NEW for Jazz Choir Tuesday, May 28, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Bluesette arr. Paris Rutherford, SATB with piano & rhythm
With a melody written by the legendary harmonica player Toots Thielemans, this jazz standard has been covered by 100s of musicians. This arrangement begins simply and purely allowing your jazz choir to establish a groove. A sample scat solo is offered as a beginning point with solid choral underpinning for support. A final time through verse and chorus offers very contemporary jazz harmonies voiced in a way that will ensure success.
The Look of Love arr. Paris Rutherford, SATB with piano & rhythm
The theme song from the 1967 James Bond spoof “Casino Royale” is a beautiful song by the dynanic writing duo of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Recorded by many singers representing countless musical styles, this song continues to speak to contemporary singers and audiences. Wonderful pop/jazz stylings have been written into this arrangement allowing your choir to be successful no matter what their experience level is.
Moonlight In Vermont arr. Darmon Meader, SATB with piano & rhythm
Darmon Meader has achieved international recognition for his work with The New York Voices. Here he arranges this beautiful ballad in the style fitting of this iconic ensemble. Lush, contemporary jazz harmonies and styles define this arrangement with each vocal line featured as if they were soloists. Chord symbols are included for the accomplished jazz pianist but the realized piano part is worthy of any player. This is a “swing ballad” that will leave your audience breathless.
A Night in Tunisia arr. Paris Rutherford, SATB with piano & rhythm
This jazz standard by the great Dizzy Gillespie is here arranged using an alternative Latin Swing and a straight swing style. There is lots of room to feature soloists along with an ensemble scat section. This is an important song from the Bebop era of jazz and a great arrangement by one of the great jazz educators.
Sister Sadie arr. Paris Rutherford, SATB with piano & rhythm
Here is a hard driving, hard swinging standard that features both your pianist/combo and your choir. A full one time through the form as an intro really sets the stage for a stylish rendering. Unison chorals cover the first verse and then break into a choral scat that is hot. There is even a spot to feature your drummer if you have one worth featuring.
What a Wonderful World arr. Paris Rutherford, SATB a cappella
This iconic pop song has been covered by countless artists from all musical genres. The message is positive and this arrangement is accessible by all levels of ensembles. There are beautiful passages to feature your solo singers, unison passages that set up the choir for success and beautiful harmonies that color the texts and give the singers a chance to paint the lyrics. This is a real winner.
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!