january 2010: new additions

Halloween Scream - a fun and lively song by Jen Ellin and BYM Sing For Fun Group, Kendal
Un Sueno Feliz - a Spanish song 'A Beautiful Dream' by Pilar Marchori
Gathered Together - a campfire song with percussion and movement by Alison Scott and Emily Hallewell
Hello/Bonjour - a lovely French/English greeting song written for Bramfield Primary School by Bridget Cousins
Christmas Lights - beautiful new carol by Skelton Primary School with Head, Gary Newman
Silent Night - lovely new arrangement for two voices by Hannah Reid
While Shepherds Watched - by Hannah Reid
I Saw Three Ships - arrangement with motifs of this favourite carol by Rachel Allgood
Toca Las Campanas - (Ring the Bells) Carol with Spanish words by Pilar Marchori written by Jilly Jarman for North Lakes School, Penrith

: Call for Carols!

This is the season when many schools and groups are looking for new carols to sing - whether secular or Christian - so please send any in. To start things off, here is a link to carols I have written over the last ten years for North Lakes School in Penrith, 'Songs of Peace and Friendship at Christmas'. Hope they are useful, cheers, Jilly. (P.S. You can email me for .sib files if you want to make your own arrangements.)

: conference reports

Vocal Force, Sing Up National Gathering, Manchester Jan 22,23rd 2010
Vocal Union Training Residential, Blackton Grange, 11th October 2009

: interesting links

www.alexandercenter.com/pa/voice.html - combines scientific and technical information with the intuitive and observational way many of us work.

www.mamalisa.com This is a site that has children's songs from around the world both in English and the original language. Many vocal union practitioners are using the site.

Shelly Ambury

5 traditional French songs.

Tape ton pied: | Vole vole vole papillon | Parla fenetre ouverte | Les Genoux | Il court

Tape ton pied - This is a similar tune to Old Joe Clark. It is in the mixolydian mode and has a lovely melody. Section 1 and 2 fit together and you can add a lower harmony quite easily.
mp3 | score

Vole vole vole papillon: You can do a line or circle dance to this one, and the rhythm of the melody implies you add claps or stamps.
mp3 | score

Par la fenetre ouverte – this is lovely for allowing children to sing their name in French. Use a ball to take attention away from solo singing if anyone is nervous.
mp3 | score

Les Genoux – this is a song that helps you remember vocabulary for parts of the body – knees, tummy, back, head, elbow, cheek and add your own.
mp3 | score

Il court le furet – has a game similar to duck duck goose, you need a furry creature (Feret) or you could swap the words to another woodland creature e.g. la souris (mouse)
mp3 | score

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playground clapping games

These are demonstrated by school students from London and Bath at CLJazz week in Wales. Some they learned from other people and others made up themselves, or adapted. Thanks guys!

Cups game : ............Hi low chick o lo : ...A sailor went to sea, sea, sea...

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Mary Keith is a composer and vocal force facilitator. She has kindly agreed to kick-start the new section on riffs, rhythms, melodies and chords by contributing some of her own. See them on the new page!

 

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The Singing Orchestra

Beaconside in Penrith is a newly merged Primary School which is just starting its second year of Vocal Union activity. The teachers from the Infants and Juniors are joining up to run a weekly after-school club for anyone Year 3-6. Next term Year 2's will be included after a term of singing workshops.

Here are some resources prepared for the first session. Over 30 students turned up and music (not mayhem!) was made - using the techniques employed in singing sessions and combining that with instrumentation.

See project ideas page for scores and methods.

 

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Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead supported by Government.
Vocal Union is part-funded through Sing Up and is part of its national singing programme.