Community / Togetherness Archives - Donna & Andy

See My Little Candle / See the Snowflakes Falling

Andy Duinker — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 01:49:23 +0000

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See My Little Candle

See the Snowflakes Falling

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for See my Little Candle / See the Snowflakes Falling

Teaching Tips

Teaching Tips

Introduce the song

Connect with the students to engage them in the topic of the song. This can be done by asking them questions that relate to the song that also resonate with something in their daily lives.

Expressive singing

Discuss ways to sing expressively.

Sing with a gentle sound
Sing smoothly, connecting the notes and creating legato phrases
Have students move their hand to trace the shape of the rising and falling melody line. Use a fluid and smooth motion – mirroring the legato phrases that are being sung.
Use clear diction to present the story being told

Concert Presentation

Add small, battery-operated candles to create an effective visual element for the performance of See My Little Candle.

Add snowflakes for a visual element for the performance of See the Snowflakes Falling.

Music Elements

Discuss ABA form.

This song has the same lyrics sung in the opening and closing sections of the piece (A sections) and the 8-bar instrumental break creates the B section within the ABA form.

Look around the classroom or vocal studio for ABA patterns such as window, door, window or chair, music stand, chair, etc.

Can students think of other physical examples of ABA form?

Composer's Notes

See my Little Candle / See the Snowflakes Falling

I was thinking about school Christmas concerts. This is not an unusual activity for me, considering my career as an elementary music teacher. What was unusual is the fact that I was doing this thinking six years after I had retired! This thought process was tweaked after a conversation I had with a teaching colleague about their upcoming December concert season. We talked specifically about songs for the “Littles” that are such an important part of every school concert.

The next morning I was lying in bed, enjoying comfy, warm blankets and a bit of cool air coming in from an open window. I started thinking about snow and the first lines of the song came to my mind. The tune arrived at the same time as the lyrics “See the snowflakes falling, drifting down like a comfy blanket covering the ground.” This thought was enough to inspire me to grab a pen and paper (always kept nearby for just an occasion) and I jotted down my idea using solfege and simple rhythm notation. I have used these tools for a LONG time!

When I got up, I started working on crafting the song. I knew I wanted it to be simple and easy for children to sing who were new to school and perhaps heading into their first school concert. I created four lines of poetry that worked for me, adjusted the melody and, within a short time, I had a new song.

Andy and I had been working on updating a resource list of winter and Christmas songs I have written. Many schools have gone to winter concerts and my song list reflects this shift with many of my songs written on the topic of snow. I thought that my gentle melody was also quite suited to a candle theme and that might be a nice change from snow, so I set about writing alternate candle lyrics. It was a marketing decision to publish this song as “See My Little Candle” with the alternate lyrics being “See the Snowflakes Falling”. The candle title might help the song stick out more rather than it getting lost in a blizzard of snow songs, and either version works for Littles to sing.

This song has a simple melody, but it has a nice feel to it. I think the plaintive, innocent quality of the song makes it a lovely addition to repertoire for young singers – whether they are singing about candles or snow. It makes me (almost) wish I had a school Christmas concert to plan and present with a bunch of kids!

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 See My Little Candle or See the Snowflakes Falling

and perhaps we can post it here.

The post See My Little Candle / See the Snowflakes Falling appeared first on Donna & Andy.

We are the Children of the World

Andy Duinker — Sun, 24 Mar 2024 00:48:17 +0000

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We are the Children of the World

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for We are the Children of the World.

Part of a Song Collection

We are the Children of the World 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 singers, 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

Use We are the Children of the World with your choir, in your music classroom, with your small group vocal class, or as an all-school finale. Approaches will vary depending on the group with whom the song is being used.

Choir

Elementary school choirs often find part singing difficult. To assist with this process, teach all singers the melody throughout. Once the melody is well established, choose a select group of singers to sing the descant. NOTE: The accompaniment includes the descant melody that will be added, preparing students for the musical line that is sung in the second chorus.

If students are finding the lyrics a challenge, divide your singers into two groups and share the responsibility for learning alternating phrases. As you continue to rehearse the song, all students may feel comfortable to sing all the lyrics, but there will be a core group to anchor that section.

Speak the lyrics phrase by phrase with the teacher modeling the syncopated rhythms and students echoing by rote.

Sing the song phrase by phrase with the teacher modeling both the melody and rhythm and the students echoing by rote.

Find the syncopated rhythms in the music. Sometimes these are created with ties, sometimes there are dotted notes and sometimes there are eighth/quarter/eighth combinations. Find examples of each kind of syncopated rhythm and see where they are repeated.

Classroom or Vocal Studio

Use this song as a discussion starter when exploring character traits such as community, respect, empathy, acceptance, responsibility, etc.

Use discussion to make an emotional connection with the song.

Focus on / discuss specific lyrics:

“Every face is different, yet we are all the same.”

“We have the same hopes and fears and dreams for the future.”

How are students the same as other people they know? How are they different? We are all part of community and the world. Our differences make us unique and our similarities unite us.

“We are the children of the world.”

Does this include adults?

Comparing the age of the world with the age of the people who live here, even adults are children of the world. We all learn throughout our lives regardless of our age.

“We know the future’s in our hands.”

Is this just the responsibility of the adults? Of the children? Or all of us?

“Yesterday was yours, we have tomorrow, but in between we all must share today.”

We are all responsible for how we treat others and our planet.

Learning the Music

Teaching this song as part of an elementary music class may involve more rote learning versus trying to read the complicated syncopated rhythms. The melody and lyrics are created with natural flow that should be fairly easy for students to learn by rote.

The amount of lyrics may prove to be challenging to learn. Singers may be divided into groups to learn specific parts of each verse. This allows students a moment to be in the spotlight without expecting them to be responsible for all the lyrics.

23 Cross-curricular Activities

23 Cross-curricular activities are provided in the PDF download (Unison / optional 2-part version) extending the focus of this song to other subject areas including:

Fine arts: music, visual art, drama,
Language arts
Social studies
Science
Technology

Colouring Page - download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song We are the Children of the World. Enjoy!

Composer's Notes

We are the Children of the World

I cannot remember the initial inspiration for this song. I do remember the lyrics for the opening chorus came quickly and the “pop balled” style evolved as I wrote the piece. I also remember struggling with the chord progressions of the song. Every time I would finish a section, the key would seem to need to change. I really tried hard not to create this song with all the key changes, but the music “had its way” and the key changes became part of the song.

I wanted to create a song with a positive message for my students. Sharing the world peacefully, embracing our differences and celebrating the things that unite us were important concepts. I had young singers in my school choir who were starting to learn the skill of singing simple harmony parts and the descant line was added. I used the song as an all-school finale with over 400 students and the ending worked well with the “folding over” of the final phrases, again incorporating harmony that was simple and easily accessible.

Later, I created SATB choir harmonies to be added in a joint performance with treble choir. The depth of the harmonies provided by the adult singers was lovely as they supported the simple treble voices. Truly, we are all “children of the world” regardless of our age. Sharing the joy of making music across ages and generations is a fitting way to celebrate the fact that we are all “children of the world.”

You Are Invited

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

If you have a performance video - we might be able to post it on this page.

Thanks!

Song starts at 0:35

Send us your video of We are the Children of the World and perhaps we can post it here.

The post We are the Children of the World appeared first on Donna & Andy.

I Will Be There

Andy Duinker — Sun, 25 Feb 2024 22:53:58 +0000

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I Will Be There

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for I Will Be There.

Teaching Tips

Concert Repertoire

This song expresses the feelings associated with being friends.

I Will Be There is ideal for graduation ceremonies and celebrating the end of the school year with your students. This song explores the experience of saying goodbye to good friends, with reassurance that shared experiences will be remembered and remain in our hearts.

The words are also appropriate for saying goodbye to retiring staff members or other members of the school community who are leaving for any reason.

Expressive Singing

Discuss the sentiment of the song.

The mood of this song is optimistic even though the singer is away from people about whom they care.

Use dynamics to support the lyrics and sing expressively.

When the song divides into two parts, be sure the harmony line supports and complements the melody line without being overpowering.

Form

I Will Be There begins with the chorus.

The form of the piece is ABA, ABA - Chorus, verse, chorus; chorus, verse, chorus, with the words changing slightly between chorus 1 and chorus 2.

The final chorus is slightly extended for the ending.

Listen and Discuss

Extend the song into a time of discussion and personal reflection.

Read the lyrics and get to know the music.
Use I Will Be There to initiate and stimulate engaging discussion with students.
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?

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.

Have the school choir perform I Will Be There as the background for your photo presentation for a memorable walk down “memory lane”.

Other year-end “memory” activities

Print the lyrics for I Will Be There on special paper.
Make a copy for each student.
Leave space around the lyrics for students to collect autographs from their classmates, or include a blank sheet of special paper for autographs.
Create a class yearbook with photos, writeups, stories, poems and other class contributions. Include space for autographs and messages from friends, teachers and even the principal!
Create a friendship rainbow using hand tracings and writing memories of your friends on each hand.
Make a class time capsule.

Composer's Notes

I Will Be There

I was preparing to retire after a 35-year teaching career and I was leaving a school where I had been the music teacher for 25 years. I was beginning to teach children of former students! The students in my classroom grew up with music classes being an affirming, creative, supportive and safe place to be. Out of that creative space, we enjoyed a fine, singing culture within the school. Students sang until the end of grade 6 when they moved from my classroom to the band program. (And for many years the band teacher put their skills to good use as they used solfege to sing their band parts while learning to play their new instruments.) To add to this musical culture, we also had a choir that met once a week for 45 minutes. This was a highlight of my week. It was a chance to challenge students to use their foundational music skills beyond the regular classroom activities to create wonderful music as a team. We were able to present musical performances with "beautiful songs, fun songs and difficult songs". As I neared the end of my final year with “my” children, I wanted the choir to know how much they meant to me and how much I had enjoyed spending my days with them making music and being creative together. I decided to write them a song. I Will Be There was the result. When it was completed, there was a problem. I couldn’t sing it for them without falling apart and I couldn’t teach it to them to sing for me for the same reason. I finally hit on the plan to sing the song at home and record it. I would then play the video for the students. That is what I did and it was still heart wrenching for all of us. It was not ever performed outside of my music room, and the students were the only ones who had ever heard it.

A short while later, I submitted I Will Be There the Cantabile Choral Society's 2019 Composition Competition for the Cantabile Truro Youth Singers. It was selected as the final winner and premiered on Feb. 8, 2020. It was a great song to put into the hearts of young singers at this point in time in our world. This song is about community and finding that space in our hearts where we keep our loved ones, even when we are not able to be with them. It was a hopeful message to hold onto for the next few years when singing was restricted.

P.S. I did write a goodbye song for my students that we DID sing. It was “See You Later, Alligator”, a cheery, up-tempo song to ease us through the process of saying goodbye. It was hard enough to be parting ways (for all of us) so my final gift was a goodbye song that was not sad!

You Are Invited

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

Song starts at 0:45

Send us your video of I Will Be There and perhaps we can post it here.

The post I Will Be There appeared first on Donna & Andy.

The Penguin Ball

Andy Duinker — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 23:33:22 +0000

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The Penguin Ball

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Follow along with the lyrics as you listen to the accompaniment with melody guide for The Penguin Ball

Note:

Donna & Andy recorded tracks include the 16-bar instrumental verse.

Piano accompaniment tracks do not include an instrumental verse.

Part of a Song Collection

The Penguin Ball 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)

MORE Penguin Songs

Here are 3 more penguin songs for fun singing in your home school, classroom, vocal studio or choir.

Purchase all Four Penguin Songs together and save 25%

Stream and Purchase Audio Tracks

Stream or Purchase from many streaming sites including:

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

Get The Penguin Ball on the Computer Cat CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (24) - available for download or physical CD on this website.

13 cross-curricular activities

13 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, drama, dance
Language arts
Math
Technology

Teaching Tips

Expressive singing

Read the lyrics aloud to discover the descriptive words that will be highlighted as you explore the art of expressive singing.
Discuss how to use clear consonants and rounded vowels to sing the words expressively.
Use dynamics to create the mood changes that occur in the story of the song.

Teach 3/4 meter

Step on beat one of every measure to experience the swaying, waltz feel of 3/4 meter.
Practice a 3-beat conducting pattern as you listen to the song, or divide the class with some students conducting while others sing. Switch groups.
Add colourful scarves, moving them on beat one of each bar for kinesthetic and visual reinforcement of the swaying movement of 3/4 time.

Explore musical phrases

Discover how many phrases are in the opening chorus.
Have the children move one hand in a rainbow shape to show the shape of each phrase as they listen to the song.

Create a penguin “unit”

Sing all four of Donna’s penguin songs: The Penguin Ball, I Wonder, Penguin Parade and Pondering Penguins.
Create a presentation for invited guests (family members, administrators, another class)
Add costumes.
Share penguin facts between each song.

Colouring Page - Download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song The Penguin Ball.

Composer's Notes

I wrote The Penguin Ball after a request from a teacher at my school who was doing a penguin unit with her students. She asked me for a penguin song and I didn’t know any, so I wrote my own! When her students came to my music class they told me lots of penguin facts to give me ideas for my songs. I discovered that penguins are amazing creatures. The conditions in which they live and the way they survive, live, and raise their babies are all fascinating.

With all the facts I discovered, I had enough ideas to write four penguin songs! The Penguin Ball is an imaginative depiction of how penguins might spend their moonlit evenings. How romantic to waltz together at the “Penguin Ball”. I can see those penguins sadly saying goodnight as they waddle home to go to sleep.

You Are Invited

You are invited to send us your performance of The Penguin Ball.

Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.

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

Send us your video of The Penguin Ball and perhaps we can post it here.

The post The Penguin Ball appeared first on Donna & Andy.

I’m Wishing

Andy Duinker — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:38:04 +0000

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I'm Wishing

by Donna Rhodenizer

Audio & Lyrics

Part of a Song Collection

I'm Wishing 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)

Steam or Purchase Audio Tracks

Stream or purchase from many music streaming sites including:

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

....to name but a few.

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

Also Available Here

I'm Wishing is also available from

- Royal Conservatory of Music Voice Series, 2019 Edition: Repertoire 3

Teaching Tips

The Activity Pack included with I’m Wishing provides two activities to introduce the song and explore the lyrics. There are a total of 23 activities across a variety of subject areas: music, math, language arts, visual art, science, social studies, technology and character trait development. This is an excellent opportunity to listen to the music and then incorporate related activities that arise from the lyrics.

Some of the activities listed here are also explained in more detail in the Activity Pack PDF download.

Have the children listen to the music and create a meaningful piece of art.

Add the children’s art to the performance track of I’m Wishing to create a video.
Play the video as part of school Remembrance Day/Veterans Day presentations.

Discuss what a phrase is.

Discover how many phrases are in the opening chorus.
Have the children move one hand in a rainbow shape to show the shape of each phrase as they listen to the song.

Add instruments to specific words or musical elements in the song.

23 cross-curricular activities

23 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,
Language arts
Math
Physical activity
Social studies
Science
Technology

Composer's Notes

I'm Wishing

I’m Wishing was created from a place of reflection. As a young child I would wish on the first star that would appear in the darkening night sky. This ritual is probably as old as time itself. People who take the time to look up and wait for the appearance of that first star also may take that time for thinking and wishing.

Wishing on a star can be a way to put into words what is wished in the heart. A child might wish for a variety of things: a place where they are able to laugh and play without fearing for safety, peace instead of war, and more love between people and nations. In addition to wishing for such things to be possible, there is the realization that we all have a part to play in making our wishes become reality.

Although initially written as a children’s song, the message it contains is a good reminder for all of us, regardless of our age. I’m Wishing focuses on the message of hope, and the idea of a more peaceful world. Beyond wishing, there is a part we can all play in our everyday lives to create a more peaceful state of being and living. My hope for the world is that we find a way to make wishes like this become reality.

You Are invited

You are invited to send us your performance of I'm Wishing.

Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.

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

Send us your video of I'm Wishing and perhaps we can post it here.

The post I’m Wishing appeared first on Donna & Andy.

A Jolly Bunch Are We – Donna & Andy CD

Andy Duinker — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 19:11:38 +0000

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A Jolly Bunch Are We - CD

by Donna & Andy

Audio and Lyrics

Jolly Sailors

Turn it Around

When You're Smiling

I Really Need to Know

Don't Make Me Do Laundry

My Kaleidoscope View

A Snake Tango Tale

The Compliant Giant

Music in the Kitchen

See You Later, Alligator

Print Music

Jolly Sailors - Print Music Download - print music and teaching strategies
Turn it Around - Print Music Download
When You're Smiling - print music coming soon
I Really Need to Know - Print Music Download
Don't Make Me Do Laundry - print music coming soon
My Kaleidoscope View - Print Music Download
A Snake Tango Tale - Print Music Download
The Compliant Giant - Print Music Download
Music in the Kitchen - print music coming soon
See You Later, Alligator - Print Music Download

Stream on various Apps

Stream and download from various applications (e.g. iTunes and Spotify)

You Are invited

You are invited to send us your performances of the songs on

A Jolly Bunch Are We

Maybe your video will be featured here on this page.

Please Leave a Review

Scroll up to the "Reviews" tab and let us know what you think of our new CD! Thanks!

The post A Jolly Bunch Are We – Donna & Andy CD appeared first on Donna & Andy.

Just Passing By

Andy Duinker — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 22:08:58 +0000

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Just Passing By

by Donna Rhodenizer

Unison - Key of Eb

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

Unison - Key of G

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

Unison - Key of G

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

SSA - Key of G

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

Part of a Song Collection

Just Passing By is one of 12 songs from the award-winning song collection "Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me". 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 122-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 Dinosaurs, Dragons and Me CD (Donna & Andy performance and instrumental) tracks (24) are available for download or physical CD purchase on this website.

Teaching and Performing tips

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.

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 1^st and 2^nd endings.

Follow the music as you listen to the performance track.

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.

Listen to the performance track (vocals and band) of Just Passing By
Read the lyrics and get to know the music.
Use Just Passing By to initiate and stimulate engaging discussion with students.

- 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?

12 cross-curricular activities

12 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
Language arts
History
Math
Multi-curricular
Personal development
Social studies

Colouring Page - Download

Download (pdf), print and have fun colouring this page while you listen to the song Just Passing By

Composer's Notes

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.”

You Are Invited

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

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

Send us your video of Just Passing By and perhaps we can post it here.

The post Just Passing By appeared first on Donna & Andy.