News & Views Tuesday, June 18, 2013

“Broadway Junior” is a series of popular Broadway musicals designed to meet the needs of young performers through the ninth grade. Author-approved and condensed to approximately 70 minutes, they preserve the spirit and essence of the original while eliminating elaborate production elements. The “Getting to Know” (G2K) series offers the same type of condensed productions, but is specific to the musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein. There is also the “MTI Disney’s Kids” series, which contains Disney family favorites shortened to 30 minutes and easy enough for elementary students. All three of these product lines are available from Hal Leonard publishing.

What makes these products especially unique is that you get all the performance materials and the performance rights for one set price. The resources included also allow you to cut spending in other areas of production: a full accompaniment CD is included so you don’t have to hire a live pit, a choreography DVD stands in for a professional choreographer, etc. There are also many audition and planning materials available for free on broadwayjr.com.

Here’s how the ordering process works: You place your order with Stanton’s Sheet Music by phone, web, email or fax. We then pass your information along to Hal Leonard, who will fax a licensing agreement to your school. Once you complete, sign and return that contract, your performance kit is shipped directly to you from Hal Leonard’s warehouse. As long as you return the contract in a timely manner, you usually receive the kit about a week after you place your order with Stanton’s.

Broadway Jr., Disney’s Kids and G2K ShowKits are available for purchase only by elementary, middle and junior high schools (grades K-9). Other groups—high schools, camps, community and children’s theatres, religious organizations—must contact MTI or R & H Theatricals to inquire about traditional licensing. (Read our musical licensing blog to find out more.) To determine whether your organization qualifies, please contact us for more information.

Arguably the most beloved stage musical of all time, Les Misérables, comes to the screen on December 25, 2012.

“The opening night of Les Misérables at the Barbican Theatre on 8 October 1985 was one of those extraordinary occasions when against all the odds a theatrical alchemy took place that made everyone forget the years of work and months of rehearsal that went into adapting Hugo’s sweeping masterpiece for the musical stage…the Guinness Book of Records confirmed that Les Miz had had more concurrent productions (15 at one time) than any other musical in history… Now Les Misérables has, to my surprise, taken over the mantle of the world’s longest-running musical from another of my productions, Cats… Les Misérables is proving more successful than ever with the original London production holding record-breaking advance box office figures.” Cameron Mackintosh (www.lesmis.com)

Fans of the stage musical can find much to be excited about in the new movie. The stellar cast – featuring Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Amanda Seyfried – performed all of the musical numbers live during film production. This will hopefully bring a quality of authenticity and depth that is sometimes missing from movie musicals. Advance previews of the film are already garnering accolades, with Golden Globe nominations for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Hugh Jackman for Best Actor (Musical or Comedy), Anne Hathaway for Best Supporting Actress and “Suddenly” for Best Original Song.

To celebrate the movie release, Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to offer you a new Les Misérables piano/vocal songbook from the Hal Leonard Corporation. The songbook features piano/vocal selections of 16 songs from the film, plus a special 9-page section of fantastic full-color art! Of special note is the inclusion of the Golden Globe nominated song “Suddenly,” which was newly composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg and sung by Hugh Jackman in the film. (Learn more about the creation of this exciting new song here.)

For details on other Les Misérables sheet music – for piano, choir, orchestra and more – contact Stanton’s Sheet Music at 1-800-426-8742.

From the Bowery to the box office to Broadway…… and now Stanton’s!

Vocal selections from Disney’s newest Broadway smash “Newsies,” are off the press and now available from Stanton’s.  In a story almost as unlikely as the real-life events of the 1899 New York newsboys’ strike that inspired it, “Newsies: The Musical” started its life in a brief, less-than-stellar appearance at movie theatres in 1992.  In the years following, however, through the magic of home video, “Newsies” became a quietly growing sensation, especially among young people, who related to its “respect the next generation” attitude, and its dynamic musical score by Academy Award winner Alan Menken and Jack Feldman.

In 1994, “Beauty and the Beast” opened on Broadway and proved that Disney could successfully translate one of its films to the stage.  “Newsies” fans immediately saw the potential, and a movement began to grow that would take almost 20 years.  Music Theatre International, one of the chief theatrical licensing agents for shows, was deluged with constant requests by high schools, colleges, and community theatres to rent a stage version of “Newsies,” but nothing existed.  In fact, composer Alan Menken and the Disney organization experimented with the possibility several times, but couldn’t find a formula they felt would work.  Enter Tony Award winning playwright and actor Harvey Fierstein, also a fan of the movie, and confident he could adapt the story for the stage.

In 2011, “Newsies: The Musical” opened at the Papermill Playhouse in Milburn, New Jersey and was an immediate success.  Thomas Schumacher, President of Disney Theatrical Productions, admitted that “Newsies” was the first Disney production for which the fans basically demanded that it be staged.  Those fans flocked to see it from all over the country, and the call for “Broadway!” grew even louder, a call which was resoundingly answered on March 15, 2012 when the show opened at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre.

Top that off with over 150 sold-out performances to date, and two Tony Awards, and “Newsies” is truly the “King of New York.” Order the piano/vocal collection today!

The 2012 Tony Awards Show was certainly a night of wonderful performances, from the opening with the cast of The Book of Mormon through to Neil Patrick Harris’ closing number! If you’re looking for more from your favorite shows, check out what’s currently available from Stanton’s for some of the big winning musicals:

Once
Based on the 2006 movie of the same name, “Once” took top honors of the evening, with a total of 7 Tonys including “Best Musical.” Much of the music from the movie was also used in the stage musical, and you can enjoy playing all these songs, including “Falling Slowly,” from the Piano/Vocal/Guitar collection.

The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess
Winner of “Best Revival,” this new staging also garnered a Tony for Audra McDonald. You can still get the full vocal score from the opera or the vocal selections; there is also a new choral medley to honor the Broadway show. You may also enjoy a full-color, hardcover history of the opera: The Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess: A 75th Anniversary Celebration.

Newsies
“Newsies” took home Tony Awards for “Best Choreography” and “Best Original Score,” fully redeeming the box office failure of the 1992 movie. Coming soon is the Piano/Vocal/Guitar collection from the new Broadway musical, and the collection from the movie is still available. There is also a great choral medley and a single of “Seize the Day”which were published in the wake of the movie, but ring true to the excitement of the stage version!

Nice Work If You Can Get It
This new musical using the classic numbers from the Gershwin songbook won Tonys for “Featured Actor” Michael McGrath, and “Featured Actress” Judy Kaye. Although there is nothing new in print specifically based on this musical, many of the songs featured—including the title song—can be found in The Gershwin Song Collection (1931-1954).

Contact Stanton’s Sheet Music for more information on any of these products, and check back here for updates as new publications from these Tony Award-winning shows become available!

The summer concert season is almost upon us, and in addition to pop and Broadway arrangements, patriotic selections, and standard marches, what would a concert in the park be without a fun novelty piece? Stanton’s is pleased to recommend the following new novelty numbers that are sure to entertain both your audience and your band!

Add a little spice to your program with the snappy, 1910 Chili Sauce Rag written by H.A. Fischler of the famous Repasz Band.  It was discovered by Dr. Nicholas Contorno through his association with Windjammers Unlimited, the Circus Music Historical Society.

One of the most famous band novelty pieces ever written, Henry Fillmore’s playful Lassus Trombone is now presented in a meticulously edited, definitive version as an Authentic Fillmore Edition.  This one is sure to be fun for your trombonists and audience alike!

Henry Mancini’s movie music is an American staple.  Feature your entire clarinet section, just a few players, or your best soloist with this gem that underscored the climactic pie fight scene in The Great Race, Pie in the Face Polka – pies not included.

Lastly, your trombones will alternate between playing melodic material and providing humorous fills, taking full advantage of the glissando (of course), in Chris Sharp’s rip-roarin’ arrangement of the famous Tiger Rag!

Keep your eyes on your mailbox and our blog for more new recommendations for your community band!

Close out the school year with an exciting choral medley from an iconic Broadway show! Whether you’re looking for music from a long-time theatrical standard or an innovative new production, we’ll help you find the perfect medley for your group.

Over the last few years, the Great White Way has hosted shows ranging from ground-breaking original productions (In the Heights, Next to Normal), to adaptations of popular movies (Shrek: The Musical, Mary Poppins), to Tony Award-winning revivals (Hair). Even children’s literature (Seussical: The Musical) and popular music (Jersey Boys) have gotten in on the act!

Concert and community choirs may enjoy exploring medleys of music by various Broadway composers. Try Rodgers and Hammerstein on Broadway (songs from The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Carousel and Oklahoma), Broadway Legends: Lerner and Loewe (songs from Camelot, My Fair Lady and Paint Your Wagon), Sondheim! A Choral Celebration (songs from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Into the Woods, Company and Sweeney Todd), Andrew Lloyd Webber in Concert (songs from Evita, Aspects of Love, Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Song and Dance), Applause! The Music of Charles Strouse (songs from Applause, Bye Bye Birdie, All-American and Annie) or Gershwin: A Concert Panorama (songs from Funny Face, Girl Crazy, Strike Up the Band and Oh, Kay!).

Bringing the magic of Disney movies to Broadway has also been popular recently. Younger audiences will especially appreciate Disney on Stage, featuring music from the Broadway productions of Aida, Beauty and the Beast, High School Musical, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins and Tarzan.

You can also take the opportunity to introduce your singers to some of the most iconic Broadway shows in history. Try a time-honored show like Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, Guys and Dolls, Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma, Sweeney Todd, My Fair Lady, Chicago, South Pacific, The King & I, Oliver! and A Chorus Line. Or maybe you want to explore a “new classic” like Wicked, Rent, Hairspray, Jekyll & Hyde or Ragtime. The possibilities are practically endless!

For more music from the Great White Way, please contact us or visit us online.

The Story of My Life, by Neil Bartram, is a musical about two men and a longtime friendship that started in childhood.  Richard Maltby Jr. , the director, says, “…this show  produced a reaction I had never encountered before…people are moved by what happens to Alvin and Thomas, but the emotional response in the audience members seems larger than that, more personal.”

The show debuted in Toronto in 2006, and premiered on Broadway in 2009.  Since then, it has been performed in several states and South Korea.  If you have already heard the cast recording, you will be happy to find the matching sheet music book.  If you are interested in finding out more about this book or other sheet music books of Broadway musicals, please contact us.

Do you ever need sheet music in a big hurry?  Check out Stanton’s Digital Delivery to browse our digital sheet music library. There are pop songs, Broadway songs, sacred songs, guitar tabs, and much more!

You’ll need to download a free Scorch program that allows you to see the first page of each song you look up, and it allows you to print on your own printer.  Many songs can also be transposed to whatever key you need! Just pay with a credit card, download and print.

This service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Happy browsing!

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!