Archive for the ‘Cabaret’ Category
Musical Comedy
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 16, 2013
The Songs We Sang at Tuckahoe Elementary School in the Week of 5/6-5/10, 2013
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 15, 2013
This week was notable for many reasons, Mother’s Day and a visit from family among them. Two big things happened for me at Tuckahoe Elementary School, too. I got to share Sing Books for the first time in Miss Robin’s pre-school class (they are adorable in the class expertly run). And, perfectly suited for the end of the week, on Friday I performed my 200th Sing Books of school year since I started keeping track in October. I’d begun to write down the songs we sang in each class to make sure that I don’t repeat the same song too often in each class. The notebook also helps me make sure I keep the repertoire fresh and current for the seasons, events and curriculum. And, another part of the log is for recording the many requests kids put in. When a child is brave and engaged enough to request a song for the next visit, I like to honor that request!
We sang a whole bunch of fabulous songs and learned a lot in the process. I introduced “Beethoven’s Wig” and we talked about how Ludwig van Beethoven did not actually wear a wig and looked at a painting of Beethoven. We also talked about the lyric “His wig is even bigger than the wig of Bach,” looked at a portrait of Johann Sebastian Bach which shows that Bach DID wear a wig! What a great opportunity to sing a song to the tune of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and talk about classical composers to boot!
We sang books this week in the rooms of Miss Campbell (K), Miss Robin (Pre-K), Ms. Morgan (K), Ms. Mason (K), Ms. Allen (2), Ms. Howard (2), Mr. Mitchell (K), Ms. Shorter (K).
In each class, we sang a selection from the following list. The songs are listed below in no particular order:
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Beethoven’s Wig
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Words by Richard Perlmutter
Illustrated by Maria Rosetti
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Catalina Magdalena Hoopensteiner Wallendiner Hogan Logan Bogan Was Her Name
Traditional Words and Tune
Words Adapted by Tedd Arnold
Illustrated by Tedd Arnold
This book includes an afterward note from the author with some info about the song and fun ideas for singing it. The last pages also feature printed music.
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A-You’re Adorable with ASL Alphabet
Words and Music by Buddy Kaye, Fred Wise and Sidney Lippman
Illustrated by Emily Leatha Everson Gleichenhaus
This item is for classroom, home, or library use only.
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The Big Bell and the Little Bell
Words and Music by Martin Kalmanoff
Illustrated by Alastair Graham
(This book is packaged with a CD with two recordings of the song!)
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The Circle Game
Words and Music by Joni Mitchell
Illustrated by Brian Deines
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Both Sides Now
Words and Music by Joni Mitchell
Illustrated by Alan Baker
ISBN 0-590-45668-7
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I’m in Love with a Big Blue Frog
Words and Music by Leslie Braunstein
Performed by Peter Paul & Mary
Illustrated by Joshua S. Brunet
ISBN 978-1-936140-37-4
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Inch by Inch (The Garden Song)
Words and Music by David Mallett
Illustrated by Ora Eitan
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Horse Sang a Song, Song
Words by Eloise Pauline Gleichenhaus
Tune by Eloise’s Mom
Illustrated by Eloise Pauline Gleichenhaus
Sing along with Eloise’s Mom Emily, here:
https://soundcloud.com/singbookswithemily/horse-sang-a-song-song
To view or print this poem poster, click here:
HORSE SANG A SONG SONG EPG POSTER 2013
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Late for School
Words and Music by Steve Martin
Illustrated by C.F. Payne
Published by Grand Central Publishing/Hachette Book Group, New York, 2010
ISBN 978-044-6-55702-3
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Little Bunny Foo Foo (the Real Story)
Traditional Words and Tune
Story and Song Adapted by Cori Doerrfeld
Illustrated by Cori Doerrfeld
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You’re a Grand Old Flag
Words and Music by George M. Cohan
Illustrated by Warren Kimble
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There’s a Train Out for Dreamland
Music and Lyrics by Frederich H. Heider and Carl Kress
Illustrated by Jane Dyer and Brooke Dyer
ISBN 978-0-06-058022-3
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Take Me Home, Country Roads
Words and Music by John Denver, Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff
Words Adapted by Christopher Canyon
Illustrated by Christopher Canyon
ISBN 978-1584690726
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Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Words by Jack Norworth
Music by Albert Von Tilzer
Illustrated by Amiko Hirao
Performed by Carly Simon
This edition gets a GOLD STAR for including the FULL song (both verses and chorus) and a fabulous recording of Carly Simon and her delightful arrangement she made for Ken Burn’s documentary Baseball.
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The Teddy Bear’s Picnic
Words and Music by Jimmy Kennedy
Illustrated by Michael Hague
ISBN 978-0-8050-5349-4
(This is the large, trade paperback edition)
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The Swing
Poem by Robert Lewis Stevenson
Traditional Tune
Illustrated by Julie Morstad
Originally Published in A Child’s Garden of Verses
ISBN 978-1897476482
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Related Posts
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BASEBALL SONGS
The Singable Picture Books of Baseball
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/the-singable-picture-books-of-baseball/
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LITTLE SONGS, A NOTEBOOK OF SWEET LITTLE SONGS (MOSTLY SINGABLE POETRY) FOR TO SING WHEN YOUR BRAIN FEELS FUZZY
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/little-songs-a-notebook-of-sweet-little-songs-mostly-singable-poetry-for-to-sing-when-your-brain-feels-fuzzy/
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POETRY SINGABLE POETRY IN COMPILATIONS
An list of singable poems from compilations of poetry for children
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/singable-poetry-a-list-of-poems-that-can-be-sung-from-illustrated-compilations-of-poetry-and-singable-picture-books/
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POETRY, SINGABLE POETRY IN INDIVIDUALLY ILLUSTRATED SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
A list of individually illustrated poems that have been set to music and can be sung
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/poems-individually-illustrated-spb/
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EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
A list of SPBs with fun and sneakily educational content. The kids won’t even know they’re learning!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/singable-picture-books-with-sneaky-educational-content/
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PINTEREST
SING WITH ME SONGBOOK FOR SINGBOOKS WITH EMILY (ON PINTEREST)
http://pinterest.com/singbooksemily/sing-with-me-songbook-sing-books-with-emily/
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PINTEREST
FAVORITE SINGABLES ON PINTEREST
Of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of choices, this list on Pinterest displays the top blockbuster favorite Singable Picture Books that we warble together at Sing Books visits:
http://pinterest.com/singbooksemily/
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FOURTH OF JULY AND OTHER HOLIDAYS CELEBRATING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND HER CITIZENS AND HISTORY
A list of Patriotic Singable Picture Books
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2010/06/22/a-patriotic-list-of-singable-books-for-july-4th/
Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night, an addition to my collection by Wendy Watson
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 13, 2013
I wanted my own copy of FOX WENT OUT ON A CHILLY NIGHT, as illustrated by Wendy Watson, for a long time. It just arrived. I bought a very good ex-library hardcover edition from Amazon and it is as sweet and delightful an illustration as one would expect from Wendy Watson.

Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night
Traditional Words and Music
Illustrated by Wendy Watson
ISBN 0-688-10766-4
As with any old folks song, the lyrics will often vary from one printed version to another (and among the many people who sing and perform it) and that is the case here. I’ve been singing this for kids with Peter Spier’s illustration (which I also adore) and the lyrics within are slightly different than that, but the differences are wonderful and it will be lots of fun to sing both. For example, in Peter Spier’s illustration, the woman who discovers the fox and sticks her head out of the window is “Old Mother Giggle-Gaggle,” but in Wendy Watson’s illustration, the woman is “Old Mother Slipper-Slopper,” who Ms. Watson adorably draws wearing sloppy slippers.
The inside cover book flap for Wendy Watson’s illustration offers this info:
This classic folk song of a fox in pursuit of his dinner was first published in the 1810 edition of Gammer Gurton’s Garland. It has been a childhood favorite ever since…
It’s hilarious to me, that, in the text mentioned above from Gammer Gurton’s Garland, the woman is called “Old Mother Widdle Waddle.”
In the 1810 Gammer Gurton’s Garland, this is all there is of what was to become the song FOX WENT OUT ON A CHILLY NIGHT:
DAME WIDDLE WADDLE.
Old Mother Widdle Waddle jumpt out of bed,
And out at the casement she popt out her head:
Crying the house is on fire, the grey goose is dead,
And the fox he is come to the town, oh!
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Related Posts
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FOX WENT OUT ON A CHILLY NIGHT
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/the-fox-went-out-on-a-chilly-night-an-old-folk-song-and-a-singable-picture-book/
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WATSON FAMILY
Singable Picture Books from Nancy Dingman, Aldren A., Clyde and Wendy Watson
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/25/singable-picture-books-by-the-watsons-nancy-dingman-aldren-a-clyde-and-wendy/
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FAVORITE SINGABLES ON PINTEREST
Of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of choices, this list onPinterest displays the top blockbuster favorite Singable Picture Books that we warble together at Sing Books visits:
http://pinterest.com/singbooksemily/
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FATHER FOX’S PENNYRHYMES AND FATHER FOX’S FEAST OF SONGS, SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS AND PRINTED MUSIC, TOO!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/father-foxs-pennyrhymes-and-father-foxs-fest-of-songs-singable-picture-books-and-printed-music-too/
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The Fox, a Crafty Character for Singable Picture Books
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/09/26/the-fox-a-crafty-character/
Horse Sang a Song, a Song and Illustration by Eloise (and her mom)
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 10, 2013
- In: Art of Singing a Song | Cabaret | Case for Singable Books | Expert Info - First Hand | Girl Scout Song | Heartfelt Musings | Lyrics | Out of the Mouths of Babes | Poetry | Power of Music | Quotes of Note | Sing Along Tracks | Sing Books with Emily Sing-Along Materials | Singable Book Title | Singable Poem | Singable Poetry | Song History | Written by ELEG
- Leave a Comment
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Horse Sang a Song, Song
Words by Eloise Pauline Gleichenhaus
Tune by Eloise’s Mom
Illustrated by Eloise Pauline Gleichenhaus
Sing along with Eloise’s Mom Emily, here:
https://soundcloud.com/singbookswithemily/horse-sang-a-song-song
To view or print this poem poster, click here:
HORSE SANG A SONG SONG EPG POSTER 2013
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THE HORSE SANG A SONG, SONG
Words by Eloise Pauline Gleichenhaus
Tune by Eloise’s Mom
Sing along with Eloise’s Mom Emily, here:
https://soundcloud.com/singbookswithemily/horse-sang-a-song-song
I saw a brown horse.
She sang a song.
A horse of course.
I sang along.
The horse was pretty.
She combed her hair.
The horse was witty.
She not care.
I saw a brown horse.
She sang a song.
A horse of course.
I sang along.
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Related Posts
*
LITTLE SONGS, A NOTEBOOK OF SWEET LITTLE SONGS (MOSTLY SINGABLE POETRY) FOR TO SING WHEN YOUR BRAIN FEELS FUZZY
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/04/08/little-songs-a-notebook-of-sweet-little-songs-mostly-singable-poetry-for-to-sing-when-your-brain-feels-fuzzy/
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PINTEREST
FAVORITE SINGABLES ON PINTEREST
Of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of choices, this list on Pinterest displays the top blockbuster favorite Singable Picture Books that we warble together at Sing Books visits:
http://pinterest.com/singbooksemily/
*
POETRY SINGABLE POETRY IN COMPILATIONS
An list of singable poems from compilations of poetry for children
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/04/17/singable-poetry-a-list-of-poems-that-can-be-sung-from-illustrated-compilations-of-poetry-and-singable-picture-books/
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POETRY, SINGABLE POETRY IN INDIVIDUALLY ILLUSTRATED SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
A list of individually illustrated poems that have been set to music and can be sung
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/04/20/poems-individually-illustrated-spb/
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SONGS BY EMILY
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/songs-by-emily/
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GALLERY OF KIDS ARTWORK FOR SBWE
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/praise-portraits-from-friends-of-sbwe/
Upcoming Sing Books Performances! Tinner Hill Blues Festival is up first…
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 9, 2013
Sing Books with Emily at the 2013 Tinner Hill Blues Festival
Saturday, June 8, 2013
Two Sessions: 11:30 and 1:30
We’ll be singing songs like “I’m in Love with a Big Blue Frog,” “All God’s Critters,” and “Grandma’s Feather Bed (John Denver’s).”
Come join the fun!
LOCATION
Mary Riley Styels Public Library in Falls Church, VA
120 N. Virginia Avenue
Falls Church, VA 22046
703-248-5030
http://www.fallschurchva.gov/library
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Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation
http://tinnerhill.org/
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Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation Blues Festival 2013
http://tinnerhill.org/blues-festival
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Mary Riley Styles Public Library Newsletter printable PDF with info:
http://www.fallschurchva.gov/Content/Library/2013Docs/2013.05newsletter.pdf
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Other Upcoming Performances Include:
“SING BOOKS WITH EMILY” IN PERSON AND ONLINE AT SINGBOOKSWITHEMILY.WORDPRESS.COM
Emily shares her unique program SING BOOKS WITH EMILY
Sing Books blog: http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/
Upcoming Sing Books Events at Local Libraries:
*SING BOOKS at the Tinner Hill Blues Festival, Saturday, June 8, 2013, two 30 minute sessions: 11:30 and 1:30 at the Mary Riley Styles Public Library in Falls Church, VA
*SING BOOKS 10:30 am, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Lake Ridge Neighborhood Library
*SING BOOKS 10:30 am, Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at Independent Hill Neighborhood Library
*SING BOOKS 10:30 am, Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at Dumfries Neighborhood Library
*SING BOOKS 10:30 am, Wednesday, July 24, 2013 at Dale City Neighborhood Library
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Related Posts
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BLUES, THE BLUES
The Blues in Illustrated and Otherwise Musically Related Picture Books (yet another list inspired by Nikki)
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2013/03/29/the-blues-in-illustrated-and-otherwise-musically-related-picture-books-yet-another-list-inspired-by-nikki/
Chimpanzoo: Deleted Song from Mary Poppins (would make a delightful SPB)
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 7, 2013
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http://disney.wikia.com/wiki/The_Chimpanzoo?file=TheChimpanzoo.jpg
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9eVfo4XBOo
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Richard Sherman tells the story of the song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPcECuFJ6Is
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CHIMPANZOO
Words and Music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman
Song written for, but cut from, the movie MARY POPPINS
In Timbuktu, there’s a Chimpanzoo
That’s run by a chimpanzee.
It’s an oddish place where the human race
Is under lock and key.
And on their backs, they wear small plaques
For the animals to view.
Which specify the reasons why
They’re locked in the Chimpanzoo.
If you’re boisterous and bumptious,
you’re grist for the Chimpanzoo!
If you’re overly rambunctious,
You’re whisked to Timbukto.
Laughs, laughs, nothing but laughs
But you know who’s laughing at who?
It’s the animals there who giggle and stare
At you in the Chimpanzoo!
(Instrumental / Kazoo break)
You may never play the music halls
In all your wildest dreams.
But billow and blast in the Chimpanzoo
And the animals burst their seams.
It takes a lot of talent and time
To become a West End attraction.
But in this place, one rude grim-ace
Gets a marvelous reaction.
Laughs, laughs, nothing but laughs
But you know who’s laughing at who?
It’s the animals there who giggle and stare
Gate with glee incredulously
At the boisterous bumptious rowdy crew
At you in the Chimpanzoo.
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Info about the song in here:
http://www.dvdizzy.com/marypoppins.html
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Related Post
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SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK WISHES 1 (PICTURE BOOKS THAT NEED SONGS)
Like Pinocchio wished to become a real boy, I imagine that these books wish to become Singable.
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/02/28/singable-picture-book-wishes-books-that-wish-to-become-singable-and-songs-that-wish-to-be-illustrated/
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SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK WISHES 2 (SONGS THAT WISH TO BE ILLUSTRATED)
There songs are BEGGING to become Singable Picture Books
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/singable-picture-book-wishes-2-songs-that-wish-to-be-illustrated/
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SHERMAN BROTHERS
The Singable Picture Books of Richard M. and Robert B. Sherman
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/singable-picture-books-of-richard-m-sherman-and-robert-b-sherman/
Singing Songs for a Better Reason than Applause for Sounding Great
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 6, 2013
My friend Doug posted this article on his Facebook page:
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Why Harry Connick Jr. Couldn’t Sit Idle During ‘Idol’
http://www.nextavenue.org/blog/why-harry-connick-jr-couldnt-sit-idle-during-idol
It makes a great point that’s been on my mind ever since Idol started. I didn’t watch this year, so have no idea who is singing. What I’ve enjoyed so much in previous years is watching a bunch of young kids follow their hearts and dreams to do something they love and to participate in an artistic pursuit.
And it IS a vocal competition.
BUT…
I believe that true art comes from knowledge of the subject and Harry Connick Jr. is right to hold their feet to the fire in Songs from the Great American Songbook. It is important to me as a performer to feel worthy of being listened to…and not just vocally. The “worth” comes from knowing what I am singing, what I am singing about, the song history, the words, the music, the composer and lyricist. I want to know and understand why the song was written, when, and for what reason. And I want to know and understand my own reason for singing the song, what do I personally think it means, what is my vision and perspective. What am I trying to say. What experiences in my life come to play in the song. What does it remind me of and what experiences come along which change or contribute to my experience of the song. What do I have to share and contribute?
This whole blog is about exploring the REASON for singing, to support my effort in being worthy of singing these songs.
Someone said, “Just because you CAN doesn’t mean you SHOULD.”
There is so much more to the art of sharing songs than just standing up and sounding good.
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The Art of Crafting a Song for Performance
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The Art of Singing and Crafting a Song for Performance: Emily’s Song Craft Worksheet
This worksheet details my process for crafting a song for performance.
For Emily’s Song Craft Worksheet, click here:
Emily’s Song Craft Worksheet
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Related Posts
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GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK
Singable Picture Books of the Great American Songbook and Michael Feinstein’s Foundation for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/09/10/american-songbook-singable-picture-books-and-michael-feinsteins-foundation-for-the-preservation-of-the-great-american-songbook/
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INFO AND THINKING ABOUT SINGABLE PICTURE BOOKS
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/resources-for-inspiration-and-information/
Singable Picture Book-wise, it doesn’t get much better than this. BEETHOVEN’S WIG combines humor, delightful illustration and classical music. The text is saturated with robust vocabulary. We are introduced to one of the great characters and composers ever to have lived. We will all be enriched by spending some time traipsing around Beethoven’s wig…
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Beethoven’s Wig
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven (Symphony No. 5)
Words by Richard Perlmutter
Illustrated by Maria Rosetti
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Video for the song (matches the book exactly)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdRZl9g_5tw
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Beethoven Symphony Number 5 wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphony_No._5_(Beethoven)
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Website for the whole Beethoven’s Wig series:
http://www.beethovenswig.com/
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YouTube with full performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6z4KK7RWjmk
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BEETHOVEN’S WIG
Music by Ludwig van Beethoven
Music based on Beethoven’s Sympony No. 5
Words by Richard Perlmutter
Beethoven’s Wig is very big.
Beethoven’s wig is long and curly and it’s white.
Beethoven takes his wig off when he sleeps at night.
Because it’s big.
It’s very big.
Beethoven’s wig is big.
It’s really big.
Beethoven’s wig is heavy when he takes a walk.
His wig is even bigger than the wig of Bach.
It is tremendous.
It is stupendous.
It is gigantic and titanic.
Monumental and colossal.
And enormous and humongous.
Cause it’s big.
It’s really big.
It’s very big.
It’s mighty big.
Beethoven’s Wig is oh so wide
You’ll need a guide
To see each side.
It’s really big.
It’s grandiose.
Don’t get too close you’ll overdose
Because it’s big. Big!
Beethoven’s Wig is big!
It’s stylish and it’s handsome.
It costs a small king’s ransom -
Five hundred bucks and then some.
But the hair’s so long and flowing
That the wig seems like it’s growing.
And it keeps his face from showing.
Poor Beethoven’s wig needs mowing.
Cause Beethoven’s wig is big.
Beethoven’s wig is very big.
It’s oh so big
It’s filled with goo,
It’s such a problem to shampoo.
It’s really very, very big.
Beethoven’s wig is very big.
It’s awful big.
It’s such a mess it even has it’s own address.
Beethoven’s wig is such a mop.
He should stop at the barber shop.
It’s way too big.
His mother called.
She said he would look better bald.
Because it’s big.
It’s very big.
Beethoven’s wig!
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THE SONG IS FUNNY BUT THERE WASN’T REALLY A WIG
This song is a terrific opportunity to have some fun with classical music and introduce children to Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5.
Though Beethoven was painted with, and is frequently depicted as having, a large mane of wild hair
(As in Karl Stieler’s famous 1820 portrait of Beethoven)…
…and though this song is all about Beethoven’s wig, my research has revealed that Beethoven never wore a wig. The notion of such makes for a funny song, but the kids should know the song’s wig is for humor (and maybe can be thought of as a tribute to his wild hair, or just as a joke in the picture book) and that the great composer didn’t wear one.
There’s the lyric, “His wig is ever bigger than the wig of Bach,” extra funny because Johann Sebastian Bach (another great German composer who lived 1685-1750), see in this 1746 portrait by Elias Haussmann, really DID wear a wig:

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Visuals are always helpful!
So, to help explain to the kids how Beethoven did not actually wear a wig, but Bach did, I put this together (the portraits above plus a short Beethoven bio),
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Beethoven’s Wig (Beethoven and Bach) Composers Poster and Beethoven Bio
To view or print this packet, click here:
beethoven’s wig poster
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1959 German Stamp depicting Liwig van Beethoven
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A little info on Beethoven, gathered mostly from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_van_Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
1770 -1827
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. He remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 concertos for piano, 32 piano sonatas, and 16 string quartets. He also composed other chamber music, choral works, and songs.
Born in Bonn, Germany, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of the Holy Roman Empire, Beethoven displayed his musical talents at an early age. Beethoven moved to Vienna in 1792 and began studying with Haydn, quickly gaining a reputation as a virtuoso pianist. He lived in Vienna until his death. In about 1800 his hearing began to deteriorate, and by the last decade of his life he was almost totally deaf. He gave up conducting and performing in public but continued to compose; many of his most admired works come from this period.
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Related Posts
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EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
A list of SPBs with fun and sneakily educational content. The kids won’t even know they’re learning!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/singable-picture-books-with-sneaky-educational-content/
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Beethoven’s Wig, Musical Parodies of Symphonies and Piano Classics
Take Me Home Country Roads, a Singable Picture Book
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 2, 2013
- In: Art of Singing a Song | Book Review by ELEG | Cabaret | Case for Singable Books | Heartfelt Musings | Lyrics | Out of the Mouths of Babes | Power of Music | Quotes of Note | SBWE in Person | Sing Along Tracks | Singable Book Title | Singable Picture Book Video | Song History | Vocal Tracks
- Leave a Comment
This song takes me home, alright. Like the other John Denver songs in the Singable Picture Book repertoire, I grew up listening this song and today love the memories it brings back.
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Take Me Home, Country Roads
Words and Music by John Denver, Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff
Words Adapted by Christopher Canyon
Illustrated by Christopher Canyon
ISBN 978-1584690726
This is a wonderfully detailed, joyful and loving book. I pulled it out in a Kindergarten class and one of the children said “Wow, those are some detailed pictures!” What a great comment, and true. Fabulous detail are found in each picture of this book, paintings made to look give the feeling of a lovingly made quilt. This book is a great work of illustration and a fitting, loving tribute to the wonderful music and big heart of John Denver.
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TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS
Words and Music by John Denver, Taffy Nivert and Bill Danoff
Almost heaven West Virginia
Blue ridge mountains, Shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze
Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home country roads
All my memories, they gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrops in my eyes
Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home country roads
I hear her voice in the mornin’ hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
And drivin’ down the road I get a feelin’
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home country roads
Country roads take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain momma
Take me home country roads
Take me home country roads
Take me home down country roads
Take me home down country roads
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All the songwriters sing the song together:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukUL_I14GPw
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YouTube with Lyrics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i5nDWUX9Ks
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YouTube of recording sung by the great Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiCkiyTGM6E
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Take Me Home Country Roads wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_Me_Home,_Country_Roads
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Publisher’s webpage for TAKE ME HOME COUNTRY ROADS which includes images of beautiful two page illustration spreads,
http://www.dawnpub.com/our-books/take-me-home-country-roads/
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The destination of the singer is somewhere in West Virginia, but clearly the singer is coming by way of Virginia travelling from East to West, going through the Blue Ridge Mountains and over the Shenandoah River, both of which reside in the western parts of the state of Virginia. You can see West Virginia, Virginia, the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah River all marked on this map. I keep this map with the book and point these things out before we sing the song. A little geography, a little singing…It’s all go to know!

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/printpage/valarge.htm
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Related Post
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JOHN DENVER
The Singable Picture Books of John Denver
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/the-singable-picture-books-of-john-denver/
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EDUCATIONAL CONTENT
A list of SPBs with fun and sneakily educational content. The kids won’t even know they’re learning!
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/08/15/singable-picture-books-with-sneaky-educational-content/
SIMON SMITH AND HIS AMAZING DANCING BEAR…if only is were…a Singable Picture Book
Posted by: Sing Books with Emily on: May 1, 2013
I have for the LONGEST time wanted to sing SIMON SMITH AND HIS AMAZING DANCING BEAR (words and music by Randy Newman).
Just found an illustration (made in 2009) by Bella Sabbagh.
http://bellasabbagh.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/if-legendary/
If only there were a book.
I keep on dreaming!
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I first heard SIMON SMITH AND HIS AMAZING DANCING BEAR, on THE MUPPET SHOW record:

Info about The Muppet Show album, here:
http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/The_Muppet_Show_(album)
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Simon Smith and His Amazing Dancing Bear
Words and Music by Randy Newman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GND0R8Q8Qgg
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“Simon Smith” as sung by Alan Price
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8zI5xjwKYw
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“Simon Smith” sung by songwriter Randy Newman
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8hc9XjUe6s
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“Simon Smith” wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Smith_and_the_Amazing_Dancing_Bear
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SIMON SMITH AND HIS AMAZING DANCING BEAR
Words and Music by Randy Newman
I may go out tomorrow,
If I can borrow my coat to wear
Oh I’d step out in style
With my sincere smile and my dancing bear
Outrageous, alarming
Courageous, charming
Oh who will think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It’s just amazing how fair people can be
Seen at the nicest places
Where well fed faces all stop to stare
Making the grandest entrances
Simon Smith and his dancing bear
They love us, won’t they
They feed us, don’t they
Oh who will think a boy and bear
Could be well accepted everywhere
It’s just amazing how fair people can be
Oh who needs money, When you’re funny
A great attraction everywhere
With the Simon Smith and his dancing bear
It’s Simon Smith and the amazing dancing bear
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Related Posts
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SINGABLE PICTURE BOOK WISHES 2 (SONGS THAT WISH TO BE ILLUSTRATED)
There songs are BEGGING to become Singable Picture Books
http://singbookswithemily.wordpress.com/2011/03/06/singable-picture-book-wishes-2-songs-that-wish-to-be-illustrated/



