Lift your voice and sing!

*from STONES HILL SONGS*

This song is an accumulative type of round, layering together 4-bar bit-sized pieces to make up the whole. It is most suitable for young junior voices, hence all the parts are written for soprano voice. 

Start by singing each part through with repeats until comfortably familiar, and only then start to split and layer them, canon style, first in 2 parts, then later try with 3. 

Further suggestions to try: create a simple movement pattern to accompany each verse. As the children stand in their 3 groups, they can perform this movement sequence with the song. This is a very Orff-Schulwerk based idea; adding a simple movement to the singing takes it to another level altogether, introducing further benefits for development and learning. 

Rounds (also called canons) are the most accessible way to practice and enjoy singing in harmony. They are typically short so can be learnt quickly, by heart and ear, and have an engaging playful element as the singers fit their parts together, snugly, like a good jigsaw puzzle. 

Canons epitomizes the non-competitive aspect of music, the point being that everybody arrives together at the same point, voices blended. We all lose if someone comes in first! There is nothing like a well-constructed round for honing acute and accurate listening skills. 

The piano accompaniment is written very simply, but can easily be vamped up or embellished as desired (same as old times figured bass). The chord structure helps to hold the voices together, both rhythmically and harmonically. Note that the voice leads in on the upbeat, hence the blank first bar.



And how to end??! Famous question, and even more famous answer because that's up to you to creatively decide....

Explore the collection of Stones Hill songs listed below  - share them with people whom you know will use and enjoy them. Please acknowledge source and composer if piece is used for public performance - copyright Liz Campbell, Stones Hill songs. Feedback would also be appreciated - how the song works for you, how you may have used it: liz.jessam@gmail.com

https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/figure-of-8_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-many-things-my-body-can-do.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-was-walking-along_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/come-on-and-dance-like-clown.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/i-have-eyes-to-see.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/one-little-thumb.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/good-morning_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/08/all-join-hands-and-make-circle_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/come-on-everybody.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/09/my-little-body_26.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/choosing_1.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/i-have-one_12.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/10/alphabet-bounce_87.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/11/lift-your-voice-and-sing.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2018/12/farewell-song.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-went-shopping.html
https://connectsongdance.blogspot.com/2019/03/creepy-crawly_10.html