School Sheet Music

Finding good quality new school sheet music is not always easy. Most music teachers try to build up a library of suitable pieces over time, but fresh new material is always needed to maintain interested but also to help poor old music teachers from getting bored of the same old tunes.

Scores 4 Schools is an excellent new resource for school sheet music aimed at string groups and ensembles. With new releases coming out regularly you can always find some good new material for the start of a new term.

Sheet music in your school - building a library to enhance musical experience

If your music department is anything like mine, you'll be drowning in music. Orchestra music, band music, string music, duets, trios, quartets etc., the list could go on for ever. If you spend a few minutes looking through the collection you have built up you'll probably find music there that you don't ever remember playing, or music that you ordered and then forgot about. What about the piece which you put to one side after one rehearsal because it was too hard and promised yourself you were going to arrange for your band to make it easier? Or the one which has been played 3 times in the last 3 years because you're not sure what else is in the cupboard and available?

How do you organise your library and stay on top of all your sheet music?

Well, as with anything in school, organisation is the key to building your library of music and making sure that you know where everything is. Simple systems can be put in place which, if adhered to, will transform the way you work with your ensembles and enhance their musical experience. Try these for starters:

• Catalogue everything. Boring, yes, but vitally important if you want to stay on top of your stock. Use files, folders, notebooks, lists on the wall – anything which will work in your department to help. Every time a new piece is ordered and arrives, make sure that it is logged under the correct ensemble.
• Store your music sensibly. If you run several different groups within school, split up the music accordingly rather than storing every single piece alphabetically. This way, if you need a piece in a hurry, you can simply find the section for the relevant ensemble and grab something! Try using box files, colour-coded perhaps, and store 3 or 4 pieces in each. Write the names of the pieces on the spine of the file. Or designate sections in your cupboard or shelving system for each ensemble and store this way. Filing cabinets can be used although a lot of band music is very bulky and will take up a lot of space.
• Use some of your free time each week to actually look at the music you have and do any arranging, transposing or adding extra parts which might be needed. This way, even music you thought was unsuitable can become a great resource for your ensembles. To ease your workload, try setting it as an exercise for the more advanced players (A Level or GCSE) – to transpose parts which are needed or to arrange a piece for a certain group of instruments. This way, you'll get a great piece you can perform and they'll get some good experience!
• Keep records of the pieces which you play in each concert. This way, you won't find yourself playing the same piece too often, even if it did work well! Ring the changes with the music and keep tabs on who was in the band when pieces were performed so they don't end up repeating themselves too much.
• Use your peripatetic teachers – they may have old duet/trio/ensemble music which they don't want any more. Have a good look at it and see if you can use it for any purpose – either by arranging it for a group or even for use in the classroom. Maybe the melody is great but the rest a bit dull – so liven it up. Jazz up the rhythm and add parts which you know your pupils will love playing. Another concert performance – for free!
• Think carefully about how and when you order new music. Find out at the beginning of the school year how much money you have to spend on any particular group, and plan your purchases accordingly. Try to order several pieces at a time as this will save on postage costs. The best time to order new music? Well before you run out of new tunes!
• Sort sort sort! After every concert or performance, make sure that the music is sorted out quickly and carefully. Return all the parts to the original pad and always check that the score is there as this can cause havoc if it's lost! Then store in your system, ensuring that you log the performance of the piece. Another useful job for students!

If you are careful with your storage and records of the pieces you have in school, you will have enough music to last you for years of concerts. Vary styles when you buy from year to year and you will soon end up with a great deal of excellent possibilities for all occasions!