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.
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.
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
The Mock Turtle’s Song from Alice In Wonderland, set to an unexpected tune - not a quadrille at all - but then the turtle was a mock turtle, so nothing is as expected!
It’s a very infectious melody and this piece would fit in with any study or presentation of Lewis Carroll’s work.
I’ve set all of his ‘Alice’ poems to music, so if you need anything just ask!
Lewis Carroll’s Jabberwocky, set to music. Can be used to augment any drama or performing work, or as an introduction to any work on Alice.
I’ve set all of Lewis Carroll’s poems to music, in as bizarre a way as possible - if you need music to any of his other work , let me know. It would be a great Performing Arts project for the pupils to devise their own presentation of the stories using the songs as a framework.
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 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
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. From ‘The Nativity Play’ coming soon 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
A collection of songs from the writings of Lewis Carroll - I’ve set all of the ‘Alice’ poems to music in a suitably bizarre way - so let me know if you need one that’s not featured here.
These resources would be an excellent part of any work or presentation featuring the "Alice in Wonderland’ or ‘Through The Looking Glass’ stories.
Dickens novella ‘A Christmas Carol’ has never looked like this before. This is a full length musical featuring ‘Squeezer’ Scrooge, a talent show host/entrepreneur who is ripping off the NHS choir for the Christmas number one slot.
There are dozens of speaking parts, only one large part and 22 really catchy and singable songs - please check them out. All songs can be adapted by consulting the composer.
I have band parts for most songs - provided on request.
I have scores for many of the songs - provided on request.
Backing tracks provided - keys can be adjusted.
Here’s a synopsis:
Act One – One hour – 13 songs
Song 1 - ‘A Christmas welcome’ sung by the whole company in
‘Squeezer’ Scrooge, TV talent guru and showbiz entrepreneur is hassled by the NHS choir who are seeking a Christmas No. 1. He kicks them out whilst resolving to steal their catchy tune. He instructs his intern, the talented but diffident ‘Crotchet’, to rework the song.
Squeezer is then accosted by Rob and Squidge hilariously seeking accommodation for the homeless – they get the brush off.
Enter Squeezer’s Nephew, I.T. techie Archie and his girlfriend Erin, a social worker. They invite him to Christmas lunch. Scrooge reckons that they are trying to get into his will.
Meanwhile Cratchit is spending time reworking the NHS song.
Squeezer Scrooge listens to the ‘official’ lyrics to the NHS rip off – loves it and authorises it for release. He calls for the first auditionee to be sent in for his new talent show. Enter his old partner Marley (dead seven years ago) who he supplanted to run the company. Marley warns him that he will meet three ghosts….
Ghosts of Christmas Past arrive. Imagine The Supremes meet Bananarama. They take Squeezer on a tour of his past misdemeanours, his school, his first place of work, his first girlfriend (Ruby), his first love (cash) and his cruel exploitation of no hopers with ‘a dream’. Act One ends with all cast members reviewing his past. Will Squeezer repent?
Act 2 – 50 minutes – 10 songs
Squeezer reflects on his past– and decides he’s OK.
Enter Christmas Present – a lot like Ariana Grande… They visit The Cratchit family, highlighting the plight of Tiny Tina who is being treated by the NHS Doctor – expensive private treatment is out of the question.
They then visit Archie and Erin’s Christmas Karaoke Party where they are lampooning Scrooge.
Christmas future takes Scrooge to a car boot sale where many of his possessions are on sale. He also sees his old girlfriend who cherishes the memory of what he was
Back in the audition room Squeezer resolves to change his ways. He gets a Santa Suit. He meets the NHS choir and bestows the royalties that are rightfully theirs, he gives Cratchit the performing rights to his songs, he creates a Red Nose endowment, pays for Tiny Tina’s treatment and makes his peace with Archie, Erin and Ruby
Epilogue – as snow falls he sings an uplifting version of Cratchit’s Christmas Carol with Tiny Tina.
Cratchit’s Christmas Carol is a modern take of the famous CHARLES DICKENS novella.
This version is inspired by Dickens and a certain talent show host with high waisted trousers. Please check out the songs and the script via the website link. Written with teenagers in mind. ALL SONGS CAN BE HEARD HERE:
https://musicals4all.com/cratchets-christmas-carol/
Password: Bowker
Act One – One hour – 13 songs
‘Squeezer’ Scrooge, TV talent guru and showbiz entrepreneur is hassled by the NHS choir who are seeking a Christmas No. 1. He kicks them out whilst resolving to steal their catchy tune. He instructs his intern, the talented but diffident ‘Crotchet’, to rework the song.
Squeezer is then accosted by Rob and Squidge hilariously seeking accommodation for the homeless – they get the brush off.
Enter Squeezer’s Nephew, I.T. techie Archie and his girlfriend Erin, a social worker. They invite him to Christmas lunch. Scrooge reckons that they are trying to get into his will.
Meanwhile Cratchit is spending time reworking the NHS song.
Squeezer Scrooge listens to the ‘official’ lyrics to the NHS rip off – loves it and authorises it for release. He calls for the first auditionee to be sent in for his new talent show. Enter his old partner Marley (dead seven years ago) who he supplanted to run the company. Marley warns him that he will meet three ghosts….
Ghosts of Christmas Past arrive. Imagine The Supremes meet Bananarama. They take Squeezer on a tour of his past misdemeanours, his school, his first place of work, his first girlfriend (Ruby), his first love (cash) and his cruel exploitation of no hopers with ‘a dream’. Act One ends with all cast members reviewing his past. Will Squeezer repent?
Act 2 – 50 minutes – 10 songs
Squeezer reflects on his past– and decides he’s OK.
Enter Christmas Present – a lot like Ariana Grande… They visit The Cratchit family, highlighting the plight of Tiny Tina who is being treated by the NHS Doctor – expensive private treatment is out of the question.
They then visit Archie and Erin’s Christmas Karaoke Party where they are lampooning Scrooge.
Christmas future takes Scrooge to a car boot sale where many of his possessions are on sale. He also sees his old girlfriend who cherishes the memory of what he was
Back in the audition room Squeezer resolves to change his ways. He gets a Santa Suit. He meets the NHS choir and bestows the royalties that are rightfully theirs, he gives Cratchit the performing rights to his songs, he creates a Red Nose endowment, pays for Tiny Tina’s treatment and makes his peace with Archie, Erin and Ruby
Epilogue – as snow falls he sings an uplifting version of Cratchit’s Christmas Carol with Tiny Tina.
This show really works. If you need a Christmas show or a way of getting pupils to consider DICKENS or the Christmas Carol novel please take the time to listen to the songs and read the script.
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