Preview New Music from Home!

As you begin looking at planning your Spring concert program, remember that you can preview music from Stanton’s before you decide to buy! We know that it’s difficult to tell if a particular piece of music will fit your needs without actually reading it through, so similar to checking things out from a library, you can “borrow” resources from our store using the “21 Day Trial” program!

Each of Stanton’s departments has slightly different guidelines about what/how many items can be sent on “21 Day Trial,” but in general we can send printed sheet music that is currently in stock. You can request items for trial by phone, email, fax, online or in person—any of the ways that you can place a regular order—but make sure that you specify “21 Day Trial.” You can list the music you’d like to peruse, or you can give us some specifications (like “Patriotic easy piano solos,” “SSA choral music on the theme of friendship,” or “new publications for 8th grade jazz band”) and Stanton’s knowledgeable staff will find some suggestions for you!

We require account or credit card information so that if you choose to keep the music we can charge you accordingly, or return the music within 21 days of your invoice date and you’ll never be charged! (You’ll just have to pay return shipping to get the music back to us.)

Contact us now to request your trial, and then you won’t have to rush around once you’re done with Contest or back from Spring break! Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Music for Epiphany

The season of Epiphany begins on January the sixth, and typically ends on the second of February. The events included in Epiphany are the visit of the Magi, the presentation of the baby Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, the baptism of Jesus, and the miracle at the wedding in Cana. Probably the most familiar song for Epiphany is the the hymn, “We Three Kings.”  “As With Gladness, Men of Old” is another hymn often sung during Epiphany.

It isn’t very easy to find pieces to play during Epiphany.  Some pieces for piano can be found in “What Can I Play on Sunday? , Book 1: January and February Services” arranged by Cindy Berry. We usually have 4 organ books in stock that contain music for Epiphany: “The Parish Organist Part Six“   from Concordia, and three collections from Morning Star:  “6 Hymn Settings for Epiphany” by Wilbur Held, “Three for Epiphany” by Paul Manz, and “Three Epiphany Preludes” by Robert Hobby.  It’s not too early to choose your music for church; Christmas and Epiphany will be here before you know it!

Are your Christmas preparations “Complete?”

We know what a busy time of year December is for everyone, but especially for church musicians! Between extra services and Cantata rehearsals, when do you have time to find all your sheet music for Christmas Eve?! Make it a little easier on yourself, by purchasing all your arrangements in one volume for these two sacred favorites:

The Complete Gesu Bambino
We proudly present The Complete Gesu Bambino collection. This beloved Christmas classic by Pietro Yon is presented here for high, medium, and low voice with piano accompaniment; piano solo in advanced, intermediate, and easy editions; an organ solo; an organ/piano duet; and for violin and piano. Also included in this collection is a biographical sketch of Yon. A must for every church musician!

The Complete O Holy Night
Eight versions of the song in one collection, each in both French and English. 3 vocal solos (high, medium, low) with piano accompaniment, and 3 vocal solos (high, medium, low) with organ accompaniment. Also includes organ solo and piano solo.

For more Christmas music recommendations, read our previous blog on Christmas Vocal Solos,  check the “Christmas” category on Sacred Piano Music Only, or contact Stanton’s Sheet Music!

 

Happy Halloween!

Is there any piece of music that more quickly gives us chills than Toccata & Fugue in d Minor? This composition has been used to set the scene in many movies and television programs.

Did you know that there is some dispute as to whether this piece was truly written by J. S. Bach? There are claims that some of the musical conventions used post-date Bach’s lifetime. Perhaps you should order a copy, play it, and decide for yourself!

Click here to watch video

Sacred Organ Reading Session – NEXT MONTH!

Please join us for a Stanton’s Sheet Music sponsored Sacred Organ Reading Clinic! Brian Johnson, organist at Broad Street United Methodist Church, will be our featured clinician, and will be presenting music at various difficulty levels from some of the most popular publishers. Spend the morning listening to new selection for Advent and Christmas along with many other recommendations for your church services.

Stanton’s Sacred Organ Reading Clinic, Saturday September 15th, 2012
Broad Street United Methodist Church
501 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43215

Registration begins at 8:30 am
Clinic is 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Cost: $10.00

For additional information, please contact the Stanton’s keyboard staff at 614-224-4257 ext. 3.

Did you know?…

At Stanton’s Sheet Music, we vicariously help teach your students with you! It’s true…We look through hundreds of new titles every summer and choose the select few that we would use if we were teaching.  These are the titles we share with you in our promotions on-line and in the mail.

So if you are thinking:
“Why should I spend my time looking at Stanton’s promotions?”
It’s because:
• Stanton’s Staff has already spent hours looking at and listening to hundreds of new titles.
• They have picked pieces at all levels that they would use if they were teaching.
• Their aim is to make your life easier and to help you succeed.

And if you are thinking:
“Why is Stanton’s Staff qualified to make these recommendations?”
It’s because:
• Stanton’s Staff is made up of college-trained musicians.
• Some of them have taught in the public schools and many teach privately.
• They know what has proven to be successful for Stanton’s customers over the years.

And if you are thinking:
“Why did Stanton’s Staff pick these particular pieces to recommend to me?”
It’s because:
Stanton’s only selects pieces that they believe are
• The most educationally valid
• The best sounding
• The most highly programmable

So if you are thinking:
“I can’t go wrong with Stanton’s Choices!”
It’s because:
• You’re right!

Organ Hymn Prelude Library

Organ Music, Hymn Prelude Library Volume 1,  A – Azmon

By the time the arrangers at Concordia are done, there will be a full set of 12 volumes of hymn preludes based on the hymn tunes of the Lutheran Service Book.  This first volume covers “A Va De” through “Azmon”, and each volume will contain hymn tunes in alphabetical order.

These preludes have been newly composed, are 2-4 pages long, and are perfect for preludes, postludes, offertories, or introductions.  Over 100 composers are contributing to this endeavor, so a rich assortment of styles, harmonies and registrations is in each volume.

Check  out this volume of organ sheet music at stantons.com or organmusiconly.com. Many hymn tunes are not specific to any one denomination, so this can be very useful to any church organist! You may call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC to inquire about this volume and other collections of organ music.

Last-minute Easter Solutions!

If you are in need of last minute piano and/or organ folios for your Easter worship service, you may want to look on our Easter Piano or Lent & Easter Organ. You can also search our dedicated organ website or sacred piano website. 

Because the books are listed on one of the websites does not ensure that they are in stock at Stanton’s.  To inquire about an item, you may call the Keyboard Department staff at 614-224-4257 ext. 3 or email us.  We are open weekdays from 9 am to 5 pm EST and Saturdays 9 am to 4 pm EST.

New Organ Music for Weddings

Check out these new Organ titles perfect for weddings as recommended by Stanton’s keyboard staff:

Three Festive Voluntaries For Organ
Three original trumpet tunes make up this engaging set of pieces for solo organ. A Processional with solo trumpet against accompaniment alternates with plenum sections. A joyful Fanfare uses a solo trumpet stop, reed chorus, and a solo pedal reed which plays the sprightly tune. A Trumpet Voluntary full of harmonic surprises closes out the collection.

The Prince of Denmark’s March
Careful attention to articulation, registration, and a real feel for the Baroque spirit makes this an edition to buy even if you’re comfortable with the version you now play. Fuller chords, a very rhythmic approach, and appropriate but festive passing tones keep this fresh new setting dancing along from start to finish.

Fantasy For A Festive Occasion
A great postlude or recital piece, this features melodic pedal passages and a three part fugal section. At times spirited and at other times lyrical, this is a fulfilling new addition to your repertoire. It may take time to learn, but is fully worth the effort!

For more suggestions for any time of year, contact our keyboard department!

More New Music for Organ

If you missed our January Organ Music Clinic, you can still check out these new titles recommended by Stanton’s keyboard staff:

17th And 18th Century Organ Voluntaries
This is an outstanding resource for all organists. Edited by Michael Burkhardt, this collection features music specifically for Manuals and Manuals with Pedal Points. A very useful book.

Adoration
How does a worshiper express “adoration?” Sometimes it will be with a joyful shout of praise; but at other times, it may be through a quietly spoken prayer. Master craftsman Robert Lau has captured the full range of these expressions in styles ranging from bold to intimate, and he provides fresh, evocative material for use throughout the church year. Spirituals and folk hymns are featured side-by-side with classics like “O Worship the King.” Of special interest are three original compositions, including a new “Trumpet Tune” that will serve as an exultant prelude or postlude. This is a great teaching resource, especially for a pianist transitioning to organ.

At The Name of Jesus:
Four Hymns of Devotion
Two of the four settings (King’s Weston, Ora Labora) have exciting toccata settings. Two are more meditative (The Call, Sharpthorne.) All feature Michael Burkhardt’s exciting but approachable writing style.

For more suggestions for any time of year, contact our keyboard department!