I'm Wishing
“I’m Wishing” brings a positive message of hope and a wish for peace that is suitable for any time of year. However, it is particularly suited for Remembrance Day and Veterans Day programs.
Beyond wishing, there are things we can do in our everyday lives that create a more peaceful state of being and living. Personal action is required of each of us to improve our own small corner of the world.
The melody is lyrical, with long phrases and sustained notes. An optional harmony part is also provided, although the melody stands on its own merits as a unison selection.
Sample Audio Tracks
I'm Wishing - piano and vocal line
I'm Wishing - piano
I'm Wishing - studio tracks
The Activity Pack included with “I’m Wishing” provides two activities to introduce the song and explore the lyrics. There are a total of 23 activities across a variety of subject areas: music, math, language arts, visual art, science, social studies, technology and character trait development. This is an excellent opportunity to listen to the music and then incorporate related activities that arise from the lyrics.
Some of the activities listed here are also explained in more detail in the Activity Pack pdf.
If singing is restricted, there are still many ways to engage with this piece of music in meaningful musical ways.
Provide the lyrics and read through the lyrics together.
Listen to the piece of music. Use the audio tracks, the video above or use this YouTube video link:
Have the children listen to the music and create a meaningful piece of art.
Add the children’s art to the performance track of “I’m Wishing” to create a video.
Play the video as part of the school Remembrance Day/Veterans Day presentations.
Add instruments to specific words or musical elements in the song.
Discuss what a phrase is.
Discover how many phrases are in the opening chorus.
Have the children move one hand in a rainbow shape to show the shape of each phrase as they listen to the song.
Donna Rhodenizer - Composer’s notes:
I’m Wishing was created from a place of reflection. As a young child I would wish on the first star that would appear in the darkening night sky. This ritual is probably as old as time itself. People who take the time to look up and wait for the appearance of that first star also may use that time for thinking and wishing.
Wishing on a star can be a way to put into words what is wished in the heart. A child might wish for simple things: a place to play and laugh not fearing for safety, peace instead of war, more love between people and nations. In addition to wishing for such things, there is the realization that we all have a part to play in making our wishes become reality.
“I’m Wishing” focuses on the message of hope, and the idea of what we would like to see in a more peaceful world. Beyond wishing, there is a part we can all play in our everyday lives to create a more peaceful state of being and living.
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