News & Views Wednesday, April 25, 2018

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

The First, We Sing! series by Susan Brumfield offers guidance and direction for teachers who are new to the Kodály approach. Experienced teachers will find fresh ideas to supplement their materials, along with another perspective on Kodály’s philosophy and its implications for teaching today.

If you are just starting out in the Kodály approach and the First, We Sing! series, start with the TEACHING GUIDE, which begins with an overview of the Kodály approach and a brief introduction to the philosophy, its tools and materials. It includes a detailed explanation of the “three-step process” (Prepare, Present, Practice) toward musical literacy, as well as a comprehensive look at musical skills and the ways they develop over time.

The FIRST WE SING SONGBOOKS, available in Volume 1, Volume 2, and Volume 3, are designed to bring delightfully singable songs and practical pedagogy together in one anthology. Teachers will find extension activities for the classroom, historical references, pedagogical indices and suggestions for including the songs in a literacy-based music curriculum. Also included are suggestions for Orff instruments and recorder, along with seasonal and holiday songs, singing games and songs just for fun. Ideally suited for teaching musical skills, this collection provides a “vocabulary” of music and play from which children can draw today.

The TEACHING STRATEGIES are available for both Primary Grades (K-2) and Intermediate Grades (3-5). These strategies for rhythm and melodic elements are printed on 3-hole punched loose-leaf paper so teachers can easily customize the teaching sequence in order to make the most of each lesson. Each teaching strategy contains a list of requisite readiness elements and skills (what the students need to know and be able to do) before learning the new element. It includes a list of activities to prepare for the new element, a scripted, step-by-step procedure for presenting it, and ways to practice using the new element in each skill area.

The ACTIVITY CARDS provide fast, fun and creative ways to give your students a workout in each of the six skill areas: reading, writing, partwork, memory, listening and creating. Each 5-7 minute rhythm or melody activity is designed to assess either readiness or mastery at each step in the process, and students love the fun game-like context in which they used in each lesson. Four activities are printed on each separate sheet in the pak – cut them apart and sort by color heading for quick and easy access!

The DIGITAL RESOURCE SUPPLEMENTS are easy-to-use digital tools to help you implement this practical, creative and flexible resource into your elementary music class! Resources include planning tools, assessment templates, student activity slides for use with your tablet, computer, or interactive whiteboard, and digital activity cards. Teacher-friendly, step-by-step instructions make it easy to customize the content, and no special software is needed.

Find more valuable Kodaly resources on our website, or contact us for more recommendations. And remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Introduce the world of jazz to your elementary music students! These great new resources will immerse your students in music through singing, playing, and improvising.

Play-Along with Jazz by Tom Anderson
Your students will riff from the rafters with this collection written specifically for classroom instruments. Styles that groove like dixie, swing, bebop and hard bop are introduced in a sequence that reflects the overall history of jazz as well as levels of difficulty. Scat singing is optional but can add a boppin’ alternative to playing instruments so all students can participate. Basic drumming feels are included for even more play-along opportunities. Stand back and let the music-making begin. Swing, stomp and riff until everyone is in the groove! Full scores and helpful teacher tips with optional unpitched percussion ostinatos are provided, along with digital access to play-along audio recordings and separate PDFs of the Orff instrument and recorder parts. Songs include: Saints’ Stomp, Riff Raff, Swing’s the Thing, Boppin’ Robin, A la Mode, Hard Bop Candy. Suggested for grades 4-8.

Recorder Jazz Time by Darren Fellowes
A young musician’s first introduction to jazz can be a powerful experience. This book makes jazz accessible to beginning recorder players by giving straightforward instruction on jazz concepts before each piece. A piano accompaniment includes more extensive jazz music to make the recorder player a part of an authentic jazz experience. The CD also includes backing tracks with piano and other instruments appropriate for each song. Most songs use only the natural notes on the recorder, with a few instances of F-sharp and B-flat. Suggested for grades 3-6.

Jazz for Young People, Volume 1: New Orleans & Jelly Roll Morton by Sharon Burch & Wynton Marsalis
Introduce students to jazz through great literature combined with learn by doing! The first of ten volumes, Jazz for Young People includes step-by-step lessons that combine content and audio/video recordings of Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at Lincoln Center artists with interactive student learning, including classroom instruments that every music teacher already owns or can easily afford. This easy-to-present resource is designed for a teacher who may or may not be trained in America’s art form – bringing jazz to the next generation. DIGITAL DOWNLOADS include step-by-step lesson slides to project, audio recordings of each song and Wynton Marsalis sharing background information, as well as reproducible activity/assessment worksheets, plus free access to corresponding video clips for each lesson. Perfect for the general music classroom (grades 2 and up), beginning jazz ensembles and community jazz education courses. Volume 2: Louis Armstrong is also newly available!

Find more classroom resources on our website, or contact us for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Feature the performance skills of your upper elementary and middle school singers with a great Broadway revue! Vocal ranges are great for developing voices, and the choral writing works well on risers or on the theater stage.

Regards to Broadway! (A Musical Salute) arr. Sally K. Albrecht, Jay Althouse & Andy Beck
Suggested for Grades 4 and up
Performance time: about 35 minutes
Celebrate Broadway musicals past and present with this entertaining and educational revue. An optional narration (for up to 50 speakers) tells the incredible history and evolution of American musical theater and ties this 35-minute choir-focused presentation together with purpose and panache. Features a dozen hit show tunes from a century of blockbusters like Gypsy; Kiss Me Kate; My Fair Lady; Ragtime; and The Wiz; arranged exclusively for 2-part or 3-part mixed singers by Alfred Music’s top writers. Includes choreography notes throughout the 100% reproducible score as well as extracted singer pages on the live-orchestra Enhanced CD.

Contact us for more recommendations, and remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

Elementary General Music Clinic (featuring The Joy of Singing for Elementary Choir)
Thursday 8/2/2018, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
REGISTRATION: $60.00 (includes lunch)

Stanton’s Sheet Music is excited to welcome Cristi Cary Miller as our clinician for the 36th 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!

NEW THIS YEAR: Stanton’s Elementary General Music Clinic and The Joy of Singing for Elementary Choir are now combined into ONE GREAT DAY OF MUSIC! We’ll explore classroom resources, musicals, games, and more from a variety of publishers, and you’ll also preview the best new music and resources for beginning choirs from Hal Leonard with Cristi, John Jacobson, and Roger Emerson!

And, we’re excited to host ALL of our valuable School Choral Week sessions this year at our store in downtown Columbus Ohio! There’s no better destination for music, and you’ll love being able to explore all the resources that Stanton’s has to offer.

Registration opens on April 1st! Call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Featuring talented clinicians from major publishers, Stanton’s summer choral clinics are a fantastic way to jump-start your school year! We always look forward to visiting with our regular customers, matching up faces with names of new attendees, and meeting teachers new to Stanton’s from across the country.

NEW THIS YEAR: Stanton’s Elementary General Music Clinic and The Joy of Singing for Elementary Choir are now combined into ONE GREAT DAY OF MUSIC! We’ll explore classroom resources, musicals, games, and more from a variety of publishers, and you’ll also preview the best new music and resources for beginning choirs from Hal Leonard!

And, we’re excited to host ALL of our valuable School Choral Week sessions this year at our store in downtown Columbus Ohio! There’s no better destination for music, and you’ll love being able to explore all the resources that Stanton’s has to offer.

Mark your calendar for these dates:

	Elementary General Music Clinic (featuring The Joy of Singing for Elementary Choir) Thursday August 2, 2018 (9:00-4:00) Clinician: Cristi Cary Miller, John Jacobson & Roger Emerson
	THE JOY OF SINGING for Middle & High School Choir Friday August 3, 2018 (9:00-4:00) Clinicians: John Jacobson, Roger Emerson & Cristi Cary Miller
	Stanton’s Super Session Saturday August 4, 2018 (9:00-4:00) Clinicians: Andy Beck, Greg Gilpin & Jen Sper

Not sure which session is best for you? Here are some helpful guidelines:

I teach elementary classroom music and/or elementary school choir! (any grades K-6)
Stanton’s Elementary General Music Clinic is perfect for you! We’ll feature new resources, song collections, activities, and musicals especially designed and selected for classroom music teachers. You’ll also preview new music for the beginning choral singing level (unison/2-part voices) in both octavos and song collections.

I teach middle school choir! (any grades 5-8)
Consider both the Joy of Singing – Middle & High School Choir and the Stanton’s Super Session (see below).

I teach high school choir! (grades 9-12)
Join us at the Joy of Singing – Middle & High School Choir session OR the Stanton’s Super Session!

At both sessions, we’ll feature new choral music in all voicings (SATB/SAB/3-part mixed/2-part/women’s/men’s).

At Joy of Singing, we’ll present new music from Hal Leonard. You’ll also get movement ideas (including videos and choreography notes from John Jacobson), and two spotlight sessions on specific areas. Joy of Singing is usually about 50% concert/festival literature and 50% pop.

At Super Session, we’ll present new music from many publishers including Alfred, Shawnee Press, Heritage Music Press, Choristers Guild, BriLee and Carl Fischer. Super Session is usually about 75% concert/festival literature and 25% pop.

I teach middle school AND high school choir! (any grades 5-12)
Either (or both!) The Joy of Singing – Middle & High School Choir OR the Stanton’s Super Session will provide you with lots of new repertoire and teaching ideas!

Also in August 2018:

	Sacred Choral Reading Session Saturday August 11, 2018 Clinician: Lloyd Larson (no pre-registration for this session)
	25th Annual Excellence in Choral Literature Saturday August 25, 2018 Clinician: James Gallagher

Registration will open on April 1st. For more detailed information regarding any of these clinics, contact the choral department at 1-800-426-8742, extension 1. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists

The Vocalize! Canon Collection is ideal for warming up, sight-singing, technique-building, and more! From traditional and familiar to original and unexpected, each of the tuneful melodies easily stacks into two, three, or more layers. Enhanced CD includes accompaniment tracks and printable PDFs.

We like this collection not only because of the variety of canons it provides, but also because with each canon comes suggested exercises from the Vocalize! book that pair well, provided a well-rounded warm-up experience.

Have questions about this and other warm-up resources? Check out our website at www.stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext. 1. We’re happy to help!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active professional choral singer, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

The middle school general music classroom can be an exciting (and/or terrifying) place! Throughout this school year, we’ve been sharing with you some valuable resources to help you develop enthusiasm and skills in your middle school musicians! Today, here are some great new options for teaching music history:

From Ragtime to Rock by Daniel Glass
“From Ragtime to Rock” is an educational DVD from award-winning author, historian, and educator Daniel Glass. This 2-disc package walks you and your students through 100 years of music evolution, covering the end of the Civil War (1865) to the dawn of the British Invasion (1965). The 90-minute “Ragtime to Rock” film can be shown in a single setting, or divided into 14 stand-alone units, offering educators a flexible way to customize and strengthen any existing curriculum. “From Ragtime to Rock” includes a 69-page Educator Guide that incorporates reproducible student activity sheets, perfect for planning classes or preparing meaningful substitute teacher lessons. Offer your students a deeper connection to the music they listen to today. As author Daniel Glass quotes, “You don’t know where you’re going until you know where you’ve been.” This resource is a FANTASTIC value for the price of $24.95!

Accent On Composers by Jay Althouse, Judith O’Reilly, and Sally K. Albrecht
Available in two volumes, “Accent On Composers” is a 100% reproducible music appreciation and music history resource! Each volume features 22 composers with a biography, a portrait, a listing of the composer’s musical genres, interesting factoids, a timeline, as well as a CD with listening examples for each composer. Reviews/tests for each plus more than two dozen pages of supplementary material make both valuables great for a composer unit or for your sub tub. Volume One includes: Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Copland, Debussy, Handel, Joplin, Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart, Stravinsky, Tchaikovsky, Verdi and more. Volume Two includes: Berlioz, Bernstein, Chopin, Ellington, Gershwin, Prokofiev, Puccini, Purcell, Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Strauss, and more!

The Women of Western Music: Hildegard to Ella by Anna Wentlent
Balance your music history curriculum with this indispensable classroom resource! This long-awaited manual focuses exclusively on the female artists who haven’t made it into most textbooks. Biographies, student assessments, and recordings are included for 18 important women who enriched the world with their incredible talents, such as Clara Schumann, Amy Beach, Marian Anderson, Ethel Merman, and Billie Holiday. Recommended for grades five and up. Book is 100% reproducible.

Find more resources for middle school general music on our website, or contact us for more ideas! And remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

It’s almost January, which means Solo & Ensemble season for the Ohio Music Education Association is soon upon us! For our local, Central Ohio customers in OMEA District 15, the event date is Saturday, January 27. Here are some reminders to make sure that this busy day goes smoothly for you and your students:

1) Make sure that your student is playing from an original copy, not a photocopy, of music (even if you have purchased the music, copying it and playing from a photocopy is an infringement of copyright law).

2) Similarly, make sure the judge has an original score (with measures numbered!) from which to read.

3) Make sure that your student is playing from the correct edition of their music. To check the list of approved editions, follow these steps:
– Visit the OMEA Solo and Ensemble page
– Under High School, select “Search HS Required list,” or Junior High, select “Search JH Suggested list”
– Click “search,” choose your area, then select your instrument
– Select the event and class, then click “search”
– Click on the title of the piece (they will be listed alphabetically by title), then “View Approved Editions”

4) Contact us with any questions you may have about OMEA music! We are happy to help you, and can be reached at 1.800.42.MUSIC using any of the following extensions, or via email:
– ext 1: Choral and Classical Vocal (choral@stantons.com)
– ext 2: Instrumental (instrumental@stantons.com)
– ext 3: Piano and Guitar (keyboard@stantons.com)

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Ready to start planning for your elementary spring musical? Here are some exciting new options for all grade levels!

On the Shoulders of Giants by John Jacobson & Mac Huff
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: about 35 minutes
In the words of Sir Isaac Newton, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” Join us as we pay tribute to leaders and heroes who have come before us and paved our way so we can live as we do today. Ben Franklin – author, inventor, scientist, diplomat – there’s nothing he can’t do! At the ‘great invention convention,’ learn about the contributions of Alexander Graham Bell, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison and George Washington Carver. Others were statesmen, literary giants, artists, teachers, soldiers, doctors, and those who worked for civil and human rights – Martin Luther King, Ghandi, Mandela and more – in their march for freedom. See how one child can change the world. It’s time to stand tall! Be a giant; be a dreamer!

Rock Around the 50s by John Jacobson & Roger Emerson
Suggested for Grades 4-8
Performance time: about 25 minutes
Hello Baaaaaaaby! Get ready to rock around the clock with songs and interesting fun facts from the era of sock hops, Elvis and doo-wop. These easily-produced Express Musicals are perfect for a short program in the spring or fall, community outreach events, or as part of a larger program. Short narrations for up to 23 speakers set up the songs.

Two for the Show by Sally K. Albrecht
Suggested for Grades K-4
Performance time: about 30 minutes (both combined)
These charming mini-musicals make a perfect pair for primary-aged students! Both of the traditional folk tales are told with brief unison songs and short scenes (featuring a small cast of characters plus up to 25 narrators). Minimal rehearsal time, few props, creative costume pieces, and a simple set make for no fuss in-class or on-the-stage productions. Whether you present them separately or as a set, your youngest performers will shine as adorable farm animals, fluffy forest creatures, or the territorial “mean and nasty” troll.

Find more creative choices for your young students on our website, or contact us for more ideas! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Folksong Partners Around the World arr. Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid
Here are more flexible folksongs to introduce young singers to beginning part-singing and experience a variety of world cultures. The reproducible singer songsheets feature each folksong and its partner on separate pages for a variety of teaching options. Teach these world folksongs in the lower grades. When singers are ready, teach the partner songs, and add twelve more songs to their singing repertoire. For further challenge, “partner them up” for twelve more performance options! A helpful teaching sequence and extension activities are also included. Accompany your singers live with simple piano parts in the printed collection, or use quality performance/accompaniment MP3 recordings available via audio access in the Performance Kit.

Fresh new originals partnered with these world folksongs: Ging Gang Goolie, Tum Balalaika, Andale Juana, Sansa Kroma, Haru Ga Kita, Old Dan Tucker, Sarasponda, Ma Bella Bimba, and more! Suggested for grades 1-6.

Kalani’s World Rhythms by Kalani Das
Energize your classroom with traditional World Music! From the simplest of rhythm patterns to beautiful melodies and rich harmonies, there’s a part to play for every student as they explore authentic songs and rhythms. Easy-to-play drumming arrangements place success and fun within reach of every student. Kalani is your guest instructor! Authentic techniques and rhythms for a range of drums and percussion instruments are demonstrated via downloadable video and audio recordings, bringing Kalani’s expertise right into your classroom. PDF scores of each song provide piano and Orff instrument parts and every song is suitable for ukuleles and other common chording instruments. Students will love the upbeat rhythms.

No drums? No problem. Alternative instrumentation is provided and the included accompaniment recordings make it easy to perform without any instruments. Each song tells a story that can be used to prompt creative movement, foster teamwork and build character. Kalani gives you ways to bring out the best in your students – including special learners. Video segments include: instruction for every drum and percussion instrument, layering in of all rhythm parts for each song, and how to teach rhythms using PUPS (Pulse Under Pattern Sequence). Audio includes: full performance recordings, accompaniment recordings, and layering in of rhythm parts for each song.

Songs include: Baiana, Kakilambe, Moribayasa, Paranaue, Tambor, and Zun Zun. Suggested for grades 4-8.

More Children of the World by Andy Beck & Brian Fisher
These authentic folk songs from around the globe are arranged especially for 2-part voices, creating an amazing international field trip through nine countries on four continents! Information on the Fun Fact pages provides a fascinating look at world cultures and doubles as flexible narration for a 30-minutes multicultural music program. The Enhanced CD includes reproducible student song sheets, background pages, and cover art. Combine with the original “Children of the World” for an additional nine countries. Recommended for grades three and up.

For more information about these and other products, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext 1. We are happy to help you with all of your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active professional choral singer and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

The middle school general music classroom can be an exciting (and/or terrifying) place! Throughout this school year, we’ve been sharing with you some valuable resources to help you develop enthusiasm and skills in your middle school musicians! Today, here are some great new options for teaching music theory and ear training:

Rounds Plus arr. Roger Emerson
Rounds are wonderful ways to introduce harmony to young singers! However, traditional rounds are often too wide of a range for the changing voice. Hence, this collection was created with the young male voice in mind. Easy-to-sing ostinati for the changing male voice accompany 10 familiar rounds sung by treble voices. Each round is presented in two keys to accommodate both the cambiata, mid-voice and new baritone range comfortably. Experiment with other keys until you find your choirs’ “sweet spot” vocally. This will give you a good idea of the range and tessitura that will be effective when choosing your choral literature. These unaccompanied rounds may be taught entirely by ear, or duplicated for sight reading purposes.

We at Stanton’s like this resource because rounds are such excellent learning tools for part independence, and presenting them in this way helps reinforce the I-IV-V in the Baritone part while keeping their range within a perfect fifth. The use of high/low key options helps immensely with the constantly-changing nature of the boys’ voicing at that middle school age.

Songs include: Dona Nobis Pacem, Down by the Bay, Heigh Ho Nobody’s Home, Jubilate Deo, London’s Burning, Music Alone Shall Live, and more. Suggested for grades 6-9.

Sight Reading 101 by Mary Jane Phillips
“Sight Reading 101” proves effortlessly that learning to sight read can be accessible and fun. Practical, efficient, and systematic, this approach to teaching beginners to sight read music utilizes step-by-step “how to’s” for pitch matching success and rhythm comprehension, games to reinforce learned skills, and reproducible exercises to challenge and stretch students’ abilities. No beginning choir director should be without this surefire tool for success!

We like this because of the logical, sequential nature of this method, in particular the separation of pitch and rhythm and the speed at which those are combined. We feel that using this book with beginners would allow them a smooth transition to most other sight reading methods.

Rhythm Rescue by Lynn M Brinckmeyer
Lynn Brinkmeyer brings her musical expertise in her new book, “Rhythm Rescue!” with the intention to expand the rhythmic vocabulary of singers. Students of all ages are more successful if they use a physical gesture during the learning process. Singers do not have a lever, a bow, strings or buttons to push like instrumentalists do. Physiology helps solidify those rhythms in the body and Lynn has created fun and exciting rhythm exercises to teach and reinforce rhythm learning in the classroom and rehearsal.

This book has two sections: “Isolated Rhythm Activities” and “Rhythms and Pitches.” Many of the songs include traditional folk songs which is an added bonus. All the strategies are intended to support the required curriculum and state and national music standards. Most of the activities are interchangeable with the different songs in the book and can also be transferred to barred instruments, non-pitched percussion instruments and performance literature. Activities include: Passing Rhythms ‘Round the Circle, Partners in Common Time, Pulsing Notes, Rhythm Drills, Duple or Triple? Rhythm Treasure Hunt, Change It Up! Rhythms Rearranged, Secret Word Secret Rhythm, London Bridge Mix-Up and more!

We liked this because we feel that it can be useful for all secondary students in grades 6-12, making it a worthwhile investment. We like the use of the Takademi syllables and the physicality in these exercises.

For more information about these and other products, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at1.800.42.MUSIC ext. 1. We are happy to help with all of your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active professional choral singer, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Recorder Monster by Mari Schay
Step inside a world of silly lyrics, happy monsters, and rigorous music instruction with this fun and easy-to-use recorder curriculum. Each unit begins with a monster-narrated lesson and a “monster mantra” that reinforces the unit s central skill. Warm-up exercises provide engaging activities to strengthen new notes and rhythms, and recorder repertoire based on traditional songs with silly monster lyrics increases student buy-in. You and your students can visit recordermonster.com to access Recorder Monster resources in or out of the classroom, including demonstration and accompaniment tracks and notated music for all of the songs. Get students excited about their successes with collectible Recorder Monster trading cards that they earn by playing. The teacher book contains printable versions of every poster, monster card, student page, and visual aid you will need. Pre-printed poster packs, trading cards, student books, and an interactive software package are available separately.

Recorder Jazz Time by Darren Fellows
A young musician’s first introduction to jazz can be a powerful experience. This book makes jazz accessible to beginning recorder players by giving straightforward instruction on jazz concepts before each piece. A piano accompaniment includes more extensive jazz music to make the recorder player a part of an authentic jazz experience. The CD also includes backing tracks with piano and other instruments appropriate for each song. Most songs use only the natural notes on the recorder, with a few instances of F-sharp and B-flat.

Find more resources for teaching recorder on our website, or contact us for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist

Many piano teachers host Halloween recitals and a party afterwards for their studios. The students (and parents sometimes too!) dress up for the evening and have games and refreshments after the recital – what fun!

Halloween-themed piano solos are available in varying difficulty levels for students of all ages. From Jane and Lisa Bastien, the collection “Halloween Treats” is available from Primer level to Level Four. Alfred Music has different levels of Halloween piano solos, too, including solos sheets such as “The Galloping Ghost” by Glenda Austin, or “October Moonlight” by Jeanne Costello. There are books of Halloween solos that include songs like “Monster Mash,” the Twilight Zone theme, and more! Spoooooky!!

Now is the time to start planning for an evening of Halloween fun! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Barb M. has worked in the Keyboard Department at Stanton’s since 1981. An active folk musician in the Columbus area, Barb also works with ensembles at her church and plays in the Columbus State Concert Band. In her spare time, Barb loves working with animals and computer games.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

Gettin’ Down with Mama Goose 4.0 by Mark Burrows
Suggested for grades K-3

Mark Burrows gave us “The Ultimate Gettin’ Down with Mama Goose” in a collection packed with music, rhyme and fun! His creative mind continues using the Mother Goose rhymes in this collection, “Gettin’ Down with Mama Goose 4.0,” inspiring teachers and students with a variety of subjects, musical styles, texts, languages and smart activities that take learning to a whole new level – all while reinforcing literacy! This budget stretcher features piano/vocal arrangements, as well as digital access to performance/accompaniment audio recordings and singer PDFs for projection and reproducible options.

We like this collection because of the age-appropriate ranges, singable melodies and intervals, and the literature connections that provide a way to introduce these characters that we know and love.

Songs include: Mama Goose Is Ready, Little Bo Peep, Jack and Jill, Knick-Knack, Miss Mary Mack, Humpty Dumpty and more!

Let’s All Sing Songs from Moana arr. Tom Anderson
Suggested for grades 4-8

The Disney film “Moana” is tremendously entertaining, with stunning oceanic animation, a captivating adventure tale, feisty heroine and tuneful musical numbers by “Hamilton”’s Lin-Manuel Miranda and the authentic Polynesian sounds of Opetaia Foa’I and Te Vaka. The arrangements in this collection have been carefully adapted for young unison voices with optional harmonies for added fun, and are sure to be an unforgettable musical experience for singers and audiences alike! This value-packed collection of songs and professionally-produced recordings are perfect for group singing in the classroom, choir or community.

We like this collection because it presents a good way to get kids excited about singing, the ranges are generally very accessible, and the songs chosen are great for this type of collection.

Songs include: How Far I’ll Go, Shiny, We Know the Way, Where You Are, You’re Welcome.

Music of Our Roots by Rollo Dilworth
Suggested for grades 3-6

Experience the songs of our heritage with the music that makes our country unique. Learn the background of each song, a flexible teaching sequence, and how to adapt each song for any grade level. These cross-curricular classroom songs will also translate easily to a concert presentation for school assemblies or community engagement. The collection includes piano/vocal arrangements and reproducible singer songsheets. Accompany your singers live with simple piano parts, or use quality performance/accompaniment MP3 recordings available via audio access in the Performance Kit.

We like this collection because of the accessible ranges for beginning choral experience, the wealth of background information provided, and the intelligent lesson ideas.

Songs include: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad, I’ve Got Peace Like a River, My Country ‘Tis of Thee, Nine Hundred Miles, Old Joe Clark, Ramblin’ Blues, and more!

If you have questions about these or other elementary music resources, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC, ext. 1. We are happy to help with all of your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists

We Honor You by John Jacobson & Friends
On Veterans’ Day and every day, we salute our nation’s brave veterans who served our country in moments of turmoil and in moments of peace. We also salute the current members of our military who sacrifice every day so that we might enjoy all that it means to be an American. We gather together to send a message that our soldiers and veterans are never far from our minds and always deep in our hearts. The spirit of America is alive in each and every one of us and we say THANK YOU!

This 25 minute musical revue for grades 3-6 includes piano/vocal arrangements with choreography, reproducible singer songsheets and program narration. Accompany your singers live with simple piano parts, or use quality performance/accompaniment MP3 song recordings available via audio access in the Performance Kit. Songs include: The Star-Spangled Banner, A Time to Remember, I Love That Grand Old Flag (with “You’re a Grand Old Flag”), Welcome Home, We Honor You, The Spirit of America.

Need more options for your elementary students for Veterans’ Day? Try “The American Dream,” “American Voices,” “Get America Singing,” “Let’s Sing America,” “Of Thee I Sing,” “United We Stand,” or “We Honor the Brave!” Or, just contact us and we’ll help you find the perfect pick! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.

Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Columbus area, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist

Voices in Harmony by Robyn Lana
Creating successful youth and children’s ensembles requires a multitude of skills. In this new publication, nationally recognized clinician and Founding Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Children’s Choir, Robyn Lana, shares valuable insight and advice along with practical tips from well-known experts in the field. With topics including Rehearsal Techniques, Recruitment and Retention, Comprehensive Musicianship through Performance, Building Community through a Safe Environment, and many more, this compilation should have a place on every conductor’s bookshelf.

Find more valuable choral texts on our website, or contact us for more ideas! And remember, shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.