Print & Digital
Excelcia Music Publishing Announces Two Chord Jams by Peter Sciaino
A new resource for Jazz groups of all sizes has arrived in the form of Two Chord Jams, a book by composer and educator Peter Sciaino offering a fun and focused approach to Jazz improvisation. Two Chord Jams contains twelve original, performable tunes, designed to support beginning improvisers in both small group and large ensemble settings, along with free downloadable backing tracks so students can practice individually.
The twelve selections in the book include the melody (head), background figures for solo sections, suggested scales, and fully notated rhythm section parts. Two Chord Jams also provides suggestions for flexible use: as a full Jazz Ensemble warm-up or exercise, in performance, or as a way for students to practice improvisation, comping, or playing bass lines on their own with backing tracks.
New String Orchestra Recordings are Live!
We’ve got big news! Recordings of our upcoming String Orchestra music for 2026-2027 are now available for you to listen to. The soon-to-release catalog features music written for grades 0.5-4+, suitable for your String Orchestra’s performances throughout the school year.
The recordings and upcoming release feature music composed or arranged by R. Scott Whittington, Albert Wang, Doug Spata, Peter Sciaino, Caryn Wiegand Neidhold, Deborah Baker Monday, David Hinds, Vince Gassi, Aaron Fryklund, George T. Frueh, Erica Donahoe, Susan H. Day, Sanchie Bobrow, Peter Blair, Matt Arnett, and Tyler Arcari.
Excelcia Music Publishing’s New String Orchestra Music Release Inspires for 2026-2027
A new catalog of String and Full Orchestra music for 2026-2027 is now available from Excelcia Music Publishing. The collection of new works represents a collection of creative imaginings by composers and arrangers who are passionate about music education, thoughtfully presented to meet the educational and musical needs of students of all levels. The new release offers music appropriate for performance occasions throughout the year, such as back-to-school, seasonal, and holiday concerts, as well as festival and assessment performances.
This release heralds the introduction of Ready Sets for String Orchestra: three additional time and money-saving options available for directors to choose from when purchasing music for their ensembles in the form of the Judges Set, Class Set, and Bundled Set. Digital program notes for all new releases will also be available on the publisher’s website, making it fast and easy for Directors to copy and paste into their own programs. In addition, live professional recordings of each piece and ScoreVideos, which can be used for selection and classroom use, are included in the new release. Professional recordings of the new music will be streamed on all major platforms and the publisher’s website.
Kendor Music Publishing’s New Catalog of String Orchestra Music Has Arrived
Kendor Music Publishing has just released 24 brand new original and arranged String Orchestra works for 2026-2027. The pieces range from grade levels 0.5 through 4+, written by passionate composers, arrangers, and educators to suit performance occasions such as fall and spring concerts, holiday concerts, and contest and festival occasions.
With an interactive online component to streamline easy and thorough selection, Orchestra directors can access free professional recordings and full ScoreVideos, as well as easy-to-access digital program notes for each new piece of music. Professional recordings of the new music are streaming on the publisher’s website, and will be available on all major platforms. All of these resources can also be used as tools for classroom instruction. This release also introduces Ready Sets to Kendor Music Publishing: three time and money-saving options for directors to choose from in the form of the Judges Set, Class Set, and Bundled Set, in addition to the standard traditional set of score and parts.
Wingert-Jones Publications Releases New Achievement-Focused Orchestra Music
Featuring 25 original and newly-arranged String Orchestra works for all occasions at grade levels 0.5-4+, Wingert-Jones Publications has just released their new 2026-2027 String Orchestra music catalog. This release also marks the introduction of Ready Sets for String Orchestra, with three new time and money-saving options: the Judges Set, Class Set, and Bundled Set, that directors can choose from, alongside the traditional standard set of score and parts.
Live professional recordings and ScoreVideos are available for each piece, along with easy-to-access digital program notes. These resources facilitate easy music review and selection, and can be used as tools with students in the classroom. The recordings are streaming on the publisher’s website, and will soon be streaming on all major platforms.
Accessories
Discover the Juicer Portable Power System
A self-contained, robust, portable battery power solution. Experience all-day power of 2000 watts without the drawbacks of generator noise, fumes, or fuels. With an impressive run time of 8 hours or more, it serves as the perfect companion for powering field PA systems. Runs All Day. Juicer has a runtime of 8 hours or more on most PA systems.
New Super Polished Guitar Strings from La Bella
These new strings deliver the clarity and bite of stainless steel with an exceptionally smooth, velvet‑like feel you simply won’t find elsewhere.
Each set begins life as a round‑wound stainless‑steel string, built on La Bella’s signature flexible cores and precise gauges. Then, in their New York factory, they undergo a transformation that only La Bella can achieve.
Using custom‑engineered polishing machines — designed and built in‑house — the strings are meticulously smoothed to remove the ridges that normally define a round wound. This intensive, multi‑stage process goes far beyond the abrasive finish of conventional “half rounds” or “ground wounds”, which rely on grinding rather than true polishing. The result is a uniquely balanced tone that sits between flats and rounds: rich, expressive, and remarkably quick under the fingers.
New Stringjoy Soft Touch Strings for Electric Guitar
Stringjoy have just dropped two new sets that are unlike anything else in their lineup. Soft Touch strings were designed from the ground up to make playing as comfortable as possible AND maintain the balance and tone you’ve come to expect from Stringjoy.
Whether you’re just setting off on your guitar-playing journey, a seasoned player who’s shaking the rust off, a parent seeking strings to inspire young players, or anyone else who wants to unlock their guitar’s best sound with a light touch, Stringjoy Soft Touch strings maximize comfort with zero compromise on tone.
Balanced Tension, Signature Response – Soft Touch strings aren’t just “light.” They’re engineered for balance that your fingers will respond to no matter your experience level.
Dynamic Tone with Less Resistance – Premium strings deliver iconic tones in gauges that keep your hands happy.
Magnatone Announces the Lil’ Viper
It’s a lightweight amp designed to deliver a remarkably big tone. Developed with Slash, the Lil’ Viper packs its unmistakable Master Collection tone into a surprisingly powerful 8-watt combo amp that’s perfect for home, studio and, of course, backstage.
Like all Magnatone amps, the Lil’ Viper is made in the USA and features a single 12AX7 preamp tube and a pair of NOS 6AQ5 power tubes delivering 8 watts of push-pull Class AB output through a Magnatone Custom 8” ceramic magnet speaker. A High/Low gain switch gives players two distinct voicings.
New VK Synthetic Reeds for Bass Clarinet
Vandoren introduces the new VK1 synthetic reeds for Bass Clarinet, crafted from a proprietary composite material developed over seven years of research.
Originally launched for Bb Clarinet, the Vandoren VK synthetic reed range has expanded to include Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone and now Bass Clarinet, offering the same innovative material performance and exceptional consistency across these additional instruments.
Vandoren VK reeds are made from a unique composite fiber material designed not to imitate the structure of cane but to replicate its essential physical characteristics—ensuring the same acoustic behavior as a natural reed.
Instruments
Yamaha Drums Expand Recording Custom Series
The Yamaha Recording Custom Series is an industry benchmark, renowned for its uncompromising consistency, precision engineering, and unmistakably balanced tone. Designed to deliver exceptional clarity and control in both studio and live environments, these drums are trusted by professionals for their articulate response, powerful projection, and mix-ready sound.
Design Features: The kits retain the signature design elements developed with Steve Gadd, including weighted high-tension lugs for enhanced low frequencies and YESS mounts for maximum resonance.
CONN SELMER Introduces New CONN Saxophone Series
– Tailored for the beginning saxophonist, the CAS211 neck and bore design enable an easy, responsive sound with superb intonation. Cold-forged brass keys are secured with post-to-body construction, finely balanced by blue steel springs, and carefully fitted with premium Pisoni pads. Featuring a high F# key and tilting spatula mechanism, the CAS211 is protected in a strong and lightweight case and includes all the accessories you need to start your musical journey with a Conn saxophone.
– Tailored for the advancing saxophonist, the CAS411 embodies the responsive, free-blowing sound of vintage American saxophones with superb intonation and modern ergonomics. Cold-forged brass keys are secured with post-to-body construction, finely balanced by blue steel springs, and carefully fitted with premium Pisoni pads.
– Introducing the CONN CAS811 CONNfirmation Alto Saxophone designed and hand-crafted for a sound that is warm, colorful, and robust with maximum flexibility, the legendary CONN sound is now available in a modern horn with the CONNfirmation: a saxophone for musicians, by musicians.
