Kristy Brumfield,
Youth Coordinator
Birdsong
SA
Paul Read
Boosey & Hawkes CME
This is a haunting piece based on a poem written by an
unknown child in the Terezin Concentration Camp during World War II. It can be a bit challenging, but worth the extra
time and effort for your older children’s choirs. There are beautiful harmonies
set to a heavily syncopated accompaniment.
You will find so much joy in teaching this piece!
You Will Be Found
Two-Part
Benjamin Pasek & Justin Paul/arr. Mac Huff
Hal Leonard
This is the power ballad from the hit musical “Dear Evan
Hansen”. The message of love and respect for our fellow human beings will
resonate with your choirs as they learn this piece. “You Will Be Found” will make a wonderful
spring pop concert closer. Take the time to listen to one of the many
recordings already posted on YouTube…you may find that you want to add this one
to this year’s library.
On a Starlit Night
Two-Part
Jill Galina
Shawnee Press
This beautiful partner song arrangement of “Silent Night”
paired with an original melody by Jill Galina is simply beautiful for
children’s voices. Using partner songs
is such a great way to reinforce harmonization skills, and this one is a crowd
pleaser as well! Great for use in church or school, you and your students will
be moved by its beauty.
Julie’s Green Room
This is a Netflix original series that debuted last spring.
I have enjoyed using it in my classroom as a tool for teaching musical theater,
and have been able to build lessons around each episode. Each week, a different concept is introduced,
and special guest stars from the world of stage and screen visit Julie Andrews
and her cast of children’s workshop characters all played by puppets. Through the use of this series, I’ve taught
numerous new vocabulary words as well as musical theater appreciation. The characters show that each of us has our
own gifts and talents to contribute to the body, and how we can all use those
talents to work cooperatively for a common goal. Each episode is roughly 35-40 minutes long,
leaving time at the end for discussion and reinforcement of the day’s topic.
This is also good to use for substitutes.
Enjoy!