Music K-8 Music Sampler Podcast

This song was specifically written for the International Day of Peace (which falls on September 21 and is sometimes referred to as World Peace Day), but it can be used in any similar way, as it does not mention this particular occasion by name.

This pop style tune is funky, fun, bluesy, hip, and downright contagious. Our older singers in the studio had a great time with it, though we have no doubt that your capable younger students will enjoy it as well. Our choreographer, Melissa Schott, has put together some fabulous steps that you can use. You will find a video which includes her full demonstration as well as step-by-step instructions on our web site.

While this song has been a staple for folk singers for well over a century, it has roots in the Scottish Highlands in the song "Wee Cooper O'Fife." In "Risseldy, Rosseldy," our couple starts newly married, but we gradually learn that the wife of the person singing the song is either lazy or more likely separated from reality a bit. And the song gets a little crazier as it moves on.

This wonderful, heartfelt opening song can be used either with the revue, or outside of it, as you see fit. The theme is as the title suggests, our American hearts. Which is why the rhythm begins with the iconic pulse of a beating heart, joined shortly by the singers who amplify it using the syllables "pum" and "pa." Brass, drums, strings, woodwinds, timpani, chimes, and a full rock rhythm section lift singers and audience alike to full patriotic fervor. Let your students really get immersed and sing out with joy.

As the title intimates, there is a magic to the season that is universal for all manner of celebrations. The lyrics underscore that sense of a "feeling" more than anything actually tangible. Yet we all know and understand it well.

Chicken soup is the theme in this humorous country piece featuring guitar, banjo, and chicken choir. Young singers will enjoy the lively tempo and fun lyrics, and its repetition makes the song fairly easy to learn. Movement would also enhance the lyrics of this fun song.

The notion that music comes in many forms and styles and languages has never been more evident than when you listen to the sounds of whales "singing." This song sets out to capture just a bit of these amazing sounds, not only through the actual sound effects in the various four bar interludes, but also in the accompaniment, which gives you the feeling of being out on a ship. Singing very expressively, there are lots of crescendos and diminuendos, ebbing and flowing like waves.

The concept of the ugly sweater probably didn't begin with someone trying to design an ugly sweater. It seems more likely that whoever created the first ugly sweater was actually trying to make a beautiful sweater. What's beautiful to one person may be ugly to someone else. This song addresses both points of view in a comical way.

What a mystery! The snowman was just there a while ago and now, he's gone. Where could he be? Your students will have fun with the "clues" to his disappearance - a sunny day, and a carrot on the ground. But of course, the real fun and humor come with the search. Add a few simple movements to exaggerate their efforts, such as looking up for "high" and looking down for "low."

Kick off your holiday program with this joyous, high energy tune! It's a real natural as an opener, but you could certainly use it at any point in your program, including as a finale. The lyrics are filled with iconic seasonal imagery and themes like candles, twinkling lights, holiday spirit, singing (of course!), and peace.

This classroom-tested, carefully planned recorder method incorporates a positive reward system in which students receive colored "karate belts" (not included) to hang from their recorders for each progressively more difficult tune.

This continuation has a lot more music and fully orchestrated accompaniments. The songs are in order of increasing difficulty, divided into logical sections, including 9 Black Belt Degrees. Like the first volume, the songs are designed to be played and tested with the belt reward system. Songlist: The Wedding March, Old Joe Clark, On Top of Old Smoky, Can Can, America (My Country 'Tis Of Thee), Polly Wolly Doodle, I've Been Working On The Railroad, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Buffalo Gals, Aura Lee, Home On The Range, Rocky Mountain, Renaissance Dance, New World Symphony, Take Me Out To The Ball Game, Jingle Bells, We Three Kings, and Shalom Chaverim.

These nine separate warm-up sequences, in two sets, are much like they were in the two issues they came from. The first six warm-ups, "Excellent Ears," are easier and moderately short. These six echoes are based on the notes B, A, G, BA, AG, and BAG. The last three warm-ups, "Easy Echoes," are longer, and spiral progressively. They feature the notes, respectively, BAG, BAGC'D', and low D low EBAG. Since these sets are more complex, three recordings are provided for each, at 84 bpm, 92 bpm, and 100 bpm.

Rounds are an excellent way to build confidence and independence in young recorder players. This creative collection provides new settings of traditional favorites and special new rounds for more limited ranges. Your students will really enjoy Teresa's originals and Paul's fresh arrangements: Big Round BAG; Upside Down; Yangtze Boatman's Song; Canoe Round; Morning Glory; Sweet Pea (Run Down And See); Now The Day Is Nearly Done; Frogs All 'Round; S'vivon (Dreidl, Spin); A Ram Sam Sam; Hot Choc'late; Oh, How Lovely Is The Evening; The Adventures Of Duckleberry Flinn; Music Alone Shall Live; and I Love The Mountains.

This beautiful Christmas carol started out as a poem by Cecil Frances Alexander in 1848. A year later, the English organist Henry John Gauntlett discovered the poem and set it to music. It has been a favorite of many ever since. It works great as a 3-part mixed setting, with the third part working well for changed or changing boys' voices, or for girls with a nice lower range. While the setting works well with just piano, the recorded tracks feature a lush orchestration that provides a perfect accompaniment.

The glory and mystery of this beautiful tune are captured in this very special 2-part arrangement by Teresa Jennings. This piece is ideal for a young choir, but it also lets large, more experienced choirs sound amazing. The several provided tracks include full and accompaniment versions of the piece. There are also special rehearsal tracks that isolate the two parts.

This collection of Hanukkah songs has lots of options for teaching and programming, including rounds, the topic of major and minor keys, and the incorporation of simple instruments. You'll find lots of variety in these songs and your students will enjoy learning about the traditions, games, and history behind this old celebration. From the pages of Music K-8 magazine, this collection includes: Hanukkah O Hanukkah, I Have A Little Dreidel, It's Hanukkah, Hanukkah Festival, Shalom Chaverim, My Little Dreidl, A Song For Hanukkah, Happy Hanukkah!, Shalom, Light The Candles All Around The World.

As we all know, Thanksgiving is a special day that we set aside to think about all of the things in our lives we have to be grateful for. It practically forces us in our ever-hurried and rushing lives to slow down, just for a little while, and consider our many blessings. The argument could be made, we think, that we should be thankful for Thanksgiving itself. Truly, how often would we stop and think with appreciation if there was not literally a day every year that reminds us to do so?

Written specifically for your youngest singers, the message of gratitude for our veterans is clear and heartfelt. After all, it's never too early to instill the importance of appreciation and respect for those who put their lives on the line for our country.

All young magic reindeer need a good, well-rounded education. Fortunately, they are able to get one from the School of Reindeer at (where else?) the North Pole. They can study all of the important subjects like math, science, reading, music, and so on. But they also have to have specialized training in necessary skills like leaping, reindeer games, and of course, flying. Approximately 20-30 minutes long, the musical includes five original songs ("The School Of Reindeer," "Reindeer Zone," "Why Can't All Reindeer Fly?," "And Then You Fly," and "We're Taking Off!") and a lighthearted script with short, easy-to-learn lines for your students.