Creative Programming: For Middle School Boys Friday, June 07, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Keeping boys happily singing through their voice change is one of the best ways to ensure that they will be life-long musicians! We recommend these new options to engage and feature your young men:
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First Songs for the Emerging Tenor-Bass Choir by Mark Patterson, Unison/2-part unchanged voices with piano
Written and arranged to meet the challenges of finding quality repertoire for emerging unchanged male singers, Mark Patterson hits the mark with this set of three songs. “First Songs for the Emerging Tenor-Bass Choir” offers directors a wide variety teachable material and is a staple for any middle school choral library. Includes: “Come Sail Away with Me,” “A Future Shared,” and “Gloucester Moors.”
CLASSICAL LITERATURE
Hallelujah, Amen by G.F. Handel/arr. Greg Gilpin, TB with piano
Introduce your men’s ensemble to this powerful chorus from Handel’s oratorio “Judas Maccabeus.” Adapted for men in just two voice parts, this arrangement preserves much of the original counterpoint. A wonderful piece for exploring melismatic phrases, developing vocal agility, and encouraging breath control. Most importantly, it’s an achievable masterwork for your guys!
Linden Lea by Ralph Vaughan Williams/arr. Larry Shackley, TB with piano
This lovely popular Vaughan Williams vocal solo has been transformed into a delightful concert or contest title for two-part men’s groups. The original vocal line has been enhanced with delightful counterpoint and harmonic shadings carrying the descriptive lyrics through three verses. Destined to become a repertoire standard!
MASTERWORK TEXTS
Sing Me a Song of a Lad That Is Gone by Victor C. Johnson, TB with piano
History and music join together in this super accessible original setting of the beloved Robert Louis Stevenson poem about the exile of Bonnie Prince Charlie to the Isle of Skye after his defeat in the Jacobean uprising of 1745. Beginning and ending in a comfortable major key, the minor middle section provides a delightful contrast. Your choir will love it!
POP TUNES
I Heard It Through the Grapevine arr. Audrey Snyder, TB with piano
This Motown classic was made popular by Marvin Gaye in 1968. It is still stylish and full of fun for any combination of voices. Young men will love the chance to bring this classic to life.
The Lion Sleeps Tonight arr. Roger Emerson, TB with piano, optional djembe & shaker
Here is one of the most popular “Doo-wop” songs ever. This arrangement features percussion parts for djembe and shaker, a simple piano part and ranges that are perfect for young singers. The “call and response” form allows for easy learning. Every parent in the audience will know the tune, making it lots of fun for them to join in if they want.
Contact us for more recommendations, and 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.
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!