News & Views Thursday, September 20, 2018

recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialist

Kaleidoscope by Denese Odegaard
Alfred Music proudly teams up with the National Association for Music Education on this impressive manual of model lessons by master music teachers from around the country. The lesson plans, which are based on and interpreted through the 2014 National Music Standards Artistic Processes of Creating, Performing, Responding, and Connecting, have been contributed by music educators from around the country and world.

Anchor Standards
Creating
1. Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work.
2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
3. Refine and complete artistic work.
Performing
4. Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
6. Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
Responding
7. Perceive and analyze artistic work.
8. Interpret intent and meaning in artistic work.
9. Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work.

Includes step-by-step procedures, reproducible templates, related manipulatives, assessment tools, an array of traditional songs, and more! Royalties donated to NAfME. Recommended for grades kindergarten through seven.

Find more valuable curriculum resources on our website, or contact us for more information. 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.

Trap Style Drumming for the Acoustic and Hybrid Drum Set is the first ever instructional book on how to play Trap style beats. This book is a must-have for drummers looking for an introduction into the world of Trap style drum beats and for those drummers who would like to explore new rhythms and technically challenging ways of playing the drum set.

“Trap Style Drumming for the Acoustic and Hybrid Drum Set” provides a plethora of exercises and acoustic and hybrid sound applications that will guide you towards achieving the right feel, vibe, and sound of these deceptively complex Trap rhythms. The culmination of four years of research, trial and error, and experimentation into the most concise and comprehensive learning tool for Trap style drumming currently available, you will learn how to sound just like an 808 drum machine on an acoustic and hybrid drum set!

For more information about this book, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, http://www.stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Specialist

Many orchestras seem to have a late October concert, so why not take advantage of the timing and program some great spine-tingling tunes to add some excitement – or better yet, do a whole Halloween theme concert and program them all! Spanning Grade 1.5 to 4, spooky special string effects such as col legno, sul ponticello tremolo and harmonic glissandi will add teaching opportunities, and each of these titles offers parts for everyone to help join in the creepiness. And you know your students and their audience will love them!

Incursion by Sean O’Loughlin, Grade 1.5
Lots of teaching elements and a chilling concert highlight all in one! With a harmonic moment reminiscent of Led Zeppelin’s Kashmir, you can teach musical concepts such as col legno, offbeats, Grand Pause and ground bass and end up with a dramatic and hair-raising piece for your middle-schoolers that is destined to become a tradition at your late October concerts around Halloween. Kids that age love things chilling and macabre, so they will glom onto Incursion with relish.

Dark Dreams by Sean O’Loughlin, Grade 2
Leave it to the super creative Sean O’Loughlin to spice up your October concert with great special effects in this mysterious and eerie selection that will keep your players on their toes and your audience on the edge of their seats! Sul ponticello tremolo, trills, pizzicato, staccato sfortzandos, accents, and offbeat melodies make great teaching moments plus you’ll have a top-notch, moody addition to your repertoire.

The Haunted Ballroom by Chris Thomas, Grade 3.5
It seems as if many school orchestras have concerts toward the end of October, so they are always in the market for new Halloween repertoire. Here is a winner that should be included in your library for such occasions. Marked to be played “Ghostly and refined,” it is a spooky waltz, accentuated by effectively eerie glissandi on harmonics. It is also rife with staccato bowing, tremolos, dynamic extremes, col legno, and just enough chromaticism (with helpful fingerings) to make your teeth turn sideways. It will make a great, colorful addition to your late Autumn/Halloween concert.

Witch’s Fiddle by Robert Buckley, Grade 3-4
If you only buy one piece for your high schoolers this year, make it this one, especially if you have a concert around the end of October. Loaded with spine-chilling special effects such as glissandi on harmonics, short, fingered glissandi, snap pizzicato, and sul ponticello tremolo as well as jarring harmonies and off-kilter rhythms to spice up the Munsters-like melody, this will be the piece your audience will be talking about at the end of the concert – and that your students will want to play year after year. Do not miss it!

Contact us for more spooooooky recommendations, or browse our newly redesigned website at stantons.com!

About the Author:
Dan C. has worked at Stanton’s since 1979, primarily with orchestra music and print promotions. A “working” musician, he’s a classical cellist, a rock & jazz bassist and a folk & country guitarist/singer. His free time is spent with family or reading, gardening, cycling and working puzzles. His series of musical puzzles (RP3 Rebus Puzzle Picture People) can be found on the Stanton’s Facebook page each Sunday. He also has a reputation as a pretty good joke teller. Seriously.

recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialist

Karaoke Christmas arr. Andy Beck, Alan Billingsley, Tom Fettke, Thomas Grassi, Greg Gilpin, Mark Hayes, Larry Shackley, and Kirby Shaw
Check out this amazing list of holiday pops presented in kickin’ arrangements, spot-on for young singers! This is a ready-to-go program for choral concerts, a collection of cool Christmas songs to choose from year after year, or a fun-filled musical when you incorporate the optional script (including roles for a popular principal, a dynamic party DJ, and a flexible number of students with spoken lines). Complete choreography (printed throughout the score) makes staging your show a cinch, and top-notch accompaniment tracks (on the enhanced CD) add a professional touch. Full-color cover art and student PDFs are also included on the CD. Recommended for grades 3-8, 100% reproducible!

Find more fun wintertime musicals for your elementary and middle school students on our website, or contact us for personalized recommendations. 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.

Sebastian Currier was born in 1959 into a family of talented musicians. One of his brothers, Nathan, is also a composer. Sebastian primarily composes for chamber groups and orchestras, and he has won several awards for his works.

This work, “Glow” for solo piano, was written in 2012 for pianist Inon Barnatan, who wanted a new composition to play on the same concert as Ravel’s “Gaspard de la Nuit.” Since “Gaspard de la Nuit” (“Treasurer” or “Jewel Keeper of the Night”) has to do with light, the composer chose seven forms of light to write about: moonlight, a spark, a strobe light, etc. to complement the Ravel work. The pieces are for advanced pianists, and each one depicts the type of light that is its title. This suite would be great recital material, in whole or in part, for a pianist looking for something really new to perform. Especially for those who have an appreciation for contemporary classical music, this is worth the time to explore!

For more information, contact us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our website, stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

recommended by Judy H. and Jennifer F., Sacred Choral Music Specialists

As church choirs start up for the fall and Christmas season, Stanton’s Sacred Choral Music staff has carefully chosen these pieces to be appropriate for a variety of worship styles and services throughout the coming months:

He’s Always Been Faithful arr. Lloyd Larson
Both accessible and straightforward, here are two settings of Sara Groves’ contemporary reworking of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” available in both SATB and SAB opt. Two-Part Mixed with piano accompaniment, this is an easily learned piece for traditional and contemporary worship.

Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee by Joan J. Pinkston
A tender new setting of the old favorite with freshened lyrics and just enough references to the original tune to bind the work together. Scored for SATB choir with an optional B-flat clarinet part included. Suitable for a time of contemplation and reflection in any service of worship. Highly recommended!

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go arr. Ryan Murphy
An arrangement of the Albert L. Peace music by Ryan Murphy. An alternate organ accompaniment and an optional orchestral accompaniment are available.

To God Be the Glory arr. Mary McDonald
This classic hymn text is given a lavish, masterful treatment which opens with a snare drum and a regal horn call before the men begin softly singing. The listener will be transported to new heights with such a commanding arrangement, proclaiming the greatness of God through soaring vocal lines and Ed Hogan’s grandiose orchestration.

Sinner Saved By Grace arr. Mary McDonald
Mary McDonald s choral setting of a beloved Gaither song retains the powerful truth behind the lyrics that the grace of God is stronger than our failings. While the orchestral accompaniment is impressive and moving, the full piano part provides enough support if you choose to perform with piano only.

All Good Gifts by Joseph M. Martin
This Thanksgiving anthem is a flowing, tender ballad that reminds the listener of all of the treasures of life that “are gifts sent from heaven.” The inclusion of “For the Beauty of the Earth” is another familiar reminder of our gratitude and grateful praise. Easily learned and a great opportunity to sing thanks to the Lord for family, friends, and blessings from above.

O Sing to the Lord a New Song! arr. Lloyd Larson
An exciting anthem of praise based on Psalm 98 and incorporating HYFRYDOL and a Robert Lowry text, scored for SATB choir and keyboard with optional flute and handbells (2 octave). Suitable for any occasion of worship.

Come, Come to the Table by Joshua Metzger
Quality communion anthems are a staple in any well-balanced sacred choral library. This charming selection has a refined lilt that dances off the page with assurance and promise. Restrained part-writing and moderation in the accompaniment make this anthem an approachable yet effective choice for Lord’s Supper celebrations.

For more quality suggestions for your church choir, view all of our Five Star Features for Fall 2018 on our website, or contact us at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Authors:
Judy H. has been working in Stanton’s Choral Department since 1975. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University. A member of the Grove City Chamber Singers, Judy also enjoys reading and spending time with her four grandchildren.

Jennifer F. is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 14 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is a soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir at First Community Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.