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Suppliers for sheet music (chamber) and suggestions for repertoire

Discussion in 'Music [DB]' started by Gsten, Dec 16, 2017.

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  1. Dec 16, 2017 #1
    Gsten

    Gsten

    Dec 9, 2017
    Hi all,
    New to the forum, and newly back to bass after 35 years doing career stuff. I am associated with a small liberal arts college that has no formal performance program, but a lot of youngsters with instrumental experience. I am starting a jazz/swing band and a small chamber ensemble with initial organizing principle of providing live music for dances and so forth. One challenge is that the mix of instrumental players changes frequently-right now there is no percussionist, for example. The big challenge, and the question for the forum, is to find a core repertoire of pieces that are not too difficult and can be adapted to the mix of players. I would appreciate any suggestions. Underlying this is a question about suppliers for scores/parts-I can use interlibrary loan as a temporary measure, but I am finding it difficult to find a supplier that can reliably provide sheet music. SheetMusicP cannot seem to ship even pieces that they say they have in stock;JWPepper's descriptions lack the info I need to decide. Any tips for repertoire and suppliers? Thanks
     
  2. Dec 17, 2017 #2
    neilG

    neilG

    Jun 15, 2003
    Ventura, CA
    For online sales with really good customer service and knowledgeable people, I like Theodore Front Music. The also still have a brick and mortar shop. www.tfront.com.
    For repertoire there are a number of things to do:
    -Ask here. There's a few of us who find music as a hobby and have lists.
    -Go to all the individual publishers and download their catalogs.
    -Peruse the online purveyors, but as you know, they don't always have full descriptions.
    -Search with Paul Nemeth's database. PaulNemeth.com The drawback to this database is that it doesn't tell you who publishes the music, or even if it was ever published, or still published.
    -Search Worldcat. Worldcat is not complete because only music that is in a library will show up on it.
    -There are some public domain pieces on IMSLP.
     
  3. Dec 18, 2017 #3
    Gsten

    Gsten

    Dec 9, 2017
    Hey, thanks! I appreciate the advice. Worldcat I am familiar with; the others not so much.
    So a specific (sort of) question: Waltzes and polkas, and music of that type for dancing, but not Strauss (the potential 1st violin and 1st cello rolled their eyes out of their heads at the Strauss suggestion). I have some Grieg pieces I think I can adapt, and also the waltz from Coppelia, but would appreciate any other suggestions.
    As of this coming semester, the instrumental mix of players includes several violins, only one viola and one cello, one contrabass (I think I can double the cello on some lines), one harp, piano. Lacking are horns and percussion.
    Anyway, thanks again for the tips, any others are welcome.
    Regards, G