News & Views Thursday, May 17, 2012

Do you have a significant other that makes you smile with your heart?  Their looks may be laughable (and even unphotographable) yet they’re your favorite work of art?  Then you could call them “My Funny Valentine.”

With lyrics close to those written above, the well known song, “My Funny Valentine,” has become a staple for the day set aside to honor your favorite loved one.  Written in 1937 by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart for their musical, Babes in Arms, it is sung in the show by the female lead, Billie Smith, to her love interest, Valentine “Val” LaMar.  She pokes gentle fun at some of his characteristics, but ultimately tells him not to change, because they are what gives him his charm.  Just about everyone can relate to that set of circumstances.  After all, love reigns supreme – especially on Valentine’s Day!

If you would like to perform this wonderful song, there are many settings from which to choose. There are versions for vocal solo with piano, as well as arrangements for choir, jazz ensemble (with or without vocal solo), jazz combo, concert band and full or string orchestra.  You can find these all on Stanton’s website, or try our Digital Delivery option if there’s no time to lose!

Since The Book of Mormon opened on Broadway in March of 2011,  this award winning musical has been a best seller.  Trey Parker and Matt Stone of  South Park, and Robert Lopez of Avenue Q fame, have teamed up to produce a religious satire musical that is fun, funny and irreverent.

Here at Stanton’s Sheet Music, we waited anxiously until November of 2011 when The Book of Mormon vocal selections finally arrived  in the store. Customers were calling to order this sheet music book before it was even off the press! This collection of all 16 songs and photos from the Broadway musical is a great companion to the cast recording which was released in June of 2011.  All of the sheet music from this collection is also available for immediate dowload through Stanton’s Digital Delivery!

For more information, email or call us at 1-800-426-8742.

We’re always talking about our knowledgeable staff—you’ll find that very phrase on much of our printed advertising, as well as on our website. Stanton’s sales staff is separated into departments to ensure that each staff member is well informed about a specific area of the wide variety of music that we carry. So when you call and ask about music for trumpet, you’ll be speaking with someone who has first-hand knowledge of repertoire, not just a phone operator with no musical experience. Here’s what you’ll find in each department:

CHORAL DEPARTMENT (ex. 1)
Church Choral Music
School Choral Music
Elementary Classroom Music
Classical Solo Vocal
Handbell

BAND DEPARTMENT (ex. 2)
Concert Band
Marching Band
Jazz Ensemble
Orchestra
Solos for all concert instruments
Instrumental Method Books
Music Software/Technology

POP/KEYBOARD (ex. 3)
Sacred & Secular Piano
Organ
Piano Method Books
Popular/Broadway Solo Vocal
Contemporary Christian Vocal
Guitar Solos and Methods
Music for Folk Instruments

BILLING AND ACCOUNTS (ex. 4)

You can direct emails to the exact department you need by clicking the links above, or press the appropriate extension when you call 1-800-42-MUSIC (1-800-426-8742). If you’re unsure of which department to choose, we’re always happy to direct you to whoever can best address your needs; press “0″ to have your call directed, or send a general email. At Stanton’s, it is important to us that you receive the most educated answers to your questions and the finest music recommendations.

For many young people, the most intense performing experiences they may have are as part of a cast in a musical or play. Or, they may fall in love with a Broadway or touring production to the extent that they jump headlong into the pursuit of such a dream without the necessary planning and thought that should accompany such a big decision.

Veteran actor and educator David Ladd has created “Footlight Dreams – Following Your Passion for a Career in Musical Theatre”, a practical guide for performers, teachers and parents to help the decision-making process for aspiring performers as they contemplate their futures in the theatre.

Drawing on his experience as a singer/dancer, including a sabbatical year in New York where he chronicled his challenges and successes, Ladd presents the full range of information a student would need before setting their sights on a music theatre career, including a full range of interviews from professional actors detailing the significant obstacles to success in the field, statistics on costs of housing, transportation and training, and the audition/casting process for a new, non-Equity performer.

The final section of the book guides the reader as he/she explores their own career options, with thought-provoking questions, journaling opportunities and career resources, making this chapter especially useful for teachers working one-on-one with students or in the classroom.

It’s not an easy path, but if performing is your passion, pursue it with an open mind and listen to your heart – the successes can be glorious!

Contact Stanton’s for more valuable musical theatre resources!

If your school/organization is putting on a musical this spring and you’re not ALREADY planning it–it’s certainly time to get started. But what kind of musical is right for your situation? Check our handy “cheat sheet” to find out:

High School or Community Theater Groups: You will likely require a traditional, full-length musical which must be contracted with a musical licensing company–check our previous blog for all the details.

Junior High/Middle Schools: Depending on the ability/requirements of your students and your budget, you may choose to do a full-length licensed musical, a Broadway Junior production or a 4-8 Classroom Musical. All of these options vary in difficulty, duration and cost, so you should be able to find one to fit your needs.

Elementary Schools: Your best bet is probably the traditional Classroom Musical for either K-4 or 4-8. If you want a more elaborate production, try one of the “Disney Kids” programs that are part of the Broadway Junior line-up.

Stanton’s can help you with either preview materials or vocal collections for any of these types of musicals–just contact us to help with your planning!

In 1950, Leonard Bernstein wrote songs and incidental music for J M Barrie’s play “Peter Pan”, which opened on Broadway on April 24, 1950. There had been six previous Broadway productions of this popular story between 1905 and 1928, so this was the seventh and newest telling of the story.  The tour was cancelled mid-run, and Bernstein’s music for it was largely forgotten, overshadowed by the  1954 “Peter Pan”, the music for which was written by Mark Charlap and Jule Styne, and  starred Mary Martin as Peter Pan.  In 2001, the conductor Alexander Frey approached the Leonard Bernstein Office with the proposal to record Bernstein’s score for the 1950 “Peter Pan”.  The recording proved to be a success.  Here is the collection of vocal selections for Bernstein’s “Peter Pan”, available for the first time in recent memory.  If you have heard the recording, you will be delighted with these vocal selections.  If you have not, it will be worth giving  the recording a listen!  For the table of contents, see our website at stantons.com, or call us at 1-800-42- MUSIC  for more information.

Are you looking for ways to keep your students motivated and get them playing more.  Based on the number of parents and students that stop by our store looking for ‘fun music' to supplement their school materials and remain enthused, we know you are.  To that end, two new pop music instrumental play-alongs have been released by Hal Leonard. 

The first features 15 hits from country crossover star Taylor Swift.  The song list includes Back to December, Fearless, Love Story, Our Song, Today Was a Fairytale, and White Horse.  The other collection features 10 well-known songs from Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's ever-popular Broadway show West Side Story, which will be playing Columbus' historic Ohio Theatre April 17-22, 2012.  Songs in this collection include America, I Feel Pretty, Maria, Somewhere, and Tonight. 

Both collections feature play-along CDs with recorded accompaniments and are available for flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, trumpet, f horn, trombone, violin, viola, and cello.  They retail for $12.99 (CD included), and are a great way to keep students playing and experiencing different types of music on their instruments.

The stage is set at the Paper Mill Playhouse!

In 1992, Walt Disney Pictures released “Newsies,” the first original, live-action movie musical that Hollywood had made in years. When it received less than stellar reviews, and was not an immediate box office smash, it was pulled from theatres after only a brief run. Â 

But, over the years, “Newsies” found its audience. Young people were taken by its “We can make a difference” message, college students found ideal audition material in Alan Menken's stirring songs, and school music teachers discovered it to be invaluable in getting boys interested in choir and theatre.

In 1994, “Beauty and the Beast” opened on Broadway, proving that Disney could bring one of its movies to life on the stage. And it wasn’t long thereafter that “Newsies” fans started thinking…“ ‘Newsies' on Broadway–it’s a perfect fit.” In fact, for many years now, Music Theatre International (the agency that rents the performance rights for many of the classic shows to schools, colleges, community theatres, etc.) has gotten more requests for “Newsies” than any other show, but there was nothing to offer.

Kris of Stanton's Band Department

Finally, the good folks at Disney have heard the call. Last month, the first Disney Theatrical sanctioned production of “Newsies: The Musical” premiered at the Paper Mill Playhouse – a Broadway-style theatre with an outstanding reputation, in Millburn, New Jersey. Tony winner Harvey Fierstein reworked the story, and Alan Menken & original lyricist Jack Feldman added some new songs.

Jen & Cindy of Stanton's Choral Department

We have several ardent fans of the show here at Stanton's Sheet Music. Five of our staff members ”seized the day” and made their pilgrimage to Jersey to see the new production. There are a number of changes to the original story that have been made to help the show translate better to the stage; no spoilers here, but all your favorite songs and dance features are still in there, and the quality of the production is top-notch! Thank you again to the Paper Mill Playhouse for helping to finally bring this musical to the stage—all agreed that it was certainly worth the 18-hour round trip from Columbus, OH to enjoy this unforgettable experience!

The 2011 Tony Awards are right around the corner!  Check out this year's nominees for  BEST MUSICAL:

The Book of Mormon - from Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of “South Park,” comes a new Broadway musical that follows a pair of mismatched Mormon boys sent on a mission to a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get!

Catch Me If You Can - a high-flying new musical comedy based on the hit DreamWorks film and the incredible true story of Frank W. Abagnale, Jr., a teenager who runs away from home in search of the glamorous life with nothing more than a boyish charm, a big imagination and millions of dollars in forged checks.

The Scottsboro Boys - this daring and wildly entertaining musical explores a fascinating chapter in American history with arresting originality.  The show is based on the notorious “Scottsboro” case in the 1930s, in which 9 African-American men were unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

Sister Act - based on the smash-hit film, “Sister Act” features an original score by 8-time Oscar and 10-time Grammy Award winner Alan Menken.  Disco diva Deloris Van Cartier has dreams of hitting the big time, but when she walks in on a “hit” of a different kind, the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look - a convent!

The nominees for BEST REVIVAL OF A MUSICAL are Anything Goes (starring Sutton Foster) and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (starring Daniel Radcliffe).

Want to perform the music from these great Broadway shows.  Contact us and we'll help you find what's available for voice, piano, choir, band, orchestra, and more!  The 65th annual Tony Awards will air on Sunday, June 12, 2011, live from the Beacon Theatre in New York City.  Leave us your comments with YOUR predictions for this year's winners!

 Israel Isadore Baline was born on May 11, 1888 in Russia. Â  In 1893 his family  immigrated to the United States  and settled in New York City.  Due to a misprint on the cover of “Marie from Sunny Italy” , which he co-wrote with a friend, Mike Nicholson, he became known as “I. Berlin”, and the “I” somehow became “Irving”. Â  In 1911, he made his first big hit with “Alexander’s Ragtime Band”.  From then until the end of his career, he wrote about 1,500 songs.  Irving Berlin is one of the best known and among the most prolific songwriters our country has ever known.  “God Bless America“  is a Fourth of July standard.  The musical, “Annie Get Your Gun” is still performed in community theaters.  “Easter Parade” and “White Christmas“  are perennial favorites.  When he died on September 22, 1989, America lost a living musical treasure.  From choral to ukulele, Stanton’s has, or can order, music by Irving Berlin.  Happy Birthday, Irving Berlin!

After our trips to Rochester, Grand Rapids and Cincinnati, Stanton’s has one more stop on our convention circuit – next week we’ll be heading to Louisville for the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference!

In Louisville, you’ll find us in the exhibition hall under the big, blue Stanton’s balloon. Stop by for all your music needs, or to give us a good restaurant recommendation! Contact us this week if you have any special requests for the music we’ll choose to fill our large booth.

If your school/organization is putting on a musical this spring and you’re not ALREADY planning it–it’s certainly time to get started. But what kind of musical is right for your situation? Check our handy “cheat sheet” to find out:

High School or Community Theater Groups: You will likely require a traditional, full-length musical which must be contracted with a musical licensing company–check our previous blog for all the details.

Junior High/Middle Schools: Depending on the ability/requirements of your students and your budget, you may choose to do a full-length licensed musical, a Broadway Junior production or a 4-8 Classroom Musical. All of these options vary in difficulty, duration and cost, so you should be able to find one to fit your needs.

Elementary Schools: Your best bet is probably the traditional Classroom Musical for either K-4 or 4-8. If you want a more elaborate production, try one of the “Disney Kids” programs that are part of the Broadway Junior line-up.

Stanton’s can help you with either preview materials or vocal collections for any of these types of musicals–just contact us to help with your planning!

Hot off the press! 

The hit Fox TV show Glee has taken the nation by storm breathing new and creative life into pop, rock and Broadway show classics, and creating interest in sheet music for the titles as well.  Single pop sheets, pop vocal collections, choral arrangements, and marching and concert band arrangements are all available for songs performed on the show, and as of today, Hal Leonard is releasing the first instrumental play-along collection from season one of the hit series. 

 Titles include: Alone; And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going; Bust Your Windows; Dancing with Myself; Defying Gravity; Don’t Stop Believin’; Imagine; Keep Holding On; Lean On Me; My Life Would Suck Without You; No Air; Sweet Caroline; Take A Bow; Taking Chances; and True Colors.

Play-along collections are available for flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, f horn, trombone, violin, viola, and cello.  They make great gifts and are a fun way to add variety to students’ school ensemble arrangements and private lesson assignments!  Feel free to order online, or give us a call at 1-800-426-8742.

In this ‘information age’ of internet websites, digital downloading and social networking, you can order and purchase music through any number of sources at any time of the day (or night), and even do it via your smart phone, so what’s the difference?  Granted, Stanton’s Sheet Music has quite an internet presence due to our website and online listening library, we have a digital download site with ever increasing inventory, you can become our ‘friend’ on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and, let’s face it, you’re reading our blog, so what REALLY sets us apart?

First, and foremost, almost all of our staff (including bookkeeping, receiving, shipping, etc.) are trained, degreed musicians with both performance and teaching experience. We have former band and choir directors, church musicians, former classroom teachers, private instructors and active, freelance musicians on staff. When you pick up the phone and speak with us, we’re more than just ‘customer service representatives’. We have studied and/or taught with much of the material that we offer, make recommendations, and have experienced many of the rewards and challenges of marching season, school musicals, budgets, booster groups, administrators, etc.

Second, and equally important, we are one resource with one location and we do it all! We are a store open to the public, not a warehouse. All of our orders whether phoned in, faxed or placed online are pulled from our in-house stock, backordered from publishers as necessary, and sent from our store. The same sales staff you speak with that takes your orders, fills your orders, responds to customer e-mail, orders our stock, puts stock away, reviews new material, processes internet orders, matches backordered items, and works with publisher representatives. Stanton’s is not divided into script-following CSR’s, order pullers in some distant warehouse, stock orderers hidden away in offices, and a billing department on another floor of the building. The same people handle your order from beginning to end and are available to answer any questions along the way.

If you haven’t worked with Stanton’s before, give us a call (1-800-426-8742), send us an e-mail, visit our website, or visit our store (we not only give music recommendations, but fantastic lunch recommendations as well).  Place your next order with us and find out why we have been the ‘Sheet Music Specialists’ since 1960!

Leonard Bernstein (August 25, 1918 - October 14, 1990) was an American conductor, composer, author, music lecturer and pianist. He was among the first conductors born and educated in the United States of America to receive worldwide acclaim. He was probably best known to the public as the longtime music director of the New York Philharmonic, for conducting concerts by many of the world’s leading orchestras, and for writing the music for West Side Story, Candide, Wonderful Town, and On the Town. Bernstein was the first classical music conductor to make numerous television appearances between 1954 and 1989. He had a formidable piano technique and as a composer also wrote symphonies and other concert music. According to The New York Times, he was “one of the most prodigally talented and successful musicians in American history (thanks to Wikipedia for the excerpted bio. Go to the website for the entire article)

Bernstein is represented in the Stanton’s Sheet Music database by over 200 listings. His music may be found in every corner of the store from jazz ensemble, marching band and concert band to music for choir and full orchestra.

Thanks, Lenny!!!

What is it about some musicians and performers who consistently achieve success? Are they the best performers? Did they have the best teachers? Do they have the best professional contacts and connections? Is it just coincidence? Of course not! The WOW Factor is a guide for performers, students, teachers and parents which offers fundamental philosophies and concepts that are essential to a person's growth and development and will contribute to a successful professional life in music. Written by Dr. Steve Zegree of Western Michigan University, choral arranger and conductor of Western Michigan’s Gold Company, there is something for everyone in this book! You'll learn more than just the basics, more than a prescribed curriculum, and more than just how to get in front of an audience to go through the motions of what you do in rehearsal. And, as a special bonus, Chapter 8 offers interviews with great performers from all facets of the music industry including: Simon Carrington, Nick Lachey, Ward Swingle, Roger Emerson, Mac Huff, Liza Minnelli and many more!

Looking for more resources to invigorate your choral program.  Contact us!