News & Views Monday, March 18, 2024

Music for Keyboards 30 March, 2018

by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist

greekorganThe oldest type of keyboard instrument is the organ, or hydraulis, which dates to the third century BC. There are many types of organs. Over time, there have been many keyboard instruments, and plenty of music to go along with them.

One of the earliest collections of music for a keyboard instrument is the Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, which is a collection of compositions by many composers. There are other collections for virginal, but the Fitzwilliam collection is probably the best known. There has been so much music written for keyboards that we may never run out! There is music from at least 1562 to the present, from John Bull and John Dowland, to Lowell Liebermann and Dianne G. Rahbee.

grandpianoThe most common keyboard instrument nowadays is the piano, of course. Parents who can afford it make sure their children have an opportunity to explore the piano for at least a few years. All kinds of courses of instruction exist for learning to play the piano. There are lots of sheets and books of keyboard music for classical, popular, jazz, rock, blues….well, everything! If you play a keyboard instrument, you should never get bored!

If this article gets you interested in the endless variety of keyboard music, feel free to ask questions 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!

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.

Adventures with the Orchestra 28 March, 2018

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

lorenz-5096241For many years, teachers across the country and around the world have been inspired by the innovative and creative lessons cultivated in Artie Almeida‘s Florida classroom. In one of her earliest published resources, Dr. Almeida packaged several ideas for learning about the orchestra into a complete unit designed to thoroughly explore the instruments, vocabulary, and enjoyment of the symphony orchestra.

Now this unit is available in Adventures with the Orchestra, along with many additional tools to make implementing every activity as simple as possible. Everything you need for a complete instructional unit is here: flashcards, printable game pieces, guided listening activities, musical examples, website lessons, and more!

For more information, visit us online at stantons.com, or contact us! 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.

THIS SUMMER: Elementary Clinic with Cristi Cary Miller 27 March, 2018

gm logoElementary 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!

Middle School General Music: Drumming & Percussion 26 March, 2018

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 be 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 drumming and percussion:

leon-500172World Music Drumming by Will Schmid
Since 1996, World Music Drumming has transformed lives and built community through ensemble drumming, singing, moving, playing xylophones and recorders. Students have developed focus, listening, teamwork, and respect while having the best time anyone can have in school. Now in over 20,000 schools worldwide, we are celebrating this success by publishing the landmark World Music Drumming 20th Anniversary Teacher Edition. The ALL-IN-ONE format adds the following new teacher and classroom-friendly elements: An enhanced curriculum sequence including 20 years of best practice (creative ideas and teaching strategies from WMD faculty and participants); 16 new audio recordings of each ensemble and song (including new arrangements that include piano/vocal, guitar/bass and xylophone/recorder parts); 47 new how-to videos by Will Schmid including special Ghana-filmed segments; 28 projectable / printable PDFs for cultural enrichment, assessment and ensemble parts; and e-Book with interactive audio, video and PDF icons. Even if you already own the 1st edition Teacher’s Book, Cross-Cultural Student Enrichment Book and Video, you will want this enhanced 20th Anniversary Teacher Edition with its new features and interactive layout. Enjoy!

lorenz-75_1027h-fFound Soundology by Mark Shelton
Take your students on an unforgettable musical journey with this collection of twelve original compositions using everyday objects in place of traditional instruments. While each piece includes suggestions for found sounds, Mark Shelton encourages you and your classes to find your own sound sources. Teaching and performance tips, recordings, and reproducible parts round out this convenient, creative outlet.

lorenz-480311Give Me a Bucket by Mark Shelton
Music education meets the vibrant energy of street musicians in this easy to access collection for bucket ensemble. This follow up to “Give Me a Groove” brings you a dozen arrangements utilizing buckets, pails, and drumsticks. In addition to guiding you through the process of setting up your bucket ensemble, this collection includes teaching and performance tips, some simple choreography, performance tracks, and student scores. Also check out “Give Me a Tablet” to explore music creation using simple touchscreen apps as instruments!

leon-513825Kalani’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).

Find more 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.

Quick Start Choral Warm Ups 23 March, 2018

Recommended by Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Specialists

Quick Start Choral Warm Ups.jpgQuick Start Choral Warm-Ups provides an easy and efficient way to begin each rehearsal. Twenty sequences, each consisting of four components (Warming Down, Warming Up, Diction, and Chordal), prepare the voice and the mind for producing a beautiful choral sound.

The Director Edition contains all of the vocal parts and piano accompaniments, in addition to a detailed introduction and User’s Guide. The Singer Edition, which includes the vocal parts, is octavo size, designed to fit comfortably in choral folders all year long. An Accompaniment CD is also available.

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 all over the country and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

Teaching Pieces for Orchestra 21 March, 2018

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Music Specialist

Stanton’s always endeavors to point out the teaching aspects of the pieces we recommend. These two examples are custom-made for teaching. Check them out!

fjh-st6429-f10 Intonation Studies and Chorales by Brian Balmages
Outstanding “first ten minute” warm-up routines to get students’ ears in sync with a particular key concentrating on correct intonation, using open strings as guides for chord note alignment, with both scales and chorales.

String Crossing March by Lynne Latham, Grade 1
Sounding more difficult than it actually is, this tuneful, educational creation will help you teach string crossing, skipping fingers, and left hand pizzicato. It has fun parts for everyone, including some call and response and knocking on instruments for a unique aural experience.

Contact us for more suggestions with great string pedagogy connections! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

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.

Creative Programming: For Elementary Choir 19 March, 2018

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

This spring, feature your elementary choir with some of these fun octavos, perfect for young singers in grades 3-6!

leon-49045277-fMusic for Children Choral Suite I by Carl Orff/arr. Susan Brumfield
Three short selections from the Orff-Schulwerk Music for Children combine to create a delightful choral suite for children’s chorus. Perform with piano or the original Orff accompaniments, it includes: “Girls and Boys Come Out To Play,” “Cradle Song,” and “Dance Lassie Do.” Perfect for bridging between classroom singing and ensemble singing!

A Child’s Garden of Verses by Paul Busselberg
“A Child’s Garden of Verses” is a lovely set of songs with texts by Robert Louis Stevenson, set by Paul Busselberg with 4-hand piano. Vocally accessible for young singers, but sophisticated enough for older choirs, as well.

gia-wlg159-fIn The Swing, rising and falling melodic lines and airy accompaniment express the exhilaration found in swinging. Where Go the Boats? uses somber harmonies and a pensive melody to capture the sentiment of time passing. Exuberant and joyful, Singing makes for a rousing finish to a set or concert.

Always Sing Your Song by Victor C. Johnson
The life-giving power of music is beautifully expressed in this original piece for young voices. Commissioned by the Texas Music Educators Association, it is easy to teach and fun to learn. A perfect end-of-year sentiment!

Ezekiel Saw the Wheel arr. Mary Lynn Lightfoot
Looking for a fun, creative programming contrast to add some sparkle and zest to your next concert? This lively, spirited setting of the traditional spiritual is certain to fit the bill. Complete with handclaps and snaps, young and developing choirs are certain to enjoy this playful and engaging arrangement.

leon-512098Antiphonal Gloria by Cristi Cary Miller
Joyful Latin phrases echo back and forth in this spirited original work for young singers. Well-written melodies combine in logical style building to a buoyant final descant making this an excellent selection for festival concerts.

Find more options for young singers on our website, or contact us for personalized suggestions. 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.

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Choral POPS for Spring 2018 16 March, 2018

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

Need something fresh for your spring choral concerts? Here are some of your best new options!

FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS
leon-523113This Is Me (from The Greatest Showman) arr. Mac Huff
For everyone who wants to stand out, who wants to celebrate who they are and who wants to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight, this song is for you. Celebrating the spirit that was P.T. Barnum and recognizing the birth of show business, this driving rock tune by Broadway sensations Pasek and Paul is an inspiration and a perfect opener for your show. Also available from “The Greatest Showman” – The Greatest Show arr. Mark Brymer, and Rewrite the Stars arr. Roger Emerson.

Faith (from Sing) arr. Mark Brymer
This is a fantastic choral arrangement of the hit song from the animated movie “Sing,” where Stevie Wonder and Ariana Grande combined vocal forces on a joyful celebration of soul. With the bluesy bassline and irresistible drum track, your choir will be thrilled to join in the uplifting refrain “I got faith in you baby!”

Once Upon a Time arr. Steve Zegree
The timeless love ballad by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams in an expressive jazz setting by Steve Zegree will enchant every audience!

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS
alfred-514310Dance the Night Away arr. Kirby Shaw
Upbeat, rhythmic, and joy-filled all describe this classic Gloria Estefan hit. Perfect for choreography this arrangement creates that boiling point when the audience and performers all overflow with excitement.

Top Secret Personal Beeswax (from Junie B. Jones) arr. Cristi Cary Miller
Junie B. Jones – The Musical by Marcy Heisler and Zina Goldrich, is based on the popular children’s book series, and this top song will be a fun and theatrical selection for SSA and 2-Part choirs to experience and build expressive skills!

Brand New arr. Roger Emerson
This song from American singer-songwriter Ben Rector has a happy exuberance about it with irresistibly upbeat lyrics that will energize programs for all types and levels of choirs. Easily learned and fun to sing!

FOR WOMEN’S CHOIRS
leon-00202487-fStand In the Light arr. Roger Emerson
The lead single of the debut album by the Season 9 winner of The Voice, Jordan Smith, offers an important life-affirming message and gives singers a chance to emulate Smith’s stellar vocal production. Both joyful and gentle, this selection will surely inspire!

I See the Light (from Tangled) arr. Mac Huff
Now available in an SSA voicing! Nominated for an Academy Award, this ballad from the Disney animated film Tangled is simply gorgeous! Choirs of all levels will want to perform this lovely song, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and wonderfully performed in the film by Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.

You’re My Best Friend arr. Paul Langford
The British rock band Queen made this a hit and the song has had a long life being used in movies, television shows and commercials. This arrangement taps into that popularity and makes for a lively selection for both concert and show choirs and is a great selection for graduation.

FOR MEN’S CHOIRS
leon-518240Jai Ho arr. Ethan Sperry
From the film “Slumdog Millionaire,” here is a wonderful fusion of Indian rhythms and scales with American pop styles and instrumentation. Excellent program notes offer guidance for the style, there is an easy to understand pronunciation guide to help with the Hindi language and a separate percussion score.

Pop Songs for Young Men’s Chorus II arr. Jerry Estes
Now available, the second in a series, this collection for men’s chorus spans the decades and is designed to give you lots of value with songs your choir will love to perform! Includes: “Count on Me” (Bruno Mars), “Happy Together” (The Turtles), “Shut Up and Dance” (Walk the Moon), “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (The Temptations), “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong).

Unforgettable arr. Mac Huff
One of the top standards of all time! This rich setting will showcase concert, community and pop choirs with dreamy rubato phrasing, warm harmonies and the full range of emotional expressivity.

Find more options for pops concerts on our website, or contact us for more brainstorming 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.

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses 14 March, 2018

46818The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses is a concert tour featuring music from Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda video game series. Now available is a supplemental edition of advanced piano transcriptions!

The new movement is “Skyward Sword,” a suite which includes “Ballad of the Goddesses,” “The Sky,” “Fi’s Farewell,” “Ghirahim Battle,” “Fi’s Theme,” and “Message From the Goddess.” A bonus piece has also been added, “Breath of the Wind Medley,” and pages of color art from the game series are included. The energy displayed in the orchestra concert is retained in these piano transcriptions, and the familiar themes will bring to mind familiar characters and settings. It is well worth your time as a fan of Zelda and a fan of the piano, to explore this new collection!

For more information about this collection or others like it, 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!

Plan to Attend: EXCELLENCE IN CHORAL LITERATURE 2018 12 March, 2018

Stanton’s Sheet Music is pleased to announce our 25th annual Excellence in Choral Literature Clinic!

EXCELLENCE IN CHORAL LITERATURE
Saturday 8/25/2018, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music, James E. Strouse Workshop Hall, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
REGISTRATION: $20

This session, led by James Gallagher (Professor Emeritus at The Ohio State University), is designed to help you select concert and contest literature from some of choral music’s most distinguished composers, featuring the best in new music for mixed, treble, and men’s choirs at all levels of difficulty. Your registration fee includes a complimentary packet of over 30 titles.

In honor of this session’s 25th anniversary, we will also be presenting selected quality titles from previous years highlighting the great depth of valuable literature found on the Excellence Clinic lists.

Come join us to discover beautiful music and share ideas with colleagues and friends!

Registration will open on April 1st. For more information, please contact us by email, or call us at 1.800.426.8742. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Spirituals from Alice Parker 09 March, 2018

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

Alice Parker.jpg
American conductor, composer, and arranger Alice Parker is perhaps one of the most well-known names in the world of choral music. Many of her arrangements, including those she created in cooperation with Robert Shaw (with whom she studied at Julliard) are now regarded as standard literature.

Balm in GileadBalm in Gilead
This traditional spiritual is set with divisi choral parts and requires a mezzo-soprano soloist who can soar over the choir, carry the music and bring style and passion to the rendering. Beautiful legato and dynamically subtle singing by the choir is a must with the results being a most satisfying performance for singer and listener.

By an ByBy an’ By
Light, fast, strong and accented describe this arrangement of the traditional spiritual. This is a wonderful contrast to the heavy style so often associated with traditional spirituals. Each of the voice parts gets to carry the melody throughout the course of the arrangement creating extra interest for the singers.

Keep Your HandKeep Your Hand On That Plow
This traditional spiritual comes out of the work song tradition. It is firm and strong and features a baritone soloist who instructs the singers to “keep their hands on the plow.” The call and response between soloist and choir is classic and offers a wonderful opportunity to teach this style so important in our history.

Tell Em I'm GoneTell ‘Em I’m Gone
A heavy blues beat defines this arrangement of this traditional spiritual. The arranger calls for “wailing” and the passion required from the chorus and the mezzo-soprano soloist are critical in bringing this arrangement to life. This is a classic example of the concert spiritual.

You Can Tell the WorldYou Can Tell the World
This arrangement of a traditional spiritual is set in an easy swing style and is a song full of hope and joy. All of the voice parts contain divisi and are exposed, allowing the opportunity to feature each section. The end of this arrangement diminuendos to a soft and simple statement signifying the inner joy that each of us can experience when we allow it to happen.

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 across the country, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

First, We Sing! 07 March, 2018

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

leon-480698The 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.

leon-513813The 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.

leon-481077The 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.

SAVE THE DATE: Sacred Choral Reading Session August 2018 06 March, 2018

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Lloyd Larson as our clinician for the August Church Choral Music reading session, and we invite you to join us at Overbrook Presbyterian Church (4131 N. High Street, Columbus OH 43214) on Saturday August 11, 2018.

Lloyd Larson earned a B.A. from Anderson University of Anderson, Indiana in 1976 and a M.C.M. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky in 1979. He has done additional graduate work at Southern Baptist Seminary, The Ohio State University, and Northern Baptist Seminary, Chicago, Illinois.

lloyd larsonSince 1982, Lloyd has been an active composer and arranger for several major publishing companies of church and school music. His compositions and arrangements include well over 1,500 published works – including choral anthems, numerous extended Christmas, Easter and non‑seasonal works, keyboard collections, vocal solo and duet collections, instrumental works for solo and ensembles, orchestrations, and handbell settings. The resulting notoriety has placed him in constant demand as a clinician throughout North America. It is Lloyd’s work in his local church that continues to be the catalyst for much of his writing. He currently directs the adult choir in his home church in addition to being involved in worship planning and leadership.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 35 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. We look forward to seeing you on August 11th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Sacred Choral Reading Session
Saturday 8/11/2018, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Overbrook Presbyterian Church
4131 N. High Street, Columbus OH 43214
Cost: $25.00 (There is no pre-registration; you may register at the door beginning at 8:30)
email our choral department for more details

Sacred Piano Reading Session
also featuring Lloyd Larson
Saturday 8/11/2018, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music
330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Cost: $5.00 (There is no pre-registration; you may register at the door beginning at 1:30)
email our keyboard department for more details

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Composer Profile: Ēriks Ešenvalds 05 March, 2018

Eriks-2-300x165

Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds (b.1977) is one of the most sought-after composers today, with a busy commission schedule and performances of his music heard on every continent. Customers have been requesting his music more and more frequently, and we know that whenever we see a piece from him, it will be rich, full of challenging divisi, and set to an impactful text.

Ešenvalds studied at the Latvian Baptist Theological Seminary and then went on to obtain his Master’s degree in composition from the Latvian Academy of Music. He has received multiple awards for his works, including the Latvian Grand Music Award (which he has won three times).

Below are some of our favorite Ešenvalds pieces:

StarsStars
(SSAATTBB and water-tuned glasses)
This stunning a cappella work for divisi chorus and six water-tuned glasses utilizes a text by Sara Teasdale. Widely performed by festival and collegiate choirs, and recorded by Voces 8, this beautiful Baltic piece is representative of the modern choral harmonic style with cluster cadences and effectively placed dissonance throughout.

o-salutaris-hostia.jpegO Salutaris Hostia
(SSAATTBB and SS soli)
This marvelous a cappella work in Latin has been performed throughout the world, a superb showcase for small choral ensembles or large choirs.

northern-lights-e1520019827603.jpegNorthern Lights
(SSAATTBB, T solo, power chimes, and water-tuned glasses)
A gorgeous a cappella setting of a Latvian folk song for chorus with soloist, power chimes, and tuned water glasses. The choral text is in English while the soloist sings the Latvian text. With dramatic dynamic changes and alternating sections of lyrical, sustained singing followed by exciting contrasting sections, this modern choral work provides an ethereal setting for the text.

Esenvalds BookSelected Songs for Mixed Choir
Containing almost all of Ēriks Ešenvalds’ pieces for mixed choir, this book is an excellent resource to have on your literature shelf.

**Additionally, Ēriks Ešenvalds will be the Composer-in-Residence at Capital University here in Columbus, OH this month. During his residency, a full concert featuring his music will take place at Capital University, Mees Hall, on March 17, 2017 at 7:30pm (click here for more details).

If you would like more information about these and other similar pieces, visit us 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 across the country, and she spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.

St. Patrick’s Day is Coming! 02 March, 2018

00315064recommended by Barb M., Keyboard and Folk Music Specialist

The Best of Irish Music has 81 of the best Irish songs for St. Patrick’s Day! Everyone must sing “Danny Boy” at some point during the day; “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” is a perennial favorite; and “My Wild Irish Rose” is a great singalong song. I’ll stop before I bore someone to death, but the 78 other songs are just as good! The melody of each song is in the right hand of the piano, so the player can play the songs as solos if no one sings along. The chord names are above the staff, so a guitar player can also join in the fun!

Get ready for St. Patrick’s Day! Call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stanton’s.com, or visit our website at stantons.com for more information. 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.