News & Views Thursday, March 28, 2024

“Let’s Sing a Sleighing Song!” Monday, October 15, 2018

recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialist

Feature your elementary choir this winter with one of these great octavos, as featured on Stanton’s Elementary General Music Clinic with Cristi Cary Miller:

alfred-46535-fCandy-Covered Gingerbread House by Andy Beck & Brian Fisher
So sweet it might just give you a toothache! This scrumptiously jazzy holiday novelty number is fantastically fun. Optional harmonies make it easy to tailor the piece to the ability level of your group, and it’s a tasty tune for adding some choreography. Staging is available on the Movin’ DVD. Not to be missed!

Christmas Eve Is Coming Soon by Dave & Jean Perry
This traditional German carol is from the Hunsruck/Taunus region and is traditionally sung on Nikolausabend (Nicholas Eve) on December 5th in anticipation of the Feast of Saint Nicholas on December 6th. The translation for “Lasst uns froh und munter sein” is “Let us be happy and cheerful”. In this delightful setting, the carol has been expanded with the addition of a brief “fa la la” section to bridge the central theme. Although the English text has been translated and adapted with additional singable lyrics, it follows the spirit of the original German.

leon-523372Et In Terra Pax by Greg Gilpin
The traditional Latin text of “peace and goodwill to men” has been stunningly set for young voices for developing choirs. The beautiful melody and thoughtful part writing create a work suitable for most any time of year and is appropriate for school or church.

Let’s Sing a Sleighing Song Tonight! by Greg Gilpin
Come join the winter festivities as we go dashing through the snow on a sleigh ride! A lively original melody leads to the rhythmic and spritely “jing-a jing, jingle, jingle” phrases which frame the ever-popular Jingle Bells. Add some sleigh bells and let the fun begin!

chorgd-cge245-fNino Querido arr. Mark Burrows
An absolutely charming arrangement of this delightful Spanish folk song! The gentle melody and soothing text are first sung in unison and then in two-part or three-part canon. The original middle section is sung in English and propels the natural flow to return to the traditional melody in canon form. There is an English text option provided, although the Spanish text is preferred. A Spanish pronunciation guide and translation are also included.

For more holiday suggestions for your young choir, please contact us, and 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.

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