New compositions and arrangements K-R

Most songs on this page are original compositions or arrangements of non-copyright material by Vocal Force and Vocal Union leaders. There are also pieces by associated composers and workshop leaders, and pieces written collaboratively with schools, workshops and music projects. All songs are free to use in an educational and community context. Feedback about strengths and weaknesses, performance ideas and new arrangements is vital, as we want this resource to be a living body of music.
Vocal Union strongly encourages the creation and performance of original music and is looking into ways to support and acknowledge this.
If you have any songs you would like to share please contact Jilly at:
jillyjarman@gmail.com

---

The Lady With The Lamp - Alison Coates

Alison Coates wrote this for Spittal First School in Berwick-upon-Tweed in February 2008 for a Hearts and Minds project with 20,000 voices. Their topic was Florence Nightingale.
KEY STAGE 2
mp3

---

Let It Out - Airto Moreira arr. Jilly Jarman

Amazingly popular with groups and soloists from primary up. Here is a 3-part harmony version with vocal bassline and a 2-part riff inspired by the original solo. Buy the original: beatboxing vocals fantastic. (last track on Life After That)
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score | mp3

---

Let's Go To The Park Today - Belinda Wright

New words to 'The Jungle Trail' by the Sage Early Years Team using call and response with verses introducing different animals
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
mp3 | score | lyrics

---

Listen to my Voice - Jilly Jarman

Jazzy with piano - about having the confidence to believe in yourself - space for a spoken collage of thoughts from the class
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score

---

Love You Baby - BlueJam "All You Gotta Do Is Sing" composition

Fast swing round - acapella
Community choirs. Can also be done more slowly Boom Dee Ida
score

---

Make me a Lantern - Jilly Jarman

Reggae carol- easy and fun for younger children. Written for Kirkoswald Nativity celebration and lantern procession
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3 mp3 | score

---

Man Named Jack - Joe Johnston

"This is a short round designed for children around KS2. The rhythm is meant to challenge and enhance a sense of pulse whilst the lyrics are adaptable to almost anything and can allow the children to be really imaginative. For example the lyrics may be changed to "I once saw a girl named Mel, she kept on ringing a bell, I said 'shut that thing up' she said, Go away go away... etc'. The lyrical format is designed in this way to allow the children to take ownership of their own verse and give them a sense of empowerment through the music. Although I appreciate the song can not be used as an excuse for any child named Claire the come in the next day with green and blue stripy hair and expect to get away with it."

KEY STAGE 2, 3 score

---

May The Force Be With You - new words to 'Throw Catch' by Skura

Adapted by Mr White, Science teacher at Spring Gardens Primary School and VU leaders Sofia Castro and Claire Tustin. Mr White wanted a song to help him teach children the concept of ‘forces’, we then tied it in with the school’s international week by adding some Portuguese words.)
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
words | mp3

---

Miso Soup - Alison Coates

Warm-up song with a fun look at sol fa. With actions.
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
score | actions | mp3

---

Molto Bene Grazie - Jennifer Ellin

Greetings song in italian. Can be sung as a round or with a repeated riff (ostinato). Written for Beaconside Junior School for their Vocal Union assembly
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
mp3 | score

---

Muevete - J Jarman, Y vela-Castro, Warcop school

Written for Vocal Union project 2006-7. Easy Spanish up-beat song - harmonies, guitar/ piano, few words
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3 & upwards
score

---

My Little Voice by Stephen Hudson - jazzy and fun.

A song for Early years exploring fun sounds you can make.

mp3

---

Neddy’s Revenge - Alison Coates

3 part jazzy piece with a great interplay of short, bluesy riffs. Looks fun, can’t wait to try it
score

---

The Name’s Bond: Number bond! - Alison Coates

Fun song that explores pitch intervals using a number game
score | actions

---

Odd Socks - Joe Johnston

"It works nicely as a lullaby feel with arpeggiated chords. But equally it could work a bit faster, shuffled and more bouncy. Delaying it by a bar with a second voice indicates it could work well as a canon, with some adjustments made. I will try it out and come up with more definite suggestions."
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score | mp3

---

Old Lady's Lullaby - Carol Douglas

This is a lovely folk-style lament with full backing track
KEY STAGE 3 & adult
mp3 | lyrics | backing track

---

On The Golden Sands Of Time - Carol Douglas

A great song to get the whole class or school singing out, or a chance for a soloist to show what they can do. With full backing track.
KEY STAGE 3 & adult
mp3 | lyrics | backing track

---

On and On and On, Higher!- Ems Featherstone, Alison Scott

A song with three interlocking parts
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 mp3

---

One Voice by Em Whitfield-Brooks

A soulful 5-part same or mixed voice acapella song, especially good for vocal remedies sessions and community choirs
score | mp3

---

Only You - V.Clarke arranged by Patrick Allen & Edward Milner

Performed by the Flying Pickets. Great song for Key Stage 3 and vocal force sessions
score

---

Party Time - Alison Coates

Single line melody for birthday times
score

---

Precious as a New-born Baby - Jilly Jarman, verse lyrics by Jen Ellin

Calypso carol about everyone being important, whoever they are and wherever they come from. Easy trumpet, flute and violin parts composed by Beaconside School children.
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3, 4
score with instruments | actions

---

Promise - Jilly Jarman

Reggae carol about refugees - we all belong - harmonies, guitar/piano acc. Version arranged for Beaconside school with lyrics by Jen Ellin - see Precious as a New-born baby.
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
score in C

---

Pussy Cat - Sarah Grey & Alison Scott

Easy song, lyrical with piano accompaniment.
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score

---

Red Riding Hood - Sharon Durant

Lively song - soul with country inflexions, with guitar accompaniment with harmony line. Suitable for solo singers or confident choir.
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 upwards
mp3 | guitar backing

---

Reggae Reindeer - Jilly Jarman. lyrics Jen Ellin, Beaconside Juniors, Penrith, Cumbria

Fun song with actions, arrangement for wind and brass. Very easy piano accompaniment (2 chords)
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score

---

Rocket - Alan Penman & Alan Dunn

Good performance song for
KEY STAGE 2.
mp3 | mp3backing

 

 

---

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.