Just Passing By
$10.00 – $50.00
Just Passing By is perfect for graduation ceremonies and celebrating the end of the school year. This song explores celebrating friendship, looking ahead, and saying goodbye but remembering shared experiences. The words are appropriate for singers of all ages to sing for retirements and other farewells.
Written in a pop style, this song is sure to be a hit with students (and adults!) of all ages.
Voicing Options:
- Unison – key of Eb
- Unison – key of G
- SSA – key of G
Listen to the Donna & Andy performance track:
Unison Download includes:
- Vocal score
- Director/piano score
- Lyrics
- Accompaniment – with melody guide
- Accompaniment – piano
- Bonus: Donna & Andy Performance track
SSA Download includes:
- SSA score (vocal and piano)
- Lyrics
- Accompaniment – piano
Just Passing By
Context Choir: elementary, middle school, high school, adult/community, vocal solo
Level Age 12 and up, grade 4-6, middle school, high school, adult
Vocal Range B♭3 - C5
Audio Sample melody plus piano
Context Choir: elementary, middle school, high school, adult/community, vocal solo
Level Age 12 and up, middle school, high school, adult
Vocal Range D4 - E5
Audio Sample Sample track - melody plus piano
Context Choir: elementary, middle school, high school, adult/community
Level Age 12 and up, middle school, high school, adult
Audio Sample SSA - performed by The Aeolian Singers, Halifax NS, Canada
Just Passing By
Just Passing By was written for a very special group of grade six students who were leaving my elementary school music program and moving on to grade seven in a different school. It was sad to see them go but we were all excited about the possibilities that were ahead of them.
The inspiration for the song came from my discovery of a quote made by famous Quaker missionary, Stephen Grellet (1773-1855):
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, I can do or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it for I will not pass this way again.”
Not only did this quote inspire the writing of my song, but it was also good advice for being kind and making a positive difference in the world around us. I made a poster of this quote and had it on the wall in my music room for many years.
Over the years I have initiated discussions with my “graduating” students about their excitement and trepidation surrounding leaving elementary school and moving on to a different school with new possibilities and lots of unknowns. The bonds we form with our friends is a great source of strength as we grow together, and a source of comfort when we remember those who we may no longer see, but who have helped us on our journey so far.
Changing the final chorus of Just Passing By helped create a positive spin on this farewell song. “As we pass by, our memories will not let this end. If just in memories, I know we’ll pass this way again.”
Concert Repertoire
Just Passing By is perfect for graduation ceremonies and celebrating the end of the school year with your students. This song explores celebrating friendship, looking ahead, and saying goodbye but remembering shared experiences. Play the performance track for your special students or have them learn the song and sing it themselves using the instrumental accompaniment track. Written in a pop style, this song is sure to be a hit with students (and adults!) of all ages. The French version of Just Passing By (Une traversée) is also included in the Super Pack.
Expressive Singing
Discuss the words of the song.
Use dynamics to support the lyrics and sing expressively.
The mood of this song is optimistic even though the singer is saying goodbye.
The key change before the third chorus helps “lift” the piece and give it some momentum.
Use the higher, brighter sound created by the key change to convey the sense of optimism of the lyrics.Form
Just Passing By begins with the chorus. The form of the piece is ABABA - Chorus, verse, chorus, verse, altered chorus.
Although there are three choruses, in the third chorus the words change.
How will you sing the third chorus differently than the previous two choruses?Musical Roadmap
You will need to know how to follow the musical “road map” of this song.
Discuss repeat signs and 1st and 2nd endings.
Follow the music as you listen to the performance track.Teachers: is singing restricted in your area?
The full performance track of Just Passing By can be used in graduation ceremonies (online and in person).
1. Play the track as the students assemble or leave their graduation ceremony.
2. Play the track as part of a video presentation.
Special Graduation Presentation
Have each member of the graduating class provide their photo from Kindergarten plus a more recent photo.
Organize the photos in two-photo groupings showing the younger photo first and then reveal who that youngster is by showing their recent photo.
Use the performance track of Just Passing By as the background for your photo presentation for a memorable walk down "memory lane".
Cross-curricular Extensions
The Just Passing By cross-curricular extensions are provided in the following subject areas:
- Language Arts
- Personal Development
- Visual Art
- Memory Skills
- Social Studies
- Personal development
- History
- Math
Sequential instructions are provided for each activity. Preparation/supplies are indicated
View activities sample pages here
Download with your purchase of the unison versions of Just Passing By
Listen and discuss
Extend the song into a time of discussion and personal reflection.
- How do the students feel about graduating?
- Discuss the emotions of ending one phase of life and beginning another.
- At what other occasions might people feel these same emotions?
| Context | Choir – Community, Choir – Elementary, Choir – High School, Choir – Middle School, Choir Repertoire, Small Group Class, Song Collection – Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me |
|---|---|
| Level | Adult, Age 12 and up, Grades 4-6, High School, Middle School |
| Topic | Celebrations, Character Trait Education, Community / Togetherness, Friendship, Goodbye Songs, Graduation Songs, Motivational / Inspirational, Retirement, Movement Songs |
| Duration | |
| Details | See "Description" for individual voicing details |
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