Advocacy Alert!

The NYSSMA website has made a call for action on two proposals made by the New York State Board of Regents. 

There were two proposals discussed at the last Board of Regents meeting held on Monday and Tuesday, April 19-20, 2010 that are of serious concern to NYSSMA. President Dan Mosher sent a letter outlining our concerns and position on this matter to Dr. David Steiner, Commissioner of Education. It was also copied to the Board of Regents, John King, Deputy Commissioner and David Frey, Chair of the Higher Education Committee.

The first is a request to allow school districts to select any one or two arts disciplines (Music, Visual Art, Theater or Dance) to fulfill the one unit arts requirement at the middle school level. Currently, 7th and 8th graders must complete ½ unit of music and ½ unit of art. If this proposal is approved, students could fulfill the requirement without taking music or art.

The second proposal is for an endorsement for elementary teachers (K-2) to teach visual and performing arts after taking 12 – 15 arts credits in order to obtain an “arts annotation.” This was discussed by the Committee on Higher Education on Tuesday.

NYSSMA is strongly opposed to both of these proposals. We do not object to added opportunities for students in dance and drama, but do not believe that they should replace established music and art programs. We support classroom teachers supplementing the work of arts teachers, but do not believe that 12 – 15 hours of “arts” courses will prepare them to be the sole provider of music instruction during such a critical stage of a student’s early development. We believe that the implementation of these proposals at the school level will have serious negative effects on students.

To see additional information on these issues and President Mosher's letter, please go to the NYSSMA website.

New Acquisitions: April 9, 2010

The following are new pieces that we have added to the Music Library since March 26.

Band

• N-1345 - A Song of the Sea by Rex Mitchell (Ludwig/1 set)
• N-1346 - Atropos by Lawrence Weiner (Ludwig/1 set)
• N-1347 - Music Belongs by Mary Ann Milidantri, arranged by Norman Ward (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1348 - Minuet Gothique (From Suite Gothique) by Leon Boellmann, arranged by John Short (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1349 - Le Petit Rondeau by Alden Estes (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1350 - At the Hop by Aruthur Singer, John Madara & David White, arranged by Michael Sweeney (Hal Leonard/1 copy)
• N-1351 - Land O' Goshen! by Leland Forsblad (Hal Leonard/1 set)

Area High School Jazz Bands to Play Rochester International Jazz Festival

A number of area high school jazz bands will be playing on the Jazz Street Stage (Gibbs Street at East Avenue) at this year's Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival.  This year's event runs from June 11 through June 19.

Artists from around the world and in many different genres will grace the stage at this, the 9th annual event.  Among the familiar names are Gladys Knight, Herbie Hancock, Jeff Beck, Keb' Mo', John Pizzarelli, Mose Allison, Stanley Jordan, Gap Mangione, Jane Moneit and Booker T. & the MG's.

The schedule for the high school jazz band shows (4:30 PM start time execept for June 12 & 19 when the start time is 3:45 PM):

• June 11
• Brighton High School Jazz Band
• Hilton High School Jazz Band
• June 12
• Honeoye Falls Lima High School Jazz Band
• Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts Jazz Band
• Pittsford Sutherland Jazz Band
• June 13
• Greece Arcadia HS Jazz Band
• Newark High School Jazz Band
• June 14
• West Irondequoit Jazz Band
• Webster Thomas Jazz Band
• June 15
• Greece Athena High School Jazz Band
• Spencerport High School Jazz Band
• June 16
• Eastridge High School Jazz Band
• School of the Arts High School Jazz Band
• June 17
• Rush Henrietta High School Jazz Band
• Greece Olympia High School Jazz Band
• June 18
• Fairport High School Jazz Band
• Webster Schroeder High School Jazz Band
• June 19
• Gates-Chili High School Jazz Band
• Brockport High School Jazz Band
• Penfield High School Jazz Band

New Acquisitions: March 26, 2010

The following are new pieces that we have added to the Music Library since March 19.

Band

• N-1283 - Warm Winds by James Christensen (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• N-1284 - Second Concerto by James D. Ployhar (Belwin/1 set)
• N-1285 - Sinfonia (from Cantata No. 156) by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by Willy Hautvast (Molenaar/1 set)
• N-1286 - Tres Jolie by Emil Waldteufel, arranged by Kenneth Henderson (Pro Art/1 set)
• N-1287 - Two Classic Hymns (Now Let Every Tongue Adore Thee/On Our Way Rejoicing) by Johann Sebastian Bach/Franz Joseph Haydn, arranged by Henry Pharmer (Pro Art/1 set)
• N-1288 - To a Wild Rose by Edward MacDowell, arranged by Oliver Richards (Pro Art/2 sets)
• N-1289 - Tambourine Ramble by Andrew Balent (Bourne/1 set)
• N-1290 - Slide by Slide by Ron Dekker (Shawnee Press/1 set)
• N-1291 - Seasons (Inspired by Pachelbel's Canon in D) by Charles Fox & Ed Newmark, arranged by James H. Burden (Coumbia - Belwin/1 set)
• N-1292 - Vocie of Freedom by Jim Kirk, arranged by John Edmondson (TM - Columbia/1 set)
• N-1293 - Viennese Sonatina No. 1 (First Movement) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozard, arranged by Jerry Nowak (Big Bells/1 set)
• N-1294 - Morning by Lloyd Conley (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1295 - Moondust by Kenneth Henderson (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1296 - Elegiac Prelude by Walter Skolnik (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1297 - At the Convent by Alexander Borodin, arranged by Lloyd Conley (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1298 - Buy My Tortillas, Traditional Chiliean Folk Song, arranged by Lloyd Conley (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1299 - Around Her Neck She Wears a Yellow Ribbon, Traditional, arranged by Henry Pharmer (Pro Art/1 set)
• N-1300 - Free and Easy by Theodore Melyan (Pro Art/1 set)
• N-1301 - Mozart's Theme Number 40 From Symphony Number G by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arranged by Don Sheaffer.
• N-1302 - Eventide by Arthur DeForest (Edward B. Marks/1 set)
• N-1303 - Grouse Mountain Lullaby by Stephen Chatman (Edward B. Marks/1 set)
• N-1304 - Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl?) by Ray Henderson, Joe Young & Sam Lewis, arranged by Jerry Nowak (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• N-1305 - Early Music Set (Allons, Gay, Gay; What If I Never Speed?; Pase el Agoa, Ma Julieta), arranged by George T. Kirck (Shawnee Press/1 set)
• N-1306 - Album for the Young (March of the Tin Soldiers; Morning Prayer; Polka) by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, arranged by Jim Curnow (Jenson/1 set)
• N-1307 - Fayne Would I Wedd by Giles Farnaby, transcribed by R. Christian Dishinger (Studio 224/1 set)
• N-1308 - Green Grows the Laurel, arranged by Al Cobine (Studio 224/1 set)
• N-1309 - Gentle Breeze, Traditional West Indies Folk Song, arranged by Lloyd Conley (Studio 224/1 set)
• N-1310 - Caernarven Castle by Laurie Johnson (Sam Fox/1 set)
• N-1311 - Benediction by Lawrence Weiner (University of Miami-Sam Fox/1 set)
• N-1312 - Thunder Mountain by Sidney Carlin, arranged by Wayne Livingston (Carlin/1 set)
• N-1313 - Glacier Point from The Yosemite Suite by Sidney Carlin, arranged by Wayne Livingston (Carlin/1 set)
• N-1314 - Easy Come & Easy Go by Richard A. Otto (Byron-Douglas/1 set)
• N-1315 - Prelude to Act V of the Opera King Medford by Carl Reinecke, arranged by Eric Osterling (Ludwig/1 set)

Jazz

• J-0208 - Conservation by Robert Watson (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• J-0209 - Optimism (Sextet) by Steve Davis (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• J-0210 - Mosaic by Cedar Walton, arranged by Don Sickler (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• J-0211 - Bit of Heaven by Curtis Fuller, arranged by Don Sickler (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• J-0212 - Beauty Within by James Williams, arranged by Geoff Keezer (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• J-0213 - Stolen Moments by Oliver Nelson (Sierra Music/1 set)

New Acquisitions: March 19, 2010

The following are new pieces that we have added to the Music Library since March 12.  The majority of these pieces were acquired through a donations from Rush-Henrietta High School and Burger Middle School and, in most cases, are helping us build the elementary band section of the library.

Choral

• C-2286 - The Trout (Die Forelle) by Franz Schubert, arranged by Ed Harris (Jenson/Unison or 2-Part/18 copies)
• C-2287 - The Hands of Time (Brian's Song) by Michel Legrand & Alan & Marilyn Bergman, arranged by Chuck Cassey (Colgems/SSA/19 copies)
• C-2288 - I Wished to Be Single Again, traditional English Folk Song, arranged by John A. Ricketts (Somerset Press/TTBB/18 copies)
• C-2289 - Gather Your Rosebuds by C.M. Shearer & Robert Herrick (Southern Music/SAB/77 copies)
• C-2290 - The Art of the Ground Round by P.D.Q. Bach, arranged by Professor Peter Schickele (Theodore Presser/Mixed-TTBB/31 copies)

Band

• N-1274 - Vive' la Paris by Albert Stoutamire & Kenneth Henderson (C.L. Barnhouse/1 set)
• N-1275 - Valmy by Alexander Gretchaninoff (C.L. Barnhouse/1 set)
• N-1276 - The Tennessee Whistler by Ken Whitcomb (C.L. Barnhouse/1 set)
• N-1277 - Tamarack Ridge by Bob Lowden (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1278 - Snow Carol by Robert Baler (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1279 - Wait Till the Sun Shines Nellie by Harry Von Tilzer, arranged by Lloyd Conley (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1280 - Western Scenario by John Cacavas (Carl Fischer/1 set)
• N-1281 - Ticker Tape Parade March by John Edmondson (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• N-1282 - Tropical Trumpets by John Edmondson (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• N-1316 - Electric Prelude in Rock by Seth Markham (Byron-Douglas-Alfred/1 set)
• N-1317 - Chorale and Invention by George Giroux (Luverne Publications-Southern Music/1 set)
• N-1318 - Proudly We Play by Everett Maxwell, Arranged by Tom C. Rhodes (Southern Music/1 set)
• N-1319 - Ceremonial Court by Alfred Castle (Luverne - Southern Music/1 set)
• N-1320 - Chapel Bells, arranged by Don Schaeffer (C.L. Barnhouse/1 set)
• N-1321 - Gentle Journey by Caesar Giovannini (Charter Publications - Dorabet Music/1 set)
• N-1322 - Calypso Carnival by Alfred Castle (Luverne - Southern Music/1 set)
• N-1323 - Theme From Sechs Kinderstucke by Felix Mendelssohn, arranged by Eugene Mitchell (C.L. Barnhouse/1 set)
• N-1324 - Sun Prairie Overture by Joseph Olivadoti (Rubank/1 set)
• N-1325 - Theme from Second Piano Concerto by Sergei Rachmaninoff, arranged by Red McLeod (Schmitt, Hall & McCreary/1 set)
• N-1326 - Shop Class by Richard Spinney (Belwin-Mills/1 set)
• N-1327 - Suite for Band by Ludwig van Beethoven, arranged by Robert Cray (Edward B. Marks/1 set)
• N-1328 - Simplicity Band Pak #2 - Songs of the States, arranged by Bob Lowden (The Music Company of North America/1 set)
• N-1329 - Solfeggio by Carl Phillip Emanual Bach, arrenged by Andrew Burgess (Pro-Art/1 set)
• N-1330 - Tumbalalaika, Traditional, arranged by Andreew Burgess (Pro-Art/1 set)
• N-1331 - Still Wie Die Nacht (Calm as the Night) by Carl Bohm, arranged by Wally Johnson (Pro-Art/1 set)
• N-1332 - Sleep Little Tiny King (A Christmas Calypso) by Don Besig, arranged by Wally Johnson (Pro-Art/1 set)
• N-1333 - Shout Out Loud! by Leland Forsblad (Hal Leonard/1 set)
• N-1334 - Scarlet Tree by Robert Doyle & William Coons (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1335 - Scherzo (from Serenade No. 1) by Johannes Brahms, arranged by John Jay Hilfiger (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1336 - Skydiver by Art Dedrick (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1337 - Songs of the American West, Traditional, arranged by Jerry Nowak (Kendor/1 set)
• N-1338 - Sarabande by Archangelo Corelli, transcribed by R. Christian Dishinger (Studio 224/1 set)
• N-1339 - Sweet Kitty Klover by Lloyd Conley (Studior 224/1 set)
• N-1340 - Shannon Girl by R. Christensen and J. Tartaglia, arranged by Carroll DeCamp (Studio 224/1 set)
• N-1341 - S'cool Room Latin by Clement Wiednmyer (Shawnee Press/1 set)
• N-1342 - S'cool Room Rock by Richard Maltby (Shawnee Press/1 set)

Daughters of Nat King Cole Start Foundation for Music Education in South Florida

Timolin and Casey Cole, the twin daughters of legendary singer and pianist Nat "King" Cole, celebrated what would have been their father's 90th birthday on Wednesday, March 17 by announcing a new foundation to help provide music education to children of all ethnic backgrounds, diversities and ages in South Florida.  The Nat King Cole Generation Hope charity will provide money to orgainaztions for instrumental instruction, composition, songwriting and recording arts.

The Cole's explain the foundation on its website:

Our father, the incomparable Nat King Cole, signified true American royalty . . . one of those few entertainers who was everything he seemed and more. He was gifted with a rare blend of technical knowledge and sheer performing artistry topped off with an abundance of showmanship - all the while managing to remain tolerant, gracious and humble to the end. Nat King Cole had a special gift of making what he did look so easy - always in control -always the master. His voice and his music had a universal appeal that was and continues to be of timeless quality. He will forever be recognized and celebrated for the trailblazer that he was in breaking down racial barriers and for his technical and stylistic contributions to the world of music.

While the arts were an integral part of the educational curriculum in his lifetime, today’s youth are art starved. Specifically, in July 2008, the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that due to plummeting state funding and rising costs such as diesel fuel for buses, Palm Beach County schools needed to find a way to reduce their operating costs by $55.7 million. Several budget cuts were made, including cutting individual school budgets by 3 percent. More often than not, this means budget cuts in extra-curricular activities, such as music education. And, research shows that over 72% of students with a high involvement in music score in the top two quartiles of standardize tests. This is in comparison to the 45% of students with low involvement in music. Music education can also help students learn important life skills such as problem solving, creative thinking and mental discipline.

My twin sister, Casey and I believe our father, by right, has earned his place in history as a true American hero and legend through his contributions to the world of music. We therefore feel the time is right to launch Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Inc. with the goal of inspiring our youth while enriching their lives, through the power of music.

They further explain their mission:

Nat King Cole Generation Hope was created to provide funding for music education in South Florida, reaching children with the greatest need and fewest resources of all ages, ethnic backgrounds and diversities. The Foundation will help to provide musical instruments, field trips, and seminars, as well as instruction in composition, songwriting and recording arts.


One greater goal of the Foundation is to promote the growth and development of children through the study, practice and performance of music. Celebrating creativity and providing the opportunity for young people to be inspired by the transforming power of music is core to our mission. Our objective is to develop and foster self-esteem through individual accomplishment.

New Acquisitions: March 12, 2010

The following are new pieces that we have added to the Music Library since March 5.

Choral

• C-2252 - In Ecclesiis by Giovanni Gabrieli, edited by G. Wallace Woodworth (G. Schirmer/SATB/71 copies)
• C-2253 - Friends by Michael W. Smith & Deborah D. Smith, arranged by Mark A. Brymer (Hal Leonard/SATB/50 copies)
• C-2254 - Madame Jeanette by Alan Murray & Edward Lockton (Carl Fischer/SATB/69 copies)
• C-2255 - What Child is This?, Traditional, arranged by Jon Roberts (Clayton F. Summy/SATB/53 copies)
• C-2256 - With a Voice of Singing by Kent A. Newbury (Word Music/SATB/27 copies)
• C-2257 - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, arranged by Anita Kerr (Hal Leonard/SATB/48 copies)
• C-2258 - A Jubilant Hymn by Eugene Butler (Neil A. Kjos/SATB/58 copies)
• C-2259 - I Wonder as I Wander, Traditional Apalachian Carol, arranged by John Jacob Niles & Lewis Henry Horton (Hal Leonard/SSA/31 copies)
• C-2260 - Go Tell It On the Mountain, Traditional Spiritual, arranged by H.T. Burleigh (G. Ricordi/SATB/86 copies)
• C-2261 - Lay Your Head in the Window by Jester Hairston, arranged by Nathan Scott (Lawson-Gould/SATB/64 copies)
• C-2262 - Why Can't Every Day Be Christmas? by Ray Carter and Paul Tripp, arranged by Aden G. Lewis (Plymouth Music/SA or TB/31 copies)
• C-2263 - Give a Little Love at Christmas by Don Besig (Shawnee Press/2-Part/21 copies)
• C-2264 - Christmas Is... by Percy Faith & Spence Maxwell, arranged by Harry Simeone (Shawnne Press/2-Part Treble/41 copies)
• C-2265 - Christmas Is... by Percy Faith & Spence Maxwell, arranged by Harry Simeone (Shawnne Press/SATB/50 copies)
• C-2266 - Share the Love Inside of You by Ron Myers, arranged by Larry Norred (Jenson/2-Part/32 copies)
• C-2267 - I Got the Spirit by Walter Rodby (Somerset Press/SSA/33 copies)
• C-2268 - I Like Bein' a Kid by Ruth Artman (Hal Leonard/Unison-2 Part/43 copies)
• C-2269 - It's a Wonderful Thing to Be Me! by Marcy Henchen & Don Besig (Shawnee Press/2-Part Treble/40 copies)
• C-2270 - The Entertainers by Scott Joplin and Joyce Merman, arranged by Arthur Frackenpohl (Shawnee Press/2-Part Treble/31 copies
• C-2271 - Carrie Sue From Rocky Fork by Joe Mason, arrangement by John F. Wilson (Somerset Press/Unison or 2-Part/17 copies)
• C-2272 - The Funny Fifties (Charlie Brown/See You Later Alligator/Yakety Yak) by Jerry Lieber, Mike Stoller and Robert Guidry, arranged by Anita Kerr (Hal Leonard/2-Part Treble/36 copies)
• C-2273 - Christmas Time is Here by Jay Althouse (Shawnee Press/2-Part Treble/25 copies)
• C-2274 - It's Time to Ring Those Christmas Bells! by Don Besig, Nancy Price, Gus Levene & Marve Fischer, arranged by Don Besig (Shawnee Press/2-Part/39 copies)
• C-2275 - Oh Lord, How Excellent Is Thy Name by Benedetto Marcello, arranged by Paul Chase (Harold Flammer/SATB/44 copies)
• C-2276 - Slumber Song by Max Reger, Martin Boelitz & Ed Teschemacher, arranged by Linda Spevacek (Hal Leonard/SSA/57 copies)
• C-2277 - Hold On, Traditional Spriritual, arranged by Roger Emerson (Jenson/3-Part Mixed/20 copies)
• C-2278 - Love is the Answer by Raymond R. Hannisian (Shawnee Press/SSAA/21 copies)
• C-2279 - Rise Up Singin'! by Kirby Shaw (Hal Leonard/3-Part Mixed/68 copies)
• C-2280 - Jubilate! Jubilate!, Traditional Russian Air with Words by Samuel Longfellow, arranged by Joyce Eilers Bacak (Jenson/3-Part Mixed/22 copies)
• C-2281 - In the Bleak Midwinter, arranged by Mac Huff (Hal Leonard/SSA/22 copies)
• C-2282 - French Noel, Traditional, arranged by Andrea Klause (Hal Leonard/2-Part/44 copies)
• C-2283 - Dancin' by David and Jean Perry (Shawnee Press/SSA/36 copies)
• C-2284 - Sound the Trumpet by Franz Schubert, arranged by Jerry Weseley Harris (Plymouth Music-Colla Voce/SSA/39 copies)
• C-2285 - Trains and Boats and Planes by Burt Bacharach & Hal David, arranged byy Don Muller (Charles Hansen Publications/SSA/29 copies)

Band

• N-1261 - On a Hymnsong of Lowell Mason by David R. Holsinger (TRN Music/2 sets)
• N-1262 - Jack Tar March by John Phillip Sousa, arranged by Harold Gore (Harold Gore Publishing, 2 sets)