Especially for Elementary Choir Friday, September 25, 2020
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral & Classroom Music Specialists
The Bicycle by Andy Beck, 2-part with piano
Once again, composer Andy Beck captures the magic of childhood in a piece that’s written expressly for developing choirs. Ample echo-singing and sensible vocal ranges will help young singers take off the training wheels and quickly find success. Add in a positive message about the power of persistence, and you’ve got a winning combination!
Crawdad Creek arr. Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid, 2-part with piano & optional fiddle
Your students will have a blast performing the simple body percussion that enhances this partner-song setting of the two popular American folk songs “Crawdad Song” and “Cripple Creek.” A perfect opportunity for introducing harmony and developing part independence, this arrangement offers great educational options as well being a strong performance piece. Add the fiddle for even more fun!
Friendship Canon by Mark Burrows, 2-part with piano
How many ways can you say “friend”? Mark weaves a sweetly singable canon out of the word “friend” in 16 different languages, spanning cultures from six continents. A flexible coda at the end offers the opportunity for additional languages, allowing you to customize the piece to reflect the unique makeup of your choir and community.
Oye by Jim Papoulis, Unison with piano & optional percussion and bass
Now available for unison voices, Jim Papoulis created this uplifting Spanish original as a result of his work with children in Mexico. The message that the Mexican children wanted to convey to the world: “Listen.”
Rocky Top arr. Cristi Cary Miller, 2-part with piano
The husband and wife writing team of Felice Bryant and Diadorius Boudleaux wrote numerous hits for artists like Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers in the ’50s and ’60s. This bluegrass standard, one of Tennessee’s official state songs, is presented and arranged skillfully for young voices in choir.
Gonna Sing (When the Spirit Says Sing) arr. Andy Beck, 2-part a cappella with percussion
The familiar African-American spiritual in a fresh rhythmic setting! Opening with just a shaker and unison voices, a tapestry of percussion ostinatos and traditional choral harmony gradually unfolds before returning back to the clean lines of the beginning. Well-planned key changes ensure successful a cappella modulations for less-experienced groups. Three notated percussion parts are included in the publication.
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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!