News & Views Monday, March 18, 2024

Stanton’s E-Tools: Jukebox 29 June, 2018

The amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is. That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier, faster and more enjoyable. In this series of blog posts, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

CaptureAs an extension of our Listening Lab, we are proud to offer Stanton’s Jukebox. Stanton’s Jukebox is a specialized “wish list” where you can add sound samples from our Listening Lab, then use it to:

• Research your music purchases by building a playlist for all the titles you are considering, and then easily compare “apples to apples” as you listen.
• Arrange your concert program bCapturey listening to full-length pieces in order, then rearranging as needed to allow for a variety in tempi and styles.
• Build specific playlists for each of your different ensembles to assist you with your rehearsal planning and score study.
• Generate a personalized URL for each playlist that can be emailed to your ensemble to enhance at-home practice – you can even add custom practice/rehearsal notes to appear with each playlist.
• Forward your playlist to your school administrator or Booster/PTA president when you need to solicit funding for specific music.
• Design separate playlists for different genres or eras of music for your Music History or Music Appreciation students to use during class or with homework.
• Create a list of your favorite works for your personal listening pleasure in your home or office, and let it inspire you to continue strengthening your ensembles!

If you have questions about how to use the Stanton’s Jukebox feature, we also have a quick video tutorial that you can watch, as well as a list of “Frequently Asked Questions.” As always, if you need further information, feel free to call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC or email us at greatservice@stantons.com.

Click here for more in the Stanton’s E-Tools series!

COMING SOON: The Joy of Singing 2018 27 June, 2018

Stanton’s is thrilled to announce The Joy of Singing 2018, featuring the best new music from Hal Leonard! We’re especially 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.

THE JOY OF SINGING: Middle & High School Choir
Friday 8/3/2018, 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 South Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
REGISTRATION: $60 (includes lunch)
New music appropriate for the middle/high school choral singing level (2-part, 3-part mixed, SAB, and SATB). Includes choreography and two spotlight sessions on specific areas.

Our clinicians this year will be John Jacobson, Roger Emerson, and Cristi Cary Miller. Each director will receive a packet of complimentary booklets containing complete editions of arrangements suitable for both school and community choirs. You’ll have ample time to browse Stanton’s store and chat with the clinicians throughout the day.

Visit our previous post for information on how to choose the Stanton’s session that is best for you.

Registration is NOW OPEN – contact us at 1-800-426-8742 or choral@stantons.com for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Pre-Game and Stands Tunes 25 June, 2018

recommended by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist

leon-525716The 2018 marching band season is almost upon us! As you plan, don’t miss the newest marching band charts, including “Believer,” “Feel It Still,” “The Greatest Show,” and “Thunder.”

Looking to freshen up your show with a new arrangement of “The Star-Spangled Banner”? Find great options here!

Warm-ups and percussion cadences? We’ve got ‘em! We can also help you build your library with Stanton’s Five Star Features for pep band books and cheers, fight songs and time outs.

Contact us for personalized recommendations from our Sheet Music Specialists, and remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. Besides music, he geeks out on amusement parks, hockey (are 4 hockey podcasts too many?), and all things Pittsburgh. He spends his free time being dad to 2 young children and playing saxophone with Swing’s the Thing Big Band.

From Belwin Jazz 22 June, 2018

recommended by Ben Huntoon, Jazz Specialist

alfred-46145-fFree Download by Victor Lopez, Grade 1
“Free Download” by Victor López is an easy-to-play Latin bossa with everything written out for the rhythm section and no individual solos. The tempo is around 148 BPM with very accessible brass ranges and plenty of optional parts to include two flutes, two clarinets, and vibraphone. The students will enjoy the title too!

Five Spot After Dark by Benny Golson/arr. Mike Story, Grade 1
A jazz standard played by all the greats, this swing chart is ideal for every young band. Played around 132 BPM, all the ingredients are here: easy tempo, easy ranges, written solos for tenor and trumpet, shout chorus, clear rhythm parts, and plenty of optional parts to include vibes. This one hits the spot!

alfred-46158-fSo Danco Samba arr. Victor Lopez, Grade 2
This great samba that alternates with a brief swing feel. This great samba alternates with a brief swing feel. The tempo is around 158 BPM and it’s tasty with some clever quotes you’ll recognize. Features include written solos for tenor sax, a few piano montuna interludes, and accessible brass ranges. This is a fine Latin samba chart!

Cheep Shot by Kris Berg, Grade 3
We’re back with another chicken-titled funk chart! Written solos are provided for trumpet and tenor but you could add guitar if desired. Lead trumpet range is too written B-flat above the staff with optional high C. The chart is played around 160 BPM and has a great bass part and a sweet drum backbeat too.

alfred-30645-fMakin’ Whoopee by Walter Donaldson/arr. Dave Wolpe, Grade 6
Bass ‘bone players can count on one hand the good charts available for their instrument. Well, here is one of the best, arranged by Dave Wolpe. A medium-swing feel, this showcase will bring the best out in your bass trombone player with no improvisation, just written melody. There is some (written-out) jazz for 2nd trumpet in harmony mute, and the lead trumpet has a unison line to written high E. A nice sax soli is the icing on this cake. An outstanding feature chart.

The Nutcracker Suite arr. Billy Strayhorn & Duke Ellington, Grade 6
This edition of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker Suite,” arranged in 1960 by Billy Strayhorn and Duke Ellington, was assembled from the original manuscripts held in the Strayhorn Repository and the Ellington Collection of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History. For purposes of accuracy, the manuscripts were cross-checked carefully with the original Duke Ellington Orchestra recording (Columbia CS 8341).

About the Author:
Ben Huntoon is the Jazz Education Consultant at Stanton’s Sheet Music. He received bachelors and masters degrees in music from Capital University and The Ohio State University respectively. As a professional trumpeter, Ben is accomplished in a wide variety of genres and has performed throughout the Midwest on many stages over the past 30 years. He also teaches trumpet, coaches brass ensembles and has served on the jazz faculty at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio.

Randall Faber is Coming to Town! 21 June, 2018

Randall Faber 2018 Photo-1The Power of Technique and Artistry
Friday 8/10/2018 9:30-12:00
Stanton’s Sheet Music, James E. Strouse Workshop Hall, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Registration: FREE

Join Steinway artist, composer and author Dr. Randall Faber for this motivating and educational complimentary workshop. Discover Technique Secrets in harmony with repertoire. Benefit from the rich tapestry of Sight, Sound, Story to inspire confidence and expressive performance at every level.

Special discounts and refreshments will be available. Register for this exciting free session online or by phone at 1.800.426.8742, ext. 3. Come join us for an inspirational morning with one of the nation’s leading performers and teachers of piano!

Dr. Randall Faber has appeared as guest artist at universities throughout North America and Asia, including the Beijing Central Conservatory, the Shanghai Conservatory and the Royal Conservatory of Canada. He has been Convention Artist for the Music Teachers National Association Conference and master teacher for the World Conference on Piano Pedagogy, National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, the Australian Piano Pedagogy Conference and the National Piano Teachers Institute. Faber has given recitals throughout the United States, Canada, and Asia. He has appeared on international television and on public radio in live recital broadcast. Here in the U.S. at the invitation of Steinway, Dr. Faber performed a tribute recital on Horowitz’s own legendary piano, receiving a distinguished service award as a Steinway Artist. Dr. Faber holds three degrees from the University of Michigan and a PH.D. in Education and Human Development from Vanderbilt University. His research on motivation and talent development has been featured in journals and media in South Korea, China, Australia, and at the 9th International Conference on Motivation in Lisbon, Portugal.

Creative Programming: For Treble Choirs 20 June, 2018

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

Light of a Clear Blue Morning - WomenLight of a Clear Blue Morning – Dolly Parton, arr. Craig Hella Johnson
Now adapted for SSAA by Richard Gabrillo, Craig Hella Johnson’s setting of Dolly Parton’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning is infused with light and hopefulness as it opens with a solo soprano and gradually builds to a joyful overflowing of sound and vocal texture, then gently relaxing into a reflective conclusion. With soprano recorder.

O Antiqui SanctiO Antiqui Sancti – Hildegard Von Bingen, arr. Michael Engelhardt
This thrilling work for women’s chorus from Michael Engelhardt will offer something totally unique for your program. A mix of sustained vocal lines and articulated passages along with both counterpuntal and homophonic writing make this a truly remarkable composition. This will be a favorite of your singers.

Harriet TubmanHarriet Tubman – arr. Kathleen McGuire
In a new SSAA voicing, this is an outstanding arrangement of the song originally penned by Walter Robinson and a timely honor as the anti-slavery activist’s image will be on the new twenty dollar bill. A cappella vocals build with a “come on up” followed by rhythmic vocals under the hypnotic melody. Optional cabaca part helps to imitate a train along with vocal nuances resembling the sound of chains and a train whistle. Powerful and moving

Ave GenerosaAve Generosa – Ola Gjeilo
This setting of Hildegard von Bingen’s Ave Generosa text uses a hauntingly joyful tonality, paying homage to the mysteious story of Mary. A beautiful middle section is surrounded by contrasting, modal beginning and ending sections. The juxtaposition of sustained and moving moments holds true to the composer’s style, while the harmonic structure and vocal construction offer something very fresh.

For more information about these and other recommendations, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC.

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.

COMING SOON: Elementary General Music Clinic 19 June, 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 is NOW OPEN! Call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC for more information. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

New Year, New Look! 18 June, 2018

new-year-new-lookNotice anything different about us?

We’ve launched our newly redesigned website for musicians and educators to compare all music options, organize titles for personal and professional use, and share their passion for musical expression. The new website is designed to improve your search results and reduce research stress.

“We’ve been working on this website for three years now. The features we are most excited for are the advanced search bar and music-specific filters that offer you more opportunities to find sheet music that fits your educational or performance goals,” said David Ginter, technical manager.

Our search bar is optimized for music specific searches. You can search by instrument, voicing, keyword, full title, composer, artist, arranger, series, or catalog number. However, remember – less is more. If you want to be even more specific, click on our advanced search and type in as much information as you have.

CaptureIf you still have too many results after hitting enter, click on the photo to the left to reveal the filter! All you’ll have to do is chose the tab you want and it will grow to show you how every item is grouped. Say you searched the word “Star,” but you only want to see SAB music – the voicing tab will tell you how many SAB selections are in this search.

We are also introducing new Social Media and Reprise pages. These pages archive our social and email announcements to allow our non-social media users access to our news and product recommendation. You can check in with the Social Media page for a weekly snapshot of what’s happening at Stanton’s and easily follow us without ever logging in.

You can stop scrolling back months at time to find that email with that title you can’t remember the name of, but you know would be perfect! Visit our Reprise page and only look through our emails without any distractions.

“The website is a resource where music directors can easily see, listen, and learn new products that best fit their ensemble needs. What we’ve created is a large music library database. With that database we can help directors and musicians compare ideas, organize their selections, and share with their ensemble and the audiences they reach,” says President, Eric Strouse.

NEW from The Barbershop Harmony Society 15 June, 2018

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

Are you looking for some barbershop-style arrangements to round out your program? Below are some of our favorites:

Bohemian RhapsodyBohemian Rhapsody – arr. Deke Sharon / Adam Scott
As sung by Queen

Sing – arr. Wayne Grimmer
As sung by Pentatonix

The Way You Look Tonight –  arr. Mark Hale
Mark Hale’s brilliant and refreshing treatment as a ballad really lets the lyrics shine.

Stars and Stripes Forever – arr. David Wright
You are sure to energize and impress your audiences with this most marvelous of Sousa marches!

Africa – arr. Alex Morris
Energetic, rhythmic, and a joy to sing, Whether performing a cappella or with a percussionist or two, this arrangement is sure to be an audience favorite!

Lullabye (Goonight My Angel)Lullabye – arr. Kirk Young
This simple, elegant arrangement is a cherished favorite from the BHS catalog, Kirk Young’s setting of this Billy Joel ballad was performed by 1993 Quartet Champs, Gas House Gang.

My Romance – arr. Burt Szabo
Szabo’s setting of this beloved standard is elegant, understated, and refined.

For more information about these and other arrangements, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC ext.1.

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.

Stanton’s E-Tools: Digital Delivery 13 June, 2018

CaptureThe amazing staff at Stanton’s knows how valuable your time is. That’s why we try to provide you with as many tools as we can to make choosing music easier, faster and more enjoyable. In this series, we will be profiling our E-tools. Whether you are a local customer here in Columbus, OH or one of our many friends around the world, we hope you will find a way to use our E-tools!

It’s happened to all of us:
– You have a rehearsal or a performance in a few days (or a few hours!) and you’ve lost your music.
– It’s the day before a competition and your judges’ copies are nowhere to be found.
– You desperately need something new and fresh for your church choir to start on tonight.

Stanton’s Digital Delivery can come to your rescue!

Using our Digital Delivery website, you can purchase thousands of titles and print them at home within minutes. Many popular scores (including pop, Broadway, country, etc) can be transposed to the key of your choosing, so you’ll always be able to have piece in a comfortable range for you.

Lead lines can also be transposed for instruments such as trumpet, clarinet, saxophone and French horn. Many titles are available in convenient PDF format, so they’re ready to use right on your tablet!

You can access our Digital Delivery site directly by clicking here, where you can browse options for bands, orchestras, choirs, and solos for many different instruments.

Capture1You can also use the regular Stanton’s website, where titles available for Digital Delivery have a printer icon next to their descriptions. Clicking on that icon will take you directly to that item’s page on the Digital Delivery website, where you can purchase and print.

For questions about how to use the Stanton’s Digital Delivery Site, please feel free to give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC or visit us online or in person!

Click here for more in the Stanton’s E-Tools series!

Music Express Magazine 2018-2019: NOW AVAILABLE! 11 June, 2018

Music Express stackedJohn Jacobson’s MUSIC EXPRESS is the classroom magazine for young musicians in grades K-6. We’re excited to announce that annual subscriptions are now available through Stanton’s Sheet Music!

Music Express is a complete K-6 music curriculum that brings joy and fun to the music classroom, but also makes your job easier. Music Express Magazine provides music teachers with all the tools they need to revolutionize their classrooms. With a subscription to Music Express, educators take their music lessons to a new level with a wealth of theory-based resources in every issue.

With a yearly subscription, you’ll get:
– Digital interactive lessons to use with your classroom technology
– iSong rehearsal tool for selected songs
– 96 songs and music lessons for classroom and concert
– Over 180 professional recordings
– Step-by-step lesson plans with clearly-stated goals, assessments, worksheets, vocabulary words, tech tips, material lists, and more
– 30+ choreography videos by John Jacobson
– 6 folk dancing demonstration videos
– 6 NEW episodes of The Music Show
– 6 interactive listening lessons with recordings
– 5 spotlight videos
– 3 complete concert programs
– Songs and lessons for Orff instruments, recorder, and classroom percussion instruments
– Movement songs and concept teaching songs
– Creative, writing, movement, and extension activities
– 6 motivational articles by John Jacobson
– AND MORE…all delivered to your school 6 times a year!

All subscribers receive the Premium Plus package, and can also receive printed student editions and physical CDs and DVD-ROMs on request. Contact Stanton’s now to subscribe!

Middle School General Music: Composition 08 June, 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 been 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 composition in the classroom:

Composing Under Construction by D. Brian Weese
Teaching composition is easy and engaging with this step-by-step workbook that guides your students through writing notes, analyzing music, and composing their own. It begins with simple notation practice, and by the last page, students will be composing six-measure melodies using a variety of notes and pitches. This book is especially effective in classrooms using the recorder, but flexible enough that students’ compositions can be played on any pitched instrument you choose.

Mission: Composition by Matthew C. Cremisio
Your mission, should you choose to accept it: develop music literacy that won’t self-destruct! Beginning with steady-beat development and progressing through improvisation to reading and writing standard notation, this comprehensive music literacy program culminates in student composition. To assist your mission, manipulatives, play-along tracks, reproducible worksheets, and assessment rubrics appear on the included CD.

Find more classroom music resources on our website, and 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.

COMING SOON: Excellence in Choral Literature 2018 06 June, 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 is NOW OPEN! 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!

AMERICANA for Orchestra 04 June, 2018

recommended by Dan C., Orchestra Music Specialist

String Teachers – here are some excellent String Orchestra pieces evoking the feel of Americana for young string students. They’re perfect for summer camps and workshops!

Deep Wood by Frank J. Halferty, Grade 3
Reminiscent of Jazz-Bluegrass that Bela Fleck and the Flecktones might offer, Deep Wood puts the cellos and basses in the spotlight, but keeps everyone on their toes with rhythmic layering, bluesy-greasy glissandi and wild color chords. Sounding way harder than it is, it features short duets for principal first & second violin and principal cello & bass plus one short violin solo. For everyone else, just count and groove!

The Girl I Left Behind Me arr. Sandra Dackow, Grade 0.5
All in first position with straightforward rhythms and thematic parts for everyone, this poignant song arranged by Sandra Dackow will be a wonderful addition to any concert. The Girl I Left Behind Me first appears in 18th century Ireland, often known as “Brighton Camp.” It emigrated to the United States along with many other Anglo/Scots/Irish folk tunes and became a popular marching song for soldiers. During the American Civil War, soldiers in both the Confederate and Union armies sang it. A number of cultures have embraced this song, adding their own local lyrics.

Lonesome Valley arr. Jason Krug, Grade 2
From a plaintive and prayerful opening in solo violin, this arrangement of a well-known spiritual builds in power and emotion with each successive verse. The melody passes between voices, and frequent and varied countermelodies are employed throughout, providing ensembles the chance to work on balance of parts. One key change, from G to D, should pose little difficulty. A rich and nuanced selection to challenge your ensemble’s musicality!

When Johnny Comes Marching Home arr. Sandra Dackow, Grade 2.5
An exciting arrangement by Sandra Dackow that students will love to play that remains in first position with strong eighth-note passages and great parts for all. This piece appears in the 1800s and is embraced as traditional folk music by both Ireland and the United States, where it is popularly known as When Johnny Comes Marching Home. The original words “Johnny I Hardly Knew Ye” are sung by the song’s narrator, a young Irish woman who watched her loved one run away to soldier in a war far away. When he finally does return home to her and his child, he is broken, but she still takes him in and loves him. In more recent times the song has become, in some ways, an anti-war anthem. The American words of the song were popular with both the Confederate and Union Armies during the US Civil War.

Contact us for more information, and don’t forget – 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.

New Arrangements from the Silver Screen 01 June, 2018

recommended by Ken Tilger, Band Education Specialist

leon-04005443-fThis Is Me (from The Greatest Showman) arr. Michael Brown, Grade 3
From the songwriting team who brought us “Dear Evan Hansen” and “La La Land,” the movie musical “The Greatest Showman” is based on the true story of P.T. Barnum with Hugh Jackman in the title role. This arrangement of the powerful anthem from the film is a dynamic showcase for the concert stage.

Back to the Future arr. Michael Sweeney, Grade 1.5
Specifically arranged for second year players, here is a great-sounding version of this classic movie theme featuring limited ranges and easy rhythms.

leon-04005400-fThe Best of James Bond arr. Paul Murtha, Grade 2
Featuring some of the best-known spy themes from the silver screen, here is a very playable medley of James Bond soundtrack favorites through the years. Includes: James Bond Theme, Goldfinger, Live and Let Die, and Skyfall.

Danny Elfman: Music in the Dark arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2
The film music of Danny Elfman is often dark and sinister, but always unique and interesting. This entertaining medley for young players includes themes from “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “Spider-Man,” and “This is Halloween” from “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”

alfred-46630-fSelections from The Lego Ninjago Movie arr. Patrick Roszell, Grade 2
From the blockbuster film score, this electric medley features “Heroes,” “Found My Place,” and “Operation New Me.” Every member has a shot at the melody. Bring the excitement of the film to your stage!

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales arr. Michael Brown, Grade 3
From the 2017 installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” saga, the soundtrack by Geoff Zanelli features powerful themes that effectively capture the emotions of the film. Here’s a well-paced and dramatic medley for the concert stage.

leon-04005441-fRemember Me (from Coco) arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2
Pixar Studios strikes gold again with their imaginative and original animated film “Coco.” With a story of Mexican folklore and with characteristic music, here is a wonderful setting of the Academy Award winning main song. The opening is in a ballad style, and then shifts to a faster tempo with a mariachi flavor.

About the Author:
Ken is a former band director, and has been with Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. Besides music, he geeks out on amusement parks, hockey (are 3 hockey podcasts too many?), and all things Pittsburgh. He spends his free time being dad to 2 young children and playing saxophone with Swing’s the Thing Big Band.