The Official Blog of Sheet Music Plus
By Brendan Lai-Tong
Here are some interesting facts about the violin that you may not have known:
By Judy Pringle
Sing Better As You Age
A music retailer is asked every day for assistance with repertoire. It can be both challenging and amusing. For example: I need a thrilling SATB anthem for Easter Sunday with brass accompaniment, and the sopranos can’t sing above an ‘e.’ Can you make a suggestion?
We smile at this request, but it can be a reality for a choral director. Those of us who conduct adult church and community choirs deal with the aging voice constantly. It is a fact that with age, our singing mechanism does not improve. Yet, it is my experience that senior singers are some of the most devoted choristers, and the joy of singing is integral to their lives.
If we, as directors, Continue reading ‘Sing Better as You Age’
By Zachariah Friesen
1. Franz Joseph Haydn was an Austrian born composer who spent his life as a court musician somewhat secluded from the rest of the musical world, but nonetheless was one of the most celebrated composers of his time and is equally revered today.
2. That other Haydn, Michael Haydn also a prolific composer, was indeed related to Franz Joseph Haydn. They were brothers.
3. Haydn was famous for his pranks. While Continue reading ’10 Facts About Franz Joseph Haydn’
By Carolyn Walter
You may find it strange to see a sheet music-related blog advocating playing music by ear. However, many experienced musicians – including those in our office – would agree that musical proficiency isn’t some stark dichotomy, with “good readers” in one camp entirely separate from people who “just play by ear.” To become a complete, balanced musician, and fully enjoy all that the art form has to offer, a performer must possess sound aural skills right along with a high level of musical literacy.
Start Simple:
Like a lot of things, playing by ear comes most naturally when a young musician is introduced to the concept from the very beginning. For those lucky enough to be starting off on their musical journey, many beginning method books now feature added emphasis on playing by ear and improvising. The ever-popular Alfred’s Basic Piano Library series includes a corresponding set of books focusing solely on ear training:
Alfred’s Basic Piano Library – Ear Training Book
As for those of us who have been playing for many years without Continue reading ‘Improve Your Ear!’
By Zachariah Friesen
Oboe
Fact 1: What’s an oboe? Oboe is a double reed instrument. A double reed consists of two flattened blades of bamboo that produce sound through the vibrations of one blade against the other.
Fact 2: A reed? A double reed!? Yes, actually serious oboe Continue reading ’10 Facts about the Oboe’
By Brendan Lai-Tong
Hey brass players, if you haven’t heard of the SUPERBRASS you really should check this group out!
The SUPERBRASS is a collective of some of the finest and most experienced professional brass and percussion players working on the demanding and vibrant London music scene. Members of SUPERBRASS are drawn from the ranks of the London Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the John Wilson Orchestra and the BBC Big Band and many more top orchestras and ensembles. Additionally members of SUPERBRASS are highly regarded educators and professors of music at the top London Music Colleges.
Kickstarter projects for Continue reading ‘SuperBrass!!!’
By Brendan Lai-Tong
Landfill Harmonic
“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure“. It’s likely that you have heard, or even used this saying at some point. As easy as it is to use this phrase, seldom does it take on such a literal meaning like the story of the Recycled Orchestra. The orchestra is comprised of impoverished children from Cateura, Paraguay who have dedicated themselves to making music on instruments made out of only bits and pieces of trash. These instruments, gracefully constructed by director Favio Chavez and luthier Nicolas “Cola” Gomez, were made from objects found in the landfill close by. A film/documentary, Landfill Harmonic, will feature the orchestra.
Under the direction of Chavez, the orchestra has Continue reading ‘From Trash to Treasure – Landfill Harmonic’
By Brendan Lai-Tong
Those of you who are music ministers know how challenging it is to coordinate musicians, music and schedules to fit the needs of your church. We recently asked Judy Pringle from Canadian Choral Centre for her expert opinion on the matter.
Judy has served in the Church Music Ministry for over 30 years as a choral director, organist and pianist. In addition to church music, Judy enjoyed a professional singing career on stage and television. In 1984, Judy founded Canadian Choral Centre, a retail music store in Winnipeg, Manitoba of which she is President. In 2012, Judy joined Sheet Music Plus’ team as Director of Choral Marketing.
We asked Judy if she could provide us some examples of what she has used to be a more prepared and successful music minister. Here is her response:
Judy Pringle – Canadian Choral Centre
Early in my church music ministry I served at Trinity United Church in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The Continue reading ‘Music Ministers – PREPARE!’
Hans-Gunter Heumann
By Brendan Lai-Tong
If you’re a music teacher, it’s likely that you are on the lookout for the something new to help teach your students more effectively. Whether this is new repertoire, etudes, or method books, it’s always nice to branch out to see what else is out there. You’ll never know when something new will work really well for a particular student!
While we were at the Music Teachers National Association Convention in Anaheim, California we had the pleasure of meeting Hans-Günter Heumann. Many of you may know of his contributions to the piano repertoire. His original compositions, arrangements and educational methods for piano are enjoyed by pianists around the world, especially in Germany.
Hans-Günter studied at the Continue reading ‘Artist Interview – Hans-Gunter Heumann (The Classical Piano Method)’
By Brendan Lai-Tong
Michelle Sisler
Music lessons should never be a dull or boring experience. There are many great method books and resources that teachers can use to make music lessons fun, interesting and engaging for students of all ages. We were on the lookout for some of these resources while at the Music Teacher’s National Association Convention in Anaheim, California. Some great resources that stood out were teaching aids and games from Keys to Imagination. Michelle Sisler was running the Keys to Imagination booth right next to ours at the show!
Michelle’s uses of technology and creative teaching materials have gained her national recognition and a Continue reading ‘More Teaching Resources – Interview With Michelle Sisler (Keys to Imagination)’
