Age 9 and up Archives - Donna & Andy

Hummy Hummingbirds

Andy Duinker — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:28:30 +0000

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Hummy Hummingbirds

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Hummy Hummingbirds.

Teaching Tips

Teaching Tips

Explore the Score

There is a complete descending scale in this song.

Can you find it in the song? (Bar 19)

It also appears again in the outro. (Bar 22)

Can you sing it using solfa syllables?

Sign it as you sing!

There is an octave jump in the song. Find it in the score (bar 6).

Do some octave warm ups to prepare.

Sing a Duet

Sing this song with a friend or with your teacher singing the echo/harmony part.

Improvising

Improvise your own humming melody in the four humming spots.

Hummingbird Facts

I had the idea for the lyrics for this song before I checked to see if hummingbirds make any sound. I was relieved to discover that they do chirp, but they don’t have a vocalized melody. Phew! I can keep the lyrics as I have written them.

Here are other hummingbird facts:

Hummingbird wings can move in a figure 8 pattern and are built for optimum speed and agility.
They are the only birds capable of sustaining hovering, flying backward, and upside-down.
Hummingbird brains are approximately 4.2% of their body weight – the largest of all bird species.
Hummingbird hearts beat about 250 beats per minute at rest, and 1,260 beats per minute in flight.
Hummingbirds have long, thin bills that allow them to reach deep inside flowers.
Hummingbirds are very curious and will fly close to humans to check them out and figure out who they are.

Composer's Notes

Hummy Hummingbirds

I enjoy watching the birds coming and going in my backyard. I have seeds in feeders and a special hummingbird feeder with sugar water. From my kitchen window I am able to see the birds come and go and I find this very entertaining. The hummingbirds are a special guest. They are very tiny and they fly quickly to the feeder and zip away after only a brief few moments. If you want to see a hummingbird at my house you have to watch closely and be in the right spot at the right time. When I am working in the garden or sitting in my lawn chair I can hear the humming of their wings as they flit by. I usually stop what I am doing and stay still so I don’t frighten them away. I also say hello and by the end of the summer, they will stick around even if I am nearby. One year I had a pair of hummingbirds who visited my feeder with their babies!

I was thinking about these tiny birds and the fact that they make a little chirping sound but they don’t “sing” like other birds. I am always interested in unique ways of thinking about things. I wondered if hummingbirds hummed because they didn’t know the words! That was a funny thought and as much inspiration as it took to decide it was worth exploring as a song idea.

I wanted to compose a gentle melody to represent the hummingbird. I created the choruses with humming, which I thought was amusing as well as a good vocal technique for young singers to try. I worked on the words and the melody at the same time and when everything was crafted to my satisfaction, I realized that the phrases could be sung as call and response for most of the song. This is a great way to introduce early part singing to young singers and for them to sing the song as a duet. There are a few spots where true harmony is included, but these sections don’t last long and are quite natural feeling so I think it is still very accessible for young singers. The song works equally well as a solo or as a duet which offers teachers and students a few performance options.

You're Invited

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

Send us your video of Hummy Hummingbirds and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Hummy Hummingbirds appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Royal Recorders

Andy Duinker — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 18:42:01 +0000

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Royal Recorders

by Donna Rhodenizer

Student Book 1

Royal Recorders Student Book 1 is part of a motivational recorder teaching method created for students (grades 4-6) learning to play recorder in elementary school music programs, private music classes, or homeschools. Students are excited and motivated to play the recorder when teachers use the Royal Recorders teaching method.

The Royal Recorders teaching method is fantastic for beginners of all ages and comprehensive enough to use for a two-to-three-year recorder program, with upper levels that challenge advanced players.

Beginning recorder players enjoy playing the Royal Recorders songs that are created to maximize success from the very beginning of the program. There are seven Knight levels in Book 1 presenting new notes and musical elements in 3-4 songs at each level. Songs are simple, musical and interesting. Students play each short song, ensuring that new notes are thoroughly learned before moving on to new musical elements. Students are motivated as each small success is celebrated. These small steps create a strong foundation and promote rapid achievement and improvement.

Accompaniment tracks in a variety of styles (available as downloads) provide support and musical interest, motivating students to play songs multiple times. Accompaniment tracks are offered with a practice speed, supporting the early stages of the students’ efforts. A performance speed track is also provided for performances or as an added challenge in regular class activities.

Song challenges for Levels 1-7 (22 songs)
Explanations for each new musical element presented
Practicing tips
Composing opportunities (at three different Knight levels)
Note-naming Challenges (practice pages)
Care and maintenance of the recorder
Fingering chart
Completion certificate

Songs Include:

(* Original songs by Donna Rhodenizer)

G and A All Day *
He B G Bees *
Baa, Baa, Baa *
One, Two, Skip a Few*
Big Bad G *
Flamenco Flair *
Up and Down *
BAG of Surprises *
Fais dodo - French Folk Song
Over Easy *
Blues-E *
Skin and Bones - Camp Song
Go for a Stroll *
Old MacDonald – Traditional
There's a Hole in My Bucket – Traditional
Lady of the Red Castle *
À la claire fontaine - French Folk Song
Jolly Minstrels *
Day is Done - Camp Song
Cabbage Soup *
Ode to Joy – Beethoven
Oh When the Saints – Traditional

First Song

- Student Book 1

See more playing videos of songs from Student Book 1 below!

Student Book 2

Royal Recorders Student Book 2 is part of a motivational teaching method created for students (grades 4-6) learning to play recorder in elementary school music programs, private music classes, or homeschools. Students are excited and motivated to play recorder when playing songs in the Royal Recorders teaching method.

Students with foundational recorder playing skills (e.g. having completed Royal Recorders Book 1) will enjoy the song challenges presented in Student Book 2. Six Knight levels provide a total of 23 songs, adding new notes and musical elements in a sequential progression. The sequential introduction of skills and step-by step presentation of new notes and theory promote rapid progress and improvement until a very high level of playing proficiency is achieved.

Songs include well-known folk and traditional tunes, classical works, and Donna Rhodenizer’s original songs. Longer songs, more complex forms, plus the addition of stylistic elements such as phrasing and dynamics, add to the musicality of the Book 2 repertoire. A wider range of notes expands the complexity as well as the variety of songs offered. At the conclusion of all 13 Royal Recorders levels, students should be able to play simple music written in C, F, G, D and A major and their relative minor keys. Their foundational understanding of music theory and reading notes also makes them well prepared as they move on to band programs.

Students have two opportunities to create an original composition. Applying theory they have learned and using their playing skills to play an original composition creates ownership and a real sense of purpose within the context of learning to play the recorder.

Accompaniment tracks in a variety of styles (available as downloads) provide support and musical interest, motivating students to play songs multiple times. Two tracks are provided: a practice speed, supporting the early stages of playing, and a performance speed for concerts or as an added challenge in regular class activities. The accompaniment tracks are particularly useful at this advanced level when students are providing complex and musical contributions at community events and concerts.

Provides continued development for second-year students and more advanced players

Song challenges for levels 8-13 (23 songs)
Explanations for each new element presented
Practice tips
Composing opportunities (at two different Knight levels)
Note-naming Challenges (practice pages)
Recorder Care and Maintenance
Fingering chart
Completion certificate

Songs Include:

(* Original songs by Donna Rhodenizer)

Moravian Folk Tune - Folk song
Still Waters *
Twilight *
Morning - Grieg
Birch Tree (duet) - Tchaikovsky
Sharp as a Tack *
English Melody - Kingsfold
Merry Branle - Arbeau
C Major Scale - Baroque style
Scarborough Fair - English ballad
My Paddle - Embers McGee
What Shall We Do with the Drunken Sailor? - Trad. Sea Shanty
Music Alone Shall Live (canon) - Folk song
Un Canadien Errant (duet) - Gérin-Lajoie/arr. Rhodenizer
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - Spiritual
Let’s Catch a Rooster (canon) - Trad.
Donna’s Aire *
Scotland the Brave - Trad.
Down by the Sally Gardens - Folk song
Ash Grove - Trad.
Celtic Winter *
Early One Morning - Folk song
Little Burnt Potato - Trad./Boyd

First Song

- Student Book 2

See more playing videos of songs from Student Book 2 below!

Teacher Guide

Teacher Guide includes - Teaching strategies to prepare and practice each song - 6 lesson plans for introducing recorder to your students - How to use motivational Class Castles and Knight Certificates - Tables for tracking student progress - MP3 accompaniment tracks information chart (intros, outros, style, speed, etc.) - Chart with songs listed alphabetically.

Royal Recorders Teacher Guide supports teachers as they use the Royal Recorders motivational recorder teaching method created for students (grades 4-6) learning to play recorder in elementary school music programs, private music classes, or homeschools. Students are excited and motivated to play the recorder when teachers use the Royal Recorders teaching method.

The Royal Recorders teaching method is fantastic for beginners of all ages and comprehensive enough to use for a two-to-three-year recorder program, with upper levels that challenge advanced players. Students are engaged and eager, working their way through 13 Knight levels of the Royal Recorders program, learning 45 songs along the way. They also compose five of their own compositions using the notes and theory they have learned.

Comprehensive Teaching Method
Teachers are supported as they teach recorder with this comprehensive teaching method. The step-by-step approach of Royal Recorders, with sequential presentation of new notes and musical elements, promotes rapid achievement and improvement. Students are excited to play and love celebrating their success with each new song.

Teaching Strategies and Lesson Plans
The teacher guide is like having a personal mentor

30 pages of suggestions and teaching strategies for every step in the recorder teaching process.
Detailed foundational lesson plans give the teacher the tools they need to provide solid instruction for beginner recorder players.
Specific "prepare and practice activities" are provided for new elements as they are introduced in each Knight level.
See the Teacher Guide Table of Contents here

Composing hints and teaching strategies

Teachers are supported as they lead students through composing activities.
Guidelines and composing strategies aid the teacher as they encourage students to use what they know to create their own compositions. This is an empowering exercise for young musicians.

The Teacher Guide has 176 pages packed with support for the teacher:

Teaching strategies
Composing hints and strategies
Classroom management tips
Foundational lesson plans
Activities to prepare and practice new elements appearing in the song challenges
Printable certificates
Incentives (class castles, Knight certificates)
Student tracking charts
Printable student pages (certificates, note-naming sheets, etc.)
Fingering charts
All student pages are included in the Teacher Guide for easy reference

Print Copy of the Teacher Guide is available on Amazon

Printed Copies of Royal Recorders Books

Print Copies (in North America) - use this order form

Print copies are also available on Amazon (world wide).

Get Your Student Book 1 Student Book 2 Teacher Guide

Go to Donna's Amazon Author Page to see more of Donna's books.

Accompaniment Tracks

MP3 accompaniment tracks are central to the delivery of the Royal Recorders program.

- Accompaniments (in a variety of styles) add excitement to the foundational, simple 2-note songs. See student recorder playing videos below.

- Accompaniments provide support for more difficult songs

- Each song has two accompaniment tracks; a slower practice speed track and a faster speed accompaniment track for performances.

- Get the accompaniment tracks above in the Royal Recorders Product Options. Look for options 4, 5 or 6.

Permission is given to download MP3s in the best format for you AND your students (phones, computers, Google Classroom, etc.). Students are encouraged to use these tracks outside of class time as well.

Tutorial Videos

Tutorial Videos

Enjoy 63 tutorial videos that have been created to support each song in the Royal Recorders teaching method. These videos may be used for student support in a variety of teaching settings (homeschool, elementary music class, private studio, etc.). These videos are posted on an unlisted YouTube playlist with purchasers having access via the private link provided.

Choose option "9. Tutorial Videos" from the Royal Recorders Product Options above to access all 63 Royal Recorders Tutorial Videos.

Student Incentives

Student Incentives

Use these student incentives (Class Castles and Knight Certificates) to motivate and support students as they work toward achieving their Royal Recorders playing goals.

Choose option "10. Student Incentives" from the Royal Recorders Product Options above to access all student incentives information.

Composer's Notes

Royal recorders

For a long time, I taught recorder by rote. My students learned the mechanics of how to play and letter names were used to “notate” simple quarter and half note songs. Students were excited to be able to play songs but they were really learning to do so by rote or by ear. I was job sharing with a teacher who discovered Recorder Karate. The students learned simple songs and for each song they were able to play, they were rewarded with karate belts. They were very proud to have a variety of coloured tassles hanging from their recorders.

This program inspired me to create my own songs and a more comprehensive, foundational series of songs to develop both note reading and mechanical facility with the recorder. Living in Kings county, Nova Scotia made it a natural fit to move into the world of castles and knights. Students were given song challenges with the immediate reward of adding their name to a class castle each time they had mastered a song. Three songs resulted in receiving the designation of a knight, with different colours for each level. They received a certificate and a flag (tassle) for their recorder. With three songs for every level, now the students learned more songs with each new note and their skill level deepened and became much more internalized.

Students were excited to see all the names that were being added to the class castles. In order to achieve the right to add their names, testing of songs was required. Students knew that they really had to play the song correctly in order to pass the song challenge. Students started asking peers for help outside of class time. Outside on the playground, the sound of recorders could be heard at every recess and noontime break. Students were asking their friends to help them learn songs they had heard in higher levels, but that we had not started in class. Clandestine peer-to-peer teaching was taking place and the students thought they were getting away with something. I was delighted. They were taking charge of their own learning and they wanted MORE songs!

I usually begin recorders in grade 4 and finish with them in grade 5. My students were excited about the songs they were playing and when they learned all the songs I thought we could cover in two years, they were still asking for more. I think I expanded the number of knight levels and the difficulty of the pieces three times before I arrived at the final iteration of Royal Recorders as it is today. When I had grade 6 students added to my teaching responsibilities the students were delighted to have the opportunity to play recorders for another year. We played duets, we added alto recorders, we had students learn O Canada in a three part arrangement and they were invited to play for the annual teacher’s retirement banquet. That was a real honour, and even more amazing since most people think recorders are only good for playing Hot Cross Buns and that they sound terrible. My group of top grade 6s did an amazing job and the audience was blown away. What a great success story!

There are many, many recorder stories I could tell, but I will close with two more. Firstly, My students loved playing with the accompaniment tracks. They make even simple two-note songs sound great and it is motivating to play when it sounds good. I knew this was going to be a hit when we played the song “He B G Bees” and as the final notes of the accompaniment faded away, a student asked, “Can we play it again?” Now THAT is music to the music teacher’s ear!

As the program developed and more and more students wanted to play song challenge tests, it became clear that I couldn’t keep up with testing individual students at recess and noon. There were just too many kids ready and anxious to play and not enough time to hear them all. We came up with the plan that students could submit a playing test via video. The beauty of this system was that I could listen to playing tests at home (with my feet up and sitting by the fire), I could listen to a test more than once if needed, I had time to give productive feedback, and students were taking time at home to prepare their video tests. Their families heard them practicing and helped with the videos and therefore became involved in the music development of the students. Siblings, parents and grandparents were pressed into service as camera assistants and they also weighed in on whether or not they thought the song was ready to present. I know that students did many video takes before settling on the one they would submit (that is called practicing!) and they were very proud to submit their videos. One day I got an email from a mom who was anxiously awaiting the results from a playing test that had been submitted. She emailed me to ask about the results of the song challenge. She just couldn’t wait until the end of the school day to hear if “they” had passed. When kids are supported at home and they know that what they are doing has worth, it is truly inspiring to see what can be accomplished.

I love teaching recorder. I love seeing the kids being excited when they can play fast songs, beautiful songs, tricky songs and to play them well. I love seeing them so motivated to play and learn and to add to their knowledge. What a great gift that is. They make my castle an exciting place to be!

Note-Naming Worksheets

Note-naming Worksheets (challenges) are designed as a 1-2 minute speed activity for the beginning or end of music class. The challenge of beating your own best score keeps things fun (sort of!) and the briefness of the activity keeps students from feeling frustrated when they are impatient to get to the recorder playing part of music class. Note-naming challenges are included in Student Book 1 and Student Book 2. Encourage students to do their challenges at home for even quicker improvement. Extra printable note-naming worksheets / challenges (student practice pages) are available here.

Recorder Fingering Charts

Fingering charts are included in Student Book 1 and 2 as well as the Teacher Guide. However, sometimes an extra copy comes in handy. Check out the free downloadable fingering chart here.

There is also information to help teachers and students determine if they are using an English/Baroque recorder or a German recorder. This information is important because the high and low F and F# fingerings are played differently on each of these recorders.

Find information about English/Baroque recorder or German recorders here.

About Your Recorder

There are two types of recorders: English/Baroque or German. The hole sizes vary between these two recorder types and that affects which fingerings are used for certain notes (specifically F and F#).

For information about how to identify which recorder you are using, go here.

Information about ordering recorders, what brand to choose, and how to care for your recorder is available as a PDF download here.

Performance Videos

Check out some of the Royal Recorders Knights / student recorder playing performances below.

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed seeing the videos and learning about the Royal Recorders Program - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Please send us your performance videos - we might be able to post them on this page!

Sample

Tutorial Videos – enjoy 63 tutorial videos that have been created to support each song in the Royal Recorders teaching method. Scroll up to Royal Recorders Product Options to access all tutorial videos (includes one for each song) in the program

Enjoy these Royal Recorders playing videos!

Watch these video samples of students (Royal Recorders Knights) (or Donna) playing each song in the Royal Recorders program with the performance-speed accompaniment tracks.

The printed music is included in the videos so you can have fun playing along. Enjoy!

Student Book 1

White Knight (level one)

Yellow Knight (level 2)

Orange Knight (level 3)

Green Knight (level 4)

Purple Knight (level 5)

Turquoise Knight (level 6)

Blue Knight (level 7)

Student Book 2

Red Knight (level 8)

Pink Knight (level 9)

Brown Knight (level 10)

Black Knight (level 11)

Silver Knight (level 12)

Gold Knight (level 13)

Bonus - Super Knight

Send us your videos of Royal Recorders performances and perhaps we can post them here.

The post Royal Recorders appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Fluffy Flakes of Snow

Andy Duinker — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:16:43 +0000

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Fluffy Flakes of Snow

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Fluffy Flakes of Snow.

Teaching Tips

Teaching Tips

Introduce the song

Have a discussion about activities the students enjoy doing when it snows.

Has anyone ever tried to catch a snowflake on their tongue?

Do they get together with friends to enjoy outdoor activities?

Expressive singing

This song tells a story about enjoying a snowy day with friends. Use dynamics, facial expression and clear diction to sing expressively as you present this story to your audience.

Syncopation

The melody has a syncopated feel to it because many phrases begin with a rest on beat one. Beat one is usually a stronger sounding beat and the rest shifts the accent to land on beat two. This shifting of the accent creates a syncopated feeling.

To practice this syncopation, clap or stamp on beat one to create the space of the rest. Once you are comfortable with how it feels to start the phrases on beat two, leave out the clap or stamp.

Score study

Study the score to find the following elements and discuss how they work in the song:

Swing the eighths
Rests on beat one
First and second endings
Accidentals
Additional Score Markings

The PDF download includes information about these musical elements.

Composer's Notes

Fluffy Flakes of Snow

I was driving to my mom’s house, an hour away from where I live. I was thinking it would be nice to have a new winter song for the lower elementary grades to sing so I was trying to think of a simple song as I was driving. Being in a vehicle with the monotony of the tire noise is a good time to block out the world and think about song ideas. However, this particular day everything I tried out for ideas seemed too contrived or too uninteresting and I arrived at my destination without any new songs to show for my efforts.

The next morning when I got up, I was humming to myself and this perky little tune was what “came out”. I grabbed paper and a pen and jotted down the tune and the words for the first line, “Lots of flakes of snow are falling.” I discussed my new song with Andy (as I often do) and we bounced a few lyric ideas around to find alternate words to describe the flakes of snow. We settled on “fluffy flakes” because the alliterations are such fun to sing! Although my original intention was a song for the youngest elementary students, this song is really a grade 2-3 level or higher, but when a song is being delivered by the muse, one does not quibble about such details!

I added the second “verse” lyrics as we were editing the score to be uploaded and published. I was wondering how to explain to the singers the reasoning behind singing exactly the same words twice, so by adding one small change, I had a reason for that repeat. It won’t be hard for the singers to learn one additional line and they will have a two-verse song.

You're Invited

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

Send us your video of Fluffy Flakes of Snow and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Fluffy Flakes of Snow appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Get Up Christmas Mornin’

Andy Duinker — Sun, 07 Sep 2025 10:59:33 +0000

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Get Up Christmas Mornin'

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Get Up Christmas Mornin' & Get Up in the Mornin'.

Part of a song collection

The companion song to Get Up Christmas Mornin' is

Get Up in the Mornin' - and it is one of 12 songs from the award-winning song collection "Blue Skies and Pirates". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 110-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 12 songs. Enjoy!

Please note: audio tracks for the e-book version are sold separately. Print copies of the book include CD (24 tracks)

Blue Skies and Pirates is also available on Amazon

Stream and purchase audio tracks

Stream or Purchase the Get Up in the Mornin' tracks from many streaming sites including: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

Donna & Andy have yet to record Get Up Christmas Mornin'.

The Blue Skies and Pirates CD and tracks (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental tracks - 24) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

Introduce the song

Initiate a discussion about Christmas memories.

Have the students ever written a letter to Santa?
What are things that students might do to get on the “nice list?”
What are things that students might do to get on the “naughty list?”
What time do students get up on Christmas morning?
Do students have to wait to get up until a specific time?
If they could only receive one gift, what would they want that gift to be?

Listen to the song or read the lyrics.

What is the message of this song? Don’t be grumpy and stay off the naughty list!
Is this good advice?

Expressive singing

Sing expressively to create a different presentation style for each of the verses.

Emphasize the lyrics by using:

dynamics
clear diction
facial movement
simple gestures

Improvisation

There are instrumental breaks between each verse (bars 29-40).

Have students use these instrumental bars to improvise using their own musical ideas.

Students may sing specific Christmasy words or sing scat syllables.

There is also the option to skip these bars (tracks are provided to accommodate both options).

Be a composer

Create your own verses for this song.

As a composer you will make musical decisions about the content of your song lyrics.

You may decide to sing about a gift you hope you receive, or perhaps you will sing about leaving Santa a snack.

Use the instrumental accompaniment tracks and sing your new lyrics.

Have fun composing!

Colouring page - download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song Get Up in the Mornin'.

Composer's Notes

Get Up Christmas Mornin'

I was taking my son to a Scout Jamboree in Cavendish, Prince Edward Island, Canada. 14,000 Scouts from all over Canada were converging at a massive camp site for a week-long event. As we were heading to the camp on a bright and sunny day, the melody and the first verse of the song popped into my head. I started to sing as we walked from the parking lot to the central gathering location (it was quite a hike so I had some time!) My son has camped in some pretty uncomfortable weather conditions. He always had lots of stories to tell, but he really didn’t complain about the weather. He seemed to enjoy the challenge of surviving even rainy and snowy camping trips. He didn’t get that from his mother. I prefer to be protected from heat, cold, bugs and hard ground when I sleep. Despite my personal preference to avoid being involved in bad weather, I thought it made sense to include the advice not to be saucy to Mother Nature. At the end of the day, being grumpy doesn’t change the weather conditions but a good attitude can go a long way to improving the outlook of the situation.

A few years later, our Donna & Andy duo was invited to sing at a Christmas event. We were practicing some standard seasonal tunes when we started to change the lyrics of Get Up in the Mornin’ to fit in with getting up on Christmas morning. We sketched out alternate lyrics that worked for that concert and I include them with the original words so teachers can have an option for school and vocal studio Christmas concert presentations. The admonishment not to be grumpy or sassy also works in the context of staying off the naughty list!

You're Invited

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

Send us your video of Get Up Christmas Mornin' and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Get Up Christmas Mornin’ appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Get Up in the Mornin’

Andy Duinker — Mon, 01 Sep 2025 17:46:01 +0000

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Get Up in the Mornin'

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Get Up in the Mornin' & Get Up Christmas Mornin'.

Part of a song collection

Get Up in the Mornin' is one of 12 songs from the award-winning song collection "Blue Skies and Pirates". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 110-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 12 songs. Enjoy!

Please note: audio tracks for the e-book version are sold separately. Print copies of the book include CD (24 tracks)

Blue Skies and Pirates is also available on Amazon

Stream and purchase audio tracks

Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The Blue Skies and Pirates CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (24) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

Introduce the song

Have a weather-related discussion.

Do the students have a favourite kind of weather?
What is their least favourite kind of weather?
Do they ever grumble about the weather?
Does grumbling and complaining improve the weather conditions?

Listen to the song or read the lyrics.

What is the message of this song? Don’t be grumpy or blue about the weather, and don’t “sass” Mother Nature!
Is this good advice?

Expressive singing

Sing expressively to create a different presentation style for each of the types of weather about which you are singing.

Emphasize the lyrics by using:

dynamics
clear diction
facial movement
simple gestures

Improvisation

There are instrumental breaks between each verse (bars 29-40).

Have students use these instrumental bars to improvise using their own musical ideas.

Students may sing specific words e.g., rain, sun, wind, etc. or sing scat syllables.

There is also the option to skip these bars (tracks are provided to accommodate both options).

Be a composer

Create your own verses for this song.

As a composer you will make musical decisions about the content of your song lyrics.

You may decide to sing about your favourite kind of weather, or you may want to take the opportunity to complain a bit about your least favourite kind of weather.

Will you still decide to present the message that it won’t help to be grumpy, or will you create a different message for your weather song?

Use the instrumental accompaniment tracks and sing your new lyrics.

Have fun composing!

Colouring page - download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song Get Up in the Mornin'.

Composer's Notes

Get Up in the Mornin'

You are Invited

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

Send us your video of Get Up in the Mornin' and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Get Up in the Mornin’ appeared first on Donna & Andy.

My Hamster

Andy Duinker — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 23:35:13 +0000

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My Hamster

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio Sample

Listen to melody + accompaniment for My Hamster as you follow along with the lyrics.

Part of a song collection

My Hamster is one of 12 songs from the award-winning song collection "Computer Cat". Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels for singers from ages 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 93-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 12 songs. Enjoy!

Please note: audio tracks for the e-book version are sold separately. Print copies of the book include CD (24 tracks)

Stream and purchase audio tracks

Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The Computer Cat CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (24) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teaching tips

Introducing the song

Starting a conversation with students about their pets is certain to result in many stories. If students do not have a pet, they can discuss an animal they would like to have as a pet.

The pet in this song is a hamster. Somehow the hamster has gone missing. The singer thinks the hamster has run away. Perhaps it is because he would prefer different food, or perhaps he thinks the owner is hogging the blankets when they are sleeping at night. Ask the students what reasons they think might have caused the hamster to leave his cage and subsequently go missing. Don’t rule out a hamster who is looking for adventure, long lost relatives or maybe, like our school hamster, he just wanted to go to the gym for a workout and then got lost before he could return!

Score study

My Hamster is written in 3/4 time. This may be a less familiar meter for younger singers. Include activities to explore 3/4 meter.

While the teacher taps the beat, have the students clap or say the rhythm duration syllables for the rhythm of the lyrics.
Switch and have the students tap the beat while the teacher says or claps the rhythm.
Sway to the beat, changing direction on beat one of every bar. Add a scarf to this motion to assist with a visual cue for the flow of 3-beat meter.
Have the students use a 3-beat conducting pattern as they listen to the music for My Hamster.

For students who are having a difficult time with the feeling of 3/4 time, ask permission to tap on their shoulder and then gently tap the beat as they sing the song. Tap beat one with a slight accent to assist with the recognition of three-beat groupings.

Harmony singing

My Hamster includes an alto harmony part.

Introduce the harmony part after the melody line is well internalized.

Teach the harmony line on its own.

Have the harmony part sung by a student who is more experienced and able to sing an independent line to create harmony with the melody.

When adding the harmony line to the melody, have the teacher provide support by singing the harmony line with the student while playing the melody on the piano.

If the student finds it difficult to sustain their part while another part is being played or sung, invite them to cup their hands behind their ears so they can hear their own voice more strongly. We call this “elephant ears”. It allows the sound of their own voice to be captured and sound stronger while still being able to hear the other part being sung.

Expressive singing

Use good breath energy and create long, legato phrases.

Use clear diction so the story can be understood.

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

19 cross-Curricular activities

19 Cross-curricular activities are provided in the PDF download extending the focus of this song to other subject areas including:

Fine arts: music, visual art, dance
Language arts
Math
Social studies
Technology

Colouring page

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song My Hamster.

Composer's Notes

The grade five class at our school had a hamster. One day they arrived to find the hamster cage empty. The morning announcements featured the grade five request for anyone seeing their hamster to return him, or let the class know he was okay. I decided to write them a song when I heard their beloved hamster was missing. I am pleased to report that after three days, the hamster was indeed found, alive and well. He was in a bin of basketballs in the gym, down two flights of stairs and at the opposite end of the school. No one knows how he got there, but we know he must have been in good shape after navigating all those stairs and hanging out in the gym for three days!

You are Invited

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

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

Send us your video of My Hamster and perhaps we can post it here.

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Fish Wishes and/or Witch Watches

Andy Duinker — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 19:15:25 +0000

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Fish Wishes

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Fish Wishes and Witch Watches.

Teacher Tips

Discuss the benefits and dilemmas of making wishes.

Invite students to share their favourite spoken or sung tongue twisters as vocal warm-ups before singing Fish Wishes.

Sing Fish Wishes as a performance piece or use it as a vocal warm-up.

Use expressive singing to present the song.

Use Fish Wishes as an expressive dramatic reading.

The melody of this tongue twisters is in a minor key and in 6/8 meter. Discuss these musical elements with your students.

Sing Fish Wishes as part of a tongue twister unit.

Enjoy singing Fish Wishes as a fun and engaging singing challenge.

Composer's Notes

Fish Wishes

I originally wrote the tongue twister “story” Witch Watches. It really wasn’t a Halloween song, although it works well when trying to include some thematic material in October. It was a fun challenge for my older students adding a minor tonality to the tongue twisty words. The only downside to this tale is that it is often pulled out for a few short classes in October and then returned to the shelf, gathering dust until the next year when a witch song is part of lesson planning. I think witches might want to know what time it is throughout the year, but sometimes it is difficult to get beyond the type casting.

I decided to work on composing a new story using the same melody and rhythm patterns that did not have an affiliation to any particular time of year. This creates more versatility and more opportunities to use this fun song style and its minor tonality. I had thought I would just change enough words so the fish were also checking their watches. (Try saying “fish watches” three times and see how difficult that is!) However, when chatting to Nikki Loney (Full Voice Music) who has inspired many of my songs for young singers, she suggested wishing fishes might be a fun topic to explore. And so, a new song was created.

Fish Wishes is just as much fun as Witch Watches, and in my opinion, it is even more difficult to sing than the word combinations in the original tongue twister. This is a great vocal challenge to sing as a performance song or as a warm-up for students in grades 4-6, middle school, high school and even adult choirs. I am pretty sure it will take all of us quite a while to sing this song with confidence and without slipping up on any of the fishy lyrics. Also, in case you haven’t heard it before, it bears repeating here: Be careful what you wish for!

You Are Invited

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

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

Go to Witch Watches page

Witch Watches and Fish Wishes are also available on the Witch Watches page.

Send us your video of Fish Wishes and perhaps we can post it here.

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27 New Singing Games for Young Singers

Andy Duinker — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 17:43:32 +0000

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New Singing Games

for Young Singers

by Donna Rhodenizer

Vol. 1 Grades K-1, ages 5-7

New Singing Games for Young Singers Vol. 1 Grades K-1, ages 5-7

Donna Rhodenizer has written twelve original singing games for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, singers ages 5-7. These songs focus on the early skill development of emerging singers including galloping, action songs, fast and slow, as well as songs with simple tone sets (mainly s-m-l combinations). Individual singing opportunities are built into many of the singing games. Students have the opportunity to work on discerning differences in pitch and pitch matching, leading to singing in tune with others. All of the singing games provide young singers with a play-based learning experience, inherent to their innate learning style and crucial to their skill development. All songs include scores and game instructions, plus adaptations for small group and individual instruction.

Vol. 2 Grades 2-3, ages 7-9

Donna Rhodenizer’s second volume of singing games focuses on singers in grades 2-3, ages 7-9. Eleven original singing games focus on providing practice for skills learned earlier and adding songs and skills with expanded tone sets and more complex rhythmic elements. Individual singing games are still a mainstay as students continue to hone their ability to sing in tune with others. Repetition is a key element of singing games, creating opportunity for internalizing musical concepts for labelling and practicing in future lessons. Games with movement, guessing games and even a few chasing options make these singing games interesting and motivating for students. All songs include scores and game instructions, plus adaptations for small group and individual instruction.

Vol. 3 Grades 4-5, ages 9-11

The third volume of Donna Rhodenizer’s singing games is created for singers in grades 4-5, ages 9-11. Ten original singing games delve into more complex musical elements such as minor tonalities, wider tone sets and complex rhythms. Singing games with individual responses include singing as well as rhythmic and melodic improvisation. Musical challenges for this age group are offered using a play-based learning style that creates a relaxed atmosphere for exploring and learning without pressure. All songs include scores and game instructions, plus adaptations for small group and individual instruction.

Print copies Available on Amazon

Print copies are available on Amazon.

Go to Donna's Amazon Author Page to purchase your print copy.

Also, click the "Follow" button to get notified when additional new books become available.

Composer's Notes

New Singing Games for Young Singers

My music classroom has been singing based from day one. Everything we did hinged on singing, and the best way to get kids to sing is to make it a game. Singing games were part of my music education courses and my approach was influenced by my training in the Kodaly teaching method, also founded on the use of singing games to teach concepts to children.

Over the years I have had certain singing games that I enjoyed sharing with my students. I knew they liked those particular games, it was exciting to play them, and they were motivated to participate. As time and political correctness became an issue in our classrooms, some of the singing games from decades (centuries?) ago began to come into question. Old singing games that were based on less than favourable past-times and ways of doing things began to be considered inappropriate and needed to be removed. Song context aside, the games that went with some of those songs were favourites of my students (and of mine as well) so I set about to create new songs that would fit the games that went with the old songs. I had collected quite a few singing games by the time I was chatting with Nikki Loney (Full Voice Music) about doing a question and answer online session with teachers about singing games. With my collection already started (sort of) it seemed like an opportune time to put together an official version of these songs.

What started out as a single collection across grade levels (K-5) started to get too large and unwieldy for a single book. We decided to split the book into K-2 and 3-5. Then THAT got too big so we revised and split the book into 3 volumes. Now there were not quite enough songs to make a reasonable sized book (in my estimation) so in addition to the songs I already had, I designed some new ones. Trying to figure out games that would work for each of the songs had us galloping, passing sticks to the beat, counting bars to match dance steps and having lots of fun! I also needed to think outside of my elementary classroom focus and create adaptations for singing games that could be used by private vocal teachers with small groups or just one student. That was a fun challenge!

I ended up writing six new songs in a week to insert into various age groupings. I was reminded of my days in the classroom when I needed songs for specific events and I ended up writing them. It was an intense, productive two weeks and I was exhausted but creatively energized by the whole process.

You Are Invited

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

Please send us your performance videos - we might be able to post them on this page!

New Singing Games - Vol. 1 - grade 1-2 (age 5-7)

New Singing Games - Vol. 2 - grade 2-3 (age 7-9)

Also found in New Singing Games - Vol. 1

Also found in New Singing Games - Vol. 3

New Singing Games - Vol. 3 - grade 4-5 (age 9-11)

More Singing Games

Send us your videos of these New Singing Games and perhaps we can post them here.

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Valentine Rhythm Activity

Andy Duinker — Sat, 27 Jan 2024 04:54:03 +0000

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Valentine Rhythm Activity

by Donna Rhodenizer

Teacher Notes

Using the Valentine chant and/or rhythm templates provided, make musical choices to create a composition:

Use each rhythm only once. (How many unique rhythm compositions can be created with the rhythms provided?)
Create a composition that repeats selected rhythms.
Write your own rhythm(s) and use it instead of the rhythms provided.
Create your own Valentine chants and combine them to create a Valentine chant composition.
Create a composition mixing rhythms and Valentine chants.
Add an accompaniment for your composition (bucket drums, classroom percussion instruments, etc.)

Write down the rhythm/chant compositions that have been created and share them with other classes.

Students are keen to read the chants and rhythmic compositions THEY have created and will be engaged and interested in repeating the activity in multiple combinations. This is an early stepping stone into the world of composing. Students are empowered when they are able to organize sounds as composers!

Enjoy creating, having fun and experiencing the wonderful world of music through play and exploration.

Composer's Notes

Donna’s childhood valentine memories include making her own valentines to give to her friends, and remembering the spicy flavour of cinnamon hearts. Donna still loves the taste of cinnamon and she loves the fact that Valentine messages and hearts can create an opportunity for her students to develop their composing skills. Donna is enthusiastic about promoting creative manipulation of music elements (composing!) with students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. Her personal composing efforts have resulted in well over 500 songs written for solo voice, choir, handbell, recorder, violin and piano.

See more Valentine Resources

Have a look at 5 Valentine Singing Games for more Valentine musical fun. Thanks!

You Are Invited

When you have enjoyed practicing these activities with your students - please drop by again and leave a Review on this page. Thanks!

Send us your videos of this Valentine Rhythm Activity and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Valentine Rhythm Activity appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Witch Watches and/or Fish Wishes

Andy Duinker — Fri, 24 Feb 2023 18:21:10 +0000

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Witch Watches

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio and Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Witch Watches and Fish Wishes.

Teaching Tips

Sing Witch Watches as a performance piece or use it as a vocal warm-up.

Use expressive singing to present the song Witch Watches.

Use Witch Watches as an expressive dramatic reading.

Witch Watches is in a minor key and in 6/8 meter. Discuss these musical elements with your students.

Use spoken or sung tongue twisters as vocal warm-ups before singing Witch Watches.

Include Witch Watches as part of a tongue twister focus or a Halloween unit.

Composer's Notes

Witch Watches

I try to always be on the lookout for an interesting phrase that piques my interest and might make a good song lyric. I discovered the tongue twister, “If two witches would watch two watches, which witch would watch which watch?” This was a delightful tongue twister to try with my students, but it was also a great idea for a song.

When the subject matter of a song can be anything at all, the possibilities are vast and unending. Writing song lyrics that are defined by the parameters of a tongue twister helps narrow the possibilities and creates focus. These two witches and their watches were an interesting study. Were they just fastidiously conscious of the time requiring them to watch their watches so closely? Were they suspicious of each other, and maybe wishing they could have the watch of the other witch? As we are watching the action unfold, the question is, which witch should we be watching?

In addition to working on the lyrics, I wanted to create a melody that set the mood. The natural cadence of the language determined the 6/8 meter. I chose a minor key in deference to the witches, but the song is not spooky in any way. In fact, it really isn’t a Halloween song at all, although many teachers like to include this song in their seasonal repertoire. It makes sense not to limit the tongue twister fun to a short Halloween season when singers enjoy singing this song at any time of year.

A composer should also be aware of the needs of the singer. There is a bit of a break halfway through the verse which gives the singer the opportunity to catch their breath and collect their wits before continuing with all the twisty words. You are welcome!

In the second verse the two witches are talking to each other, so we can presume there wasn’t anything sinister about their activities in verse 1. However, now they have a new problem. With both witches talking, there is no watch watching going on. Oh dear! At least they are having fun “tick talking” when the song ends.

You are invited

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

Please send us your performance videos - we might be able to post them on this page!

Go to Fish Wishes page

Fish Wishes and Witch Watches are also available on the Fish Wishes page.

Send us your video of Witch Watches and perhaps we can post it here.

Composer, Elementary Music Specialist, Performer

Donna Rhodenizer

Donna Rhodenizer received her first wristwatch at the age of 8 as a Christmas gift from her grandmother. Donna loves spending her time composing songs for young singers, and she has written more than 500 songs over the past three decades. She enjoys playing with words (especially tongue twisters) and adding humour to her songs.

The post Witch Watches and/or Fish Wishes appeared first on Donna & Andy.