Addressing the particular needs of beginners, the positive language provides encouragement while the solid pedagogy and wide selection of songs promote understanding. In the new eighth edition, vocal health, formerly Chapter 11, has been moved to an earlier position, Chapter 6, and song contents were expanded. Twelve titles, several in two keys, are new to this edition, including Jeanine Tesori, who wrote new songs for the 2001 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, poet Langston Hughes and composers H. T. Burleigh, Margaret Bonds and Duke Ellington. A Mexican popular standard, “Sabor à mi,” is included for the first time.

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