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.
It’s that time of year again - cauliflowers are still fluffy but sometimes it’s nice to ring the changes. Here’s a different song written in four parts. Each year group sings their own verse and then they all sing the verses together - it’s a challenge but it works! Kidzmusicals@me.com
Here's a KS1/2 Harvest song in a country style. It is written to have a line dance in the middle of it - you could do 'The Funky Cowboy' as demonstrated in the video, or get the children to create a 'Harvesting Line Dance' with digging and reaping actions.
If you don't fancy the line dance, simply repeat a verse or write some lyrics of your own.
There is a vocal demo, a backing track, a score and a set of lyrics.
A new really good fun song for the Harvest festival written in a Gospel style. This song has proved very popular so I’ve added parts for different year groups. There are now parts for each year group. Check out the audio demo and backing track. If you like this song please comment.
Also please check out ‘Harvest Hoe Down’ which is in a country style complete with line dance! kidzmusicals@icloud.com
plus! REGGAE REGGAE HARVEST! See the You Tube link to this new song.
A ‘Gospelled Up’ version of this song with a new four part bridge section which is totally mesmerising when you get the four year groups singing a part each.
Totally doable and totally good fun - plus you get the whole school doing contrapuntal part singing!!!! The sound on the chorus is amazing when you get the handclaps going……:
John Gleadall
kidzmusicals@icloud.com
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 different kind of Christmas song from John Gleadall. It takes some effort to get this right, but I promise you it totally works; the children want to sing it and play it. It’s a one finger ukulele song and a quirky arrangement with exchanges between boys and girls. I’ve been told it’s not ‘normal’ enough for juniors but I do it every year with year 3 and they just love it. Listen to the demo - you’ll smile. kidzmusicals@icloud.com
This song has a beautiful, simple melody with lyrics which vary only in the gift - so basically the same (easy to learn) verse sung three times, each verse highlighting the gift brought by that King. There is a short musical interlude to allow the Kings to present the gift before the next verse is sung.
This is from 'Nanny's Nativity'
John Gleadall
kidzmusicals@icloud.com
Written for Junior School Harvest assembly. OK so Cauliflowers are STILL fluffy but sometimes you have to ring the changes just to keep your sanity. This time I’ve added the ‘Reggae Reggae Harvest’ song to go along with the ‘Harvest Gospel’ and ‘Harvest Hoe Down’ - just to give some alternatives.
This one is dead easy to sing and introduces the idea that all countries harvest their own crops and fruits and vegetables even though the produce may be very different to that which we see in shops where we live.
Written in a reggae style this song references fruit and veg. you may find in Jamaica - so there is some fun to be had identifying the various foods named in the song - such as Callaloo, Johnny Cakes or Duckanoo.
The last line of the chorus adds a ‘reggae’ lyric on every repeat, so we start off with ‘Reggae Reggae’ and end up with ’ Reggae, reggae, reggae, reggae, reggae’.
Go to the You Tube demo to check the song out.
Enjoy!
If you need a vocal score, chords or piano score just let me know : kidzmusicals@icloud.com - I’ll try and add it soon anyway, but please ask - I can also change key or tempo - no charge.
The Shepherds meet the angels meet the wise men in a three part contrapuntal song with a Bollywood dance routine in the middle - just listen to it! Heavily influenced by Middle eastern music tradition with a splash of Bhangra.
Check out the You Tube demo vocal.
From ‘The Nativity Play’ also on the TES resources site. Any questions or request, please get in touch at kidzmusicals@icloud.com
From 'The Nativity Play' - A different kind of Christmas song from John Gleadall. It takes some effort to get this right, but I promise you it totally works; the children want to sing it and play it.
It’s a one finger ukulele song and a quirky arrangement with exchanges between boys and girls. I’ve been told it’s not ‘normal’ enough for juniors but I do it every year with year 3 and they just love it. Listen to the demo - you’ll smile.
You've got a demo track a backing track and a lyric sheet - if you need any help with the uke part, please get in touch - I will put a lesson on You Tube if anyone requests it.
kidzmusicals@icloud.com
A dialogue in song between the Innkeeper and Mary and Joseph. There is a very simple one finger ukulele part (chord windows shown on the score). If anyone requests it I'll post a video on You Tube showing how to play it.
The main feature is the grumpy Innkeeper who counterpoints the gentle melody with sharp ripostes - until the end of the song - but you know how it ends......
Ask for more information if required.
This song is from 'Nanny's Nativity'
John Gleadall kidzmusicals@icloud.com
This song is by John Gleadall and is from ‘Nanny’s Nativity’ (also available on TES resources) but it works just as well as a stand alone song - as it incorporates ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ you can get the very youngest children to join in. Get in touch if you would like instrumental parts : kidzmusicals@icloud.com
A really catchy new Christmas song from John Gleadall, with an infectious tune and beat - you’ll be sick of it by the end of term! Easy to learn and sticks in the brain. Just listen through to the demo and imagine the actions. This song is from ‘Nanny’s Nativity’ - also available on TES resources. If you would like the score or backing track just get in touch - I can provide scores for any instruments you have available: kidzmusicals@icloud.com
A wonderful new Christmas song by John Gleadall. A reworking of ‘Away in a Manger’ in a Gospel style with a great contrapuntal chorus with three melodies coming together to finish the song. This is a challenge - but totally worthwhile, the end result is superb! There is a short musical interlude in the middle, ready for an appropriate reading as a voice over. I’ve done this from year 3 to full church choirs. This is from ‘The Nativity Play’ - also available on TES resources.: kidzmusicals@icloud.com
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
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.