Although I think of most of my choral music as "Art Songs for Choirs," a few of my pieces are just plain fun, like this song I wrote with students at an elementary school. The lyrics of this lighthearted romp include such unlikely compadres as the Ugly Duckling, Rudolph the Reindeer, Susan B. Anthony, the Wright Brothers and Shakespeare. Small percussion instruments punctuate the syncopated chorus of this delightful affirmation of our own diversity. (Originally the students used sandblocks, claves, sleigh bells, slide whistles, and castanets, but creative performers may substitute any instruments they can find or create!)
Technical issues: Other than rounding up a batch of percussion instruments and getting kids to remember when they're supposed to play them, I honestly can't think of any thorny performance problems. Just have fun! Soprano: c-f ', Alto: c-d '
