2023’s Top Print Music Titles

Happily for our industry as a whole, enthusiasm for learning music and advancing existing knowledge continues to soar. Whether a lingering byproduct of those who took to music as a means of escape during the pandemic, a return to in-class teaching in the past couple of years, or both factors combined (or, who knows – other reasons entirely!) music scholarship was big business in 2023 and the trend looks to continue in the coming years. MMR spoke with eight of the most significant publishers in the market to learn what titles – from instructional booklets to pop folios – were flying off the shelves in the past calendar year.

Hal Leonard

Taylor Swift Folklore
Taylor Swift Really Easy Piano
First 50 Songs You Should Play on Piano
Contemporary Disney
The Real Book
Queen Complete Scores
The Beatles Sheet Music Collection
Star Wars Piano Anthology
Metallica 72 Seasons
Daily Ukulele

“2023 has been the year of education. From general instrument method sales to school music instrumental ensembles and choral octavos, there is no doubt that the desire to make music remains strong. Combined with record sales in Pioneer DJ, AVID, and Noteflight Learn, it’s easy to see that print media combined with technology will continue to be the wave of the future.” – David Jahnke, Senior VP of North America, Hal Leonard

Alfred Music

Adult All-In-One Book 1 by Willard A. Palmer, Morton Manus, and Amanda Vick Lethco
Suzuki Violin School Book 1 by Shinichi Suzuki
Sound Innovations String Orchestra Violin Book 1 by Bob Phillips, Peter Boonshaft, and Robert Sheldon
Sound Innovations Concert Band Trumpet Book 1 by Robert Sheldon, Peter Boonshaft, Dave Black, and Bob Phillips
Stick Control by George Lawrence Stone
Carry the Light by Andy Beck
Rolling Stone Easy Piano Sheet Music Classics, Volume 1 Dan Coates
Arabian Dances by Roland Barrett
Exhilaration by Cooper Ford
Paint it Black by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards / arr. Mike Story

“With the help of our strong network of print music dealers, 2023 has been a successful year for Alfred Music. We saw a return to form in the academic markets with impressive sales of school performance music, including our new MakeMusic Publications imprint, while best-selling methods like Sound Innovations, Alfred’s Basic Piano Library, and Suzuki continue to perform well. We’ve also seen success with our growing line of distribution partners, adding both The FJH Music Company and Tyler S. Grant Music Works to the fold.” – Derek Richard, VP Production & Operations, Alfred Music

Kendor Music Publishing

Inside the Score by Rayburn Wright (Jazz Ensemble)
The Jazz Commandments by Jerry Tolson (Jazz Ensemble)
Beyond the Thunder by Deborah Baker Monday (String Orchestra)
Danse Estrangé by Kirt N. Mosier (String Orchestra)
Aeolian Rock by Jeffrey Frizzi (String Orchestra)
Canyon Sunset by John Caponegro (String Orchestra)
Hay Burner by Sammy Nestico (Jazz Ensemble)
Big Dipper by Thad Jones (Jazz Ensemble)
727 South Broad Street by Lars Halle (Jazz Ensemble)
The Neighbor from Naylor by Bryan Carter (Jazz Ensemble)

“Kendor Music Publishing had a banner year in 2023. We added outstanding composers to our roster of talented writers and expanded our musical and educational offerings across our catalog. We are looking forward to what is shaping up to be a terrific 2024.” – Blair Bielawski, Editor, Kendor Music Publishing

Excelcia Music Publishing

The Complete Warm-Up for Band by Carol Brittin Chambers & Tyler Arcari (Concert Band)
The Adaptable Ensemble Series by Matthew R. Putnam & Tyler Arcari (Solo/Ensemble- Winds/Strings/Percussion, Flexible)
Byzantine Dances by Carol Brittin Chambers (Concert Band)
Zig Zag by Sean O’Loughlin (Concert Band, String Orchestra)
Aliens in the Attic by Tyler Arcari (Concert Band, String Orchestra)
Poor Wayfarin’ Stranger Jamey Ray (Choral)
Thundersnow! by Katie O’Hara LaBrie (String Orchestra)
Colors of Home by Alan Lee Silva (String Orchestra)
Groovin’ up the Halls David Samuel (Jazz Ensemble)
Brace for Impact by Christina Huss (Concert Band)

“2023 was an exciting year of continued growth for Excelcia Music Publishing. We expanded our publication offerings, and increased our reach to musicians around the world, setting us up for an even more successful 2024.” – Larry Clark, President, Excelcia Music Publishing

Wingert-Jones Publications

Axiom by Larry Clark (Concert Band)
Solo Performance Collection by Larry Clark & Tyler Arcari (Solo/Ensemble Collection)
Wintertide by Randall D. Standridge (Concert Band)
Aliens Landing by John M. Prescott (Concert Band)
Inverno Todd Parrish (String Orchestra)
Legends of Glory by Kathryn Griesinger (String Orchestra)
Flexible Favorites (Classics) Kathryn Griesinger & Joe Snyder (Solo/Ensemble)
Sight Reading series by Jerry West (Concert Band, String Orchestra)
Spy Rock by Eric B. Davis (String Orchestra)
United System for Winds and Percussion by Peter Sciaino (Concert Band)

“Every day in 2023 brought something new from Wingert-Jones Publications. It has been so invigorating to watch composers and authors breathe new life into the catalog. We look forward to the ongoing success in 2024!” – Diana Traietta, Director of Sales & Marketing, Wingert-Jones Publications

Carl Fischer Music

Ad Astra (To the stars…)
Guitar Grimoire-Scales & Modes
Exercise Book, The
Guitar Grimoire,The-Chords & V
Melodious Etudes for Tbn, Bk.1
Arbans Tpt Method
Arbans Tpt Method – Spiral
Technical Studies – Cornet
Arban Trombone – new
Scale System

“Long considered the bible of Guitar, the Guitar Grimoire series continued to dominate the Top 10 Carl Fischer best-sellers alongside the most celebrated books for Violin, Trumpet, and Trombone from Flesch, Arban, Clarke, and Bordogni. BriLee Music and Carl Fischer Choral Editor Denise Eaton was honored in 2023 with the prestigious Texas Choirmaster Award, following a landmark anniversary for BriLee as the Voice of Choral Music for 25 Years. It’s been an incredible year for Presser as well, from Adolphus Hailstork’s masterwork Done Made My Vow making headlines in world-renowned performances to best-selling new releases for Trumpet and Flute. A star-studded 2023 continued with Flute Virtuoso Jasmine Choi’s expanded and turbo-charged release of Taffanel & Gaubert’s 17 Daily Exercises, quickly becoming the new definitive edition of this flute essential after sweeping the globe this summer.”

– Sonya Kim, CEO, Carl Fischer Music

Theodore Presser Company