I'm John Gleadall - teaching for 40 years and finding that bespoke material that matches and challenges the ability profile of the children is a good way forward. 20 years in 'socially challenged' schools, 10 years in a more leafy area and 10 years in junior school - it's a good mix and has resulted in a wide variety of musical material for children.
I'm John Gleadall - teaching for 40 years and finding that bespoke material that matches and challenges the ability profile of the children is a good way forward. 20 years in 'socially challenged' schools, 10 years in a more leafy area and 10 years in junior school - it's a good mix and has resulted in a wide variety of musical material for children.
A collection of songs from the writings of Lewis Carroll - I’ve set all of the ‘Alice’ poems to music in a suitably bizarre way - so let me know if you need one that’s not featured here.
These resources would be an excellent part of any work or presentation featuring the "Alice in Wonderland’ or ‘Through The Looking Glass’ stories.
This is Humpty Dumpty’s recitation set to a rather modern backing style. This would fit in with any module of working involving ‘Alice’ by Lewis Carroll.
I’ve set all of the ‘Alice’ poems to music so let me know if there’s anything you are looking for.
The Mock Turtle’s Song from Alice In Wonderland, set to an unexpected tune - not a quadrille at all - but then the turtle was a mock turtle, so nothing is as expected!
It’s a very infectious melody and this piece would fit in with any study or presentation of Lewis Carroll’s work.
I’ve set all of his ‘Alice’ poems to music, so if you need anything just ask!
Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, set to music. Can be used to augment any drama or performing work, or as an introduction to any work on Alice.
I’ve set all of Lewis Carroll’s poems to music, in as bizarre a way as possible - if you need music to any of his other work , let me know. It would be a great Performing Arts project for the pupils to devise their own presentation of the stories using the songs as a framework.
Here is the whole of ‘The Walrus and The Carpenter’ set to a bluesy jazzy piano style. This would make a great dance/drama/vocal centrepiece to any performing arts evening. It’s 8 minutes long so you could involve whole teams of performers.
I’ve set 17 Lewis Carroll poems to music - watch out for others as I post them. If you need anything in particular, let me know - I think I’ve done all the poems in Alice and Through The Looking Glass.
This is simple to sing - yet extremely effective. This works from year 2 up to adult. It's a simple three part song with three melodies that all work together and finishes on a great three part chord - harmony by stealth!
It makes a great start to any Christmas Concert - it just works.
The Lyrics are:
1 Time is back again welcome back again
Though it's been a year
Since the music played seasons come and fade
Now we're singing here - Christmas
2 Time is near
The music's here - Christmas
3 Time is near, it's a year, we've been here
Sing our song, it's so long. now we're here - Christmas
And that's it! Your singers/class/choir/whole school will learn it in ten minutes. Get them to go to the youtube link and learn it at home.
Get in touch if you have any questions or requests.
musicals4kidz.com
The Annunciation was never like this! What a dilemma, engaged to be married to Joseph - then you are told that you’re gong to bear the son of God!
This singable song puts a human angle on this part of the Christmas story. Please check the vocal demo - you will be singing the chorus by the end of it!
Send the children to this page on my website so they can practice at home - vital to get the words out clearly.
http://www.musicals4kidz.com/musicals4kidz.com/Christmasm_Songs_for_Choirs.html
They can also access the song on You Tube I’ve done it in G and C:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpC0O3yViL4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-vcwsGugdk
Get in touch if you want any changes to key or tempo.
A light hearted tongue twisting Inn Keepers song telling Mary and Joseph that they are booked solid - it’s Christmas for goodness sake! Alternative piano parts and vocal score now included in 4/4 and 6/8 time - it swings a lot! Piano part is quite complex - I can compose for piano but scoring is a whole different skill! Get in touch if you need more.
Full demo here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aY9FtXgQR0
Contact me at musicals4kidz@icloud.com
John Gleadall
YOU DIDN’T BOOK IT IN ADVANCE
AND NOW YOU HAVEN’T GOT A CHANCE
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WISER
IF YOU LOOKED ON TRIP ADVISER
’COS WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
YOUR CHANCES ARE QUITE SLIM
’COS WE’RE FULL UP TO THE BRIM
SO YOU’D BETTER KEEP ON LOOKING
’COS WE’VE TAKEN EVERY BOOKING
YOU’VE REALLY GOT A MISSION
TAKE A LOOK AT HER CONDITION
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY!
YOU MUST BE OFF YOUR ROCKER
’COS WE’RE ABSOLUTELY CHOCKER
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
YOU MIGHT THINK THAT IT’S SENSELESS
IT’S BECAUSE OF CAESAR’S CENSUS
BUT WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
YOU REALLY SHOULD BE GOING
CAUSE WE’RE FULL TO OVERFLOWING
NOW WE’RE ABSOLUTELY CRAMMED
EVERY ROOM IS SIMPLY JAMMED
AND YOU REALLY OUGHT TO KNOW
THAT WE’VE BEEN SLEEPING HEAD TO TOE
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY!
ARE YOU REALLY OFF YOUR HEAD,
WE’RE PUTTING SEVEN IN A BED
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
NOW YOU’LL HAVE TO STAY OUTSIDE
BECAUSE WE’RE FULLY OCCUPIED
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY
YOU REALLY SHOULD REMEMBER
THIS IS BETHL’HEM IN DECEMBER
JUST CROSS US OF THE LIST COS
IT’S THIS BUSY EVERY CHRISTMAS
IF YOU REALLY WANT THE TRUTH
WE’RE EVEN SLEEPING ON THE ROOF
AND WE’VE GOT NO ROOM TODAY –
I REALLY MEAN IT
GOT NO ROOM TODAY!
A new song from ‘The Nativity Play’ (available on TES resources) which highlights the relationship between Joseph and Mary. This can be done as a boy girl duet or as a boy girl duet with all singing the chorus , or simply have all boys singing Joseph and all girls singing Mary.
Vocal demo at :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH7X02zhmUI&t=5s
A gentle piano accompaniment to heartfelt lyrics - see below:
Joseph (boys)
When you were lonely
I stood by your side
When you were frightened
I helped you decide
I watched you suffer
I hurt when you cried
I knew the truth
So I made you my bride ( And)
All
the baby’s a miracle
A sweet mystery
And we will help him show the way
Yes the baby’s a miracle
A new History
Begins from this moment today
Mary (girls)
Why I was chosen
I can’t say I know
Why you stayed with me
When I thought you’d go
We’re on this journey
My Heart is aglow
To know you are with me
Just to know we can show (that)…
kidzmusicals@icloud.com
Featuring ‘The Button Box’ family. From the same author and composer of ‘The Button Box’ this is Complete Nativity Play with songs suitable for year 2 up to year 5. The parts range from VERY easy parts to more challenging parts, catering for the full ability range. The show comes complete with script, backing tracks and demo tracks. If you want to hack it about to suit your children, please do - the children are more important than the script.
Go to the You Tube link for a vocal demo of all the songs:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_8CBVWJf74
If you would like any key changes or extra bits - just get in touch, everything is possible. If you would like a school visit please ask .
Lots of speaking parts (literally dozens) so you can do this with a whole phase or a whole year group.
The ‘Stable Song’ can also be accompanied by ukulele.
Exciting eastern style dancing plus a variety of choral singing - written by a teacher to suit the demands of busy teachers.
Six brand new songs with an optional Megamix at the end. Please feedback your views - I’m thinking of putting a completely new finale song in instead of the megamix - would this be too much to learn? I don’t think so…
The price includes performance royalties - and you can make a DVD or CD if you want to - just let me know please.
John Gleadall kidzmusicals@icloud.com
A song written for year two pupils looking at seeds, sun, water, light etc. The year two children came up with the vocabulary they have learned whilst learning about seeds and how they grow. Feel free to add your own verses or get the children to write their own lyrics. The melody is quite 'bendy' and will adapt to different length phrases. Please feedback any good ideas!
A practical project to make a note finder (great Home learning task!). Just follow the instructions on part one (note that you really need to use a craft knife to make this successfully) and then cut out part two and insert into part 1 - slide the notes onto the line or space you want to identify, then just read off the pitches (on treble or bass clef) through the small windows. Part 2 is best on thin card. Once made, use the note finder to solve the musicals code story worksheet. musicals4all.com/contact/
Please leave feedback if you download.
John Gleadall