Grades 4-6 Archives - Donna & Andy

Deo / Sing Together / Winter, Winter

Andy Duinker — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:10:53 +0000

0 shares

Share 0

Deo / Sing Together / Winter, Winter

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide or the Donna & Andy band track for Deo / Sing Together / Winter, Winter.

Piano + melody guide

Donna & Andy band - instrumental track

Part of a Song Collection

Deo is one of 12 songs from the song collection "It's Christmas Time". 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.

Purchase print copy from Amazon

Stream and Purchase Audio Tracks

Stream or Purchase Deo (It's Christmas Time CD) from many streaming sites including:

Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

The Donna & Andy CD: It's Christmas Time includes performance and instrumental tracks (20). Available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teacher Tips

To assist with successful presentation of the quickly moving lyrics in the B sections of this song, divide the ensemble into two parts. Sing bars 50-65 as call and response with one group singing the whole note “calls” and the remainder of the group singing the eighth-note responses.

Add body percussion

Include a clapping pattern/motion in the choruses to add visual interest to the performance.

NOTE: Donna has created a clapping pattern that works well with the song. Complete instructions for each lyric variation are included in the download.

Create your own clapping pattern/motion to enhance your performance.

Add scarves

Create visual excitement in your performance by adding scarves to your presentation.

Many vibrant colours add to the celebratory feel of the lyrics.
White scarves can be used to represent snow.

Create your own movement patterns.

When adding any type of “choreography”, create shape within the form of the piece

Begin the song without any movement
Add scarves or movement as the lyrics repeat to create momentum within the song.
Add scarves or other movement in the choruses or verses, but not both, to complement the contrasts between sections of the song.

Composer's Notes

Deo

A recurring theme in my composer’s notes is the fact that I would write a song because I needed repertoire for a school concert or other school event. This was the case for Deo, but there is also a back story that goes with this song.

As a young teacher putting together concert programs for my students, I enjoyed including an all-school finale for the ending of the concert. Particularly in schools with smaller populations, it was fun to have a large group of students singing together. At one point, I took a job at a larger school where I found out that Christmas concerts were historically long, drawn-out affairs. Because of this, parents were in the habit of leaving with their kids as soon as the class song had been sung. Here was the opportunity to use my all-school finale songs to their fullest advantage. In addition to having the great sound of all those combined voices, an all-school finale meant that all students were involved in the final song of the concert, so parents needed to stay!

Deo was written as the all-school finale for my first concert at this new school. I knew I needed something dramatic and worth waiting for. I also had to have something that was simple enough for the youngest students to sing while being musically interesting for the older students. The driving rhythm of Deo kept things exciting, the simple repetitive words in the opening chorus were easy to remember and more difficult words in the contrasting B section were handled by the older singers. In addition to these musical choices, I included simple hand clapping “choreography” which created visual interest and pizzazz.

The concert finale was a hit! Students loved singing Deo and the audience perceptibly gasped at the flashy ending of the song. That first Christmas concert finale became a tradition that I continued through my entire career – with new songs needing to be written in subsequent years, of course!

We recorded Deo on the Donna & Andy CD: It’s Christmas Time. We were delighted to be joined by a full choir and absolutely wonderful instrumentalists to create a smoking track for the recording. The instrumental track turned out to be a super accompaniment for use with young singers in schools.

The original Deo, with its more sacred lyrics, was included in the Christmas cantata I composed for my local church. This song has had quite a musical journey.

In subsequent years, as school concerts moved away from any reference to anything considered to be sacred, music teachers began asking me for lyric adaptations that were more generic. Those requests resulted in two variations for this song: Sing Together and Winter, Winter. In addition, the winter version of the song has a B section that is less busy lyrically and easier for younger singers, while still fitting with the original accompaniment. Deo has been around for a long time now and in a variety of forms!

You are invited

When you have enjoyed singing these songs with your students and choirs - 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 videos of Deo, Sing Together or Winter, Winter and perhaps we can post them here.

The post Deo / Sing Together / Winter, Winter appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Fluffy Flakes of Snow

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

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

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.

Sing a Song of Peace

Andy Duinker — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:32:05 +0000

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

Sing a Song of Peace

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Sing a Song of Peace.

Teaching Tips

Expressive singing

Sing expressively to present the theme of peace and the reflective mood of the song.

Discuss dynamics, facial expression, legato phrases and treatment of interval jumps that must be sung accurately without sticking out.

Score Study

Sing a Song of Peace is written in ABA form. Explore the score to determine where each section begins and ends.
Sing the melody line and/or the descant harmony line using solfege syllables and/or hand signs.
Discuss where the phrases begin and end. While singing, move one hand in an arc to represent the shape of the phrase that is being sung.

Adding harmony

There are two opportunities to add harmony, using instruments (handbells, hand chimes or Orff instruments such as metallophones) or by singing.

After the students are comfortable with the melody of the B Section, introduce the descant line by playing the line on the piano while all singers are singing the melody in unison.

Choose a few students to play or to sing the descant line. Keep it light and complimentary to the melody without being overpowering.

Composer's Notes

Sing a Song of Peace

I got an email from Joanna, my former job-share partner. In her current school she was starting a Grade 4-5 choir. The first rehearsal was approaching, and she wanted something fun and exciting to pique the interest of the students and get them enthused to join the choir. She also needed something for them to sing for Remembrance Day with a short window to prepare something. I was inspired to sit at the piano and write her a simple song with a focus on peace. I knew she had handchimes at her school and I also know that kids love to play them. What better way to inspire kids to join the choir than to give them a chance to get their hands on the handchimes. I also Included a short section with a simple descending harmony line for a nice taste of harmony that the students would easily be able to sing and it would come together and sound good quickly.

By the time I met with Joanna the next day, I had a song written with separate vocal parts and handbell scores ready for copying and distribution to her choir singers. It was fun to be writing for young elementary choir singers. Having a specific theme also helps narrow the creative process from endless possibilities to something far more manageable. After the initial writing for the elementary singers, I couldn’t resist creating an arrangement for choirs who are able to manage more two-part singing (and eliminating the niche of having handbells or handchimes). Once again, a simple song will end up with several arrangement variations so that music teachers and choir directors have options. It makes their musical lives less complicated and my composing life more complicated, but creating music is still a terrific way to pass the time!

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 Sing a Song of Peace and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Sing a Song of Peace appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Hello Ghostie!

Andy Duinker — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 17:37:32 +0000

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

Hello Ghostie!

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for Hello Ghostie!.

Art Song style

Teaching Tips

Teaching Tips

Style study

Hello Ghostie! is written with two different accompaniment styles.

Sea Shanty style

The song has a jaunty, rollicking feel with heavy chordal accompaniment.

How will the story be presented in this style?

Art Song Style

Hello Ghostie! is also provided with an accompaniment written in an art song style.

How will the song be sung differently within this style?

Singers should sing expressively in both accompaniment styles.

Expressive singing

Dramatic interpretation and expressive singing can be incorporated in the responses to the ghost at the door.

Sing “Hello Ghostie” different ways:

bravely
anxiously
curiously

When singing repeated lyrics “Hello Ghostie. How are you today?” each chorus can be sung with the same emotional response, or singers may choose to sing each response with a different emotion each time.

See the “Singer’s Notes” included with the PDF download. The composer, Donna Rhodenizer, has written instructions to the singers who will be interpreting the song.

Add percussion

The purpose of a sea shanty was to have a song that could be sung while doing tasks such as pulling rigging ropes when sailors would need to work together. Singing songs with a strong and steady beat provided the reference for all the sailors to pull at the same time, therefore being most efficient and productive.

Add percussion to Hello Ghostie! The PDF download includes specific percussion suggestions to try. Singers also are invited to create a percussion part to include in the performance.

Composer's Notes

Hello Ghostie!

Halloween songs can be a great teaching tool. They often include minor tonalities, lots of “oohs” and other sound effects, and topics that are mysterious and fun to sing. These songs tie in with the anticipation children experience leading up to Halloween festivities at the end of October. However, in my music classroom some students didn’t partake in any Halloween observances. Ghosts in particular are a sticky subject. Are they real? Are they just stories? Some kids believe strongly, other do not and others are not sure. Where does my responsibility lie when students look to me for opinions?

Hello Ghostie! was written as a way of giving young singers some tools for dealing with ghosts in general. Not to present ghosts as scary, horror-movie kind of creatures, but acting like regular people by walking up to a house and knocking on the door to have a visit. How would you react if you heard a knock at the door and when you opened it, a ghost was standing there? There are certainly a variety of possible reactions and I explored both afraid and brave responses for different verses. This makes for an interesting expressive singing exercise for singers. How will they sing a chorus with the same words but conveying different emotions? Will they sing each repetition of “Hello Ghostie” with changing emotions or keep it all the same within each chorus? I also composed the ending with room for interpretation. The singer must decide if they finish with brave confidence or maybe after all their bravado, a few doubts are still lingering and they aren’t quite sure of the outcome.

Composing the accompaniment for Hello Ghostie! was an interesting journey. Sea shanty songs are popular with young singers (and older ones too!) and this song fit that style very well. That is the style I wanted for my song. However, when I first framed out the accompaniment, I wrote out simple chords, basically to get the chord structure. This was a more sedate musical style and it also works well with the song. That meant I had to decide – but then again, maybe not! I decided to provide both accompaniment versions so singers can decide which accompaniment suits their needs. It also creates a neat learning experience to compare two styles of accompaniment that make a song sound different, even though the melody and words are exactly the same for both versions. I am always interested in encouraging musical exploration and creativity.

I like writing songs where the singer has the opportunity to make musical decisions about their performance – which should happen every time someone sings, but often does not. It is one of the most difficult things I do as a composer to commit myself to one specific interpretation of a song. There are so many options and there are reasons to include or omit different dynamics in a song. In the teaching tips for this song, I included specific notes written to the singer instructing them to make the song their own by adding the dynamics they think work best, even if that means ignoring what I wrote in the score. It will be interesting to experience a variety of performances of this song as it develops its own personality in the singing world.

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 Hello Ghostie! and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Hello Ghostie! appeared first on Donna & Andy.

It’s Christmas Time + It’s Winter Time

Andy Duinker — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 16:29:30 +0000

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

It's Christmas Time

It's Winter Time

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for It's Christmas Time & It's Winter Time.

Part of a song collection

It's Christmas Time is one of 11 songs from the award-winning song collection It's Christmas Time. Donna Rhodenizer has written these songs in a variety of styles and skill levels in both French and English for singers age 5-12+.

Learn more about this fun collection for elementary-aged kids, choirs and solo vocal students. The 146-page book provides the vocal score, full score and separate lyrics pages for 11 songs. Enjoy!

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

It's Christmas Time song collection is also available on Amazon.

Stream and purchase audio tracks

Stream or Purchase the It's Christmas Time tracks from many streaming sites including: Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Amazon, Pandora, Deezer.

Donna & Andy have yet to record It's Winter Time.

The It's Christmas Time CD and tracks (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental tracks - 22) are available for download or physical CD on this website.

Teaching Tips

Use this song to work on expressive singing.
Discuss the necessity of clear diction to present the text in the rapidly moving eighth note sections.
In a choral setting, use staggered breathing to accommodate the long, uninterrupted phrases indicated in the music.
Solo singers need to plan breathing spots that will satisfy the need to breathe while accommodating the flow of the phrases. Add breath marks to the score to assist with consistent practice.
When working on the long phrases, have singers move their hand in an arc to show the shape of the phrases.
Decide what to do during the instrumental verse. In addition to the option of including a solo instrument, this section can include gentle movement using scarves or humming the melody line.
If using an accompanist (rather than the recorded instrumental track) it is also acceptable to skip the instrumental section from rehearsal letter D – rehearsal letter E.

Colouring page - download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song It's Christmas Time.

See more free colouring pages below

Composer's Notes

It's Christmas Time

I have been inspired to write many of my compositions to fill repertoire needs for my students throughout the school year. I wrote this song for one of the many, many school Christmas concerts I planned and presented with my elementary school students. It is a lot of work to put on a school concert with over 500 students, but it was one of my favourite things to do during my 35-year career as a music education specialist. The grade 4-5 elementary choir was the group that took on this challenging piece of music with its plethora of lyrics and quickly moving eighth note passages that required extra attention to diction. I am pleased to recall that they did a super job at the concert. As the years progressed, Christmas concerts often included more winter-themed songs to accommodate students who didn’t celebrate Christmas. New lyrics were created and “It’s Winter Time” found its way into concert rotation. I am always pleased to offer my teaching colleagues options so that my music is as versatile and useful as possible. Giving teachers the option to choose either Christmas or winter lyrics is one way to offer this versatility.

In 2006, when recording our Donna & Andy CD: It’s Christmas Time, my son Benjamin and Andy’s niece, Oriana played French horns for this song. These two young players did such a super job adding that magical horn sound to our recording. It has a special place in my heart as one of my favourite Christmas songs.

You're Invited

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

Send us your video of It's Christmas Time or It's Winter Time and perhaps we can post it here.

Free - download coloring pages for lots of Christmas Fun!

Free Download - 3 Christmas Coloring Pages

The post It’s Christmas Time + It’s Winter Time appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Get Up Christmas Mornin’

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

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

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

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

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.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

Andy Duinker — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:31:17 +0000

0 shares

Share this page using these social links!

O Little Town of Bethlehem

music by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio Sample

Listen to melody + accompaniment for O Little Town of Bethlehem as you follow along with the lyrics.

Composer's Notes

O Little Town of Bethlehem

I remember writing this melody. It was late at night and I was playing chord changes, just “noodling” and not really working on anything in particular. I have multiple tracks that I recorded during this session and when I listen to them in order, it is possible to hear how the song idea evolved until it reached its final form. It was certainly a process that became refined and molded through many repetitions.

The song’s plaintive, minor tonality seemed to me to require a serious topic for the song. I crafted lyrics about the weeping willow and the secrets it must hold in its branches and that cause the willow to weep. I don’t know what made me think to try the lyrics for O Little Town of Bethlehem with my melody. When I did so, I was delighted to discover that they fit with one minor lyric change. I like the words to this familiar Christmas carol but the melody by Lewis H. Redner has never been one of my favourites. Now, with my new melody I am happy to include O Little Town of Bethlehem as one of the Christmas songs I really enjoy playing and singing.

In addition to its use as a Christmas carol in unison, SSA and SATB arrangements and as the secular song “Willow” (words and music), my melody was edited for use as a Vocalise (a wordless vocal study) for inclusion in the Royal Conservatory of Music Voice Series, 2025 Edition (Vocalises 5). I also play this as an instrumental solo on my violin or on my accordion (see bonus tab below). That’s a lot of mileage for one 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 performance video - perhaps we might post it on this page!

Purchase option

O Little Town of Bethlehem (SSA) is also available through Full Voice Music

Bonus

O Little Town of Bethlehem uses the original melody from Donna's composition Willow. Enjoy this studio instrumental version of Willow from Donna's CD Musically Yours.

Send us your video of O Little Town of Bethlehem and perhaps we can post it here.

The post O Little Town of Bethlehem appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Splashing in the Puddles

Andy Duinker — Fri, 02 May 2025 17:18:01 +0000

0 shares

Share this page with your Teacher Friends 0

Share this page using these social links!

Splashing in the Puddles

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio Sample

Listen to melody + accompaniment for Splashing in Puddles as you follow along with the lyrics.

Remember, in the verses, each phrase is echoed for this 2-part version

Part of a song collection

Splashing in the Puddles 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

Score study

Discuss what it means to “swing the eighths”. Find examples of two eighth notes that are affected by this directive.

Find bars in the score where the rhythm of the melody is syncopated. The eighth note on the second half of beat three is tied to the fourth beat of the bar. Accenting the second half of beat three gives the feeling of “arriving early” on the final word in the bar.

Expressive singing

Determine spots where a breath will need to be quick and where longer space is available. Longer phrases require breath energy to be conserved. Some phrases will need a quick breath that supports the phrase without making it sound disjointed.

Use clear diction, dynamics and subtle facial and/or hand movements to sing this song expressively.

The overall feeling of the song is optimistic and cheery.

Props

An umbrella, or a pair of boots can be a fun prop to add to a performance of “Splashing in the Puddles”. Be sure that your props enhance the performance without being too distracting.

20 cross-curricular activities

20 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
Science
Technology

Colouring page

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song Splashing in the Puddles.

Composer's Notes

I like finding ways of presenting points of view that might be a bit thought provoking. I also tend to be someone who looks at things with an optimistic “glass half full” kind of attitude. Many times we are inclined to observe a rainy day as dismal and a disappointment. But what if you had a pair of boots, a raincoat, and an umbrella ready to use on such a day? Suddenly the prospect of a rainy day has lots of potential for interesting activities like splashing in puddles, running through the raindrops without getting wet, and enjoying that rain! I also thought about how we like cooling off on a hot summer day by going for a swim. But what’s the difference if we get wet by jumping in the lake or if we get wet by letting the rain fall on us?

A jaunty, swinging melody seemed appropriate for these rainy-day musings. I even threw in a reference to the phrase “rain come back some other day” that every child knows from the children’s chant, Rain, Rain Go Away. This was a fun song to write and my students enjoyed singing it as a call and response song. In later years, when more voice students started using my songs, it seemed like a good idea to create a version that could be sung as a solo. This song is a celebration of what kids know and what adults sometimes forget. Playing in the rain can be fun, and after all, that IS what rubber boots are for…… isn’t it?

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 performance video - perhaps we might post it on this page!

More Rain Songs, Stories and Activities

Learn more about Donna's song

It's Raining Cats and Dogs here

Send us your video of Splashing in the Puddles and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Splashing in the Puddles appeared first on Donna & Andy.

My Hamster

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

0 shares

Share this page with your Teacher Friends 0

Share this page using these social links!

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.

The post My Hamster appeared first on Donna & Andy.