Ready to start planning your elementary spring musical? This year, Stanton’s has something for everyone! Check out these new musicals that will motivate and excite both you and your students!

We Honor the Brave by Dave & Jean Perry
Suggested for Grades K-8
Performance time: approx. 20 minutes
Perfect for any patriotic event, We Honor the Brave is a reproducible musical celebration honoring the men and women who have risked or given their lives to protect our country and those who are currently serving in all branches of the military. Set at a Veterans’ Day parade, five speaking characters, comprised of two older and three younger Americans, tell the story. The additional cast members can be used in a number of ways in each scene – as spectators or parade members. Even the audience is a part of the parade-going crowd while your singers perform original and familiar patriotic songs, including a rap! It’s a wonderful program that works easily for all young singers through middle school. Included are simple staging, prop, performance, and costume suggestions, as well as full performance and accompaniment tracks, reproducible singer pages, and a poster and program for your use to market the show. A Veteran’s Interview is also included for your students to use to learn about local veterans. The seven original and familiar songs include Land of the Free, Yankee Doodle, The Open Sea, On Land On Sea and in the Air, Flying, Veterans’ Day Rap and a reprise of Land of the Free.

Goal! by John Jacobson & John Higgins
Suggested for Grades 1-5
Performance time: approx. 25 minutes
Did you know that over 13 million Americans play soccer? The game that Brazilian “football” legend Pele called “The Beautiful Game” is the setting for this amazingly entertaining musical that not only celebrates the beauty and glory of the sport, but also the value of good sportsmanship, setting goals, being a part of a team and more. Goal is a musical that every cast member will love to perform, whether sports is their “thing” or not. In this musical, nobody is cut from the team, and with musical styles from Latin to Rap and Pop to Broadway, we celebrate setting goals and working as a team to accomplish amazing things together! This ALL-SCHOOL 25-minute musical features five original songs and script with over 30 speaking parts. Songs include: Goal, Awesome, Kick It, El Juego Bonito (The Beautiful Game), It’s Not If You Win.

Freddie the Frog and the Jungle Jazz by Sharon Burch & Rosana Eckert
Suggested for Grades 2-5
Performance time: approx. 25 minutes
Freddie the Frog, Eli the Elephant, Babs Baboon and Micki Macaw join trumpet-playing elephants, trombone-sliding tigers, clarinet-playing monkeys and a flock of seagulls as they scat sing, swing and perform collective improvisation in this swingin’ introduction to jazz. The 25-minute musical for 2nd-5th grade students includes five original songs and dialog with 26 speaking parts, along with unique “beginner band student” adaptations giving students a chance to squawk, buzz and growl on stage as they argue about who’s the best. Sharing their combined talent, the animal friends discover embracing each other’s differences creates the ultimate jungle jam. Songs include Jungle Jazz, We’re the Best, Jungle Jam, I’m So Sorry My Friend, Let’s Celebrate.

Making the Band by Roger Emerson & John Jacobson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: approx 25 minutes
“Move that car! We’re ready to begin. A garage is a place to make music in. With keyboard, drums, guitar and bass; add a singer and we’re all in place!” Explore the instruments of a rock band and start your own garage band. This unique musical revue features fresh new arrangements for unison voices with optional harmony that are accessible and appropriate for upper elementary and middle school singers. Use the program dialog for performance options; connect to the standards with teaching objectives for each song; and extend learning with online video interviews featuring John Jacobson and the studio musicians who recorded the songs in musical revue. “Here we go; the band is complete. We got the singer and we got the beat! Let’s twist and shout and harmonize, too. We’re ready to play a tune for you.” Songs include: We Got the Beat, Twist and Shout, Stand By Me, Your Song, Livin’ on a Prayer, Making the Band.

Pirates 2: The Hidden Treasure by “Captain” John Jacobson & “Jolly” Roger Emerson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: approx. 35 minutes
ARRRR! Our favorite rascally pirates are back at work, seeking adventure and treasure on the high seas! But a mighty storm rolls in and the pirates find themselves shipwrecked on a deserted island, or is it? Will the King of the High “C’s” have a plan to save the day? Through the course of their musical adventures, they discover that real treasure is something they have plenty of … friendship and family. Designed for performers in upper elementary and middle school, this 35-minute musical features six original songs, with connecting script and over 20 speaking parts. The Teacher Edition is filled with quality performance material including piano/vocal song arrangements and choreography, script and helpful production guide. For added value, the ready-to-use student books include songs and script, and will enhance the musical experience for your young aspiring actors/singers! Songs include: A Pirate I Will Be, The Storm, The King’s Plan, Talent to Burn, Who Cares, We’ve Got Friends!

Need more ideas or suggestions? Call or email Stanton’s Sheet Music and ask to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members!

Are you looking for Christmas gifts for musicians?  Stanton’s has something for every age group!  For music teachers who need some small gift for their students, there are music pencils for 40 cents each, refrigerator magnets for $1.50, bookmarks for $1.99, and much more.    For students searching for gifts for their teachers, there are music ties for $13.95, scarves for $14.95 and $17.95, and beautiful Pashmina scarves for $21.95.  For that special someone, we have water globe music boxes for $45.00, or jewelry priced from about $2.00  and up.  Maybe you can find some sheet music or a music book or two that appeal to someone in your life.  If you aren’t sure about what to get, there are gift certificates available in any amount you choose.  Christmas is coming, and we at Stanton’s are stocking up to serve you!  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!

Sharon discusses teaching with puppets at Stanton’s 2014 Elementary General Music Clinic

If you teach preschool or early elementary and you’ve never explored the use of a puppet in your classes, it is definitely something to consider.  Students love interacting with a character that “isn’t” their teacher, and they will retain information in a whole new way.  Freddie the Frog is a puppet created by elementary music teacher Sharon Burch.  Freddie has a whole series of teaching materials intended to teach pitch and rhythm literacy, composition, improvisation and a love of music through storytelling.  Click here to see all of Stanton’s Freddie products, or read on for NEW items from Sharon and Freddie.

Freddie the Frog and the Jungle Jazz – Sharon Burch & Rosana Eckert

Freddie the Frog®, Eli the Elephant, Babs Baboon and Micki Macaw join trumpet-playing elephants, trombone-sliding tigers, clarinet-playing monkeys and a flock of seagulls as they scat sing, swing and perform collective improvisation in this swingin’ introduction to jazz. The 25-minute musical for 2nd – 5th grade students includes five original songs and dialog with 26 speaking parts, along with unique “beginner band student” adaptations giving students a chance to squawk, buzz and growl on stage as they argue about who’s the best. Sharing their combined talent, the animal friends discover embracing each other’s differences creates the ultimate jungle jam.

Teacher Book (35029504)………………………………………………………….$49.99

P/A CD (35029507)………………………………………………………………….$49.99

Performance Kit (35029508)……………………………………………………..$89.99

Freddie the Frog and the Thump in the Night (Digital Edition) – Sharon Burch

Looking for an easy way to project the Freddie the Frog® books? The well-loved story is now projectable as a digital storybook via your computer’s video player. Open the file, push play and watch! Audio plays while pages turn automatically.  Includes optional Smart Notebook and Promethean/ActivPrimary Flipchart files with step-by-step interactive lessons from the Beyond the Books teacher’s guide. Freddie and Eli cheer students along as digital flashcards, songs and games lead them sequentially through note name fun on Treble Clef Island! (Compatible with SmartNotebook 11 and Promethean ActivInspire 1.7.6 software.)

CD-ROM (35029710)………………………………………………………………………………..$26.99

Freddie the Frog Poster Pack – Sharon Burch

Freddie and Eli want to “hang” out in your music classroom! This full color set of eight posters includes 3 large posters (18″ x 22″) of Treble Clef Island, a “Welcome to Music” Freddie poster, and Eli and Freddie dancing on the bed to “Music Rocks!” The jazz cats join Freddie and Eli with 5 posters (9” x 12”) from Freddie the Frog® and the Flying Jazz Kitten, playing the trumpet, trombone, piano, drum set and double bass.

Posters (35029752)………………………………………………………………………………….$24.99

Contact Stanton’s Choral/General Music department at 1-800-42-MUSIC ex. 1 for more information on Freddie the Frog or other General Music products!

Monster Mash

Words and Music by Greg Gilpin

Recommended by Rachel Steele, School Choral Specialist

Admit it…you smiled a little when you saw the words “Monster Mash!”   This Greg Gilpin choral arrangement of the one hit wonder from Bobby “Borris” Picket and the Crypt-Kickers has great potential for silliness.  The spoken solo we all know so well from the original version steals the show, and the choral parts are a snap to teach, full of ’60’s doo-wop fun.  Consider some of these ideas to use “Monster Mash” in performance or in your classroom:

• Teach your kids about pop music in the 1950’s and 60’s, especially dances popular with teenagers, like the Mashed Potato and the Twist.  Try out some dance moves as you sing the song, or let small groups work on choreography for a section of the piece.
• Ask a male teacher or even a principal (who doesn’t mind making a fool of themselves) to be your “surprise guest soloist.”  You can reveal your guest to the choir a few days before the performance when he shows up to rehearse, and then enlist them as your co-conspirators.  Ask the students to keep the identity of the soloist a mystery from their parents, friends, and concert guests-they’ll feel exclusive and you’ll give them a great bonding experience.
• Split up the spoken solo among your students who want to “ham it up.”  Let them do a quick costume change backstage before they come out for their portion.
• If you have some students who are into audio sampling, let them come up with your “background track” full of spooky lab sounds.  Better yet, take your whole class to the computer lab and see what they can come up with!

For more novelty number ideas, or great pieces for recruiting, give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC.  Shop Stanton’s for all your Spooky Sheet Music needs!

Rachel Steele has been working in the choral department at Stanton’s since 2013.  She previously taught middle school and high school band and choir for 13 years, and holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in music education from The Ohio State University.  Currently a member of the Heisey Wind Ensemble and a musician at Epiphany Lutheran Church (Pickerington, OH,) Rachel also enjoys reading, sewing, baking and the Pittsburgh Steelers!

Let’s be honest, there is no perfect sight-singing resource for everyone.  Educational philosophies, students’ prior music education, ability level and teacher comfort all play a part when you choose your materials.  Here are two new sight-singing  resources that we hope many teachers will find helpful.

Sing at First Sight…More Melodies! – By Andy Beck and Brian Lewis

Andy Beck’s Sing at First Sight books are used by many choral teachers as their sight-singing “textbook.”  This is a supplemental book that gives more practice for reading rhythms and melodies at all levels, and is useful regardless of whether or not you use Sing at First Sight as your primary text.  An included CD has reproducible PDF files for every page in the book, so you won’t have to spend your whole music budget on new sight-singing materials.  The easiest exercises begin with quarter notes on do and re only, and progress to include all key signatures, compound meter, and rhythms including dotted 8th/16th notes.

Book w/ CD (42793)……………………………………………………….$39.99

SOS: Simplify Our Sight-Reading – By Laura Farnell & Mary Jane Phillips

Acclaimed choral composer and educator Laura Farnell has partnered with Mary Jane Phillips to create a new system for teaching sight singing.  SOS (Simplifying Our Sight Reading,) is based on the premise that students will comprehend sight singing better if they are exposed to one element at a time.  The authors separate pitch, rhythm, and notation before moving on to unison, 2 part and 3 part melodies.  An excellent supplement to the directors resource are the flash cards for both Bass and Treble Clef.  Large enough to be read by the entire choir at once, each shows one measure and can be combined with the other cards for a nearly endless number of exercises.

Director’s Resource (BLB009)…………………………………………………………….$9.99
Rhythm Reader (BL836)……………………………………………………………………$1.95
Flash Cards for Treble Clef (BLB010)……………………………………………………$19.99                                                                   Flash Cards for Bass Clef (BLB011)……………………………………………………….$19.99

For more recommendations of sight reading materials, give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC, check out our website, or visit us to browse in our store.  We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Tight budgets are a universal problem amongst teachers in general, and music teachers in particular.  Stanton’s understands that you might not always have the money to purchase new octavos, so consider one of these NEW budget-stretching collections for your group!  All are fully reproducible, so you can make as many copies as you need for your students without infringing on copyright law.  In addition, all include an accompaniment CD, making them concert ready and easy to rehearse.

Multiple Voicings for Middle School Voices - compiled by Mary Lynn Lightfoot  SAB, Three Part Mixed, SSA, TB and 2 Part.
This reproducible book is both a unique value and a great resource for quality repertoire for developing voices! Included in this collection are 2-3 different selections for each of the following voicings: SAB, 3-Part Mixed, SSA, TB and 2-Part. Reproducible PDFs are included on the supporting CD, along with the accompaniment tracks for each title.
Collection w/CD (30/3139H)…………………………………………………………….. $44.95

Let the Women Sing! – by Greg Gilpin SSA

Let the Women Sing! is a new reproducible collection of chorals for soprano and alto voices.  Folk songs, holiday music, spirituals, inspirational songs, and patriotic themes fill this nine-song collection. This economical kit includes an enhanced CD-ROM with accompaniment and performance tracks, information about the composer, as well as reproducible vocal parts and instrument pages. Whether you have 10 or 100 female singers, this must-have collection will keep you on budget while supplying your program with excellent choral literature for your young female singers for many years to come.

Collection w/ CD (35029097)………………………………………………………………………………..$49.99

Also available:

Let the Men Sing! by Greg Gilpin (TTB)

Collection w/ CD (35012576)………………………………………………………………………………..$49.99

Just for the Gals compiled by Larry Pugh (SSA)

Collection w/ CD (30/2717H)………………………………………………………………………………..$44.95

Just for the Guys compiled by Larry Pugh (TB)

Collection w/ CD (30/2590H)………………………………………………………………………………..$44.95

Just for the Guys at Christmas compiled by Larry Pugh (TB)

Collection w/ CD (30/2850H)………………………………………………………………………………..$44.95

For more information on these collections or other choral collections, please give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or email us at choral@stantons.com.

by Jen Sper and Ken Tilger, School Music Specialists

Professional development days/sessions can be of great benefit to educators – IF they are relevant and applicable to your subject area! We were honored to be invited to present sessions at the Fine Arts Professional Development Day through the Tri-County Educational Service Center in Wooster, Ohio on October 17. Music teachers from Ashland, Wayne and Holmes counties gathered at the Wayne Center for the Arts for a full day of arts-related professional development sessions – a great opportunity to both learn from outside presenters and network with other nearby music educators!

With numerous new options for band warm-up/technique and beginning band, Ken’s session for band and orchestra directors highlighted books from publishers including Alfred (Sound Innovations; S.I. Ensemble Development), Hal Leonard (Essential Elements Interactive), FJH (Measures of Success; Warm-Ups and Beyond), Kjos (Tradition of Excellence; Technique & Musicianship), and Focus On Music (Scale & Rhythm Chunks). Online resources through the Stanton’s website were explored (Jukebox, Listening Library, mobile app, etc.), as well as sharing the Top 10 New Titles for Band for 2014-2015 using a custom playlist created through the Stanton’s Jukebox.

Jen presented a reading session for the choral directors in attendance, featuring new concert, festival and holiday literature for middle school and high school ensembles. A couple of brave sight-readers even served as accompanists! Many titles included were specially selected as quality options for OMEA Adjudicated Event performances, or are new additions to the required repertoire lists. Also discussed were recent changes to the required lists, and how these changes affect teacher’s programming and budgeting options.

On the way back, a stop at Grandpa’s Cheesebarn in Ashland was a requirement (we gotta eat, right?). One of Jen’s favorite stops on her way back and forth to college, Ken had never been before – and it’s a lot to take in! Much cheese (and dip, and jelly, and cider, and and and…) was consumed. :)

Are YOU planning programming for an upcoming professional development event? Contact us and let us help! Our knowledgeable and experienced staff are able to present a wide variety of sessions (and would love a field trip out of the store!), and we’re happy to tailor our topics to fit your needs.

About the authors:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. He enjoys comic books, playing with his young son, and plays saxophone with Swing’s the Thing Big Band. You should check out their album Walk On Out the Door available on iTunes and Amazon.

Jen has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, and an active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys eating good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Teachers and parents have begun to buy music and lesson books for their children.  At Stanton’s, we have lesson books for nearly everything  alphabetically from accordion to zither. (Really!)  In the piano department, we have a wide selection of piano method books from Aaron to Thompson.  Some of the newer methods come from the Alfred music publisher, (the Premier series), FJH publishing, (Helen Marlais’ “Succeeding at the Piano” series), and Alfred’s “Music for Little Mozarts” series, which is written for four-year-old beginners on piano.  We have the classic favorites such as Schaum‘s Pre-A lesson book series, and Thompson’s  ” Teaching Little Fingers to Play”, followed by the “First Grade” book and on up.  You can get familiar with the piano methods we offer by checking our website.  You may also contact us at keyboard@stantons.com, or call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC.  Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

The amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is.  That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier,  faster and more enjoyable.  In this series of blog posts, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

As an extension of our Listening Library, we are proud to offer Stanton’s Jukebox.  Stanton’s Jukebox is a specialized “wish list” where you can add sound samples from our Listening Library, then use it to:

• Research your music purchases by building a playlist for all the titles you are considering, and then easily compare “apples to apples” as you listen.
• Arrange your concert program by listening to full-length pieces in order, then rearranging as needed to allow for a variety in tempi and styles.
• Build specific playlists for each of your different ensembles to assist you with your rehearsal planning and score study.
• Generate a personalized URL for each playlist that can be emailed to your ensemble to enhance at-home practice – you can even add custom practice/rehearsal notes to appear with each playlist.
• Forward your playlist to your school administrator or Booster/PTA president when you need to solicit funding for specific music.
• Design separate playlists for different genres or eras of music for your Music History or Music Appreciation students to use during class or with homework.
• Create a list of your favorite works for your personal listening pleasure in your home or office, and let it inspire you to continue strengthening your ensembles!

If you have questions about how to use the Stanton’s Jukebox feature, we also have a quick video tutorial that you can watch, as well as a list of “Frequently Asked Questions.”  As always, if  you need further information, feel free to call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC or email us at greatservice@stantons.com.

Previous posts in this series:  Listening Library,  Stanton’s App, Digital Delivery, Virtual Workshop

The amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is.  That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier,  faster and more enjoyable.  In this series of blog posts, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

If you’ve never attended one of our workshops or reading sessions, you really are missing out.  We have tons of fun, read new music, and benefit from the advice and experience of internationally renowned clinicians as well as Stanton’s own knowledgeable staff.  But if you live too far away to attend, or just can’t make it, we are proud to present our Virtual Workshops.

Inside each Virtual Workshop you’ll preview the score of actual arrangements with audio demonstrations, and often LIVE video footage of our workshops.  The Virtual Workshops themselves are designed so you can easily preview Stanton’s top choices as featured on our clinics, workshops and promotions – it’s almost like being there!

Here is a sampling of just a few of our most recent clinics:

For questions about how to use the Virtual Workshops, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online or in person!

Previous posts in this series:  Listening Library,  Stanton’s App, Digital Delivery

The amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is.  That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier, faster and more enjoyable.  In this series of blog posts, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

It’s happened to all of us:  You have a rehearsal or a performance coming up in a few days (or a few hours!) and you’ve lost your music;  it’s they day before a competition, and your judges’ copies are no where to be found; you desperately need something new and fresh for your church choir to start on tonight.   In many cases, Stanton’s Digital Delivery can come to your rescue.

Using the Digital Delivery website, you can purchase thousands of titles and print them at home on your home computer within minutes.  In addition, many popular sheets (including pop, broadway, etc.) can be transposed to the key of your choosing, so you’ll always be able to have piece in a comfortable range for you.  Lead lines can also be transposed for instruments such as trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and French horn.  All you have to do is download the FREE Scorch Viewer software and you are off and running.

You access our Digital Delivery site directly by clicking here, where you can browse options for bands, orchestras, choirs, and solos for many different instruments.  You can also use the regular Stanton’s website, where titles available for Digital Delivery have a printer icon next to their descriptions.  Clicking on that icon will take you directly to that item’s page on the Digital Delivery website, where you can purchase and print.

For questions about how to use the Stanton’s Digital Delivery Site, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online or in person!

Previous posts in this series:  Listening Library,  Stanton’s App

The amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is.  That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier, faster and more enjoyable.  In this series of blog posts, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

Stanton’s has an app? 

That’s right, just like everyone else these days, Stanton’s Sheet Music has an app.  It’s called the Stanton’s Bar Code Scanner, and it is available for both Android and iPhone.   Even better, it’s free!

What does the app do?

Our simple-to-use app is just what it sounds like.  It helps you to use your phone or tablet’s  camera to scan bar codes on music.  Once you scan, you are taken automatically to the item’s page in our Listening Library.  Within seconds, you can be listening to the sample recording of the piece that you are holding in your hand!  If there is no sample recording of the piece provided by the publisher, you will still be guided to that item’s entry on our website where you will find a description, price, catalog number and other useful information.

How can I make the app work for me?

• When you are shopping for music in our store, bring your headphones!  As you pull music off the shelf you can scan and listen immediately.
• Going through your own music library?  Scan the titles you already own to refresh your memory or see if the item is still available to order.
• When  you send your students or church choir members home with a folder full of new music, have them download the app as well.  They can listen, look, and have a valuable listening example at their fingertips!

For questions about how to use the Stanton’s Bar Code Scanner, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online or in person!

Previous posts in this series:  Listening Library

It’s time to start thinking about prizes and awards for your students!  Stanton’s carries all kinds of gifts, from forty cent pencils to lovely music-themed water globe music boxes for forty-three dollars.   We have sheets of shiny music stickers with 30+ stickers for $2.95  a sheet, and packages of four sheets of either black or brightly colored notes and clefs for $1.95 a package.  There are refrigerator (or locker) magnets for $1.50: Kitten on the Keys, “got music”, the first page of “The Entertainer”, and more.  There are non-sharpening pencils for .95 each, and a set for $2.00 including a non-sharpening pencil, a ballpoint pen, and a small eraser.  There are heavy duty bookmarks for $1.99, and treble clef pins in boxes for $2.50.    Browse our website, http://www.stantons.com and check out our “gifts” category to see what is available. Call ahead  to check on what is in stock.  Stock up while you are here for one of our workshops, or order by phone!  1-800-42-MUSIC. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Here at Stanton’s, we’re aware of the rising number of music teachers working outside of their specialty.  Cutbacks have forced many instrumental specialists to begin teaching choir-but never fear!  In this series, we will try to give some advice on where to start, as well as recommending some “tried and true” products that will help you become a great choral educator!

SATB is the standard voicing for high school mixed choirs and SAB/3-Part Mixed arrangements have the same designation at the middle school level.  However,  a teacher’s world is rarely perfect.  There are many reasons why you might have a need to use SAB pieces in a high school or SATB pieces in a middle school.

If one or more of the following apply to your high school singers….

-You have less than half as many men as women; putting the men on the same part will balance the group

-Your male singers are inexperienced enough that  they need the strength in numbers

-You are working on a new concept (language, choreography, etc.) and want to simplify the number of parts

…you may want to try one of these excellent SAB pieces:

Canon of Praise – Pachelbel, arr. Hal Hopson – MW1226

Der Tanz – Schubert, arr. Patrick Liebergen – BL382

Die Nachtigall – Schubert, arr. Russell Robinson – 08501705

Elijah – Dan Davison – 00126742

Praise the Lord – Handel, arr. Hal Hopson – 35017273

Sicut Cervus – Palestrina, arr. Russell Robinson – 31089

If one or more of the following apply to your middle school group…

-The young men in your choir are overpowering the light, healthy sound of your middle school women

-You have enough men that they are able to sing 2 different parts and still balance your women

-You have boys whose voices are changing in different ways; some still comfortable in a cambiata range and some who have temporarily lost their mid-range (from about A below middle C to E above)

-You teach in a junior high instead of middle school and have 7th, 8th and 9th graders in the same group

…you may want to try one of these beginner SATB pieces:

Adoramus Te – Emily Crocker – 08740061

Beachcombers – Amy Bernon – 15/2538H

Bound for Jubilee –  Joyce Eilers – SV7903

Come to Me, O My Love – Allan Petker – HMC997

Going Over Home – Sonja Poorman – BL334

Hush! Somebody’s Callin’ My Name – Dennard Brazeal – 35009892

Song of the Sea – Raymond Hannisian – SV7802

Three Madrigals – Emma Lou Diemer – 48003439

Hope Is Like the Wind – Ruth Elaine Schram – 15/2677H

Remember, voicing does not always indicate difficulty level.  With some sleuthing you can find appropriate pieces for all ages in a variety of voicings.

Still not sure what to choose?  Don’t be shy about asking for help, especially if you are new to the choral world.  As always, the experienced choral directors at Stanton’s are thrilled to help you select materials, make recommendations, or give advice.    Contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, extension 1 or visit our store.  We look forward to seeing you soon!

Previous posts in this series: Warm-Ups and Rounds; Sight-Singing; SAB or 3 Part Mixed; Help! I’m Not a Pianist!; Solo and Ensemble Pt. 1; Solo and Ensemble Pt. 2

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!

We’re Big Enough to Serve Your Needs-
*Stanton’s Sheet Music has direct access to all major and many minor, independent, and European publishers allowing us to carry and order hundreds of thousands of print music titles for you.

*Stanton’s e-Tools are designed to make your job easier. Use our Listening Library, Jukebox, Virtual Workshop, Wish List, and Digital Delivery features to compare and organize titles for your music program. Watch for our upcoming blog series spotlighting each of our e-Tool features.

*Itemized purchase orders, bids, and large orders are no problem. We work with a number of schools around the country and U.S. International schools who “bulk order” over the summer.

*Besides providing music to customers all over the country, access to publishers like Hal Leonard and Alfred combined with stantons.com gives Stanton’s Sheet Music global reach with numerous international orders and worldwide shipping destinations.

But Small Enough to Serve YOU-
*Stanton’s Sheet Music is still a single, family-owned store in downtown Columbus, Ohio. We do not have a warehouse or call center, and our website is just another way to shop for music with Stanton’s.

*We have 3 departments each with a specific number of dedicated, specialized staff: Choral & General Music, Band & Orchestra, and Keyboard & Pop. While anyone in a respective department can help you, if you find a specific staff member you like to work with, feel free to request them.

*We are your customer service. We answer your phone calls and e-mails. We fill your orders and process your internet orders. We personally handle your “sheet music emergencies.” We solve any problems should they arise. We will get to know you by name, and by working with you over time, get to know your program.

*We are your partner in music education. We choose Stanton’s Suggestions and Top Choices to make your job easier. We organize and conduct Stanton’s numerous clinics, workshops and reading sessions. We develop Stanton’s e-Tools with you, the music teacher, in mind.

We hope that over the course of this series we have given you some reasons to make Stanton’s your #1 choice for sheet music. If not, give us a call or place an order with us, and see why Stanton’s Sheet Music has been Sheet Music Specialists since 1960!

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers, Setting Up Accounts, Make It a Road Trip!, Going the Extra Mile

At Stanton’s, we know you have many choices when it comes to purchasing sheet music.  Over the past few weeks, we’ve been highlighting just a few of the many reasons why Stanton’s is the best place to buy music for your school, church, private studio or personal use!  Today we’d like to spotlight a couple of ways the Stanton’s staff goes above and beyond for you.

So you want to program an old title. You call us to order it, or place your order at stantons.com. While taking/processing your order, our knowledgeable staff realizes the age of the title, either because we remember when it was published (yes, many of us have been here that long), or we’re tipped off by the catalog number – in fact, old Belwin/Columbia Pictures numbers contain the year of publication within them. Rather than just place the title on backorder, and hope it comes in, we often check the availability of old titles in real time! The Alfred and Hal Leonard dealer websites allow us to check the status of a title, and, if it is urgent, we are happy to call our representatives with other publishers on your behalf. This way you know as soon as possible whether you can expect to receive your title, or if you need to consider programming another piece. Sure, we hate to disappoint, but we’d rather you know sooner than later if a piece is unavailable so you can plan accordingly.

You need music in a hurry! Despite your best planning, sometimes music and scores get lost before an impending performance or an administrator/civic leader requests a specific title that’s not in your library for performance at the end of the week. If you find yourself in a “sheet music emergency,” Stanton’s can help! First, if the music you need is in-stock, we will strive to get it out the same day as long as we have your order before 4:30 pm, and we’ll work with you to find the right balance of expedited shipping time and cost. If your item is not in-stock, we can arrange for drop-ship service directly from most publishers so that your music will ship within 24 hours. If your timetable is REALLY urgent, we will personally call your drop-ship order in to the publisher to ensure that it is handled properly and shipped the same day – most publishers can get expedited orders out the same day if they are placed by noon or 12:30 local (publisher) time.  We strongly recommend that if you need to place an expedited or drop-ship order that you call us asap so that we can give your order the detailed attention it requires, and you the service you deserve!

Does your sheet music store do this? If not, give us a call and see why Stanton’s Sheet Music has been the “Sheet Music Specialist”  for over 50 years, and why you should shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Previous posts in this series: 10% Educational Discount, Knowledgeable Staff, 21 Day Trial, For New Teachers, Setting Up Accounts, Make It a Road Trip!