News & Views Sunday, January 20, 2019

recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialist

Ants in My Pants by Sally K. Albrecht
So creative, so kinesthetic, so cute! It’s simply a blast to sing this baker’s dozen of unison animal songs designed for primary-aged singers. Each of the whimsical, kid-inspired tunes tips the hat to a favorite creature and their inherent actions. Helpful movement suggestions offer specific staging ideas as well as clever classroom activities to encourage participation. Giggles are guaranteed as your littlest musicians “Wiggle Like a Worm,” “Swim Like an Otter,” spin their very own spider web, and more. Perfect for in-class exploration and on-stage entertainment! Recommend for Grades Pre-K-3.

Pop Kidz by Andy Beck, Alan Billingsley & Greg Gilpin
Kids love to sing popular music, but finding appropriate choices can be challenging. Until now! This stellar songbook features familiar pop tunes selected especially for their uplifting lyrics and empowering themes. The targeted arrangements are just right for young singers, offering no fuss vocal ranges, hip musical hooks, and a few easy-to-sing optional harmonies. Parents, siblings, administrators, and even hard-to-motivate students will enthusiastically engage with this hit parade of contemporary chart toppers! Recommended for Grades 3 and up.

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.

R&B music is now mainstream in pop music culture, and the new collection Contemporary R&B Hits pays tribute to two dozen of the best modern hits from the genre in arrangements for piano, voice and guitar. Includes: “All the Stars” by Kendrick Lamar/SZA, “Be Without You” by Mary J. Blige, “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys/Nicki Minaj, “Halo” by Beyoncé, “I Feel It Coming” by The Weeknd, “Location” by Khalid, “Love Me Now” by John Legend, “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna, “Passion Fruit” by Drake, “Redbone” by Childish Gambino, “Rise Up” by Andra Day, “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars, and more.

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

recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists

The beginning of 2019 is a perfect opportunity to look back at what your students have learned so far this school year, and to look forward to the new and exciting musical challenges you will present to them in the coming months. As you prepare for your upcoming concerts, festivals, or adjudicated events, we recommend these repertoire choices, carefully chosen from many new and recent publications as the “best of the best!”

for SATB Ensembles
Hold On! arr. Brandon A. Boyd, SATB divisi with piano
Although there are a number of fine arrangements of this spiritual, Brandon Boyd’s setting of “Hold On!” for mixed chorus divisi with piano is exceptionally creative yet true to the idiomatic style. The rich harmonic language set against lyrical melodic passages and articulated by syncopated rhythmic elements provides a thrilling opportunity for singers and audience alike.

Music in the Night by Elaine Hagenberg, SSATB with piano
Elaine Hagenberg is one of our country’s most respected writers. The superb craftsmanship of her works once again is seen in this new piece. Scored for 5-part mixed chorus (divisi soprano) and piano on a text of Harriet Prescott Spofford, try the piece in a group reflecting the power of music, for Women’s History Month or American Music Month.

The Old Mill by Kenneth Riggs, SATB with piano
Rigg’s intriguing setting of this poignant, reflective poem by Thomas Dunn English features an accompaniment that emulates flowing water and the turning of the mill wheel. The minor mode and 6/8 pulse effectively establish the mood for this haunting piece which will provide a unique contrast for your concert or festival programming needs.

Antiphonal Cantate by Greg Gilpin, SATB with piano
Whether performed on risers, as a processional, or encircling the audience, this celebratory fanfare is the perfect opening number for concert or festival and is appropriate for use throughout the school year. The middle section is in 3/2 and provides an interesting and fun contrast. The text is both in easy Latin and in English, and an optional English text is provided for sacred use.

for Treble Ensembles
O Clap Your Hands by Stephen Chatman, 3-part treble with piano
“O Clap Your Hands” is a setting of words from Psalm 47 as translated and adapted by the composer. Influenced by jazz and gospel music, this fast, energetic work surges forward with constant syncopation, rich pan-diatonic and chromatic harmony, and repeated melodic lines and text. The bright and challenging piano part, with its added-tone arpeggios and extended registers, highlights and punctuates the vocal lines. Through alternating keys, various homophonic and contrapuntal episodes, and the addition of “tutti” clapping, the work reaches a climactic, resounding ending.

I Will Arise and Go by Shawn Kirchner, SSA with piano or hammered dulcimer
This is an evocative, folk-like setting of Yeats’ poem “The Lake Isle of Innisfree.” The modal vocal writing is both simple and sophisticated and always expressive of the yearning in Yeats’ words.

Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound by G.F. Handel/arr. Russell Robinson, SSA with piano and trumpet
A very energetic and joyful chorus from Handel’s oratorio Samson, “Awake the Trumpet’s Lofty Sound” arranged by Russell Robinson is in an accessible key for SSA choirs. Sure to delight audiences and enhance programming for any concert.

Set Me as a Seal by Bruce W. Tippette, SSA with piano
From Song of Solomon comes a cherished text set to rich harmonies for women’s voices. Beginning with a simple and warm piano introduction, unison singing melts into harmonic delight, creating an emotional climax and resolving to a quiet ending stating again “for love is strong as death.”

for Tenor/Bass Ensembles
Down by the Salley Gardens arr. Ben Bram, TTBB a cappella
Ben Bram is the amazing arranger for the Pentatonix. Justin Miller is the hailed director of the Westminster Men’s Chorus – one of the best ever. Justin asked Ben to create a piece for his new series that they could premiere at the ACDA Western Division conference – and now we can offer it to you. Absolutely yummy might be the best way to describe the arrangement. Creative and satisfying would also be appropriate words.

Plorate filii Israel by Giacomo Carissimi/arr. Brandon Williams, TTBB a cappella (optional piano)
Here is the beautiful final movement from Giacomo Carissimi’s oratorio Jephte. Originally for SATB choir, soloist, narrator and instruments, here is a new arrangement for men that allows them to explore this important musical style. Along with the Baroque style and the Latin text, this piece also lends itself to teach legato line, imitation and the emotional context of loss and lamentation.

Tuba Mirum by Mark Burrows, TTB with piano
With a lashing, powerful piano accompaniment to impel the equally dramatic traditional text from the Requiem Mass, this commanding musical setting for men, women or mixed chorus is spellbinding indeed. It is an exceptional repertoire choice for concert or festival performances, displaying rich passages from a full-throated forte to a lovely, controlled piano, all while exuding an air of fiery, rhythmic drive and a sense of urgency. A pronunciation guide and translation are included.

Poor Wayfaring Stranger arr. Christi Jones, TTB with piano
With ostinato-like phrases throughout, Jones’ rhythmic and interesting arrangement of this beloved spiritual will suit the needs of developing tenor-bass choirs of all sizes. Performed with piano accompaniment or a cappella, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” is sure to please in any concert.

For more recommendations, please contact us – 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.

Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!

Attend Stanton’s Sacred Choral Reading Session this Saturday, January 12th 2019, and you’ll be fully prepared for the remainder of your church choir season. We will be featuring the best new choral publications for Lent, Easter and beyond, as chosen by Stanton’s sacred choral staff. This January’s clinic will be held at Livingston United Methodist Church, just a few blocks from our store in downtown Columbus!

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday January 12th, 2019
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Attending this clinic is a fantastic way for you to choose new church anthems for your choir by hearing the music read live. This January’s clinicians will be Stanton’s own Judy Henry and president emeritus Jim Strouse. Please feel free to contact Stanton’s at 1-800-42-MUSIC and speak with a choral staff member for the details of the event. We look forward to seeing you at 8:30 on January 12th for registration, coffee and doughnuts followed by a wonderful morning of singing!

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Specialist

Here are Stanton’s Top Choice Classical Transcriptions for concerts and adjudications for this school year. Every string orchestra section gets interesting parts to play, each title contains all kinds of musical skills to teach and/or reinforce, and every one of them will bring pleasure to the players and the audience. None of these titles have been arranged for string orchestra before, yet it is standard classical repertoire. What a wonderful opportunity to introduce your students to new, top quality music. This is outstanding literature that needs to be experienced!

La Finta Semplice Overture, K. 51 by W.A. Mozart/arr. Jamin Hoffman, Grade 3-4
If you want to introduce your high school players to the magic of Mozart, this would be an ideal tool for that purpose. Wolfy wrote it when he was 12 years old, and while it showed maturity beyond his years, he was still a novice, as your young students are, so it’s a match made in heaven. This is especially true if your first violins are your strongest section, since they get the bulk of the melodic content. Work on spiccato bowing, forte-pianos and the chromatic accidentals to catch the sparkle of the Mozart style.

Symphony #6, First Movement by Ludwig van Beethoven/arr. Robert D. McCashin, Grade 3.5
Every high school orchestra student needs to experience Beethoven. And what better piece than a movement from one of his famous symphonies? We don’t recall ever seeing an arrangement of the First Movement from Beethoven’s Symphony #6 (“Pastorale”) in recent history. And what a delight! In Beethoven’s words, it evokes “pleasant feelings which awaken…on arriving in the countryside.” The music is peaceful and tranquil, and at the same time spritely and effervescent. In 2/4 with the quarter note = 104-108, it bubbles along like a babbling brook. It is in the key of F, like the original, which shouldn’t tax students at this level. There are accidentals, triplets (and 3 against 2) double stops, staccato vs legato and other techniques typical of the Classical/early Romantic period. Robert McCashin has done an absolutely superb job with this transcription. Do yourself and your students a huge favor and get this masterpiece from the inimitable Ludwig van.

Norwegian Dance Opus 35, No. 1 by Edvard Grieg/arr. Deborah Baker Monday, Grade 3
Teach your students the importance of scales (“Why do we have to practice these things?”) because they will be needing fingerings for the natural, harmonic and melodic D Minor scales as well as the A Major scale for G# accidentals. Your second violins get to review the notes on their G string and the violas, their C string, and everyone gets work on chromatic accidentals. Every section gets some action so no one can complain about boring parts, plus the lively tune may bring to mind Grieg’s famous “In the Hall of the Mountain King.” Outstanding concert addition or adjudication option.

Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes arr. David Bobrowitz, Grade 3
The familiar melody was written in the late 1700s to words playwright Ben Johnson penned in 1616, so there is some history here! But it’s not the same old stuff you may expect. There are jazz harmonies with Neapolitan twists, unexpected rhythmic quirks and a contrasting pizzicato section that will get everyone’s attention. With a key change from C to D and everyone getting a crack at the melody, your students will enjoy playing it and your audience will get a thrill hearing it as well. Don’t miss this one!

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 Music Specialist

The educational benefits of programming madrigals in your choral program are many: students gain a new historical perspective, learn to sing unaccompanied in a small ensemble, and are exposed to a different style of literature than in larger choirs. Madrigals are even perfect for your show choir – the part independence, listening skills, and choral balancing are all skills applicable to that repertoire as well!

Late In My Rash Accounting by Thomas Weelkes/arr. John Leavitt, SAB a cappella with optional percussion
Excerpted from “The SAB Choir Goes Renaissance,” this single offers simple, homophonic singing through the verse but a wonderful opportunity for your choir to sing Renaissance polyphony through the “Fa la la” section. In keeping with the style of the Renaissance, an optional hand percussion part has been added as a possible enhancement.

Pastime with Good Company by King Henry VIII/arr. Steven Rickards, SATB with piano and drum or tambourine
This song, made popular during the Renaissance, celebrates the joys of dancing, singing, and hunting. Detailed performance notes offer suggestions for presenting an authentic and stylistic performance by employing instruments and ostinato percussion lines.

The Madrigal Singer arr. John Leavitt, SATB a cappella collection
John Leavitt has established a reputation for carefully selecting important and historic repertoire, editing it in ways to make singers successful all while staying true to the stylistic period. This new collection from John includes “Fair Phyllis I Saw,” “Fa Una Canzona” and “Tant Que Vivray.” Three important and standard pieces in a value priced collection.

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.

The 2018 movie musical sequel to the classic Disney film Mary Poppins Returns features a top-notch team including director Rob Marshall (Chicago), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton) and music from Hairspray’s award-winning songwriting team of Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman. The Piano/Vocal folio includes new original songs from the soundtrack: “Can You Imagine That,” “A Cover Is Not the Book,” “A Conversation,” “(Underneath the) Lovely London Sky,” “Nowhere to Go But Up,” “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” “The Royal Doulton Music Hall,” “Trip a Little Light Fantastic,” and “Turning Turtle” – plus, eight pages of color artwork from the film!

Place your order today to reserve your copy, or contact us for more information!

Songs from “A Star Is Born,” “La La Land,” “The Greatest Showman,” and More Movie Musicals
Movie musical lovers will delight in this songbook chock full of top-notch songs from blockbuster movies arranged for piano, voice and guitar!

Includes: “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” and “City of Stars” from La La Land; “Evermore” and “How Does a Moment Last Forever” from Beauty and the Beast; “Fernando,” “Mamma Mia” and “Super Trouper” from Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again; “I Dreamed a Dream” and “Suddenly” from Les Misérables;  “A Million Dreams” and “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman; “On the Steps of the Palace” from Into the Woods; “Tomorrow” from Annie; plus seven songs from the 2018 hit movie A Star Is Born featuring Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper: “Always Remember Us This Way,” “I’ll Never Love Again,” “Is That Alright?,” “Look What I Found,” “Maybe It’s Time,” “Music to My Eyes,” and “Shallow.”

For more information about this collection, call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit us online at stantons.com. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!