Category Archives: Alfred Music Publishing

Church Choral Reading Summer 2015

Anticipate the Changing Seasons with
New Fall and Christmas Choral Music

Heather Sorenson

Heather Sorenson

In a Mixed-Publisher Church Choral Reading Session, the Hal Leonard Corporation and Pender’s Music Co. will present new fall and Christmas choral music. Heather Sorenson will also present new highlights from several other publishers—including Lorenz, Alfred, Shawnee Press, and Hope. Join in fellowship with others by participating with up to four members of your congregation (ex: director plus three). Registration includes complimentary music packet of most music presented and morning refreshments.

Saturday, June 27, 2015
Quail Springs United Methodist Church
14617 N. Pennsylvania
Oklahoma City, OK 73134

Schedule:
8:30 Registration, Coffee and Donuts
9:00 Session Begins
10:30 Break, Refreshments
10:45 Session Continues
12:30 Session Over

Cost: $10 per person, includes music packet
Limit 4 per church (example: director plus 3)

TO REGISTER: Call John Staton at (800) 772-8405 or
e-mail John at jstaton@penders.com

Music on display for sale will include:
Christmas cantatas • vocal solos and duets • children’s choir books • handbell music • piano duet • piano • piano/organ duo • organ

Arranging Pop Tunes for Choir

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For Choral Cache Thursday, here’s an article that was recently written for “Ledger Lines,” an e-newsletter that is produced by Alfred Publishing. It’s written by Michael Spresser, one of Alfred’s choral editors:

Arranging Today’s Pop Chorals
By Michael Spresser
Alfred Pop & Lawson-Gould Editor
In the history of choral music, the arranging of popular music is still a relatively new phenomenon. Some of the earliest arrangements of popular songs of the day were developed in the 1930s, when Fred Waring and his Pennsylvanians became one of the first ensembles known for singing ‘pop’ music. As you know, many of today’s current top pop songs are lyrically inappropriate, lack a strong melody, or the melody simply isn’t conducive to choral harmony.What does Alfred look for in a current pop choral arrangement? Many of the same things that are found in any successful choral composition:

– Does the melody stay within an appropriate range and tessitura for developing voices?

– Does the arranger use the best voice-leading possible? In other words, do the parts move in a way that help a singer experience success?

– Does the arrangement allow for proper and healthy vocal technique?

– Does the arrangement replicate the sound of the original while allowing for solid choral harmony?

– Does the arrangement encourage the building of listening skills and the teaching of basic musical concepts?

– Does the accompaniment enhance, while still supporting, the choral parts?

– Is the arrangement rhythmically accurate (true to the original), without being difficult to read?

– Does the arrangement allow solo opportunities where appropriate?

All of these questions, and more, are considered when we select our current pop arrangements. Arrangements that maintain choral integrity while also maintaining the style of the original are [some of the hallmarks] of Alfred publications.

Check out some of their newest releases that were featured at our recent choral reading session event, Sing-a-bration!

Alfred Choral Titles: Sampling from 2011


*Content used by permission of Alfred Publishing Company.

Sing-a-bration 2011 Wrap-Up

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Greetings from Texas!

Were you able to attend Sing-a-bration in Lewisville, and want to make sure that you got the best-of-the-best for the upcoming school year? Or, were you unable to join us, and you’d like know what you missed?

Either way, here are some visuals from our recent event! First, check out our photo gallery (which is posted on Flickr, YouTube and Facebook, too). It’s always fun to see people in their element…!

Next, here are some resources posted just for you! Below are the 2011 Sing-a-bration titles that were highlighted at our recent workshop event at the Lewisville Convention Center (aka Hilton Garden Inn) in Lewisville, TX.

They’re presented as slide shows, session by session (Sing-a-bration Elementary, Sing-a-bration Secondary, Joy of Singing Elementay, Joy of Singing Middle School/High School, Joy of Worship w/ Multi-Pub Sacred Music Reading Session, and John Jacobson Choregraphy Workshop).

Simply browse through the slide shows (through www.slideshare.net/pendersmusicco). View each of the titles, and if you see one that you are interested in, click on the sheet music/cover image of it: You’ll then go directly to more information about it on our website.

(www.penders.com)

To make a purchase, Add quantities to your Pender’s Online Shopping Cart, etc.

Don’t miss out! Now’s the time to stock up for FALL! And don’t forget to use the coupon code — Singabration — to get a 10% discount on your order

(through September 1st, 2011)

Big Phat Play Along

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Remember the days of vinyl? As in LPs, records? Back in the day, Play Alongs (accompaniment tracks) were precious few, and only available in LP or cassette format. The innovators on this method of learning and enjoyment for musicians were Jamey Aebersold and Music Minus One (or remember this one? Drum Drops).

Fast forward to the present, and Play Alongs are available in multiple formats — CD, digital, online and beyond. And they’re available for more instruments, and even more genres (karaoke, anyone?), than ever before. Play Along collections offer many benefits:

The recordings provide professional accompaniments, many of them from live studio musicians — you get to play along with the best!

Rehearse and play at your own pace, in the comfort of your home; as often or as little as you like.

Many Play Alongs include full version tracks, which include the melody/your part. Hear how the pros sound, and try to emulate it!

Check out the NEW Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band Classics collection!

ASTA and You

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It’s Tuesday — Time for Tuesday’s Tidbits for Strings @ Pender’s Music Co.! The Pender’s Buzz is our added way in bringing content, resources, teaching tidbits & strategies, social media and more to you, our loyal customers.

If you’re a string person, whether it be a teacher, student, or performer, you’re most likely aware of ASTA – The American String Teacher Association. This national organization supports string orchestra teaching and playing, by providing various resources and benefits that include an annual conference, membership competitions, advocacy initiatives and more.

But here’s something you may not know about yet: The brand new Eclectic Strings Festival, which is scheduled for March 17-19th, in Kansas City, MO. The Eclectic Strings Festival (ESF) is a three-day event that provides participants with the opportunity to work with nationally-recognized clinicians in their specialty areas. For 2011, it’s: Andy Carlson (fiddle), Christian Howes (rock), Martin Norgaard (jazz), and Randy Sabien (jazz). The event will culminate in a featured performance at the ASTA National Conference.

Who’s eligible to attend, you ask? Well, students in the eighth through twelfth grades during the 2010-2011 school year can apply, as well as registered participants of the National ASTA Conference, may participate in this event. The festival is sponsored by Yamaha Music Corporation, NAMM (The National Association of Music Merchants), and Alfred Publishing Co.

Tuesday’s Tidbits for Strings, the series, will post to www.pendersbuzz.com about once a month, with information from our staff, our publisher partners, guest bloggers and more. Come back to this site, or access it from our main Home Page, to find out the latest buzz!