songs, and add twelve more songs to their singing repertoire. For further challenge, “partner them up” for twelve more performance options! A helpful teaching sequence and extension activities are also included. Accompany your singers live with simple piano parts in the printed collection, or use quality performance/accompaniment MP3 recordings available via audio access in the Performance Kit.

Fresh new originals partnered with these world folksongs: Ging Gang Goolie, Tum Balalaika, Andale Juana, Sansa Kroma, Haru Ga Kita, Old Dan Tucker, Sarasponda, Ma Bella Bimba, and more! Suggested for grades 1-6.

Kalani's World RhythmsKalani’s World Rhythms by Kalani Das
Energize your classroom with traditional World Music! From the simplest of rhythm patterns to beautiful melodies and rich harmonies, there’s a part to play for every student as they explore authentic songs and rhythms. Easy-to-play drumming arrangements place success and fun within reach of every student. Kalani is your guest instructor! Authentic techniques and rhythms for a range of drums and percussion instruments are demonstrated via downloadable video and audio recordings, bringing Kalani’s expertise right into your classroom. PDF scores of each song provide piano and Orff instrument parts and every song is suitable for ukuleles and other common chording instruments. Students will love the upbeat rhythms.

No drums? No problem. Alternative instrumentation is provided and the included accompaniment recordings make it easy to perform without any instruments. Each song tells a story that can be used to prompt creative movement, foster teamwork and build character. Kalani gives you ways to bring out the best in your students – including special learners. Video segments include: instruction for every drum and percussion instrument, layering in of all rhythm parts for each song, and how to teach rhythms using PUPS (Pulse Under Pattern Sequence). Audio includes: full performance recordings, accompaniment recordings, and layering in of rhythm parts for each song.

Songs include: Baiana, Kakilambe, Moribayasa, Paranaue, Tambor, and Zun Zun. Suggested for grades 4-8.

More Children of the WorldMore Children of the World by Andy Beck & Brian Fisher
These authentic folk songs from around the globe are arranged especially for 2-part voices, creating an amazing international field trip through nine countries on four continents! Information on the Fun Fact pages provides a fascinating look at world cultures and doubles as flexible narration for a 30-minutes multicultural music program. The Enhanced CD includes reproducible student song sheets, background pages, and cover art. Combine with the original “Children of the World” for an additional nine countries. Recommended for grades three and up.

For more information about these and other products, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext 1. We are happy to help you with all of your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
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.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active professional choral singer and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.


Middle School General Music: Theory & Ear Training 01 December, 2017

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

The middle school general music classroom can be an exciting (and/or terrifying) place! Throughout this school year, we’ve been sharing with you some valuable resources to help you develop enthusiasm and skills in your middle school musicians! Today, here are some great new options for teaching music theory and ear training:

Rounds PlusRounds Plus arr. Roger Emerson
Rounds are wonderful ways to introduce harmony to young singers! However, traditional rounds are often too wide of a range for the changing voice. Hence, this collection was created with the young male voice in mind. Easy-to-sing ostinati for the changing male voice accompany 10 familiar rounds sung by treble voices. Each round is presented in two keys to accommodate both the cambiata, mid-voice and new baritone range comfortably. Experiment with other keys until you find your choirs’ “sweet spot” vocally. This will give you a good idea of the range and tessitura that will be effective when choosing your choral literature. These unaccompanied rounds may be taught entirely by ear, or duplicated for sight reading purposes.

We at Stanton’s like this resource because rounds are such excellent learning tools for part independence, and presenting them in this way helps reinforce the I-IV-V in the Baritone part while keeping their range within a perfect fifth. The use of high/low key options helps immensely with the constantly-changing nature of the boys’ voicing at that middle school age.

Songs include: Dona Nobis Pacem, Down by the Bay, Heigh Ho Nobody’s Home, Jubilate Deo, London’s Burning, Music Alone Shall Live, and more. Suggested for grades 6-9.

Sight Reading 101Sight Reading 101 by Mary Jane Phillips
“Sight Reading 101” proves effortlessly that learning to sight read can be accessible and fun. Practical, efficient, and systematic, this approach to teaching beginners to sight read music utilizes step-by-step “how to’s” for pitch matching success and rhythm comprehension, games to reinforce learned skills, and reproducible exercises to challenge and stretch students’ abilities. No beginning choir director should be without this surefire tool for success!

We like this because of the logical, sequential nature of this method, in particular the separation of pitch and rhythm and the speed at which those are combined. We feel that using this book with beginners would allow them a smooth transition to most other sight reading methods.

Rhythm RescueRhythm Rescue by Lynn M Brinckmeyer
Lynn Brinkmeyer brings her musical expertise in her new book, “Rhythm Rescue!” with the intention to expand the rhythmic vocabulary of singers. Students of all ages are more successful if they use a physical gesture during the learning process. Singers do not have a lever, a bow, strings or buttons to push like instrumentalists do. Physiology helps solidify those rhythms in the body and Lynn has created fun and exciting rhythm exercises to teach and reinforce rhythm learning in the classroom and rehearsal.

This book has two sections: “Isolated Rhythm Activities” and “Rhythms and Pitches.” Many of the songs include traditional folk songs which is an added bonus. All the strategies are intended to support the required curriculum and state and national music standards. Most of the activities are interchangeable with the different songs in the book and can also be transferred to barred instruments, non-pitched percussion instruments and performance literature. Activities include: Passing Rhythms ‘Round the Circle, Partners in Common Time, Pulsing Notes, Rhythm Drills, Duple or Triple? Rhythm Treasure Hunt, Change It Up! Rhythms Rearranged, Secret Word Secret Rhythm, London Bridge Mix-Up and more!

We liked this because we feel that it can be useful for all secondary students in grades 6-12, making it a worthwhile investment. We like the use of the Takademi syllables and the physicality in these exercises.

For more information about these and other products, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at1.800.42.MUSIC ext. 1. We are happy to help with all of your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
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.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active professional choral singer, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.