Directors vote 2022 results

Directors Vote: The Results Are In! The Most Popular 20222023 Editors Choice Selections

Each year, our editors help directors find repertoire faster by reviewing thousands of new titles from all publishers and designating only the very weightier as Editors Choice. For the second year running, we asked youour directorsto help guide your peers by sharing feedback on the newest selections.

In wing to listing your favorite titles, we asked for a short statement explaining why each is receiving your vote: what excites you well-nigh the music, how you intend to use it with your ensemble, which musical concepts the title explores, what you like well-nigh the composer, or any other relevant comments.

In 2021, we received nearly 400 votes. This year, we received over 2,100 votes from directors in 42 states! While the winners and honorable mentions are based solely on the number of submissions receiveda true popular votewe hope this list helps inform your search for new repertoire this fall and for years to come.

Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in this years campaign! Without remoter ado, here are this years most popular selections:

Choral

Winner: Singing, Bring MeRyan Main

Delightful syncopation, quasi-contemporary style with fun percussion accompaniment.Jeffrey, OK

The message speaks, and its written well for the intended ensemble.Dustin, MO

This piece is so much fun!!! You can just finger the energy explode off the page.Bethany, KS

Honorable Mentions:

We Dont Talk Well-nigh BrunoLin-Manuel Miranda/arr. Mark Brymer

This piece has everything. A wide variety in both voice and dynamics. A good training piece for wording and a cappella singing! Not to mention unconfined solo opportunities. Musically challenging AND fun for regulars and singers.Beverly, CA

Carry the LightAndy Beck

Beautiful and totally accessible. The violin part really pops as well, though Im not sure student violinists would be too keen on playing E flatbut definitely doable!Rachel, CA

I Want It That WayArtist: Backstreet Boys, arr. Nathan Howe

I am unchangingly wanting to imitate the fun that Jimmy Fallon has with these songs and classroom instruments. So glad someone is putting the arrangements on paper!Angela, SD

Concert Band

Winner: Gayle ForceQuincy Hilliard

I like the driving tempo; constructive use of ostinato in low brass.Marcus, CA

I love how the meters change, challenging students to count. Unconfined piece for teaching rhythm and ensemble precision.Matthew, PA

An heady and dramatic work that students will be proud of and the regulars will really enjoy as they listen on the whet of their seats!Matt, MN

Honorable Mentions:

Jingle Wish MarchJames Pierpont/arr. Andrew Guarrine

Love the arrangements contrasting sections and unconfined instrument balance. Well-written grade two wreath arrangement!Jeff, FL

Floating CloudsDavid Bobrowitz

This is an spanking-new piece to develop trappy tone qualities. It is beautifully written and will make a perfect middle piece for contests. Definitely worth listening to. Highly recommended.Andy, LA

Sunrise on South PadreAaron McMichael

This piece is spanking-new for a freshman wreath and above! Explore the harmonies and melodies that make this piece unique!

String Orchestra

Winner: Renegade ShowdownCaryn Wiegand Neidhold

It teaches students low second finger and extended first fingers in an engaging way. I love the harmonies in itvery creatively orchestrated!Kari, NV

Contemporary sound and nice use of staccato and legato.Kim, NM

High energy and fantastic way to work on low finger patterns and explore variegated tonal centers!Joshua, NV

Honorable Mentions:

Thundersnow!Katie OHara LaBrie

Perfect for a winter concert, while still filling the student’s love for intensity.Janei, AZ

Jingle Bells for Multi-Level OrchestraJames Pierpont/arr. Caryn Wiegand Neidhold

Excellent for recruitment and engaging the unshortened string community, from beginners to increasingly wide musicians. Sure to be a hit with families!

Rockin Ol St. NickJames Murray/arr. Caryn Wiegand Neidhold

Excellent rhythm that is motivating for students.Kim, NM

Jazz Ensemble

We had a tie in our jazz ensemble category!

Winner: AbacusRyan Fraley

I venerate the vibe on this chart. Definitely programming this yeara jazz waltz thats pretty easy to play AND has a unconfined melody? Exciting!!!Jacob, WI

Winner: No Harm/No FowlKris Berg

Kris Berg is a no-brainer!Jacob, WI

Sacred Choral

Winner: Glorious Impossible (The Miracle of Christmas)Lee Black and Sue C. Smith/arr. Russell Mauldin (cantata)

Best musical!Jimmy, AL

Honorable Mentions:

Leaning on the Everlasting Armsarr. Marianne Kim

Love Marianne Kims jazziness! The traditional folks love this style!Traci, MS

To Sing Once MoreCraig Courtney

Absolutely lovely piece! Unconfined text and I think my voices would really enjoy this selection!Steven, IA

Home by Another RoadMark A. Miller

Good range for my white-haired denomination voices and relatively easy to put together.Steven, IA

Handbell

Winner: What a Friend We Have in Jesusarr. John A. Behnke

Its a favorite hymn for so many and works well any time in the denomination timetable year. Plus, handbell ringing is just reemerging post-Covid, and new settings such as this add freshness to the service.Cheryl, MO

Great arrangementunique!John, FL

Honorable Mentions:

A Christmas Mix(olydian)arr. Barbara Scheffter

Key changes provide interest. Good use of chimes and mallets for contrast.Jeanette, WY

Santa Claus Is Coming to Townarr. Ron Mallory

A jazzy rendition of the traditional song. Just fun to listen to!

All the World Rings for Joyarr. Linda Scholes

Nice combination of tunes in a non-traditional way. Varied techniques used.

Bonus: Older Editors Choice Selections that Received Votes

StormJames M. DesJardins

Fast paced. Heady and dramatic melodies, mimicking the sounds of rain and thunder. Parts are easy to learn. Many options for instruments, which can build conviction and full participation from the choir.

Starfire FanfareRandall D. Standridge

Gotta include Standridge! This tune is the ultimate wham for beginners. A FANTASTIC way to teach 6/8 time. Spot ON!

Medieval KingsSoon Hee Newbold

Very wieldy to intermediate-level string orchestras. My students love playing this piece.

Moten SwingBuster Moten & Bennie Moten/arr. Rick Stitzel

Great arrangement! Representative of the Basie style to help teach young jazz players how to swing and emphasize dynamic contrast. Also, its a unconfined standard to add to your library that works well for lots of performances.

A Mighty Fortress Is Our Godarr. Kyle Pederson

Unexpected rendition and a hauntingly trappy arrangement. Not too difficult and can be washed-up with just the piano.

In Time of Silver RainSarah Quartel

The warm, gentle melody of this piece is first sung in unison surpassing stuff expanded upon with trappy harmonies. The exploration of the melody allows the voices to work on section and ensemble blend.

Hawkeye OvertureRobert Sheldon

Grade two on the harder side, unconfined use of key changes without any overcomplications. Love the chords in the low brass.

Dies Irae: FantasiaDeborah Baker Monday

There are so many reasons why I loved this piece. This is a very archetype motif that gets woven into a trappy fantasy piece. It allows kids to talk well-nigh the older music and music history while still making it interesting, and it gave them increasingly to understand in their playing. This was my students favorite piece of the unshortened year (even over the Avengers!), and we took it to contest.