News & Views Friday, May 24, 2013

Do you need to put a little “spark” in your choral program? Is there just too much new music out there for you to review? Join us for a fun, enriching day of music education with Andy Beck, Greg Gilpin, and Stanton’s own Jen Sper featuring music from Alfred Publications, Shawnee Press and many other choral publishers.

Stanton’s Super Session
Saturday 8/3/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
at Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth St, 43215
REGISTRATION: $55.00 (includes lunch)

Nowhere else will you find such a variety of new choral selections and teaching resources to inspire and motivate you and your students as you begin the school year.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to invite you to our 2013 “John Jacobson Workshop” on August 1st and “Joy of Singing” on August 2nd – two full days of the best new music from Hal Leonard!

John Jacobson Workshop
Thursday 8/1/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $60.00 teacher/$40.00 student, Both fees include lunch

Joy of Singing
Friday 8/2/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $50.00 (includes lunch)

Register now online, or contact us at 1-800-426-8742 or choral@stantons.com for more information.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Have you ever done this?

To keep up your sight-singing/sight-reading skills, try this, if you haven’t already!  At church, when singing out of a hymnal (especially when there are four verses) sing the soprano line on the first verse, the alto line on the second, tenor on the third and bass on the fourth.  Your eyes have to look down for the lyrics on each verse, so push yourself a little more and read a different harmony on each verse too.  If your organist tends to freely harmonize the last verse, try going the other way – bass on the first verse, tenor on the second, alto on the third and soprano on the fourth, so the melody will still fit the free harmonization on the last verse.  It’s a fun challenge and good musical exercise!  Have fun!

Let your concert band show pride in their country with one of these great new arrangements – perfect for your spring or summer concert, or any patriotic occasion!

Aces High
Ron Goodwin, arr. Larry Daehn
Grade 3.5
Aviation history honors the flying aces of the Battle of Britain, as does this stalwart march/movie theme, splendidly executed with powerful, heroically flowing themes laced with spirited woodwind ostinati and triumphant fanfares.

Suite for Band: New England Sketches
Gene Milford
Grade 3.5
A great descriptive suite with outstanding original music by Gene Milford interspersed with familiar old tunes. A masterwork!

The Blue and the Gray
Clare Grundman, arr. Robert Longfield
Grade 3
Published in 1961 commemorating 100 years after the start of the Civil War, Clare Grundman’s classic work has become a staple in the repertoire. Robert Longfield’s adaptation for younger bands maintains the character of the original as well as all of the tunes, but in a shorter and more concise setting.

For more recommendations like this, browse Patriotic music for Concert Band at stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Elementary General Music Clinic
Wednesday 7/31/2013, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $20.00
Stanton’s Sheet Music is excited to welcome back Cristi Cary Miller as our clinician for the 31st edition of our Elementary General Music Clinic. This is one of Stanton’s longest running and most successful clinics, showcasing the best new teacher resources, song collections, games, musicals and more! We are sure that you will find materials that will keep you and your students interested throughout the year. Get your school year started on the right foot!

Patriotic numbers make the perfect addition to any concert program, but especially as we approach summer! Share one of these fantastic, new selections with your young band:

Brighton Camp
Randall Standridge, Grade 2.5
Using the familiar folk songs Brighton Camp, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and The Cruel War as a basis, Randall Standridge has created a unique concert march with a built in American history lesson. Perfect to pay tribute to the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, this arrangement works as a patriotic concert selection, march, and as an interesting choice for contest. Its light style, legato vs. staccato rhythms, and section independence will advance your band’s musicianship, and the layering of the various melodies puts this arrangement over the top!

Call to Valor
Scott Watson, Grade 1.5
Valor is defined as “boldness or determination in facing great danger; heroic courage.” “Call to Valor” musically evokes both the resolute strength and quiet courage required to face difficulties and the unknown. The piece begins with a brief, animated introduction followed by a bold fanfare theme. A quieter, contrasting section alternates bugle calls with field drum solos, but then builds to the return of the opening material. “Call to Valor” is the perfect fanfare opener or exciting closer for your next concert.

Fanfare for the Unsung Hero
Matt Conaway, Grade 2
Stirring and dignified, this original patriotic fanfare is perfect for Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, or any patriotic celebration, and is an ideal opener. Majestic percussion, stately (and basic) 16th note patterns, and bold brass statements set the stage for a rousing, mature-sounding salute.

To the Colors
Ronald C. Knoener, Grade 2.5
Written in the style of a U.S. Civil War marching song, this enjoyable patriotic march features the historic flag-raising bugle call To the Colors. The lightness of style and battery percussion enhances the character and reverence of this march. Open a concert or patriotic program by processing the colors in to this fantastic, respectful work followed by the Star-Spangled Banner!

For more great suggestions for your young band, contact Stanton’s band department. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Stanton’s Super Session
Saturday 8/3/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
at Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth St, 43215
REGISTRATION: $55.00 (includes lunch)

Do you need to put a little “spark” in your choral program? Is there just too much new music out there for you to review? Join us for a fun, enriching day of music education with Andy Beck, Greg Gilpin, and Stanton’s own Jen Sper featuring music from Alfred Publications, Shawnee Press and many other choral publishers. Nowhere else will you find such a variety of new choral selections and teaching resources to inspire and motivate you and your students as you begin the school year.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Do you have an excellent solo player or section that you want to feature on your next concert? Try one of these pieces recommended by Stanton’s Band Department:

Allegro Francaise
F Horn, Trombone, or Euphonium Solo Feature
J. Ed. Barat, arr. Andrew Glover, Grade 3
Barat’s “Andante and Allegro” has been a staple of trombone solo repertoire for decades, and now the Allegro has been excerpted and arranged for the Barnhouse “Spotlight” series by Andrew Glover. An excellent solo to showcase your trombone, euphonium, or horn soloist.

Can’t Help Falling in Love
Alto Saxophone Feature
arr. James Swearingen, Grade 3
Elvis’ classic hit finds inspired life in this romantic ballad beautifully scored to feature your best alto saxophonist.

Cinema Paradiso
Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Alto Sax or Trumpet Solo Feature
Ennio Morricone, arr. Robert Longfield,
Grade 3
From the classic 1988 film Cinema Paradiso, this beautiful theme has been recorded by artists ranging from trumpeter Chris Botti to violinist Joshua Bell. This wonderful setting by Robert Longfield allows you to feature your choice of solo instrument with full band accompaniment. (solo options include: oboe, flute, clarinet, alto sax, or trumpet)

Lightning Fingers
Clarinet Feature
Henry Fillmore, arr. Robert E. Foster,
Grade 4
Lightning Fingers showcases the musical and technical virtuosity of the solo clarinetist in this original work by legendary bandmaster and composer Henry Fillmore. It is a happy, showy display piece which has been enjoyed by generations of performers and audiences alike. Robert Foster’s new edition cleans up some inconsistencies present in older editions and makes it accessible to a new generation of band musicians.

Miss Trombone
Trombone Section Feature
Henry Fillmore, arr. Nicholas J. Contorno,
Grade 3.5
“Father of the Trombone Smear,” Henry Fillmore, wrote a series of fifteen novelty ragtime solos known as The Trombone Family. Miss Trombone – the first of these – was written in 1908. Dr. Contorno’s setting maintains all the fun and mischief of the original.

A Night in Tunisia
Saxophone Section Feature
arr. Paul Murtha,
Grade 3
Authentic, newly inspired treatment of Dizzy Gillespie’s Afro-Cuban groundbreaker features your saxophone section as it deftly shifts between swing and Latin styles, and sizzles with rich jazz flavors.

Overture for Brass Quintet & Band
Brass Quintet Feature
Clarence Barber,
Grade 4
Literature for brass quintet with band is scarce and this is a welcome addition to the repertoire that demonstrates the versatile sonority of both the brass quintet and concert band. It is melodic yet contemporary with unusual rhythmic and harmonic twists.

For more solo and section features, contact Stanton’s Band Department. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Does your youngster get excited about hearing music, or “reading” along with you?  Here are four picture books,  each including a CD that goes along with the book.  The books have heavy card stock pages with colorful illustrations.  Each page has a corresponding song on its CD.  The players in the  jazz band recording are some of New York City’s hottest young jazz players.

“Duck Ellington Swings Through the Zoo” is about Duck going to the zoo to relieve the boredom of the zoo animals with his jazz piano.  Things certainly liven up!  “Charlie Bird Counts to the Beat” tells the story of Charlie Bird playing his sax and counting up to ten.  Three Happy Hippos playing harmonicas never sounded so good!  “Mingus Mouse Plays Christmastime Jazz” is about Mingus Mouse, who, upon arriving at home for Christmas, realizes he hasn’t brought a present for his mom.  After a little brainstorming, he solves the problem.  (Sorry. You have to read the book.)

In “Nursery Rhyme Jazz“, we meet the main jazz characters, which include Ella the Elephant and a few more we haven’t mentioned, yet.  You have never heard nursery rhymes quite like this!  Delight your little one(s) with one or more of these wonderful books.  For more information about these, or other children’s books or songbooks, please contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to invite you to our 2013 “John Jacobson Workshop” on August 1st and “Joy of Singing” on August 2nd – two full days of the best new music from Hal Leonard!

John Jacobson Workshop
Thursday 8/1/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $60.00 teacher/$40.00 student, Both fees include lunch

Joy of Singing
Friday 8/2/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $50.00 (includes lunch)

Register now online, or contact us at 1-800-426-8742 or choral@stantons.com for more information.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

This group of books from Hal Leonard’s Essential Elements Guitar Ensembles is perfect for your guitar class, beginning at the mid-beginner level, and going up to the mid intermediate level. As long as all three parts are covered, any number of players can participate. These are great fun if you have 2 more guitar buddies who want to play ensembles, too.

Each book includes the score with all three parts, and has 14-15 songs per book.  Each book of sheet music costs $9.99, so each trio costs only sixty- six cents!  There is a melody part, a harmony part, and a bass line written for the regular six string guitar.  There are several styles of music to choose from:  pop, rock, jazz, and even Disney!

If you would like to know more about these or any other sheet music we have, feel free to contact us at 1-800.42-MUSIC or at keyboard@stantons.com.

No pop artist is currently more universally popular or successful than Adele.  Her second studio album, 21, was the biggest selling musical release for both 2011 and 2012.  It featured three #1 hits, spent 24 weeks at #1 in the U.S. – the first album to do so since 1985, and has sold over 26 million copies through 2012!  The #1 single Rolling in the Deep is the fourth song in history to win Grammy awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year in the same year, and with over 7,600,000 copies sold, it is the highest selling digital song by a female artist in the U.S., and the second-highest overall.  Add to that an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song for Skyfall, the latest James Bond movie theme which she both co-wrote and performed, and you have an artist riding the crest of success.  There are several Adele hits available for concert band that are perfect for spring concert programming and community bands, and are sure to be a hit with your students and audience!

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs.

Adele in Concert
arr. Michael Brown
Grade 3
Certified Diamond with over 10 million copies sold, Adele’s second studio release 21, topped the charts in 30 countries, including spending 24 weeks at #1 in the U.S. – the first album to do so since 1985!  Michael Brown’s great-sounding arrangement features all three #1 singles from the album: Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, and Set Fire to the Rain.

Rolling in the Deep
arr. Robert Longfield – Grade 1.5
arr. James Kazik – Grade 2
Winning 3 Grammy awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video, hit single Rolling in the Deep from the album 21 by Adele is the biggest crossover hit in the U.S. from the past 25 years!  Spending 65 weeks on the charts, your students will love the opportunity to play this hit that Adele describes as a “dark, bluesy gospel disco tune.”

Skyfall
arr. Jay Bocook
Grade 3
The theme to the latest James Bond movie, Skyfall was co-written and performed by popular British singer-songwriter, Adele.  Featuring musical characteristics of previous Bond movie themes with hints of THE James Bond Theme thrown in for good measure, Skyfall won both an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.  Faithful to the original, Jay Bocook’s arrangement for band is sure to spark your students, and be a hit with your audience!

Elementary General Music Clinic
Wednesday 7/31/2013,  9:00 am-12:30 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $20.00
Stanton’s Sheet Music is excited to welcome back Cristi Cary Miller as our clinician for the 31st edition of our Elementary General Music Clinic. This is one of Stanton’s longest running and most successful clinics, showcasing the best new teacher resources, song collections, games, musicals and more! We are sure that you will find materials that will keep you and your students interested throughout the year. Get your school year started on the right foot!

With an initial print run of 200,000 copies, no one knew the success on the horizon for Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games.  The initial title in the trilogy has sold over 1 million copies, been translated into 26 languages with publishing rights secured in 38 territories, and has resulted in a 2012 feature film co-written and co-directed by Collins herself.  The books and movies are popular across all age groups, and there are several arrangements perfect for spring concert programming featuring James Newton Howard’s haunting score and soundtrack hits by popular crossover artist Taylor Swift.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
                                                                                                                                               

Film Score Arrangements

Music from The Hunger Games
James Newton Howard, arr. Michael Brown
Grade 2
The Hunger Games has been popular with teens, tweens, and adults, and themes from James Newton Howard’s hauntingly beautiful film score have been arranged for developing band. Legato phrasing, articulation, dynamics, expression, some 16th note patterns, and a memorable theme make this powerful work great for teaching while keeping ranges accessible. With many interesting sounds and textures, film scores are fun to play, and provide great entry points into symphonic music.

Soundtrack Highlights from The Hunger Games
James Newton Howard, arr. Jay Bocook
Grade 3
The film score of James Newton Howard effectively captures the mood and drama of the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games. In this masterful adaptation for band, Jay Bocook showcases the highlights from the score including a distinctive treatment of the haunting Mockingjay call.
                                                                                                                                               

Hit Songs from the Soundtrack

Eyes Open
arr. James Kazik
Grade 2
From singing superstar Taylor Swift comes this hit song from the blockbuster movie The Hunger Games. This version for young players stays true to the original light rock style and will go together quickly with limited rehearsal.

Safe & Sound
arr. James Kazik
Grade 2
Featured on the soundtrack to The Hunger Games, Safe & Sound is a mysterious, haunting hit song recorded by Taylor Swift featuring The Civil Wars.
                                                                                                                                               

Stanton’s Super Session
Saturday 8/3/2013, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
at Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth St, 43215
REGISTRATION: $55.00 (includes lunch)

Do you need to put a little “spark” in your choral program? Is there just too much new music out there for you to review? Join us for a fun, enriching day of music education with Andy Beck, Greg Gilpin, and Stanton’s own Jen Sper featuring music from Alfred Publications, Shawnee Press and many other choral publishers. Nowhere else will you find such a variety of new choral selections and teaching resources to inspire and motivate you and your students as you begin the school year.

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

A cappella pop singing…it’s the hottest trend in the nation! In A Cappella Pop: The Complete Guide to Contemporary A Cappella Singing, you’ll find the tools to challenge your top high school and collegiate-age singers. With a foreword by Deke Sharon, topics include: forming your ensemble, music selection, rehearsal techniques, sound reinforcement, vocal percussion, and much more! Author Brody McDonald’s award-winning ensemble, Eleventh Hour, was the first high school group to appear on NBC’s “The Sing-Off,” so he’s a wonderful resource on the topic!

Find more contemporary a cappella resources on our website, and shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!