Pop A Cappella for Spring 2019 Monday, April 08, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
When I Think About Angels arr. Bryan Sharpe, SATB a cappella with solo
This sweet Jamie O’Neal pop country hit makes a perfect contemporary a cappella arrangement, and Bryan Sharpe’s writing preserves all the bubbly fun of the original! A driving vocal bass line, upper voices that alternate between laying down the groove and singing the original backing vocals, and a solo feature for a standout singer.
Count On Me arr. Andy Beck, SATB a cappella with optional piano, ukulele, or guitar
Superstar Bruno Mars wrote this friendship song for his debut album “Doo-Wops & Hooligans.” This attractive arrangement is accompanied by piano with optional ukulele or guitar. Plus, the SATB can even be sung a cappella. Sopranos take the melody, while the other parts provide supportive harmonic grooves and stylized backing vocals. Familiar, flexible, and fun!
Make Someone Happy arr. Mark Hayes, SATB divisi a cappella
An opulent harmonic palette of “oos” and “ahs” opens this richly expressive rendition of the tender jazz standard. Then, gently pulsing a cappella “doos” support the melody before all of the voices blossom in gorgeous chorus: “Love is the answer. Someone to love is the answer.”
Superstition arr. Paul Langford, SATB a cappella
Stevie Wonder made it to number one with this song in 1973 and it’s ranked as No. 74 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Paul Langford has turned this tune on its head with a fabulous a cappella version for mixed voices imitating the original recording’s instrumental and vocal style. A programming dream for a cappella singing.
That Lonesome Road arr. Kirby Shaw, TTBB a cappella
James Taylor’s beautiful ballad gains new life in this simply stated a cappella setting by arranger Kirby Shaw. Sensible voice leading makes chords easy to tune, uncomplicated rhythms allow the text to speak. Awesome, accessible writing in every edition.
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.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!