News & Views Sunday, November 02, 2025

Earth Symphony by Jake Runestad
“Earth Symphony,” the EMMY® award-winning, ground-breaking choral symphony from composer Jake Runestad and librettist Todd Boss, is a 5-part dramatic monologue from the voice of a post-anthropocene Mother Earth. The work imagines Earth’s hope for humanity, her discovery of its power, her ruination at its hands, her lament at its loss, and her recovery. By anthropomorphizing Earth herself, drawing on the familiar earth-mother trope,

“Earth Symphony” enables entry into our own ecological shame, guilt, responsibility, potential, and redemption, all from a wide-angled, time-telescoped lens, thereby asking our most immediately pressing environmental questions in an entirely new way.

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SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville OH 43081
Presented by Mary McDonald
$25.00

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Sacred Choral Music reading session. With a career that spans over forty years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1200 compositions through anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to church music. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.”

In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. Since then, she has been in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends as well as served as host for many of the top choral music dealer conferences in the United States and Canada.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 30 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. Please note that there is no pre-registration for this session – all registration will take place on-site beginning at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you on August 10th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Contact the Choral Department for more information on the Sacred Choral reading session.

SACRED PIANO READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Presented by Mary McDonald
$5.00

Join us at Stanton’s Sheet Music for an afternoon of listening to new selections of sacred piano music that will be enjoyable to play in church or at home. Our clinician this year is Mary McDonald.

Contact the Keyboard Department for more information on the Sacred Piano reading session.

recommended by Austin Swack, Instrumental Education Specialist

The Grand Bazaar by Erica Donahoe, Grade 2.5
This twirling Tarantella transports us right to a busy market where beautiful goods, colorful spices, and happy people dance about in joy. A perfect way to start or end a concert, “The Grand Bazaar” is a winner!

Frostbite by Erica Donahoe, Grade 2.5
“Frostbite” by Erica Donahoe captures the icy blasts and chilling wind of a winter storm. This piece uses driving rhythms and repeated sixteenth-note passages to amplify the intensity of the melody. The opening theme returns at the end of the piece in a fugue-like setting that is sure to challenge your students and bring the piece to an exciting finish!

A Wicked Waltz by Erica Donahoe, Grade 3
There is something about this waltz that is just…wicked! From the onset, the tempo and rhythmic pulse will keep musicians and audiences stuck to their seats. Lots of style and technique to hone in this great new work for the advancing string musician.

Across the Plains by Erica Donahoe, Grade 2.5
Feel the wind sweeping across the land beneath a wide open sky. This uplifting theme in G major captures the spirit of adventure as players journey through a melodic and harmonic landscape. Light staccato accompaniments dot the fields like wildflowers as the syncopated melody rises from distant majestic mountains, leading to an exhilarating key change to D major. Take wing and soar with this joyful concert selection.

Dark Magic by Erica Donahoe, Grade 1
“Dark Magic” is the perfect piece for a spooky fall concert. With simple rhythms and finger patterns, your beginning players can feel confident and sound great on this piece. Encourage your students to pay attention to the articulations such as the accents and staccatos to really bring the magic to life!

Winter Winds Waltz by Erica Donahoe, Grade 2.5
Chilly winds, frozen branches and icy streets – this waltz conjures up all the frosty images of winter! Inspired by the Shostakovich Waltz No. 2, students will love the quick tempo and minor key of this piece. Directors will love contrasting legato melodies and spiccato figures, offering valuable lessons to help the orchestra develop a mature and balanced sound.

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About the Author:
Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!

The Songs of Pasek and Paul
Celebrate the brilliance of Tony, Grammy, and Academy Award-winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul with this brand-new song collection! Featuring 26 selections from 14 musicals including “Dear Evan Hansen,” “The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land,” and more, this book brings together their most beloved and inspiring songs in one essential volume. Each song is beautifully arranged for piano and voice. Whether you’re a budding performer, a shower soprano, or a professional player looking for unforgettable repertoire, these arrangements are perfect for pianists and vocalists.

Titles include: “Audition (The Fools Who Dream)” (from La La Land); “City of Stars” (from La La Land); “For Forever” (from Dear Evan Hansen); “Good Afternoon” (from Spirited); “Like Breathing” (from Edges); “Look for the Light” (from Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building); “A Million Dreams” (from The Greatest Showman); “Never Enough” (from The Greatest Showman); “This Is Me” (from The Greatest Showman); “Waving Through a Window” (from Dear Evan Hansen); “You Will Be Found” (from Dear Evan Hansen); and more.

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recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist

Choral Repertoire by Women Composers edited by Hilary Apfelstadt
In recent years, the choral profession has become especially mindful of recognizing a broad spectrum of composers, but scholarly materials have not kept pace. In fact, a survey of the available academic writings on choral music reveals a startling lack of information about women composers.

“Choral Repertoire by Women Composers” addresses this gap by highlighting the lives and music of more than 200 women choral composers spanning different time periods and geographic locations. Their choral works – expressive, compelling, and innovative – represent a diversity of styles and are suitable for choirs of varied ages and experience. Nearly 2,000 unique works are listed in this edition.

Though impossible to include every deserving composer and piece, this timely volume covers considerable ground, spotlighting the important contributions women composers have made to choral music throughout history and across the world.

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About the Author:
Jen Sper is a Choral Music Specialist here at Stanton’s Sheet Music. A native of Cincinnati, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College (now University) Conservatory of Music, and taught 7-12 choir, music theory, class piano, and drama in Southern Ohio before joining the Stanton’s team in 2006. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, Jen can also often be found exploring the exciting restaurant, brewery, and theater scenes in Columbus, wandering through the local metro parks, visiting family around the Great Lakes, or at home with her very friendly cat.

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville OH 43081
Presented by Mary McDonald
$25.00

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Sacred Choral Music reading session. With a career that spans over forty years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1200 compositions through anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to church music. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.”

In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. Since then, she has been in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends as well as served as host for many of the top choral music dealer conferences in the United States and Canada.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 30 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. Please note that there is no pre-registration for this session – all registration will take place on-site beginning at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you on August 10th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Contact the Choral Department for more information on the Sacred Choral reading session.

SACRED PIANO READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Presented by Mary McDonald
$5.00

Join us at Stanton’s Sheet Music for an afternoon of listening to new selections of sacred piano music that will be enjoyable to play in church or at home. Our clinician this year is Mary McDonald.

Contact the Keyboard Department for more information on the Sacred Piano reading session.

The Summer Portraits by Ludovico Einaudi
Ludovico Einaudi returns with brand new album, “The Summer Portraits.”

“I started to think of my summers, the time when my life was deeply connected with all my senses, where the days felt like months and the months like years, and I was free from morning to night, and every day was a new discovery of life, with nature being a fundamental part of it. We were one with nature.”

“I thought that everyone has their own version of the summer portraits. A beautiful season connected with the best moments of our lives. So I started to make my own paintings with music. This album is dedicated to all our endless summer memories, all our beautiful moments.” – Ludovico Einaudi

This exclusive, official folio presents all 13 pieces from the album in piano solo format. Title include: “Rose Bay,” “Punta Bianca,” “Sequence,” “Pathos,” “To Be Sun,” “Jay,” “In Memory of a Dream,” “In Limine,” “Summer Song,” “Oil on Wood,” “Episode One,” “Maria Callas,” and “Santiago.”

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A Little Jazz Mass by Bob Chilcott, SAB with piano and optional bass & drum kit
Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, this highly original and effective concert setting of the five-movement Latin Missa brevis embraces a variety of jazz styles. The stylistic piano accompaniment can be played as written or serve as a guide, and bass and drums can join in ad lib, though a notated bass part is also available.

Originally written for SSA treble voices and also available for SATB mixed voices.

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Kindness: A Chorale and Fugue in the Baroque Tradition by Mark Hayes
If you enjoy singing Baroque music and value the importance of kindness, courage and compassion, this new 30 minute through-composed work by Mark Hayes for chorus, soprano and tenor soloists and orchestra is for you.

Drawing from the writings of ancient and contemporary authors, the original text of “Kindness,” written by Hayes, seeks to answer the question, “How then shall we live, especially in a world that seems so dysfunctional?” The answer: live with kindness, courage and compassion. When we are joined as one in our pursuit of these values, we can make a lasting impact. To quote Margaret Mead, “Never underestimate the ability of a small group of committed individuals to change the world.”

“Kindness” is set in the Baroque tradition and features an original chorale tune with three separate texts, a fugue, both conventional and retrograde, recitative-like sections for the soprano and tenor soloists and extensive instrumental interludes. As a nod to Baroque masters such as Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frideric Handel, Hayes included passages imitating “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and “Hallelujah Chorus.”

This work is perfect for high school and college choirs as well as community and church choirs. The text is intentionally not sacred, rather universal in its appeal. Imagine how the music and message of this work could join a community together in the pursuit of kindness, courage and compassion. It’s what the world needs.. now.

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Jon Batiste: Beethoven Blues
Inspired by the timeless beauty of classical music and the raw emotion of blues, Jon Batiste’s “Beethoven Blues” reimagines tradition with a modern voice. Our new matching songbook features all 11 tracks from the acclaimed solo piano album, with transcriptions approved by the five-time GRAMMY Award® winner himself.

Titles include: “American Symphony Theme,” “Dusklight Movement,” “5th Symphony in Congo Square,” “Für Elise – Batiste,” “Für Elise – Reverie,” “Life of Ludwig,” “Moonlight Sonata Blues,” “Ode to Joyful,” “7th Symphony Elegy,” “Symphony No. 5 Stomp,” and “Waldstein Wobble.”

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recommended by Ken Tilger and Austin Swack, Band Education Specialists

Beetlejuice (Main Theme) arr. Michael Brown, Grade 3
Your concert band will love this excellent arrangement of the quirky, mischievous, and spooky theme from the classic movie that has become a staple of popular culture. Perfect for Halloween concerts or as a fun addition to any program.

Beetlejuice (Main Theme) arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2 Flex-Band
An outstanding arrangement of one of the most recognizable movie themes ever that captures the spooky, quirky, and ethereal sounds of the original while being scored for flexible instrumentation. Your young musicians will have so much fun practicing they won’t even realize they are learning various articulations, dynamics, and chromatics.

This Is Halloween arr. Johnnie Vinson, Grade 2
“Boys and girls of every age. Would you like to see something strange?” Young concert bands are now able to enjoy one of the most popular movie songs of all time. An excellent choice for reinforcing chromaticism this is perfect for programming at anytime of the year!

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About the Authors:
A former band director, Ken taught grades 5-12 band and music appreciation in both public and parochial schools in Central Ohio, and has been at Stanton’s since 2004. His iPod ranges from jazz and funk to classic and alternative rock, and symphonies. His interests include reading, history, traditional amusement parks, outdoor activities (especially hiking), and watching hockey.

Austin Swack joined the Stanton’s team after a decade of teaching band in Texas public schools, where his ensembles were consistently recognized for superior performance. He is equally at home with beginner and advanced students and has extensive experience programming for ensembles at all ability levels. Additionally, he is a versatile arranger as well as an experienced clinician and adjudicator. In his free time, Austin enjoys running, cycling, and cheering on the Blue Jackets!

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville OH 43081
Presented by Mary McDonald
$25.00

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Sacred Choral Music reading session. With a career that spans over forty years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1200 compositions through anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to church music. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.”

In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. Since then, she has been in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends as well as served as host for many of the top choral music dealer conferences in the United States and Canada.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 30 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. Please note that there is no pre-registration for this session – all registration will take place on-site beginning at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you on August 10th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Contact the Choral Department for more information on the Sacred Choral reading session.

SACRED PIANO READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Presented by Mary McDonald
$5.00

Join us at Stanton’s Sheet Music for an afternoon of listening to new selections of sacred piano music that will be enjoyable to play in church or at home. Our clinician this year is Mary McDonald.

Contact the Keyboard Department for more information on the Sacred Piano reading session.

SACRED CHORAL READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Church of the Messiah, 51 N. State Street, Westerville OH 43081
Presented by Lloyd Larson
$25.00

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Sacred Choral Music reading session. With a career that spans over forty years, her songs appear in the catalogs of every major publisher of church music. More than 1200 compositions through anthems, seasonal musicals and keyboard collections testify to her significant contribution to church music. Her greatest desire is “to give God glory for the songs He has allowed me to compose. He alone, is the true Creator behind my pen.”

In 2011, after serving as sacred music editor for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio for more than twenty years, Mary answered a new call. Now she takes her tremendous passion and love for music making directly to churches as an independent artist. Since then, she has been in constant demand in churches across the nation for composer weekends as well as served as host for many of the top choral music dealer conferences in the United States and Canada.

Your registration for the clinic includes a packet of over 30 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. Please note that there is no pre-registration for this session – all registration will take place on-site beginning at 8:30 a.m. We look forward to seeing you on August 10th for a wonderful morning of singing with one of the nation’s most sought after church music experts.

Contact the Choral Department for more information on the Sacred Choral reading session.

SACRED PIANO READING SESSION
Saturday August 9, 2025
2:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Stanton’s Sheet Music, 330 S. Fourth Street, Columbus OH 43215
Presented by Mary McDonald
$5.00

Join us at Stanton’s Sheet Music for an afternoon of listening to new selections of sacred piano music that will be enjoyable to play in church or at home. Our clinician this year is Mary McDonald.

Contact the Keyboard Department for more information on the Sacred Piano reading session.

recommended by Jen Sper and Lisa Springer, School Choral Music Specialists

World O World by Jacob Collier, SATB divisi a cappella
The final track on Jacob Collier’s four-part, genre-bending, award-winning and world-conquering “Djesse” album series, this seven minute choral opus was recorded in partnership with Jason Max Ferdinand and the Aeolians of Oakwood University. Hymn-like throughout, the moving lyrics and harmonic language crescendo into an astonishing climax worthy of being the current denouement on the celebrated 30-year old’s remarkable catalog of work. Also available in a simplified version, approved by the composer.

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About the Authors:
Jen Sper is a Choral Music Specialist here at Stanton’s Sheet Music. A native of Cincinnati, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College (now University) Conservatory of Music, and taught 7-12 choir, music theory, class piano, and drama in Southern Ohio before joining the Stanton’s team in 2006. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, Jen can also often be found exploring the exciting restaurant, brewery, and theater scenes in Columbus, wandering through the local metro parks, visiting family around the Great Lakes, or at home with her very friendly cat.

Lisa Springer joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2023. She taught middle and high school choirs for 27 years in addition to serving as Artistic Director of the Columbus Women’s Chorus. She holds degrees from Heidelberg University and Cleveland Institute of Music. She has enjoyed an extensive professional singing career and continues to perform in the greater Columbus area. During her free time, she enjoys spending time in southern Ohio playing with her grandchildren.

Music Is More Than Technique: A Guide to Why and How by Dennis Shrock
In recent decades, the classical music of past eras has appeared on concert programs less and less frequently despite its historical significance and artistic merit.

In this volume, noted scholar Dennis Shrock argues that expressive performances which transcend mere technical precision – correct notes, rhythms, and articulations – will generate renewed interest in the musical masterpieces of the past.

Using primary source quotations and music excerpts from the Medieval through Modern eras, Shrock explains how to perform historic music authentically and artfully, revealing its innate nature as intended by the composer.

In this way, the music of past eras – like its counterparts in visual art and architecture – may be “restored” to its original state and appreciated by performers and audiences alike, ensuring its continued relevance and rightful place on concert programs for generations to come.

A balance of scholarship and practical performance tips, “Music Is More Than Technique” is a must-have reference for conductors of school, community, and professional ensembles.

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Grace and Majesty: Nine Hymn Arrangements for Organ arr. Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim’s first organ collection as the Organ Editor at Beckenhorst Press contains nine hymns arranged for organ solo. Satisfying but without unnecessary difficulty, these settings are a taste of what is to come as Beckenhorst reinvigorates its longstanding commitment to repertoire for church organists. Titles include: “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” “The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” “Children of the Heavenly Father,” “Postlude on O Worship the King,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” “Abide with Me,” “Faith of Our Fathers,” and “To God Be the Glory.”

O Worship the King: Hymn Tunes Paired with Classics for Organ arr. Marianne Kim
This compelling collection from Marianne Kim is centered around pieces that combine traditional hymns with pieces from the classical repertoire. In each arrangement, the two elements are seamlessly and evocatively combined for a compelling result. Several of the classics are vocal and orchestral pieces, but most are themselves organ works from the great 19th and 20th century French romantic tradition. Marianne has rounded out the collection with two original pieces that are themselves indebted to the French organ tradition: a gentle pastorale and a fiery toccata. Titles include: “Alas, and Did My Savior Bleed with Pie Jesu,” “Amazing Grace with Air on the G String,” “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded with Chant pastorale,” “Petit pastorale in F,” “O Worship the King with Grand choeur in F,” “Wonderful Peace with Priere a Notre-Dame,” “Toccata in G minor,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus with Prelude, fugue et variation,” and “Rock of Ages with Andante religioso.”

The Holy City: Hymn Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
Marianne Kim’s signature jazz-tinged style pervades this new collection of hymn settings. Nearly all the hymn tunes are American in organ, including folk hymns, spirituals, and 19th century gospel songs. Varied characters provide music useful for preludes, offertories, or postludes throughout the church year. Titles include: “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “All the Way My Savior Leads Me,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” “I’ve Got Peace Like a River,” “If Thou But Suffer God to Guide Thee,” “Jesus Loves the Little Children,” “Postlude on The Holy City,” and “We Shall Overcome.”

Hymns of Faith: Organ Settings with Jazz Spirit arr. Marianne Kim
In this organ collection, Marianne Kim arranged some of her favorite hymns with her signature jazz-influenced style. Included are eight familiar hymns of faith and assurance, most of which are drawn from the beloved American gospel tradition. Also included is one exciting original postlude. Titles include: “Blessed Assurance,” “I Need Thee Every Hour,” “Jesus Loves Me,” “Joy, Love, and Peace,” “My Jesus, I Love Thee,” “Nearer, My God, to Thee,” “Only a Step to Jesus,” “Softly and Tenderly,” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.”

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