FREE LEAD SHEET (BALLAD FOR AN OPTIMIST) from FIREBIRD EP
AUDIO DETAILS + CREDITS: “BALLAD FOR AN OPTIMIST” by Christopher Burnett (BMI) performed by Morgan Faw, alto saxophone with Alan Bartus, piano; Koji Cassetta, bass; Jesse Rangel, drums. Live at The New Amsterdam Musical Association (NAMA), New York City USA in 2025. NAMA is the oldest African-American musical organization in the United States. Learn more here.
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BurnettMusic.BIZ is a member of ArrangeMe Pro, Hal Leonard’s premier self-publishing platform. Our digital publications are available at both SHEET MUSIC DIRECT and SHEET MUSIC PLUS.
FEATURED: LARGE ENSEMBLE MUSIC
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
FEATURED: “SOUTH WIND PEOPLE (A Wind Fanfare)” SCORE ONLY
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
FEATURED: “SOUTH WIND PEOPLE (A Wind Fanfare)” ALL PARTS
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
FEATURED: LESSONS + CLINICS
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
FEATURED: “THE PRACTICE BOOK”
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
FEATURED: COMBO CHARTS
from Sheet Music Plus (Hal Leonard)
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FINALLY (Is Never Permanent) First Movement from ORIGINALS
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ALWAYS (Is Never Giving Up) Second Movement from ORIGINALS
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MAYBE (It Is or Is Not…) Third Movement from ORIGINALS
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INFINITY (Is The Reality) Fourth Movement from ORIGINALS
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LATER (Is Better Than Never) Fifth Movement from ORIGINALS
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YESTERYEARS (Bring Our Todays) Sixth Movement from ORIGINALS
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WALTZ FOR MOM (Youth Jazz Arrangement) from 2022 FELLOWS
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While Sheet Music Direct and Sheet Music Plus are both owned by the same parent company, Hal Leonard (and ultimately Muse Group as of 2023), they serve different roles in the digital and physical music market.
Sheet Music Direct
This platform is Hal Leonard‘s primary digital-first storefront, focusing on immediate access and interactive features.
- Format: Exclusively digital sheet music and guitar tablature.
- PASS Subscription: Offers a “PASS” membership for around $9.99/month (or $99/year), providing unlimited online access to over 1.1 million arrangements.
- Key Features: Includes an interactive viewer that allows for instant transposition and a “PlayAlong” app (discontinued but historically relevant) for practice with backing tracks.
- Best For: Musicians who prefer digital notation, tablets (like iPad), and subscription-based access.
Sheet Music Plus
Operating as an independent subsidiary, this site is often described as the “Amazon of sheet music” due to its massive catalog from thousands of publishers.
- Format: Offers both physical printed books and digital downloads.
- Selection: Houses the world’s largest selection with over 2 million titles, including choral, band, orchestra, and individual instrument scores.
- Recent Features: Introduced Digital Ensemble Packs for bands and orchestras, which are about 50% cheaper than buying individual digital parts.
- Best For: Educators, choir directors, and musicians looking for hard-to-find physical scores or bulk ensemble music.
Comparison Summary
| Feature | Sheet Music Direct | Sheet Music Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Digital-only & Subscriptions | Physical & Digital Retail |
| Catalog Size | 1.1 million+ digital titles | 2 million+ (Print & Digital) |
| Membership | PASS (Unlimited streaming access) | No major sitewide subscription |
| Publishing | Primary outlet for Hal Leonard | Thousands of global publishers |
| Specialty | Interactive digital tools | Ensemble packs & physical books |
Both sites use the ArrangeMe platform, allowing independent composers to self-publish their work to both storefronts simultaneously.
- Portal: https://BurnettMusic.biz
- Muse: https://ChristopherBurnett.us + https://TerriBurnettFlute.com
- Teaching: https://BurnettSchool.net
- Portfolio: https://BurnettPublishing.com
- Nonprofit: https://YouthJazz.us
- Office: (913) 250-5141
- Mail: Post Office Box 47
Leavenworth, KS 66048-0047
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