SAVE THE DATE – Sacred Choral Reading Session

Stanton’s is pleased to welcome back Mary McDonald as our clinician for the August Church Choral Music reading session! Mary McDonald’s music and talents have blessed choirs and congregations across the country for nearly thirty years.

Mary is a well-known composer of more than 700 choral anthems, many seasonal cantatas, and keyboard collections. She previously served as a sacred music editor for a major publishing company and continues to serve in editorial consultant role for The Lorenz Corporation in Dayton, Ohio. She is published with every major publisher of church music and has had numerous top-selling anthems. Her unique blend of heart, hands, and humor, combined with a wide range of writing and performing styles, keep her in constant demand as a keyboard artist and keyboard and choral clinician.

Your registration includes a packet of over 40 new choral anthems that are hand-picked from the hundreds published each year. 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.

Sacred Choral Reading Session
Saturday 8/10/2013, 9:00 am-12:30 pm
Battelle Fine Arts Center, Otterbein University
195 West Park St., Westerville OH 43081
Cost: $20.00 (There is no pre-registration; you may register the day of the clinic beginning at 8:30.)
email our choral department for more details

Sacred Piano Reading Session
- Also featuring Mary McDonald
Saturday 8/10/2013, 2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Stanton’s Sheet Music,
330 South 4th St., Columbus OH 43215
Cost: Free!
email our keyboard department for more details

Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!

Easter Music for Piano

It’s only a few days after Christmas, and those of us who are church musicians are beginning to think of Lent and Easter already.  The first Sunday in Lent is only 7  Sundays away.  Easter is only 14 Sundays away.  It seems like it’s forever away, but we know how the time flies!   “A Month of Sundays: Easter and Lent“, by Jan Sanborn, contains Preludes, Offertories and Postludes for the season. Her arrangements are fresh and unique, a delight to play and to hear.  “Palms and Passion Suite” by Mark Hayes covers Palm Sunday and Holy Week. As usual, his arrangements are interesting and expressive.  “Lead Me to Calvary“, arranged by Lloyd Larson, is a new collection of reflections on the cross of Christ, containing hymns such as “Lift High the Cross”, “Were You There?”, “Draw Me Nearer”, and more. There are a total of ten hymn arrangements in this collection, written at a moderately difficult level. Even more collections for the Easter season can be found on our website, sacredpianomusiconly.com    For more information on these collections of sheet music, or other sacred piano solo collections, please call 1-800-42-MUISIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or visit our main website, www.stantons.com

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!

 

Enhance Your Praise from the Piano!

If you are looking to bring more “ministry” to your piano service music, try one of these wonderful, new collections endorsed by Stanton’s keyboard department:

Gospel Gold – Volume 2
Energized by the success of Gospel Gold, enjoy this celebrated sequel perfect for every occasion. Like its predecessor, this compilation is essential repertoire for every church pianist. Fifteen favorite hymns and gospel tunes leap from the pages in these exciting new arrangements. Sizzling southern gospel, ragtime, and even jazz treatments infuse this collection with variety and joy. Stretch your offertory options with this brilliant collection from some of today’s most respected piano arrangers.

Images
This is a groundbreaking album/book project from the multi-talented Heather Sorenson. As the moniker implies, these highly impressionistic arrangements are designed to capture the ear and eye while portraying the spirit of each of the arrangements. When combined with the innovative visual supplement, the church pianist moves their ministry from its traditional role into a new area of expression. The arrangements are filled with variety and are effective with or without the visual component. Optional cello and/or violin obbligatos are included on many of the titles.

Two New “Sunday Suites” for Piano

When you wish to make a thematic statement throughout your service music, call Stanton’s for one of these beautifully arranged suites:

Jesus Shall Reign
Lloyd Larson adds another practical volume to our “Sunday Suites” series with “Jesus Shall Reign”–a stirring suite of four favorite hymns, suitable for Christ the King Sunday or general worship services. It begins with a classical approach to “Come, Thou Almighty King” and concludes with a glowing, festive postlude on “Rejoice, the Lord is King.” Completing the suite are two flexible arrangements that can serve as offertories or special numbers. As always, Lloyd Larson’s arrangements are expertly written for the church pianist: challenging, but fitting well under the hands, and easy to prepare.

Wonderful Words of Life
Mark Hayes explores the wonders of scripture in this thematic “Sunday Suite” for piano. First comes a rousing prelude in the style of Aaron Copland and based on the American folk hymn “How Firm a Foundation.” For an offertory or prayer meditation, Mark offers a flowing, atmospheric setting of the Gospel favorite “Wonderful Words of Life.” And to conclude the service, you’ll find a stunning, pianistic setting of “Word of God, Across the Ages.” This suite is ideal for services focusing on the scriptures, but these challenging pieces are also suitable for special numbers or recitals.

For more recommendations, contact our keyboard department.

New for the Church Pianist

If you are looking to add some new “life” to your services this fall, Stanton’s keyboard department recommends that you try one of these new collections:

Go Out in Joy – Festive Postludes for Piano
Finally a piano collection that provides the perfect selection for jubilant postludes and festive encores! Upbeat and bright, these hymn arrangements are short and flashy to send the faithful forth with a song in their heart. A variety of styles and difficulty levels are included, with careful attention paid to choose hymns that have the spirit of celebration in both tune and text. Enjoy the work of Vicki Tucker Courtney, Cindy Berry, Brad Nix, Alex-Zsolt, Hojun Lee and others!

Music of the Masters for the Master
This unique collection for the church pianist displays the arranging skills of some of today’s best keyboard writers. Using a classical theme or genre as the basis for each piece, the composer weds a time-honored hymn to bring these beloved themes into the sanctuary. A variety of new and classic arrangements are included making this a useful and beautiful compilation for pianists everywhere. The counterpoint created between these two musical forms is very compelling. Included in this thoughtful assembly is the writing of Mary McDonald, Cindy Berry, Carolyn Hamlin, Joseph Martin, Alex-Zsolt, Jack Jones, James Michael Stevens and many others. Quotations from Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Sibelius, Grieg and other favorites are part of the joy of this book. Sure to be a classic among classics. Don’t miss this one!

New Hymn Collections for Piano

On Stanton’s Sacred Piano Reading Session back in August, our clinician, Lloyd Larson, inspired us with selections from both of these lovely, new collections of hymn arrangements:

Hymns You Love
For the sixth and final book in the “Hymns We Love” series, we decided to turn the tables and let our audience pick the music. So here’s the result: twelve selections from your favorite team of arrangers (Pepper Choplin, Mark Hayes, Lloyd Larson, Mary McDonald, Ruth Schram, Larry Shackley), all on the list of “top hymns” drawn from our online survey. Each piece is preceded by program notes from the arranger and words from church pianists who took part in the selection process.

Old Hymns Made New
Carol Tornquist’s signature writing style, including fresh harmonic and rhythmic treatment to timeless hymns, if fully evidenced in this creative collection for pianists. These hymn arrangements are sure to provide a new appreciation to these familiar melodies by persons young and old.

For more great recommendations, contact Stanton’s friendly and knowledgeable keyboard department!

New Piano Duet Collections

If you’re look for some fresh options for one piano, four hands, try one of these wonderful collections featured on Stanton’s Sacred Piano Reading Session:

Festive Hymns for Four Hands
arr. Larry Shackley
Here’s a book that will let you use the entire range of your church’s piano by emphasizing festive, celebratory moods, and it’s perfect for preludes, postludes, and special numbers. Elements of classical, folk, Gospel, and even Sousa marches are blended together in these six fresh arrangements, all with the ultimate goal of “making a joyful noise to the Lord.” If you’ve enjoyed Larry Shackley’s four-hand arrangements of sacred classics, you’re sure to love this new collection of favorites from the hymnal.

Great Things He Has Done!
arr. Mark Hayes
What could be better than a book of Mark Hayes piano solos? How about a book of Mark Hayes piano duets? We’re pleased to introduce Mark’s first full-length piano duet collection. Designed for four-hand duos looking for a musical challenge, “Great Things He Has Done!” brings together favorite Gospel songs, spirituals, and American folk hymns. The opener, “Christians, We Have Met to Worship,” has a jaunty, traditional American feel, and it is followed by a sparkling treatment of “To God Be the Glory.” Of course, there’s a serving of jazz too–”This Little Light of Mine” will definitely rock your piano bench. At last, a Mark Hayes book that you can share with a friend!

What Praise Can I Play on Sunday?

If you are familiar with the series of books called “What Can I Play on Sunday? “,  here is a new treat for you.  Carol Tornquist, a long-time arranger of sacred piano music, has arranged the first two of what will be a series of six books in  a series called “What Praise Can I Play on Sunday?”  Each book has ten easily prepared piano arrrangements for use in the worship service, or to play at home for your own enjoyment.  Book 1 is for January and February,  Book 2 is for March and April.  Pieces include seasonal pieces as well as praise songs for general use.  The arrangements are full-sounding and are 2-5 pages long per title.  If you have been looking for praise music that is tastefully arranged, have a look at these!  For more information about these books or other sacred piano collections, please call us at 1-800-42-MUSIC, email us at keyboard@stantons.com, or vist our website at www.stantons.com

Piano Collections for Contemporary Worship

Even if you missed Stanton’s Sacred Piano Reading Session at the beginning of August, we wouldn’t want you to miss out on these new piano collections:

Contemporary Christian Hits
arr. Melody Bober
Contemporary Christian Hits contains ten arrangements of inspirational worship favorites by top Christian artists. These arrangements can be used effectively during religious services or in a concert setting. Helpful fingering and approximate performance times are included with each arrangement.

Getty and Townend Praise Classics
arr. James Koerts
The collaborative efforts of Keith and Kristyn Getty, along with Stuart Townend, have produced long-lasting modern hymns for the church. These contemporary arrangements of some of their best-loved praise classics have memorable melodies that make these attractive arrangements a delight to learn and to play at an early advanced level.

Reflections for Worship
arr. Mark Hayes
Here are ten settings of popular new hymns and songs from Dan Schutte, Michael Joncas, Sebastian Temple, David Haas, Marty Haugen and others. Based upon liturgical songs from the mass, these beautiful and inspiring songs have transcended denominational lines and made their way into Protestant circles and beyond, blessing countless congregations and parishes around the world.

Shout To The Lord
arr. Larry Shackley
For two decades, the musicians at Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia have provided churches around the world with worship songs that speak to the Christian’s heart. Larry Shackley has selected ten Hillsong favorites and asked ten of favorite writers to arrange them as piano solos. There is a wide range of styles and moods in this collection to fit almost every need in contemporary or blended services.

Sunday Morning Blend, Volume 5
arr. Carol Tornquist
Well-known traditional hymns are blended with many of today’s popular contemporary praise and worship songs in this fifth edition of the series. These books are the perfect choice for any church that wants to seamlessly blend traditional and contemporary worship styles.

For more great recommendations, contact Stanton’s keyboard department at 1-800-426-8742, ex. 3.