News & Views Friday, April 25, 2014

Pop titles are perfect spring concert fare, and once you’ve selected a contemporary Top 40 hit or two for your students, it’s nice to treat your audience of 30-something parents (and yourself) with music familiar to their generation.  From the funk of Tower of Power and The Commodores to the rock n’ roll and heavy metal of The Eagles, The Who, and Guns N’ Roses, there is a host of new arrangements of hits from the 70’s and 80’s that will go over well with your audience.  Besides, there’s no such thing as hipping your students to too much music!

Brick House – The Commodores
arr. Paul Murtha
Grade 3
This funky hit recorded by the Commodores in 1977 has proven its staying power over the years.   Paul Murtha’s lively arrangement featuring the signature horn riffs is sure to become an audience favorite.

The Eagles on Tour – The Eagles
arr. Patrick Roszell
Grade 3
Iconic 70′s rock band, The Eagles, are highlighted in this arrangement featuring three of their biggest hits—the bluesy Heartache Tonight, the beautiful Desperado, and the haunting Hotel California.

Lennon – John Lennon
arr. Roland Barrett
Grade 3
John Lennon is responsible for 25 number-one singles on the U.S. Hot 100 chart, and in 2008, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him the fifth-greatest singer of all time. He was posthumously inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1987, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Included in this lush arrangement are Jealous Guy, Instant Karma, and Imagine.

Metal! – Various Artists
arr. Sean O’Loughlin
Grade 3
Who knew that vintage metal tunes would adapt so well for the concert stage! Sean O’Loughlin’s experience working directly some of the nation’s top recording artists gives him a decided edge when it comes to making these timeless heavy metal hits sound great for band. Includes: The Trooper (Iron Maiden), Iron Man (Black Sabbath), Rock You Like a Hurricane (Scorpions), and Crazy Train (Ozzy Osbourne).

Pinball Wizard - The Who
arr. Patrick Roszell
Grade 3
From The Who’s rock opera, Tommy, this high-energy, driving classic has been recognized in Billboard’s Top 10.  Who but Patrick Roszell could bring Pete Townshend’s power chords come alive for concert band!

Tower of Power Greatest Hits – Tower of Power
arr. Victor Lopez
Grade 3.5
A mainstay of funk music since the 70′s, this arrangement features three of the best-known hits by Oakland, CA based Tower of Power.  Perfect for addressing articulation and tight playing, the tunes include What Is Hip?, the lyrical ballad, You’re Still a Young Man, and Down to the Nightclub.

Welcome to the Jungle - Guns N’ Roses
arr. Paul Murtha
Grade 3
Named the greatest hard rock song of all time by VH1, Guns N’ Roses’ signature hit was introduced back in 1987 and remains as popular and recognizable today as ever. Featuring plenty of musical variety and excitement, this version will challenge young players but is guaranteed to inspire them to practice!

Stanton’s Super Session
Saturday 8/2/2014, 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.

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This collection, 100 Authentic Blues Harmonica Licks, is just the thing to advance your playing skills on harmonica.  It includes a CD of audio tracks for the examples given in  the book.  There is an explanation of the 12-bar blues, the way progressions work, and why they work that way. There are play-along tracks along with the demonstration tracks. The author, Steve Cohen, includes riffs in the styles of Little Walter, Howlin’ Wolf, Jimmy Reed, and more.  All you need is a 10 hole harmonica in C  and some time! For more information about this book of harmonica sheet music or others, please call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

“Folk *  Pop Songs for Ukulele”  is a collection of twenty-five folk/rock  songs from mostly the 60′s and 70′s.  Each song has the words, melody and ukulele chords included.  Each song is a classic!  Titles include “Puff the Magic Dragon” (Peter, Paul and Mary),  “Blackbird”  (The Beatles),  “The Unicorn” (Irish Rovers), “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine”  (Gale Garnett),  and  “The M. T. A.” (The Kingston Trio).  This collection of sheet music is great for a singalong or a jam session.  For more information about this collection or others you may be interested in, call 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Students always want to play something familiar and fun on the spring concert, and it’s nice to reward them for their hard work during the school year.  It also helps with enthusiasm and retention, and besides, most of us start playing music because of our exposure to and interest in pop music.  There are several solid new arrangements of Top 40 hits at the grade 3 level from some of today’s most popular artists including Lady Gaga, fun., Coldplay, and hit maker Bruno Mars that your students will love.

Applause – Lady Gaga
arr. Michael Brown
Grade 3
Lady Gaga has struck gold again with this driving and catchy blockbuster hit. This up-tempo rock arrangement is characterized by a syncopated and rhythmic pulse and tuneful melody.

Atlas – Coldplay
(from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire)
arr. Michael Brown
Grade 3
Recorded by Coldplay, this beautiful and emotive ballad from The Hunger Games: Catching Fire notably marks the first time that the band has ever written and recorded an original song specifically for a motion picture.

Carry On – fun.
arr. Jerry Davis
Grade 3
A fun and infectious way to introduce your students to 12/8 meter, this uplifting, mid-tempo anthem, recorded by indie band fun., encourages you to push through and, indeed, carry on.

Treasure – Bruno Mars
arr. Victor Lopez
Grade 3
Bruno Mars’ latest upbeat Top 10 hit is incredibly playable and arranged with a contemporary disco soul beat.  Your band will dig the groove and zesty Latin ornaments.

Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to invite you to our 2013 “John Jacobson Workshop” on July 31st and “Joy of Singing” on August 1st – two full days of the best new music from Hal Leonard!

John Jacobson Workshop
Thursday 7/31/2014, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Columbia Heights UMC
REGISTRATION: $60.00 teacher/$40.00 student, Both fees include lunch

Joy of Singing
Friday 8/1/2014, 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.

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If you’re facing the challenge of a smaller choir and trying to make the most of your church’s music budget, Stanton’s Sheet Music suggests that you explore some of these exciting new choral collections:

In Christ Alone (Acoustic Praise for the Growing Choir)
The increasing treasury of modern hymns and sacred songs by Keith and Kristyn Getty and collaborator Stuart Townend are explored in this new resource designed for choirs of any level. Many of this writing team’s biggest successes are included, all lovingly adapted by some of our most gifted arrangers. Music for the entire church year is contained in this collection. Transcending stylistic boundaries, this music and message are home in both contemporary-styled worship venues and traditional programs. Creative instrumental adornments offer additional options for performance while sensitive arranging make this compilation accessible to choirs of any size.

10 More Anthems for About 10 Singers
Continuing the acclaimed series of choral collections for smaller choirs, this invaluable and economical compilation is a perfect solution no matter how few in number or vocally unbalanced your faithful choir may be.  More collections in this series include 10 Anthems for About 10 Singers, 12 Anthems for About 12 Singers, 12 Carols for About 12 Singers, 8 Anthems for About 12 Singers, Raise the Praise for About 10 Singers, and 10½ Anthems for About 10 Singers.

Women in Song IV
Here is the 4th volume in Hope Publishing’s successful series of settings for women’s choirs. Included are ten top-sellers composed and arranged by Lloyd Larson for SSA voices. A CD of Orchestral Accompaniment tracks is available for rehearsal and performance.  Check out Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 as well!

For more valuable suggestions for your church choir, please contact us!

One Direction

Spring concerts usually feature lighter concert pieces, music from movies and shows, and students always want to play something they know from the radio.  Teachers often like to reward students for working on the year’s concert music, and it also helps with enthusiasm and retention, so there is nothing wrong with choosing 1 or 2 Top 40 titles for your program.  At the grade 1-2 difficulty level there are new arrangements of hits from One Direction, Anna Kendrick from the movie Pitch Perfect, Pink, fun., and the ever popular (and really solid), Katy Perry.

Best Song Ever  – One Direction
arr. Michael Story
Belwin Beginning Band – Grade 1
This catchy hit from popular band One Direction features an upbeat rock groove, and is written for students in their first or second year of band.

Cups (When I’m Gone) – Anna Kendrick
arr. Johnnie Vinson
Discovery Plus – Grade 2
The critically acclaimed movie Pitch Perfect about a college a capella group featured this upbeat hit recorded by Anna Kendrick. The clever “cups” routine performed with a cup and table tapping has inspired numerous versions on social media. This arrangement for young players allows you to feature the percussion section, or be adventurous and have someone actually doing the “cups” routine out in front of the band!

Just Give Me a Reason – Pink
arr. Patrick Roszell
Belwin Young Band – Grade 2
The mega pop hit by Pink and Nate Ruess, lead singer of fun., comes to your developing concert band with every section getting a chance to shine on the melody.

Roar – Katy Perry
arr. Michael Story
Belwin Young Band – Grade 2
This mid-tempo “power-pop” chart is the first single released on Katy Perry’s 2013 studio album, Prism, and is set in a pop-rock style. Acclaimed as her most successful single to date, even beyond her chart-topping single “Firework,” the uplifting lyrics are certain to bring that same high energy to your developing band performance.

Roar – Katy Perry
arr. Michael Brown
Discovery Plus – Grade 2
With a moderate yet powerful rock pulse and signature strong melodies, this Katy Perry hit adapts easily to a setting for young bands.

Some Nights – fun.
arr. Patrick Roszell
Belwin Beginning Band – Grade 1
The infectious title track by fun. features basic, teachable syncopations, and is sure to be a hit with your students!

This book of sheet music for ukulele contains 365 songs, one for each day of the year.  There is a chord chart at the front of the book, instructions on how to tune, strumming, and how to finger the chords.  The songs include the chord grids for all the chords used in that song.  You can play country songs (“Hey, Good Lookin’” by Hank Williams),  Beatles songs, (“Hey, Jude”), Broadway songs, (“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” from My Fair Lady), and folk songs, ( “Hush, Little Baby”).  Heck, if you really like some songs, you can play them more than once a year!  “The Daily Ukulele” book provides a bit of fun for every day.  For more information about this song book or similar books, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website at http://www.stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s  for all your sheet music needs.

Send your graduating seniors off with music with one of these new choral titles, perfect for spring concerts or graduation ceremonies!

From “Glee’s” 3rd season and the graduation album, Roots Before Branches opens with a reflection on the feelings of doubt that every young person experiences when facing an unknown future, but soon transitions into a powerful and uplifting refrain that expresses hope and confidence. “Roots before branches, to know who I am before I know who I wanna be, and faith to take chances to live like I see a place in this world for me.” A fantastic choice for graduation!

Recorded by Barbra Streisand, What Matters Most is an elegant and heartfelt song, almost classical in style, with a warm, acoustic accompaniment and a simple, direct lyric that celebrates the power of love in our lives.

The traditional Celtic blessing is well-known and loved in many different versions, and the setting Deep Peace by Brian Tate will be especially effective as a gentle closing number or encore for school and community choirs. Easily learned, it offers opportunities to teach flowing lines, diction and dynamic contrast.

Inspired by the words of the Native American Crowfoot, the introspective text of What Is Life? by Greg Gilpin contemplates the meaning of life. Anchored with enduring musicality that builds to a dramatic peak and concludes with the soft realization that “life is the moment, that alone.”

A traditional Irish blessing is given a thoughtful treatment by Victor Johnson in May the Road Rise to Meet You. Lyrical vocal lines and a gently flowing accompaniment provide a heart-felt closure to any concert, graduation, or gathering, and the optional oboe obbligato adds warmth to this elegant setting suitable for school or church use.

For more suggestions for your graduation or baccalaureate ceremonies, contact Stanton’s at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Amid all the new Top 40 and movie arrangements for concert band this year is an eclectic handful of pieces featuring music from Broadway and Television.  A hit in over 120 countries, and having just finished its fourth season in the U.S., Downton Abbey – The Suite blends some of the incidental music from the series with the beautiful main theme.  Mash-Up – Tribute Edition combines the music of fun. and Alicia Keys in remembrance of beloved character Finn from Glee, in the wake of the tragic loss of actor Cory Monteith.  HBO continues producing high quality miniseries with Hans Zimmer and Blake Neely’s theme to The Pacific available as well as a medley of songs from Stephen Schwartz’ Broadway classic Pippin.

Downton Abbey – The Suite 
arr. Douglas E. Wagner
Belwin Concert Band
Grade 3
The highly popular television series has become the most-viewed period drama in thirty years. The trials, triumphs, and tribulations of the aristocratic Crawley family are intertwined with the colorful lives of the live-in servant class. The equally colorful music is cast in this medley featuring the series’ familiar theme Did I Make the Most of Loving You?.

Mash-Up – Tribute Edition  
(Remembering Finn)
arr. Patrick Roszell
Belwin Concert Band
Grade 3
Combining the music of the infectious group, fun., and the soulful voice of Alicia Keys, this mash-up of We Are Young and Empire State of Mind serves as a fond remembrance of the popular character, Finn, from the hit television show, Glee.

The Pacific (Main Title)
arr. Ted Ricketts
Hal Leonard Concert Band
Grade 3
From the acclaimed HBO miniseries, with a production team that included Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, comes this distinctive and poignant main theme. Apart from the series itself this powerful music stands on its own, and is beautifully adapted for band by Ted Ricketts.

Pippin
arr. Ralph Ford
Belwin Concert Band
Grade 3
This endearing medley from Stephen Schwartz’ Broadway classic includes Corner of the Sky, Magic to Do, Extraordinary, Simple Joys, Pippin (Finale), and Morning Glow.

After Holy Week is done and you’ve had time to take a breath, make sure you’re ready for the next church season with our August Sacred Choral Reading Session!

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome Larry Shackley as our clinician for the August Church Choral Music reading session! Larry is a full-time composer and music editor from Columbia, SC.  From 1995-2007, he taught and directed the music program at Columbia International University in Columbia, SC. Prior to that, he worked for several years at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, creating original music and producing radio programs for the Moody Broadcasting Network. He also served as staff keyboardist for ten years at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL. Larry’s published music includes over 200 choral pieces, seven cantatas, and 400 keyboard arrangements, as well as vocal and instrumental collections and numerous orchestrations. He has received writing awards from ASCAP every year since 1998, and has fulfilled commissions from schools, churches, and community choirs across America.

Your registration includes a packet of over 35 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. We look forward to seeing you on August 9th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Sacred Choral Reading Session
Saturday 8/9/2014, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Battelle Fine Arts Center, Otterbein University
195 West Park St., Westerville OH 43081
Cost: $20.00 (There is no pre-registration; you may register the day of the clinic beginning at 8:30.)
email our choral department for more details

Sacred Piano Reading Session
also featuring Larry Shackley
Saturday 8/9/2014, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music,
330 South 4th St., Columbus OH 43215
Cost: Free!
email our keyboard department for more details

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The Stanton’s Sheet Music band staff is always looking for pieces to recommend that are great for teaching, fun to perform and listen to, and that provide some programming variety.  In this post, we’re going to turn the variety concept on its head.  The majority of the titles mentioned in this post are of a programmatic (read: concert piece) nature, but their style and backgrounds make them wonderful choices for your spring band concert, so why not break up the monotony of pop songs and movie music with one of these great concert selections!  We are particularly fond of Douglas E. Wagner’s treatment of the Carmen Dragon America, the Beautiful, and Brian Balmages’ bluegrass and Irish flavored Blue Ridge Reel which has been very popular.

America, the Beautiful
arr. Carmen Dragon/Douglas E. Wagner
Belwin Young Band
Grade 2
Long-established as THE setting of America, the Beautiful, the majestic beauty and awesome grandeur of Carmen Dragon’s arrangement has been preserved in this gorgeous edition with accommodations made for younger, less experienced groups. This edition is a must-have addition to your library that your students and audience deserve to experience!

Blue Ridge Reel
Brian Balmages
FJH Young Band
Grade 2.5
One listen and you’ll know why you should program this composition! Masters of style, FJH, do it again, this time capturing the spirit and essence of bluegrass music and its Irish heritage for the concert band! Light playing style, lots of 8th note work, and intricate interweaving of rhythms put this one over the top, while washboard and spoons add to the fun!

Codebreaker
Robert Buckley
MusicWorks
Grade 2.5
Spy music is always fun to play, and the colorful sonic palette of this original work by Robert Buckley is no exception. Use of chromatic tones, shifts in tonal and harmonic patterns, and effective percussion set the tone of intrigue and suspense. Perfect for change-of-pace programming, or pops concerts.

Last Full Measure (Gettysburg)
Michael Sweeney
MusicWorks
Grade 2.5
In honor of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, Michael Sweeney has created an imaginative medley of Civil War tunes well-suited for young bands. The Girl I Left Behind Me (with optional tin whistles), When Johnny Comes Marching Home, and Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier express longing and hope for loved ones away, while Battle Cry of Freedom and Battle Hymn of the Republic inspire feelings of patriotic resolve and courage.

Open Road
Robert Sheldon
Measures of Success
Grade 1.5
Looking for a refreshing concert opener? Fiery and uplifting, this expansive work captures the essence and excitement of traveling the open countryside. Off-beat 8th note syncopation combined with the 3/4 meter create forward-moving lift, the memorable legato response figure provides a light contrast to the overall rhythmic drive, and excellent percussion writing rounds out the complete package!

The Code
Alan Lee Silva
Young Performance Series
Grade 2
Originally published for string orchestra, The Code tells a story that is perfectly suited bands. Your students will enjoy the mysterious style and sophisticated sound created by the tight, 8th note moving patterns, intricate part writing, and syncopated rhythms, and numerous accents, alternating articulations, and subtle dynamic shifts are sure to increase the maturity of your ensemble.

While we’re in the midst of featuring the latest mid-year pop releases for concert band, the fantastic arrangements that were issued over the summer often get lost in the shuffle.  Luckily, our band staff keeps track of these titles, and thinks you should definitely give them a listen – especially Erik Morales’ America, the Beautiful and the Mambo from West Side Story.  These titles are perfect for your spring concert, and there’s something for everyone!

America, the Beautiful                      
arr. Erik Morales
FJH Concert Band        Grade 3
This thoughtful, yet powerful arrangement brings a distinct patriotic element to your program with a focus on harmonic beauty and ensemble sound. Melodies linger at times then push forward as the music reaches a stunning climax full of polychords and a breathtaking ending.

Soundtrack Highlights from Les Miserables          
arr. Jay Bocook
Symphonic Band           Grade 4
Here is a powerful symphonic setting of music from the award-winning movie based on the Broadway classic. This medley includes the new song Suddenly, composed for the film, in addition to the familiar At the End of the Day, I Dreamed a Dream, Master of the House, Castle on a Cloud, and Do You Hear the People Sing?

Mambo (from West Side Story)                      
arr. Michael Sweeney
Hal Leonard Concert Band        Grade 4
From one of the greatest musicals of all time, Leonard Bernstein’s ever-popular Mambo has been carefully adapted and edited to reduce some of the extreme technical demands of the original (notated in cut time and scored a third lower). However, none of the authenticity or energy has been altered, maintaining its crowd-pleasing stature as a stunning theatrical showcase or encore.

The Rolling Stones on Tour  
arr. Patrick Roszell
Belwin Concert Band    Grade 3
Hot off their 50th anniversary, this full-bodied, straight-ahead medley of legendary Rolling Stones hits combines Paint It Black, Ruby Tuesday, and the driving I Can’t Get No Satisfaction into a tour-de-force of classic rock.

For a long time, Stephen Sondheim songbooks have been difficult to get.  Finally, the new series of Sondheim songbooks are off the press!  Sondheim for Singers is a set of song collections arranged by voice range.  The songs are usually in original keys as used in the shows or films.  These collections of Sondheim works cover the time period from 1954 to the present.  Synopses of the different shows are included.  There is one book each of these voice ranges: Soprano,  Belter/Mezzo Soprano, Tenor,  Baritone/Bass, and Duets.  Now we have access to Sondheim’s wonderful songs  again. The duet collection is particularly nice, including “Agony” from Into the Woods,  “Rain on the Roof” from Follies, “Pretty Women” from Sweeney Todd, plus 26 more.  For more information about these or other Broadway collections, call 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or check out our website at http://www.stantons.com.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Testimony is a breathtaking and emotional new work composed by Stephen Schwartz for the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, conducted by Timothy Seelig. Inspired by the heartfelt words of the It Gets Better Project, “Testimony” speaks to anyone who has ever felt out of place. A powerful work of affirmation and inclusion!

For more moving selections for your choir, please contact Stanton’s Sheet Music.