Celebrate the Music of Robert Shaw!

Eminent American choral conductor and arranger Robert Shaw was born on this date in 1916.  Famous for his work with his namesake Chorale, with the Cleveland Orchestra and Chorus, and with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Shaw often collaborated with his colleague Alice Parker.  Together, they produced an amazing catalog of choral repertoire that is sophisticated and timeless.  Their arrangements of American hymns and spirituals are particularly renowned.  Here are just a few examples:

Parker’s arrangement of the early American hymn Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal uses a strong walking pulse and juxtaposed motives to infuse energy and exhilaration into your performance.  Also available for women’s and men’s choirs.

The dynamic spiritual My God Is a Rock is one of the most enduring selections from the Shaw/Parker collection.  The baritone solo is a classic.

Ride On, King Jesus is a triumphant a cappella setting of the Palm Sunday hymn.  From the opening unison line to the full choral writing of the middle section and the unexpectedly subdued ending, this piece will challenge your singers and captivate your audience.

Vive l’amour is one of the most well-known and oft-performed works for male chorus of the last thirty years.  This fun-filled arrangement deserves an active place in any male chorus library!

Planning ahead for Christmas?  Robert Shaw’s carol arrangements are incomparable!  Try Angels We Have Heard on High, God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen, The Holly and the Ivy, Bring a Torch, Jeannette, Isabella, Deck the Halls, Fum, Fum, Fum, or his unrivaled Many Moods of Christmas (Suites 1, 2, 3 and 4).

Shaw is also well-known for his extensive and successful discography, for which he was honored with 14 Grammy awards.  Many of the pieces above are featured on Amazing Grace, recorded with the Robert Shaw Festival Singers.  Other illustrious recordings include: Angels On High, Grand & Glorious, Absolute Heaven, A Cappella, Songs of Angels, and The Power and the Majesty.

Robert Shaw’s contributions to the world of choral music are matchless and unsurpassed.  Check out his biography by Joseph A. Mussulman, Dear People…Robert Shaw, and contact us for more repertoire suggestions from this master of the choral idiom.

Hey Stanton’s – What’s New for _______ ?

One of the most common questions we encounter is “What’s new for _____________ ?” 

In addition to Stanton’s regular promotions, a great way to keep abreast of what’s new is to join Stanton’s e-mail list!  I know, I know, “I don’t want a bunch of junk e-mails and SPAM from yet another company”.   So what makes Stanton’s e-mail list different and worth joining? 

First, you’ll always know about the newest offerings for your instrument, classroom or ensemble courtesy of our expert staff!

Second, we do not send nor encourage SPAM in any form (believe us, it’s a constant battle to keep it out of our inboxes!).

Third, Stanton’s DOES NOT provide ANY information to third parties (phone numbers, addresses, e-mail, etc.).

Lastly, and most importantly - you can CUSTOMIZE YOUR PREFERENCES!!

That’s right – you can sign up only for areas of interest to you. 

If you’re a band director, join our band director list; a college student, join our list for music majors; a church choir director, join our list for church choral directors; etc.  OR  join lists pertaining only to the instrument(s) that you play!

New music is arriving from the publishers all the time and we want you to know about it.  Stay in the loop by joining Stanton’s e-mail list today!

Sign up NOW for our General Music Clinic!

We are now taking registrations, online or by phone for Stanton’s 2009 Elementary General Music Clinic. Check out the video below for more details:

Call us now at 1-800-426-8742 for more information or to register, or sign up online now!

Choral Music: Hot Off the Press!

Looking for a great last-minute addition to your spring concert?  Here are some BRAND-NEW octavos guaranteed to help you end your school year in style:

POP
I’m Yours – This reggae-infused hit by Jason Mraz received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year.
Open Arms – Made famous by Journey in 1982, this heartfelt ballad is a great nostalgia feature.
You Pulled Me Through – A soulful, uplifting ballad performed by Jennifer Hudson at the 2009 Grammy Awards.
BROADWAY
I Believe from “Spring Awakening” – A powerful plea for love and acceptance, sure to strike a chord with your singers.
When You’re Home from “In the Heights” – A Latin-flavored choral filled with energy, exuberance and a freshness that is instantly appealing.
JAZZ
As Time Goes By – The classic movie theme from Casablanca, appropriate for jazz, show, and concert choirs.
Come Fly with Me – Your group will shine with this swinging big band style arrangement.
CONCERT
I Once Had a Dream – This rich and expressive concert piece quotes the Declaration of Independence and America.
Remember My Song – Memorable music and a moving text combine flawlessly in this inspiring choral work, encouraging singers to let their song be heard.

Still want more ideas?  We’ve got even more great recommendations, so call the choral department at 1-800-426-8742, extension 1, or email us!

Feedback Friday: Speak Your Mind!

Happy Birthday, William Shakespeare!

Hark, fair readers!  This glorious springtime day doth mark the 445th birthday of the fine poet and scholar, Sir William Shakespeare.  Methinks this be an excellent opportunity for ye to explore the depth of wonderful music for choirs based on his inimitable prose!

It Was a Lover and His Lass by John Rutter is a perfect marriage of classic, timeless text and a swinging, laid-back a cappella musical setting.  It’s that rare combination of fun and sophistication.  Perfect for springtime (“the only pretty ring time”) concerts.
The fresh, mixed-meter setting of Sigh No More Ladies by Rene Clausen is a magnificent collaboration of voices and piano accompaniment.  Great for choral festivals and adjudications.
A set of Three Madrigals (“O Mistress mine,” “Take, O take those lips away,” and “Sigh no more, ladies”) by Emma Lou Diemer has been a standard in SATB choral literature for over 45 years.  Brand new this spring is an arrangement for 2-part voices, which retains the creativity and inventiveness of the original while making it accessible to young singers.

And for elementary students, check out What’s Shakin’, Shakespeare? by Mark Burrows, an exploration of literary masterworks through a wide variety of musical styles.  Perfect for any performance or classroom curriculum need!

For more silly fun talking like Shakespeare, visit TalkLikeShakespeare.org; for more high-quality music based on his brilliant texts, contact us or come thee hither!

Celebrate Earth Day in Song!

Caring for our planet is becoming more and more important to our society and our world.  According to EarthDay.gov, “Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress; Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions; Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.”  These choral pieces are an ideal way to celebrate our planet and encourage environmental action:

I Will Tread Lightly by Alisa Bair is a lilting and winsome choral that beautifully expresses the ever-growing desire to preserve and protect our cherished planet.  Features a jubilantly optimistic message of environmental stewardship.

Treasures by Mark Patterson is a dazzling marriage of language and music perfect for drawing attention to the magnificent and mighty natural resources of this world.

All Things Bright and Beautiful by John Rutter is a long-standing classic in choral literature.  It’s sweet, simple melody lingers with you, and the text celebrates all the wonders our world has to offer.

Another John Rutter favorite appropriate for Earth Day is For the Beauty of the Earth, a gentle and joyful setting of the beloved text.

Contact the choral department for more superb repertoire suggestions for your choir.

Spring Fever Got Ya Down?

 Hey there you wonderful, energetic and full of great ideas  General Music teachers!  Are you finding that your brain has gone into “spring-fever” mode? We have just the answer.  A simple collection of songs by John Jacobson titled “Silly Songs and Sing Alongs for Spring”.   John has taken simple, familiar melodies and added his own “unique” words.  A great example is “Ain’t Gonna Think No Mo’ ” taken from the old tune of “It Ain’t Gonna Rain No More”.  This collection is easy and will take little, if any, effort on the teacher’s part. A great way to finish up the day.  Your students will truly enjoy these fun and up-beat “silly songs”.  My favorite is “Fool Days”.  Check it out! Listen to sound samples of this collection on our website.

JAM!

Jazz Appreciation Month is upon us!

JAM has been celebrated all week  in Columbus, OH and Stanton’s Sheet Music was proud to be one of the sponsors of the annual Jazz & World Music Festival held at Capital University. Our jazz department manned a display at the JAZZ INVITATIONAL on Friday, April 17 where a number of high school bands from around the state displayed their talents in a festival format. Jazz ensembles from Dublin HS,  St. Charles HS,  Ellet HS, Ashland HS, Thomas Worthington HS, Upper Arlington HS and Goshen HS brought their “A” games to the stage.  After performing, the ensembles received great critiques and pointers from the world class adjudicators. Clinicians at the event included percussionist Ruben Alvarez, composer Mark Taylor, drummer Steve Houghton, pianist Stefan Karlsson, saxophonist Jarrard Harris and trumpeter Scott Belck.

The myriad jazz ensembles at Capital also performed throughout the day, most notably outside for lunch under blue,  crystal clear Central Ohio skies.

Celebrate JAM in your school by going to the Smithsonian website and by buying your jazz education materials from Stanton’s Sheet Music.

Stanton’s Sheet Music
330 S. 4th St.
Columbus, OH 43215

jazz@stantons.com
www.stantons.com
800-42MUSIC

2009 Marching Band Update

Although still a few months off, the staff at Stanton’s is preparing for the 2009 marching band season just as you are.  New arrangements are arriving weekly and we have already perused new titles and recordings from Hal Leonard and Alfred Publishing.

The marching band section of our website has recently been updated with the latest titles and each show-planning category features audio for almost all of the titles! 

Our marching band listening library has also been updated with new titles and features show-planning by category or artist, or click on a publisher name to view and hear their current marching band promotion!   (Titles/audio from Arrangers’ Publishing and Jalen/Matrix Publishing are not yet available – we’ll let you know as soon as they are).

Keep your eyes on your mailbox early this summer as a revised edition of the Stanton’s Marching Band Show Planning Guide is currently in the works!

Remember – check out the newest titles on the Stanton’s Listening Library;  plan your show using the Stanton’s website, listening library, or Show-Planning Guide;  and order your music from Stanton’s via our website or give us a call at 1-800-42-MUSIC!