Take Note

Featured Choral New Releases   
By Brendan Lai-Tong

Choir Directors, this article is just for you!  We decided to showcase some of the newest releases from your favorite publishers like Hal Leonard, Alfred, Lorenz, Brentwood Benson and Hinshaw.

Hal Leonard New Release Pick

Sing and Celebrate! – Cindy Berry ($39.99 $31.99)

 Designed for younger elementary choirs, Sing and Celebrate! contains a variety of general and seasonal songs for use throughout the church year. Packed with lesson plans, teaching resources, and rehearsal planning ideas, this collection gives you all the tools necessary for building a successful, engaging choir program in one value-packed Book/CD! The enhanced StudioTrax CD features accompaniment and performance tracks, along with reproducible singers’ pages and colorful PDF song charts for projection options! Songs, both familiar and new, along with fun, creative teaching plans will nurture the musical and spiritual growth of your singers to last a lifetime. Suggested for grades K-4. Songs include: Sing and Celebrate (General), The Gifts He Offers to You (General), Trust In the Lord (General), We Thank You, God (General/Thanksgiving), A Home For Jesus (Advent), Go, Tell It On the Mountain (Christmas), Christmas Means Jesus (Christmas), Sing Hosanna! (Palm Sunday), Rejoice, It’s Easter Day! (Easter), We Celebrate This Day (Mother’s Day/Father’s Day).

Shawnee Press New Release Pick

The Winter Rose – Joseph M. Martin ($7.95 $6.36)

The Winter Rose incorporates both traditional carols and newly composed anthems that visit the timeless Christmas story with fresh insight. Through use of music, narration and simple symbolism, the cantata presents the life of Christ from prophecy to passion. The orchestrations effectively capture the essence of Joseph Martin’s well-crafted piano writing, fully expressing the color and beauty of this musical tableau. Highly recommended!

Alfred New Release Pick 

A Capella Pop – Brody McDonald ($19.99 $15.99)

A Cappella pop singing . . . it’s the hottest trend in the nation! Author Brody McDonald’s award-winning ensemble, Eleventh Hour, was the first high school group to appear on NBC’s The Sing-Off, and now you can similarly challenge your top high school and collegiate age singers with this book! With a foreword by Deke Sharon, topics include forming your ensemble, music selection, rehearsal techniques, sound reinforcement, vocal percussion, and much more!
A cappella.

Lorenz New Release Pick

Angels Are Making Their Rounds (SATB) – Pepper Choplin ($1.95 $1.56)

In this original anthem from Pepper Choplin, the angelic appearances and reassurances to Zechariah, Mary, and Joseph are musically chronicled in a warm, easy folk-style quodlibet that is both endearing and memorable. Beautifully expressive, this perfect choice for Advent is equally effective with piano or the optional full orchestral accompaniment.

Brentwood Benson New Release Pick 

Ready To Sing Hymns and Gospel Songs, Vol. 3  – Russel Mauldin ($8.99 $7.19)

Filled with everybody’s favorite Sunday Hymns and Gospel Songs, the new Volume 3 features our own special brand of easy-to-sing, easy-to-learn, SATB voicing. Spotlighting the one-rehearsal-sing-ability of this best-selling choral series, Ready To Sing Hymns and Gospel Songs, Vol. 3, continues the Ready To Sing tradition with 25 all-time favorite songs thematically blended into 12 dyanamic arrangements. Now, more than ever before, you and your choir will be Ready to Sing!

Brendan Lai-Tong is the Assistant Marketing Manager at Sheet Music Plus and holds degrees in trombone performance from University of Miami and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.