About Us
About Us
The Colorado History Songbook, first published in 1998, began with a couple of songs written by John J. Polinski, a Jeffco Elementary General Music Teacher (now retired). At the time John, recently transplanted to Colorado from California, was trying to find some songs to use in his music class that would go along with the Colorado history curriculum being taught in the fourth grade classroom. Frustrated, John, an accomplished composer of sacred choral music, wrote a couple of songs which his Belmar Elementary School Fourth Graders premiered at a PTA sponsored Spaghetti Dinner. A parent in the audience, also a Jeffco music teacher, spread the word and John was asked to share his first two songs, Colorado! and Columbine at a Jeffco Elementary Music in-service. His fellow teachers encouraged him to write more and to publish them. Over that summer, John composed, arranged and recorded a total of six songs and with the marketing assistance of his wife, Sylvia, the first Colorado History Songbook collection was born with a premier at the Colorado Music Educator’s Association in January 1999.
Music for You was already registered as the Polinski husband and wife music duo trade name and the new business immediately became Music for You Publishing.
Success!! The first songbook met with immediate acclaim as music teachers all across Colorado began to teach these songs. Many schools began a tradition of an annual Colorado History Show. Of course, suggestions poured in about many subjects not covered in the first collection and so, in the summer of 2002, John wrote the songs for “Book II”, followed by a collection of songs for recorder called Colorado B A G and finally, in 2009, the new Vintage Colorado! Songbook, which features an updated arrangement of the Colorado State Song, Where the Columbines Grow. John also arranged the Colorado State Song along wth Hail Colorado, a rousng march at one time also under consideration for the state song, in 4 part and 2 part octavo publications for Middle and High School, as well as community choirs. This medley is called Colorado Pride and has been performed by The Denver Chorale and The Parker Chorale.
John’s arrangements are especially fun, written in a variety of styles and in easy ranges for children to sing with great accompaniment tracks.
Latest News - - After John suffered two strokes in 2011 and 2012, John and Sylvia Polinski decided to return to the warmer climate of Southen California and settled into a new home in Long Beach. We will continue to support our wonderful school customers in Colorado and make the publications available as long as we are able.
John J. Polinski passed on in November of 2021. his wife, Sylvia, will continue to support the publication
of his wonderful music as long as she is able.