I asked the children to write their Christmas list - the stuff they really wanted this Christmas. I then asked them to pretend that they were one of the migrants displaced by war in the middle East - or they were a child in Paris (November 2015) and their Mum or big brother, or any close family member was involved in the terrorist attack. I then asked them to write another Christmas list. Suddenly the iPads and other consumer products were missing from the list. Here's what we came up with: Christmas is a window on a world of love and peace An annual reminder we want war and hate to cease We’d like to have a future of happiness and love We’d like to show the world the meaning of Christmas Christmas Christmas Christmas Open up the window and we’re sure that you will see The world is full of children who are just like you and me We only want a future and we can show the way We want the Christmas feeling everyday Christmas - A time of love and peace Christmas - A time for war to cease Christmas - Why can’t we live this way Christmas - Live Christmas everyday Just look through the window and we’re sure you will agree The greatest gift at Christmas is a loving family So families come together, unite in every land And we will make the people understand Christmas - A time of love and peace Christmas - A time for war to cease Christmas - Why can’t we live this way Christmas - Live Christmas everyday

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

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.

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.

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 Complete Nativity Play with songs suitable for year 2 up to year 5. There are VERY easy parts for the youngest/least able children plus more challenging parts for the more able children. 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. If you would like any key changes or extra bits - just get in touch, everything is possible. 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 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' (coming soon 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. 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

A simple band arrangement which makes “Twinkle Twinkle” swing. Each section of the band is featured. Check out the demo track - there is also an accompaniment track for those with no bass and drums. If you need more parts or a midi file to drop into Sib. just get in touch kidzmusicals@icloud.com

It's that time of year and here's an easy arrangement for a bizarre collection of instruments.(The ones available in my junior school!) It's in C - dead easy in the verse and something more challenging for the more advanced children in the middle eight. If you need any other instruments JUST GET IN TOUCH. There's a demo track and a backing track of just bass and drums. It would be lovely to get some feedback if you download this arrangement. kidzmusicals@icloud.com

I couldn't find a vocal score for this so I transcribed it from the movie. The kids just LOVE this - pretty tricky but a great concert piece. Get in touch if you want individual parts or MIDI file.

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

A musical version of the classic Oscar Wilde story . A junior school class go on a residential visit to a castle - a haunted castle…… Luckily they are able to sort the ghost’s problems whist learning about his various descendants through a series of 12 really good songs/dances written by the composer of ‘The Button Box’. just get in touch at: kidzmusicals@icloud.com. More resources on my website: https://musicals4all.com/m4k/

Here’s the old spiritual ‘Dem Bones Dem Dry Bones’. Lyrics and backing track provided - provide your own apostrophes though! Handy song if you’re ‘doing’ the skeleton. kidzmusicals@icloud.com

Choral arrangement of I'll Think Of You - the children just LOVE this! Check out the video link - there are also tutorial videos on how to do the Epic Patty Cake Clapping, It would be nice to get some feedback if you download this arrangement.

Here’s a song written for junior schools to sing after a long holiday or any enforced break. The resources include the lyrics, vocal demo track, vocal score with chords and backing track. If you want anything else such as a different key or parts for instruments just let me know - unusually I have time on my hands! Written in a jazz gospel style with parts for all year groups and lots of opportunities for clapping waving, smiling high fives (real or distanced!) - even the teachers get a mention. If you want to celebrate getting back to school, whether it’s after a holiday or a global pandemic - here’s your song! Totally free - but if you want to support me in writing more material please check out my other stuff!

Get the kids singing at home! There are two You Tube videos - one with a demo vocal and a 1940’s ‘karaoke’ version. Just make an Anderson shelter with a couple of chairs and a duvet and have an air raid sing song whilst your Woolton pie bakes in the oven. Ideal if you are tackling WW2 in your curriculum - also good if you want to get the youngsters sing at home - preferably with the whole family! Get in touch if you need more stuff - I have a whole career’s worth in the cupboard doing nothing!

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 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!