Tag Archives: Alfred

Arranging Pop Tunes for Choir

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

View more presentations from Pender’s Music Co..

*Content used by permission of Alfred Publishing Company.

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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!