Choral POPS for Spring 2018 Friday, March 16, 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
This 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
Dance 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
Stand 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
Jai 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.