1:10 Archives - Donna & Andy https://donnaandandy.com/duration/songs-one-minute-and-10-seconds-long-composed-by-donna-rhodenizer/ Music by Donna Rhodenizer and Andy Duinker Wed, 04 Feb 2026 20:28:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://donnaandandy.com/wp-content/uploads/cropped-Logo-Red-Castle-Publishing-Music-by-Donna-Andy.png 1:10 Archives - Donna & Andy https://donnaandandy.com/duration/songs-one-minute-and-10-seconds-long-composed-by-donna-rhodenizer/ 32 32 A Robin’s Tale https://donnaandandy.com/product/a-robins-tale-song-for-young-singers-by-donna-rhodenizer/ https://donnaandandy.com/product/a-robins-tale-song-for-young-singers-by-donna-rhodenizer/#comments Sun, 09 Feb 2025 21:29:37 +0000 https://donnaandandy.com/?post_type=product&p=519805 On a cold and windy day, the robin is having a marvelous time pulling worms out of the lawn for a tasty treat. The song progresses with a contrasting minor section creating musical tension as the robin wages its tug of war with the worms.

The melody is written within the range of C4-D5, giving young singers brief opportunities to reach the top and bottom of their range, without staying for extended time in these outer limits. The ABA form of the song includes a 4-bar foray into minor tonality in the B section. The melody is rhythmically simple with mostly quarter and eighth notes and a few dotted quarter/eighth note combinations creating rhythmic interest.

A Robin’s Tale is a lovely solo for singers age 9 and under or for classroom singers in grades 2-3. The minor tonality of the B section is brief and is a short introduction to this tone colour for young singers.

Listen to vocal demo by Ada May:

Listen to melody + accompaniment:

Download Includes:

  • Vocal score
  • Lead sheet
  • Director/piano score
  • Lyrics
  • Accompaniment - with melody guide
  • Accompaniment - piano
  • Teaching Tips

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A Robin's Tale

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for A Robin's Tale.

A Robin's Tale - song composed by Donna Rhodenizer & Andy Duinker - Lyrics - SAMPLE

Teacher Tips

Introducing the song

Pre-singing discussion connects students’ interest to the song content. Questions may include:

Have you ever seen a robin pulling worms out of the lawn?

How do you think they know where the worms are? Do they hear the worms? Do they feel the vibration with their feet? (Both would be amazing skills!)

What facts do you know about robins?

Do you have a favourite bird?

Score Study

Dotted quarter note/eighth note combinations.

The melody of A Robin’s Tale is written with dotted quarter note/eighth note combinations.

While the teacher sings the song, have the students listen and follow the score.

Find all the bars where there are dotted quarter note/eighth note combinations.

Have students tap or clap the rhythm of the song as the teacher sings one more time.

Have half the students sing the song and the other half tap the rhythm. Switch.

Phrases

Listen for phrases that are the same or almost the same. Finding these similar phrases helps when learning the melody of the song.

Major/minor tonality

The B section of A Robin’s Tale is written in a minor key for a few short bars. Find the bars that are written in the minor key. Where does the melody return to the major tonality?

Expressive Singing

Use good breath energy to sing the long, legato phrases.

Breath marks show where the singer will take a breath even thought the notes look like there is no spot to breathe. Take as much time as needed to take a comfortable breath.

How will you sing differently to create a contrast in the B section when the melody is written in the minor key?

Use clear diction so the story can be understood.

Add dynamics to create musical interest and highlight the lyrics as part of your expressive performance.

Composer's Notes

I enjoy watching the birds in my backyard. A bird feeder of seeds encourages certain birds to make regular visits. Robins don’t frequent the feeder. They prefer worms and stay on the lawn to forage for their snacks. The robins hop from spot to spot. It is interesting to watch the tug-of-war that ensues when they locate a worm and try to pull it from its hiding spot. Because they eat worms and grubs, robins leave Canada to go to warmer climates for the winter. We know spring has arrived when they show up again. A Robin’s Tale was written as I watched this vignette playing out in the backyard. Andy and I worked on the words together and we ended up with this short song for young singers.

You are Invited

When you have enjoyed singing this song and doing the activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Please send us your performing video - we might be able to post it on this page!

Send us your video of A Robin's Tale and perhaps we can post it here.

Return to Store - Penguins - artwork by Richard Bennett

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]]> https://donnaandandy.com/product/a-robins-tale-song-for-young-singers-by-donna-rhodenizer/feed/ 1 Swamp Friends https://donnaandandy.com/product/swamp-friends-song-for-young-singers-by-donna-rhodenizer/ https://donnaandandy.com/product/swamp-friends-song-for-young-singers-by-donna-rhodenizer/#respond Mon, 09 Oct 2023 21:50:17 +0000 https://donnaandandy.com/?post_type=product&p=516910 Swamp Friends is an informative and amusing visit to the swamp to see how the dragonflies, moose and frogs get along as neighbours. Flying creatures must watch out for the sticky tongues of the frogs but moose are not worried about those sticky tongues at all. Listen to the song to find out why!

Swamp Friends is very accessible for young singers. Simple rhythms are used within the 3/4 time melody of this two-verse song. The melody is written using mostly step-wise motion with one dramatic octave jump at the end of each verse, while the melody fits within a one-octave range. Natural breathing breaks assist the singer with maintaining good breath energy.

It is always fun to be in on a good joke. Swamp Friends has amusing imagery and dramatic flair that suits the performance needs of young singers.

Listen to melody + accompaniment

Download Includes:

  • Vocal score
  • Vocal lead sheet (with chords)
  • Director/piano score
  • Lyrics
  • Accompaniment – with melody guide
  • Accompaniment – piano
  • Teaching Tips and strategies

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Swamp Friends

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Swamp Friends - Song for Young Singers - by Donna Rhodenizer - Lyrics

Teaching Tips

Because Swamp Friends is a simple song to sing, it can be used in conjunction with other music skills. 

  1. Add a rhythmic ostinato
    • Use a phrase from the song (e.g. sticky frog tongues) or create your own! I like the rhythm that is created by saying “Moose and frogs”  (half note + quarter note + dotted half note).
  2. Add an instrument that plays on certain words in the song
    • Play an instrumental sound every time you sing the names of creatures or animals.
    • Have students follow the vocal score and play their instrument on all the half notes in the song (or play in all the rests, or choose another rhythmic element to highlight).
  3. Keep the beat
    • Have the students step on beat one of every bar. Swamp Friends is written in 3/4 meter so this will assist students in feeling the swaying feel of the song.
    • An instrument may also be used to play on beat one of each bar.

Additional detailed Teaching Tips and Strategies available in the download.

Composer's Notes

Swamp Friends

I grew up on a farm where I often pulled on my rubber boots and headed outdoors to explore. There was a swamp with cattails and lots of frogs that would sing their frog songs in the spring. A small brook ran through the cattle pasture. It was always a great place to poke about, pulling out sticks or breaking up ice to assist the bubbling water to get on its merry way. Although it wasn’t very deep, we were not supposed to be playing in the brook (sorry Mom!), but it was great fun! I didn’t see a moose until I was an adult, but I can imagine one standing in the swamp and dealing with those frogs.

I was playing with the words “butterflies, dragonflies and fireflies” trying to figure out a song about these flying creatures. As I thought about this combination of “neighbours” living in the swamp, I got to thinking about what happens when the flying creatures get caught by the frogs who also live in the swamp. As sometimes happens as I mull over an idea, the idea of adding a moose popped into my head. Who knows why these inspirations arrive in the brain? In any case, I decided to add a moose to the neighbourhood. Then I couldn’t resist adding a bit of humour as the moose dealt with those sticky frog tongues. The idea made me laugh and I expect that young singers will also be amused by the imagery of this song. It was fun trying to fit the whole story, the set up of the humour, and the final “punch line” all within a short 32-bar song.

You Are invited

You are invited to send us your performance of Swamp Friends.

Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.

When you have enjoyed practicing and performing this song with your students - please drop by again and leave a review on this page. Thanks!

Send us your video of Swamp Friends and perhaps we can post it here.

Swamp Friends - song composed by Donna Rhodenizer - return to store image

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