We will be singing our anthems “My World”, “Room to Grow” and “The Simplest Things” for Earth Day.
Go to jwpepper.com – type in “My World – Schram” and you can listen to a bit of a recording of this song.
For the 15th Anniversary of Music Monday, the anthem is Oscar Peterson’s iconic 1963 anthem “Hymn to Freedom”.
Here are the Music Monday Anthems from other years that we can sing, too.
Primary Lyrics – Spring 2019 – TRANSPORTATION TUNES
note: the melodies for these songs are on the website, by following this LINK: I have recorded the melodies on the recorder, but some are recordings with vocals.
I went for a ride – by Adeline McCall – Kindergarten: lyrics sent home by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Peters
ON FOOT
Hike Along – a round by Evan Roberts
The Happy Wanderer (with partner) – by Antonia Ridge & Frederick W. Moller, with new partner music and words by Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid
As I walk along in the bracing mountain air, I can see for miles around. I sing as I walk and I haven’t a care, the mountains echo back the sound. Yodel ay dee ay dee ay. Yodel ay dee ay dee oh, Yodel ay dee ay dee ay, How I yodel as I go. Yodel ay dee ay dee ay. Yodel ay dee ay dee oh. Come join our happy little song.
I love to go a-wandering, along the mountain track. And as I go, I love to sing, my knapsack on my back. Val de ree, val de rah, val de ree, val de rah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, val de ree, val de rah. Come join our happy song.
ON THE TRAIL
Red River Cart song – R. Hyslop and L. Johnson
Verses: grade 3s, Chorus: all
The railhead was in Calgary back in those early days. And ev’ryone a-goin’ north had to find a diff’rent way. There were horses dragging travois, they had been there from the start. But my father went to Edmonton in a Red River cart.
Rolling along the prairies, you great big wooden wheels. Stir the dust and fill thee air with screeching and with squeals, oh! Pitch and sway from side to side, the summer day is long. And make your way up north, singing the Red River cart song.
Thee only road the prairies knew was called the Calg’ry Trail. For horses, mules and oxen, and the men who carried mail. For fam’lies from thee East, who came for a new start. And my father went to Edmonton in a Red River cart.
CHORUS
Horsey! Horsey! – by Butler and Roberts: Kindergarten – lyrics sent home by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Peters
My Donkey – Portuguese folk melody: Kindergarten – lyrics sent home by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Peters
Tingalayo (with partner) – West Indies folk song, with additional music and words by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid
Z Let’s go little burro. I know we can have a good time. Z Let’s go little burro, this ride is gonna be fun! Z We’re gonna ride Z up mountain side Z and down to the valley. Z so hurry do Z I’m begging you Z I want to get home by nightfall! Z Let’s go little burro, please don’t be a stubborn fellow! Z Let’s go little burro, come on, let’s follow the sun.
Tinga- layo, come little donkey, come. Tinga – layo, come little donkey come. My donkey yes, my donkey no, my donkey stop when I say to go! My donkey yes, my donkey no, my donkey stop when I say to go! Tinga – layo, come little donkey come. Tinga- layo, come little donkey come!
Wait for the Wagon – Folk song, arranged by Catherine DeLanoy
Oh come with me, said Jimmy, to near blue mountain free, where blossoms smell the sweetest, come ride along with me. So ev’ry Sunday morning, when I am by your side, we’ll jump into the wagon, and all take a ride.
Wait Z for the wagon. Wait for the wagon. Wait Z for the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride. (repeat).
Jump into the wagon, and we’ll ride—-, ride—. Jump into the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride. (repeat).
Where the river runs like silver, and birds they sing so sweet, there Jimmy has a cabin, and something good to eat. So ev’ry Sunday morning, when I am by your side, we’ll jump into the wagon, and all take a ride.
Wait Z for the wagon. Wait Z for the wagon. Wait Z for the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride. (repeat).
Do you believe, said Jimmy, old Mike with all his wealth, can make you half so happy, as I with youth and health? So ev’ry Sunday morning, when I am by your side, we’ll jump into the wagon, and all take a ride.
Wait! Z Z Z Wait! Z Z Z Wait! Z Z and we’ll all take a ride
(stomp) for the wagon. (stomp) for the wagon. (stomp) for the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride.
Jump into the wagon, and we’ll ride—-, ride—. Jump into the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride. (repeat).
Together on life’s journey, we’ll travel till we stop. If we have no trouble, we’ll reach the happy top. So ev’ry Sunday morning, when I am by your side. We’ll jump into the wagon and….we’ll all—————–take——a—— ride——–(jump into the wagon and we’ll ride—, ride—, jump into the wagon, and we’ll all take a ride)
ON THE ROAD
The Wheels on the Bus – Kindergarten – lyrics sent home by Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Peters
Bicycle Built for Two – by Harry Dacre – duet or small group
In My Merry Oldsmobile – by Vincent Bryan & Gus Edwards – duet or small group
OVER THE SNOW
THIS IS NOW A SMALL GROUP SELECTION, not for the whole choir
Winter Troika Ride – by Cristi Cary Miller
See the snowflakes falling, falling, through the frosty air we go. Horses trotting faster, faster, as we travel o’er the snow. Noses tingle, friends all mingle, hear the jingle of the sleigh. The wind is biting, so exciting, what a win’try day! See the snowflakes falling, falling, through the frosty air we go. Horses trotting faster, faster, as we travel o’er the snow.
Snow is falling, through thee air we go. Horses trotting, travel o’er the snow. Noses tingle. Hear the jingle of the sleigh. Wind is biting. What a win’try day! Snow is falling, through thee air we go. Horses trotting, travel o’er the snow.
On this Z winter Troika ride, the day has just begun Z laughing, singing all the way, oh come join in the fun!
Trav’ling over hill and dale, the horses seem to know the way. Ev’rywhere are sign of winter, all the world is on display. Cider sipping, hats are tipping, horses tripping as we go. Voices singing, bells are ringing, all thee earth’s aglow! Trav’ling over hill and dale the horses seem to know the way. Ev’rywhere are signs of winter, all the world is on display
Trave’ling over, horses know the way. Signs of winter, all is on display. Cider sipping, horses tripping as we go. Voices singing, all thee earth’s aglow. Trav’ling over, horses know the way. Signs of winter, all is on display
Chorus
See the snowflakes falling, falling, Horses trotting faster, faster, on this winter troika ride!
OVER THE WATER
Canoe Song (with additional words and music) – arranged by Ruth Morris Gray
My paddle’s keen and bright, flashing like silver. Follow the wild goose flight, dip dip and swing. Dip dip and swing it back, flashing like silver. Swift as the wild goose flight, dip dip and swing.
The morning it greets us, thee earth is our friend. Our journey through water begins once again.
(repeat part one, now as a round)
The blue sky surrounds us, the river, it bends. We follow its winding, ’til darkness descends.
Hey– ya na, hey—ya na, hey— ya na, hey– ya. Hey— ya na, hey– ya na, hey– ya na, hey.
(repeat chant, sing part one as a round)
Swift—as the wild—-goose— flight—— Z hey— ya na hey!
Ferryman – words by Christina Rossetti, music by David Lord
Ferry me across the water, do, boatman, do. If you’ve a penny in your purse, I’ll ferry you.
I have a penny in my purse, and my eyes are blue, so ferry me across the water, do, boatman, do.
Step into my ferry boat, be they black or blue. And for the penny in your purse, I’ll ferry you.
Ferry me across the water, do, boatman, do. If you’ve a penny in your purse, I’ll ferry you.
IN THE AIR
The Path to the Moon – by Madeline Thomas & Eric Thiman: small group
My Balloon – by D. Geoffrey Bell: small group
ALONG THE TRACK
She’ll be Comin’ Around the Mountain (with partner, The Gospel Train) – arranged by F. Beckman
She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain when she comes. She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain when she comes. She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain, she’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain, she’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain when she comes.
She’ll be drivin’ 6 white horses…….
Oh we’ll all go out to meet her when she comes…..
Oh we’ll all have chicken dumplings when she comes…..
The gospel train’s a-coming. I hear it just at hand. I hear the car wheels moving, and rumbling through the land.
Comin’ ‘round the mountain (6 times), She’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain she’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain. She’ll be…. comin’ ‘round the mountain (6 times), she’ll be comin’ ‘round the mountain when she comes.
Git on board, little children (3 times), there’s room for many a more.
Get on Board – African American Spiritual – arranged by Shirley W. McRae
THIS IS NOW A SMALL GROUP SELECTION, not for the whole choir
Get on board, little children, get on board, little children, get on board, little children, there’s room for many a more.
The gospel train is coming, I hear it just at hand. I hear the wheels a movin’, and rumblin’ through the land.
She’s nearing now the station, O sister, don’t be vain. But come and get your ticket, be ready for the train.
The fare is cheap and all can go, the rich and poor are there. No second class on board this train, no diff’rence in the fare.
On the Railroad (with partner) – new words and music by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid
I’ve been workin’ on the railroad, all the livelong day. Yes, I’ve been workin’ on the railroad, just to pass the time away. Can’t you hear the whistle blowin’, “rise up so early in the morn”. Can’t you hear the captain shoutin’ “Dinah, blow your horn”.
Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow, Dinah won’t you blow your horn—— (repeat)
Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah. Someone’s in the kitchen I know——. Someone’s in the kitchen with Dinah. Strummin’ on thee old banjo, and playin’….
Fee Fie Fid-dle-ee I O. Fee Fie —dle-ee I O——. Fee Fie Fid-dle-ee I O— stummin’ on thee old banjo.
All day long I’m workin’ on the railroad, bringin’ om a payload, passin’ time away. All night long, I dream about the railroad, dreamin’ till the break of day. When I hear thee old red rooster crow, and I hear the morning whistle blow, then I jump right out of bed and off I go, time to face another morn.
Off to work, now we go, in the early morn—. Off to work, don’t be slow, listen to the bugler’s horn.
Out in the kitchen I hear a banjo playin’ so soft and low. Play me a happy melody from a time so long ago. And playin’…
Z a- plunk-a plunk-a! Play the little banjo. Z a-plunk-a plunk-a! Listen to him go! Join right in and plunk-a, plunk-a, plunk! It’s the sweetest sound I know.
Happy Trails – by Dale Evans
Happy trails to you, until we meet again. Happy trails to you, keep smilin’ until then. Who cares about the clouds when we’re together, just sing a song and bring the sunny weather. Happy trails to you, til we meet again.
The theme for our concert will be TO MUSIC. The songs represent a range of emotions when one thinks about the joy music brings to our lives. Students are encouraged to practice the songs, as we sing them from memory, by using the recordings on this website.
Except for the medley from THE SOUND OF MUSIC, and RHYTHM DANCE and RHYTHM SONG, the lyrics are posted below. Here is a link to the recorded music for practicing.
This Shall be for Music – text by Robert Louis Stevenson, music by Mark Patterson
I will make you brooches, and toys for your delight. Of birdsong at morning, and starshine at night. I will make a palace, fit for you and me….. of green days in forests, and blue days at sea.
And this shall be for music, when no one else is near. The fine song for singing, the rare songs to hear. That only I remember, that only you admire. Of the broad road before us….. an the roadside fire.
I will bring you gifts of gold, with thee autumn leaves. Precious gems and treasure troves, with the buds of spring.
And this shall be for music, (when no one else is near). The fine song for singing, (this for singing) the rare songs to hear. That only I remember, (and) that only you admire. Of the broad road before us….. and the roadside fire. The broad road before us, and the roadside fire. This shall be for music.
To Music – 16th century German Choral, arranged by Betty Bertaux
To singing and to music, to joyful friendship true. To moments filled with happiness, refreshing each day anew
(Chorus): From valleys and from hilltops, from sea to shining sea, let earth resound with music, and life the richer be
Lift ev’ry voice tomusic, to love’s expression sing. Let music live in mind and heart, let joy and laughter ring. (Chorus)
For through the gift to humankind we each to all belong. It’s music that has joined us, in life’s sweet mastersong. (Chorus)
Music Alone Shall Live – traditional German text & new musical setting by Shirley McRae
A 3-part round: Music, music, music alone shall live. Music, music alone shall live. Music, music, music alone shall live
O Music – Lowell Mason, arranged by Doreen Rao
A 3-part round: O music, sweet music, thy praises we will sing. We will tell of the pleasures, and happiness you bring. Music, music, let the chorus sing.
I Will Sing – by Mary Donnelly and George L.O. Strid
Part 2: Verse one: I will sing—-for—-all to hear. I will sing—–to—-people far and near. Lift my voice—-in melody. Soon the world—–will—-sing along with me.
Verse two: When you sing—–your— voice is very small. With a friend—- you—-sing the best of all—. Lift your voice—–and sing with me. Now our voices blend in perfect harmony.
CHORUS: Sing a song—-all day long—- let it fill thee air—– lift your voice—–and rejoice—music everywhere
REPEAT verse one, then chorus, then (most of verse two):
When you sing—–your— voice is very small. With a friend—- you—-sing the best of all—. Lift your voice—–and sing with me. And our voices will blend, will blend in per—-fect——har—mo—-ny———-
Part 1: Verse one: Sing a song for ev’ryone to hear. Sing a song to people far and near. I will lift my voice in joyful melody. Soon the world will sing along with me.
Verse two: All alone your voice is very small. With a friend you sing the best of all. So now lift your voice and sing along with me. Voices blend in perfect harmony.
Chorus: Sing a song——- all day long——. Let your singing fill thee air——. Lift your voice——and rejoice——now there’s music ev’rywhere.
REPEAT verse one, then chorus, then (most of verse two):
All alone your voice is very small. With a friend, you sing the best of all. So now lift your voice and sing along with me And our voices will blend——in per—-fect—–har—-mo—-ny———-
One Small Voice – by Jeff Moss, arranged by Roger Emerson
(SOLO), then….
Verse one: Every song the worl sings, each was once unknown. Somebody felt a song inside, and wasn’t afraid to sing alone. If you feel the music, and sing it clear and true, then the world can sing with you.
Chorus: Oh, one small voice can teach the world a song. Start with one small voice, till another joins along. Then you’ll feel the music, growing full and sure and strong. One small voice can teach the world a song.
Verse two melody: No tune is too simple, no voice can be wrong. Music can come from any heart, and anyone’s voice can lead the song.
Verse two harmony: no tune. Too simple. No voice is wrong———. Music. From your heart. Anyone’s voice can lead the song.
If you feel the music, and if you believe the words, sing—and— you’ll—- be hear (be heard, be heard).
REPEAT Chorus, then REPEAT Chorus in a new key, and louder. End with “teach the world a song”
Let’s Jam – by John Jacobson and Kirby Shaw
SPOKEN part one: ev’rybody has jazz inside, so don’t you run, and don’t you hide. Just share that music, make that sound, there’s plenty of jazz to go around!
SPOKEN part two: You got the rhythm, you got the style, you got the swing and you got the smile! Now you’re ready, it’s up to you, there’s only one thing left to do YEAH
Chorus: Let’s jam! Ev’rybody join the fun! Let’s jam! Dancin’ till the day is done. Let’s jam! Ev’rybody on the floor… or we will show you the door. Hey!
Let’s jam! Ev’rybody join the band! Let’s jam! The best band in the land. Let’s jam! Here’s where jam began. We’re jammin’ as fast as we can. Yeah, let’s jam!
Group 1: Bah doot dow—– Bah doot dow—– bah doot dow——- Bah doot dah-bah-doot, dah-bah-doot, dah-bah-DOO-doot (repeat)
Group 2: Bah doot dot dah—dot. Bah doot dot dah—dot. Bah doot dot dah—-dot, Bah—dah—DOO—dah
Group 3: Bah dah DOO dah. Bah dah, dah-bah-DOO-dah. Bah dah DOO dah. Dot Dot dah-bah-doot-dah-DOO-dot
REPEAT FULL CHORUS
Let’s jam! Bop Bah-dah-DOO-Bop! YEAH (FREEZE……4 measures rest then)
“one more time!” REPEAT 1st part of chorus.
Let’s jam! Bop Bah-dah-DOO-Bop! YEAH (FREEZE)
Sing! – by Joe Raposo (FOR THE AUDIENCE TO SING as we lead them)
Sing! Sing a song! Sing out loud. Sing out strong. Sing of good things, not bad. Sing of happy, not sad. Sing! Sing a song! Make it simple to last your whole life long! Don’t worry that it’s not good enough for anyone else to hear. Sing! Sing a song!
What is a family dance? It is a chance for people – young and old(er)- to socialize through dancing. When I was a kid growing up in rural Saskatchewan, my parents took us to family dances – complete with a live band & potluck meal (mostly perogies and cabbage rolls in the Ukrainian communities). The children would giggle with delight as they danced with each other, and would beam with pride as they danced with their parents or older family members. By the end of the evening, parents would carry their tired or already sleeping children to the car for the ride home. What fun!
It was at those community dances and at weddings that I learned to dance, and later I learned much more as my parents became involved in pattern dancing. When they retired, they travelled to schools to teach dancing, and later in their senior years, competed in the Seniors Games in different dance categories. In the early 1990’s, I gave workshops both locally and provincially on folk and pattern dances. I took up clogging around that same time, and with local ladies Heather Robertson (Mr. Watchorn’s wife), Phyllis Stenson (formerly of the HHS Festival of the Arts), and Marilee Jones (local musician), we entertained as the Bear Mountain Cloggers. I am teaching students some of the basic clogging steps now (shuffle-step)- which they have really caught on to, and can be seen practicing as they go down the hallways.
Our family dances will have folk and pattern dances as well as “do your own thing” dances. I will demonstrate the steps & teach the dance, then everyone joins in. Most of the dances the students have done before during music class, but some are new. All are easy to learn.
Half-way into the dance, we will stop to enjoy our snacks and refreshments. Please come with something to share (crackers, chips, veggies, baking without nuts, etc.) and please bring your own water bottle.
Students must come with an adult who is there to both supervise them and (hopefully) dance with them. It is such a joy to watch adults having fun with their children and the other children that are there. Hope to see you Friday night!
Mark your calendars for three more dances that will be held during the school year: Friday, January 12th, 2018, Friday February 16th, and Friday, April 13th.
Students who have a signed permission slip from home (accepting responsibility for loss or damage) may take a ukulele (grades 3 & 4) or guitar (grades 5 & 6) home for the spring break. Songs to practice will be sent along. The instruments MUST be returned the first day back, MONDAY, March 31st.
As we approach the 22nd annual spring concert at Kent Elementary School, I’d like to add a new feature. As this is the 24th spring that I’ve been teaching music at this school and am now teaching the next generation, I think it would be neat if former choir members from years gone by (even students in high school) could join forces to rehearse and perform a selection for this annual event. What do you think?! The songs I have in mind for this year’s theme of “What a Wonderful World” (first done in 2008) are “Build me a World” and “For the Children”.
Spread the word, and let’s get together to see what we can do. It would be great to see and to sing with “the old gang” again!
Contact me at bdirezze@sd78.bc.ca
In January our two choirs began learning a new set of songs for our 22nd annual spring concert, with the theme “What a Wonderful World”. Students are singing songs about the sun, moon and stars, revisiting old critter and creature favourites, and learning many lovely ballads with a “let’s enjoy our planet and keep it healthy and happy” message.
Though there are several pieces the choirs sing on their own, their voices will join together for two powerful songs: Room to Grow and The Simplest Things. There is a recording on Youtube of a children’s choir singing Room to Grow that you can listen to. We will be singing it with more zip. A full recording of The Simplest Things can be found at the jwpepper.com website. On top right hand corner “search” box, type in: 15/2984H The Primary choir is singing the melody while the intermediate choir is singing the harmony.
Besides opportunities for solos, we have, as in the past, a chance for audience participation. We’d like you to join in singing “What a Wonderful World”. Again, there are great recordings of this on Youtube, some even with lyrics posted. AND….as a new feature I’d like to start, a chance for Kent Choir Alumni to sing! (see “Calling Kent Choir Alumni” post for details)
I have found that students learn the melodies better and lyrics faster when I send home practice CDs for additional practice. Recording the rehearsal master takes many hours and dubbing the over 100 discs takes longer. This year I will provide discs for only the intermediate choir members, with a $2. fee charged for replacement discs. The primary choir can access their songs through this website. One set of lyrics will be sent home with members from both choirs, but additional copies can then be accessed through this website as well.
Mark the date WEDNESDAY May 7th p.m. and evening on your calendar!
Soprano Recorder
Students grades 2-6 are playing recorders. They started playing them at the end of October, and will need them at school on their music days for the rest of the year. Students may purchase a recorder from a music store (not a dollar store) or from the school – at a cost of $8.00. If treated as an instrument and not as a toy, they should last a lifetime- I still have the one I used when introduced to the recorder in Grade 5 in 1971! I encourage students to take them home to practice, but to put them right back in their bookbag/knapsack/backpack when finished, so they have them ready to bring to school. Grade 2s are introduced to the instrument, and focus on correct hand position (LEFT hand on top!), and blowing (a GENTLE breath, like having a candle’s flame flicker). Grade 3s are focusing on learning all their left hand notes, Grade 4s are starting to play songs in harmony, while Grades 5s and 6s are starting to experience ensemble playing, using sopranino, soprano, alto and tenor recorders, each playing a different part.
Students at our school are so fortunate to have the opportunity to learn how to play several instruments through their experiences in class from Kindergarten to grade six. Through the years we have been able to purchase SO many instruments, from school district funds in the early years, to PAC donations, and for the past several years, recycling of drink boxes in the school – yes all the containers at 5 cents a piece add up!
Besides a large variety of NPP (non-pitched percussion), we have a full class set of barred instruments (glockenspiels, xylophones, metalophones), ukuleles, guitars, as well as a dozen each of sopranino, alto and tenor recorders. In addition to our classroom piano, we now have eight keyboards and fifteen melodians/melodicas.
**Coming soon…. photos and videos of students playing instruments**
When do the children start playing these instruments?
Mrs. Gallamore’s grade 6s on keyboards
Learning how to keep a steady beat may seem pretty simple to some, but it can be a bit of a challenge, and something that takes practice, especially for young children. Kindergarten students practice keeping the beat in many ways to the songs they sing: clapping, patsching (patting laps), marching and doing patty-cake with a partner. This leads -as the students progress through the grades – to some pretty fancy body percussion. Once students have mastered some patterns, they even try them in canon (one group starts then another group joins a few beats after) or try several patterns at once. It is a real multi-tasking, brain-stretching activity!
An example of a stepping routine.
**Coming soon….. body percussion video of students**
