Out in the Snow! Friday, October 18, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists
Bundle up for wintertime with your elementary choir and feature one of these fun new pieces! We’ve carefully selected these titles to help you teach young singers in grades 3-6 the basics of singing in an ensemble, reading an octavo, and following a conductor – valuable skills for young musicians!
Out in the Snow! by Andy Beck, 2-part with piano
“Let’s go! Everybody out in the snow.” This rockin’ call-and-response crowd-pleaser is all about sleds, snowboards, making snowmen, snow angels, and even having “a friendly snowball fight.” And with no mention of the holidays, you can sing it all winter long. Optional choreography (printed in the score and available as a downloadable video) will get your singers movin’ and groovin’!
Ring-a Ring-a Ring (with Jingle Bells) arr. Mark Weston, 2-part with piano
“Ring-a ring-a ring those bells on the sleigh … Over the hilltop, and through the valley, let the bells take us away.” This bright, up-beat tune partners with the “Jingle Bells” melody to create a holiday hit! Use the piano accompaniment or the exuberant synth track for an instant audience favorite on your December concert.
Watching It Snow by David Waggoner, 2-part with piano
The buoyant melody, light syncopations, and simple beginning harmonies nearly sing themselves in this sweet ballad about observing winter through a frosted windowpane. Vivid imagery evokes a chill, while tender music provides warmth. “Nothing to do. Nowhere to go. I’m happy here, just watching it snow.”
Rockin’ with Santa (Medley) arr. Mac Huff, 2-part with piano
This medley of classic Christmas songs is a holiday confection! Incorporating three different styles of rock ‘n’ roll, this medley includes “Rockin Around the Christmas Tree,” “Santa, Bring My Baby Back (to Me)” and “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.”
Now, Everyone, Wassail! (with Gloucestershire Wassail) arr. Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid, 2-part with piano & optional flute and glockenspiel
Come join the Christmas festivities as we go caroling to welcome the yuletide in this delightful partner song featuring a lively original melody paired with the traditional English carol “Gloucestershire Wassail.” Flute and glockenspiel parts add to the fun of this joyous offering for young choirs.
Find more winter fun in our Listening Lab, or contact us for more ideas. 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!