News & Views Thursday, June 26, 2025

Five Hymn Inspirations Set 6 arr. John A. Behnke
The sixth installment in John A. Behnke’s popular organ series is here, offering another exciting collection of easy-to-learn pieces that sound magnificent. Titles include: “Evening and Morning,” “For All the Saints,” “How Firm a Foundation,” “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now,” “Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray,” “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty,” and “The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace.”

In the Water, In the Word arr. James Biery
Eight stunning settings to adorn the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with grace and gusto. A thrilling toccata on ES IST DAS HEIL sounds difficult but falls under the fingers with relative ease. Several tunes that have come into popularity more recently are treated, including BACHOFEN, DENBY, FATHER WELCOMES, and FILTER. Every tune also includes a fresh harmonization to be used with congregational singing, often tailored for use with the final stanza. Titles include: “All Who Believe and Are Baptized,” “Father Welcomes,” “God’s Own Child, I Gladly Say It,” “I Bind Unto Myself Today,” “O Blessed Spring,” “The Gifts Christ Freely Gives,” “To Jordan’s River Came Our Lord,” and “Water, Blood, and Spirit Crying.”

Hymns Complete Set 4 arr. John A. Behnke
Play hymns from introduction to final stanza in a style fit for a hymn festival. Set 4 from John A. Behnke offers nine more hymns with an inventive introduction and creative harmonizations for every stanza. Treat your congregation to hymn accompaniments that are sensitive to the text and interesting for the ear. Titles include: “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “Built on the Rock,” “Christ Is Our Cornerstone,” “Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice,” “Glory Be to Jesus,” “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord,” “Just As I Am, Without One Plea,” “Kyrie! God, Father,” and “Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence.”

Offertory Mosaics arr. Jacob B. Weber
Accent the offertory with grace and joy using the latest book in the long-running Mosaics series by Jacob B. Weber. Six organ preludes provide excellent, fresh settings with several pieces having built-in jump points for playing shortened versions, making them especially flexible for use during the offering. Titles include: “Consider How the Birds Above,” “Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God,” “For the Fruits of His Creation,” “Take My Life and Let It Be,” “We Give Thee But Thine Own,” and “What Is the World to Me.”

Sojourn: Four Chorale Preludes from Childhood to Resurrection arr. Bernard Wayne Sanders
Take a journey through the seasons of life with this set of four chorale preludes. By German composer Bernard Wayne Sanders, the preludes can be played individually or as a set of hymns that outline one’s sojourn from cradle to grave. These sophisticated pieces engage and immerse the listener in these beautiful hymn tunes and are appropriate for both service and concert use. Titles include: “Awake, My Heart, with Gladness,” “Entrust Your Fear and Doubting,” “I Am Jesus’ Little Lamb,” “Lord, Take My Hand and Lead Me,” and “Thy Way and All Thy Sorrows.”

Ten Interpretations Set 1 arr. Jeffrey Blersch
The trusted craftsman at leading engaging congregational singing, Jeffrey Blersch is at it again with a brand-new series of hymn introductions and harmonizations. In this series, ten hymns are treated with an introduction and one or more harmonizations, often with specific stanzas in mind, cementing the connection between words and music, and vividly bringing out the meaning of the text. Use these to uplift, inspire awe, and draw attention to what hymns say. Titles include: “As with Gladness Men of Old,” “Children of the Heavenly Father,” “Glory Be to Jesus,” “How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord,” “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now,” “Lord Jesus Christ, We Humbly Pray,” “O Christ, Our Hope, Our Hearts’ Desire,” “O Sing to the Lord,” “O Worship the King,” “Rejoice, My Heart, Be Glad and Sing,” “See This Wonder in the Making,” “Sing Praise to God, the Highest Good,” “The Gospel Shows the Father’s Grace,” and “When Morning Gilds the Skies.”

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recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists

I Got You (I Feel Good) arr. Paul Murtha, Grade 2
Here is the signature hit by the “Godfather of Soul” in a solidly scored version perfect for young players. With a funky groove that captures the style of the original this chart also features solo opportunities for any combination of alto sax, trumpet, and trombone.

Pyramid Power by Doug Beach & George Shutack, Grade 1
This driving rock chart is sure to be a hit, not only with the band, but with the audience as well. The infectious groove, the building pyramids, and the catchy melody all combine to create a perfect chart for your next program. The Jazz Foundations scoring ensures that the chart will work with virtually any instrumentation.

Midnight Creeper arr. Terry White, Grade 1.5
A funky-rock groove on a great jazz tune played around 112 BPM. Suggested solos provided for trumpets 1 and alto 1 with trumpet 1 range to written top line F. An excellent blues chart that is fun to play and easy to assemble.

Phat Tuesday by Peter Sciaino, Grade 4
In the composer’s own words, “I was going for a New Orleans vibe…like a Dirty Dozen Brass Band sort of thing but it went J.B. horns (James Brown) style at some point.” That beautifully sums up this great new funk chart – searing horn lines and a cooking rhythm section.

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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.

Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!

Great Day! A Collection of Spiritual Arrangements arr. Brandon A. Boyd & Rosephanye Powell
We are thrilled to announce the release of “Great Day,” a stunning collection of solo spiritual arrangements for voice and piano, expertly edited and compiled by renowned musicians Brandon A. Boyd and Rosephanye Powell. This exceptional book is available in both High Voice and Low Voice editions, making it accessible to singers of all ages and skill levels.

“Great Day” features nine beautiful arrangements of classic spirituals. These timeless pieces have been carefully crafted to showcase the human voice, accompanied by elegant piano harmonies. Perfect for contests, recitals, concerts, and worship services, this collection is a valuable resource for singers seeking to connect with the rich heritage of spiritual music.

Embrace the beauty and power of spiritual music with this unforgettable collection, carefully curated by two masters of their craft.

Titles include: “Fix Me, Jesus,” “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,” “My God Is So High,” “Go Down, Moses,” “Ride Up in the Chariot,” “Plenty Good Room,” “Great Day,” “Balm in Gilead,” and “Get On Board.”

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recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists

APT. arr. Mike Story, Grade 2
Catchy melodies and driving percussion highlight this huge hit from ROSÉ and Bruno Mars. Mike Story’s fun arrangement is destined to be THE stands tune for this fall!

APT. arr. Matt Conaway, Grade 3
The groove doesn’t get any more infectious than this. Whether it’s on the field, in between quarters or during a timeout, this arrangement of the smash hit from Rosé and Bruno Mars will get the party started!

Bye Bye Bye arr. Paul Murtha, Grade 2
This hip and grooving arrangement of the *NSYNC classic will be a crowd favorite and a necessary addition to a 90’s of Pop field show.

Bad Blood arr. Doug Adams, Grade 2
Taylor Swift is as popular as ever, and this brand new Doug Adams arrangement of her timeless song really hits all the right notes! It’s perfect for the stands or pep band, as well as for dance and drill teams.

Crazy in Love arr. Ishbah Cox, Grade 3
This chart-topping hit from Beyoncé will have the crowd dancing and singing and is the perfect addition to your field show or stand repertoire.

Hot N Cold arr. Jordan Barker, Grade 3
Here is one of Katy Perry’s biggest hits in a hip new arrangement. Writer Jordan Barker gives us a powerful and exciting chart full of great sounds!

Espresso arr. Nick Baratta, Grade 3
Here is the GRAMMY® Award-winning song from talented singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter in a terrific arrangement by Nick Baratta. Tuneful melodies and exciting harmonies make this a winner for any band!

Illusion arr. Brian Scott, Grade 3
Singer/songwriter Dua Lipa had a big hit with this dance-pop offering. Arranger Brian Scott captures the unique style and groove of the original. This one is pure fun!

Next Semester arr. Dave Henning, Grade 3
This epic rock tune from the group Twenty One Pilots makes an ideal vehicle for marching bands that want to rock hard while shaking the press box to its foundation!

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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.

Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!

recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists

Beetlejuice (Main Theme) arr. Michael Brown, Grade 3
Your concert band will love this excellent arrangement of the quirky, mischievous, and spooky theme from the classic movie that has become a staple of popular culture. Perfect for Halloween concerts or as a fun addition to any program.

Beetlejuice (Main Theme) arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2 Flex-Band
An outstanding arrangement of one of the most recognizable movie themes ever that captures the spooky, quirky, and ethereal sounds of the original while being scored for flexible instrumentation. Your young musicians will have so much fun practicing they won’t even realize they are learning various articulations, dynamics, and chromatics.

This Is Halloween arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2
“Boys and girls of every age. Would you like to see something strange?” Young concert bands are now able to enjoy one of the most popular movie songs of all time. An excellent choice for reinforcing chromaticism this is perfect for programming at anytime of the year!

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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.

Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!

recommended by Jen Sper and Lisa Springer, School Choral Music Specialists

Choral Charisma: Singing with Expression by Tom Carter
“Choral Charisma” presents an accessible yet comprehensive approach to singing with expression. Written for directors, singers, and teachers at all levels, the book presents techniques and insights empowering the reader to bring even more humanity to their craft. The heart, mind, body, and spirit can play together to make singing even more fulfilling – for you and your audience.

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About the Authors:
Jen Sper is a Choral Music Specialist here at Stanton’s Sheet Music. A native of Cincinnati, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College (now University) Conservatory of Music, and taught 7-12 choir, music theory, class piano, and drama in Southern Ohio before joining the Stanton’s team in 2006. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, Jen can also often be found exploring the exciting restaurant, brewery, and theater scenes in Columbus, wandering through the local metro parks, visiting family around the Great Lakes, or at home with her very friendly cat.

Lisa Springer joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2023. She taught middle and high school choirs for 27 years in addition to serving as Artistic Director of the Columbus Women’s Chorus. She holds degrees from Heidelberg University and Cleveland Institute of Music. She has enjoyed an extensive professional singing career and continues to perform in the greater Columbus area. During her free time, she enjoys spending time in southern Ohio playing with her grandchildren.

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville OH 43081
Presented by Mary McDonald
$25.00

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Sacred Choral Music reading session. With a career that spans over forty years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1200 compositions through anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to church music. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.”

In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. Since then, she has been in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends as well as served as host for many of the top choral music dealer conferences in the United States and Canada.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 30 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. Please note that there is no pre-registration for this session – all registration will take place on-site beginning at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you on August 10th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Contact the Choral Department for more information on the Sacred Choral reading session.

SACRED PIANO READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Presented by Mary McDonald
$5.00

Join us at Stanton’s Sheet Music for an afternoon of listening to new selections of sacred piano music that will be enjoyable to play in church or at home. Our clinician this year is Mary McDonald.

Contact the Keyboard Department for more information on the Sacred Piano reading session.

Popular Video Game Themes for Easy Piano
Beginning pianists can now play their favorite video game themes! Features 24 signature selections from 22 video games arranged for easy piano, including “God of War,” “Civilization VI,” “Medal of Honor,” “Marvel’s Spider-Man,” “Shadow of the Colossus,” “The Sims,” “Tetris,” “Undertale,” and more.

Popular Video Game Themes for Piano Solo
Level up your piano repertoire with “Popular Video Game Themes for Piano Solo!” This songbook features 24 iconic melodies from 22 beloved games, including “Assassin’s Creed,” “Ghost of Tsushima,” “Tetris,” and “Undertale.” Perfectly arranged for piano solo, it’s a must-have for gamers and music lovers alike. Bring the excitement of your favorite virtual worlds to life at the keyboard!

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