BEST OF: New Contemporary A Cappella Monday, November 14, 2016
recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist
A cappella is everywhere, and there are lots of great new repertoire options this year – whether your group is just getting started, or has years of experience:
FOR MIXED GROUPS
Love Shack arr. Deke Sharon
From the reality show Pitch Slapped, one of the groups competes with this hot vocals-only arrangement of the B-52’s 1989 pop hit! Funky and fun!
Stitches arr. Brandy Kay Riha
This arrangement of the Shawn Mendes song demonstrates amazing a cappella craft and energy! Winner of the Noteflight A Cappella arranging competition, judged by Deke Sharon and Roger Emerson.
Absolutely (Story of a Girl) arr. Alex Phan
A bubbly and pulsating mix of vocables, lyrics, and vocal percussion support a vigorous male lead in this arrangement of the number one radio smash. Playful, memorable, cute, and catchy!
The Lion Sleeps Tonight arr. Kirby Shaw
Choirs will love singing the beautiful chords of this storied song famous the world over! Topping the charts in 1961 in a recording by the Tokens, it is now available in this a cappella setting that will fill your performance space with harmony!
Jar of Hearts arr. J.D. Frizzell
Christina Perri’s heart-wrenching debut single is perfect for pop a cappella groups with experience – lots of fun challenges!
Shut Up and Dance arr. Tom Anderson
With lyrics based on a real-life experience, this high-energy chart topper from the band Walk the Moon quickly became a hit in ten countries. The rhythmic vibe and fun hook make it fun to sing for all voice parts.
FOR MEN’S GROUPS
All of Me arr. Deke Sharon
This a cappella arrangement of the John Legend hit All of Me is set for TTBB voices. It is part of the Deke Sharon Contemporary A Cappella series.
Sing a Song arr. Deke Sharon
Written and recorded by Earth, Wind & Fire, “Sing a Song” peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976. Now your men’s ensembles can share what singing can do for everyone today!
FOR WOMEN’S GROUPS
Defying Gravity arr. Deke Sharon
From the Broadway show “Wicked,” this is Deke Sharon’s a cappella arrangement of Defying Gravity, by composer Stephen Schwartz.
Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) arr. Deke Sharon
This is Deke Sharon’s a cappella arrangement of the Billy Joel tune. It is the song Joel wrote for his daughter Alexa Ray and first appeared on the 1993 album “River of Dreams.”
(They Long to Be) Close to You arr. Deke Sharon
From Contemporary A Cappella Publishing, this is Deke Sharon’s arrangement of the Burt Bacharach song made famous by the Carpenters in 1970.
Need help starting or developing your a cappella group? Don’t miss “A Cappella” by Deke Sharon and “A Cappella Pop” by Brody McDonald – two invaluable resources! You can find more a cappella repertoire on our website, or contact us for personalized recommendations for your group. 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.
