new compositions and arrangements K-R
Most songs on this page are original compositions or arrangements of non-copyright material by Vocal Force and Vocal Union leaders. There are also pieces by associated composers and workshop leaders, and pieces written collaboratively with schools, workshops and music projects.
All songs are free to use in an educational and community context. Feedback about strengths and weaknesses, performance ideas and new arrangements is vital, as we want this resource to be a living body of music.
Vocal Union strongly encourages the creation and performance of original music and is looking into ways to support and acknowledge this.
It's Chilly in the Arctic - Belinda Wright
Fun song written to the tune of the Hokey-cokey!
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
mp3 | score | notes
The Lady With The Lamp - Alison Coates
Alison Coates wrote this for Spittal First School in Berwick-upon-Tweed in February 2008 for a Hearts and Minds project with 20,000 voices. Their topic was Florence Nightingale.
KEY STAGE 2
mp3 | score
Let It Out - Airto Moreira arr. Jilly Jarman
Amazingly popular with groups and soloists from primary up. Here is a 3-part harmony version with vocal bassline and a 2-part riff inspired by the original solo. Buy the original: beatboxing vocals fantastic.
(last track on Life After That)
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score | mp3
Let's Go To The Park Today - Belinda Wright
New words to 'The Jungle Trail' by the Sage Early Years Team using call and response with verses introducing different animals
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
mp3 | score | lyrics
Listen to my Voice - Jilly Jarman
Jazzy with piano - about having the confidence to believe in yourself - space for a spoken collage of thoughts from the class
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
score
Make me a Lantern - Jilly Jarman
Reggae carol- easy and fun for younger children. Written for Kirkoswald Nativity celebration and lantern procession
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
mp3 | score
May The Force Be With You - new words to 'Throw Catch' by Skura
Adapted by Mr White, Science teacher at Spring Gardens Primary School and VU leaders Sofia Castro and Claire Tustin. Mr White wanted a song to help him teach children the concept of ‘forces’, we then tied it in with the school’s international week by adding some Portuguese words.)
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
words | mp3
Miso Soup - Alison Coates
Warm-up song with a fun look at sol fa. With actions.
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
score | actions | mp3
Molto Bene Grazie - Jennifer Ellin
Greetings song in italian. Can be sung as a round or with a repeated riff (ostinato).
Written for Beaconside Junior School for their Vocal Union assembly
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
mp3 | score
Muevete - J Jarman, Y vela-Castro, Warcop school
Written for Vocal Union project 2006-7.
Easy Spanish up-beat song - harmonies, guitar/ piano, few words
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3 & upwards
score
Neddy’s Revenge - Alison Coates
3 part jazzy piece with a great interplay of short, bluesy riffs. Looks fun, can’t wait to try it
score
The Name’s Bond: Number bond! - Alison Coates
Fun song that explores pitch intervals using a number game
score | actions
Old Lady's Lullaby - Carol Douglas
This is a lovely folk-style lament with full backing track
KEY STAGE 3 & adult
mp3 | lyrics | backing track
On The Golden Sands Of Time - Carol Douglas
A great song to get the whole class or school singing out, or a chance for a soloist to show what they can do. With full backing track.
KEY STAGE 3 & adult
mp3 | lyrics | backing track
On and On and On, Higher!- Ems Featherstone, Alison Scott
A song with three interlocking parts
KEY STAGE 2 & 3
mp3
One Voice by Em Whitfield-Brooks
A soulful 5-part same or mixed voice acapella song, especially good for vocal remedies sessions and community choirs
score | mp3 sage performance
Only You - V.Clarke arranged by Patrick Allen & Edward Milner
Performed by the Flying Pickets.
Great song for Key Stage 3 and vocal force sessions
score
Party Time - Alison Coates
Single line melody for birthday times
score
Precious as a New-born Baby - Jilly Jarman, verse lyrics by Jen Ellin
Calypso carol about everyone being important, whoever they are and wherever they come from.
Easy trumpet, flute and violin parts composed by Beaconside School children
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3, 4
score with instruments | actions
Promise - Jilly Jarman
Reggae carol about refugees - we all belong - harmonies, guitar/piano acc.
Version arranged for Beaconside school with lyrics by Jen Ellin - see Precious as a New-born baby
KEY STAGE 1, 2, 3
score | score in C
Pussy Cat - Sarah Grey & Alison Scott
Easy song, lyrical with piano accompaniment.
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score
Red Riding Hood - Sharon Durant
Lively song - soul with country inflexions, with guitar accompaniment with harmony line. Suitable for solo singers or confident choir.
KEY STAGE 2 & 3 upwards
mp3 | guitar backing
Reggae Reindeer - Jilly Jarman. lyrics Jen Ellin, Beaconside Juniors, Penrith, Cumbria
Fun song with actions, arrangement for wind and brass. Very easy piano accompaniment (2 chords)
KEY STAGE 1 & 2
score
Rocket - Alan Penman & Alan Dunn
Good performance song for KEY STAGE 2.
mp3 | mp3backing
‘Sing Up, the Music Manifesto National Singing Programme, produced by Youth Music with AMV-BBDO, Faber Music and The Sage Gateshead supported by Government.’
Vocal Union is funded through Sing Up and is part of its national singing programme.