Tags

  • Published on

    110. The Crow Calls with guest Maggie Wheeler

    4:4 Change Earth Empower Future Generations Grieve Grow Heal Ribbon Scale: Aeolian (minor) Sky Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Layer Songwriter Conversation Sun Tend
    Song: The Crow Calls
    ​Music:     Maggie Wheeler
    Lyrics
    ​
    1. The crow calls
    The Sun falls
    They know the rhythm
    The rhythm of it all 

    2. Echo part 1

    3. We are the only ones
    Who have forgotten how to listen
    We’re the only ones
    Who have forgotten how to listen
    We’re the only ones
    Who have forgotten how to listen
    The earth is calling us to open up our ears

    4. Put your hands in the dirt
    Let’s heal the hurt
    The earth is waiting
    For us to do the work
    Do the work
    Picture
    Notes: It's been two years since Maggie Wheeler and I last talked on A Breath of Song. No one doubts these times are difficult. Maggie and I get into the grit here... how do you stave off despair? How do you show up in love? How can we, collectively, change the energy? How do we soothe hearts and souls so we are sustained to do the work? Can we give ourselves the same grace of forgiveness we give others? What happens after exhaustion? How can we stay longer in the space of not knowing? How can we stay longer in a song moment and let it develop? Can staying longer be its own practice?

    This song Maggie shares, The Crow Calls, is an opening to the rhythm, the connection of the natural world, and how that can nurture and change us. This song is a reminder, a call, a resource, and incredibly satisfying to sing. As we talked, Maggie described her heart as "cracked open" from two intense back-to-back experiences that had just happened. I was feeling a lot of pressure, with looming deadlines and large to-do lists, preparing for a big trip. Editing the episode, I was struck by how we practiced showing up as we are, releasing expectations, and paying attention to what is present in the moment... and I came away from our conversation with a welcome sense of clarity and commitment about the next right thing -- and huge gratitude for Maggie's generous, genuine way of moving through the world. I wonder what you will hear that resonates or challenges or invites you?

    Songwriter Info: Maggie Wheeler is best known in the U.S and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop "Singing In The Stream" for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, communities and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. Maggie directs the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood, an inter-generational, non-auditioned choir now in its 17th year. She is a prolific songwriter with a catalog of powerful and timely songs that have been sung by choirs worldwide. Maggie’s original music for choirs and communities is available on Apple Music and other music platforms. To accompany her CD entitled 'Walk With Me’, Maggie created a songbook available by request through her website www.goldenbridgechoir.com Throughout this time of change Maggie continued the Golden Bridge Choir online producing virtual concerts and videos as well as hosting a weekly online community gathering called Together In Song, bringing together over 4000 people from around the world to join in the healing power of singing. 

    ​Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Maggie always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: 
    Find Your Way Home, ABoS Ep 5: https://www.abreathofsong.com/episodes--show-notes/5-find-our-way-home
    Rising Appalachia: https://www.risingappalachia.com/
    Song Village: https://www.songvillage.net/
    Emile Hassan Dyer: https://www.eomega.org/workshops/teachers/emile-hassan-dyer
    Song Village Collaborators: https://www.songvillage.net/collaborators/
    Yam and Jessi: Bliss is Ordinary podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bliss-is-ordinary/id1614727245
    Ebeneezer Finds a Reason children’s Book: https://ebeneezersneezer.com/
    Meredith Scott Lynn & Write Brain Books: https://writebrainbooks.com/view_page.php?pageid=3/
    M. Kyle Hollingsworth: https://www.kylecreativeart.com/
    Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney: https://wimpykid.com/
    Karly Loveling: https://eugeneweekly.com/2019/01/17/karly-loveling/​
    Together in Song: https://www.goldenbridgechoir.com/together-in-song-video-archive
    Flow Singing with Juneberry Music: https://www.juneberrymusic.com/sing-to-connect.html
    Rhiannon: https://rhiannonmusic.com/circlesing 
    Omega Workshop: 
    https://www.eomega.org/workshops/singing-stream?itm_source_h=search&itm_source_s=search&itm_medium_h=tile&itm_medium_s=tile&itm_campaign_h=searchcr&itm_campaign_s=searchcr
    Arnaé Batson: https://sivanandabahamas.org/presenter/arnae-batson/
    Sivananda Ashram Retreat: https://sivanandabahamas.org/course/songs-of-sustenance-february-2023/
    Aimée Ringle: http://www.aimeeringlemusic.com/
    Heather Houston: https://heatherhoustonmusic.com/
    Sweet Honey in the Rock, Live at Carnegie Hall: https://www.allmusic.com/album/live-at-carnegie-hall-mw0000652837
    Aimée Ringle Human and Tender: https://aimeeringle.bandcamp.com/album/human-and-tender
    Olivia Barton & Corook - “If I Were a Fish” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dx_vMONe3tM
    Ahlay Blakely: https://www.healingattheroots.com/about
    Golden Bridge Choir: https://www.goldenbridgechoir.com/
    Maggie’s Instagram: ​​https://www.instagram.com/maggiewheeler_official/?hl=en
    Maggie’s latest album that she was about to record after our interview: https://maggiewheeler.bandcamp.com/album/the-crow-calls
    Go​​lden Bridge Choir’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenbridgechoir/?hl=en
    Maggie's Website: maggiewheeler.net

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:04:15
    Start time of reprise: 00:54:54
    ​    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, harmonic minor scale, call & echo and 3 or 4 layer song

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!​ 
  • Published on

    109. This Is It

    12:8 Be Present Celebrate Change Determination Empower Future Heart Justice Light Love Release Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison
    Song: This Is It
    ​Music: Maggie Wheeler
    Lyrics

    This is it.
    This is it!
    This is the place you wanna be (x2)
    Don't wait until tomorrow to let yourself be free

    This is it
    This is the place you wanna be

    2. This is the song you wanna sing 
    Don't wait until tomorrow to let your voices ring

    3. This is the love you wanna feel
    Don't wait until tomorrow to let your love be real

    4. The world is calling out to you 
    Don't wait until tomorrow for what you came to do
    ​

    Picture
    Notes: This is a prime example of how on this podcast, there's lots of space for YOUR voice! This Is It is a deeply grooved song by Maggie Wheeler, and I did a super simple bass line -- so you could make it more complex -- a light variety of percussion sounds -- so you can add more -- the melody in one voice, so you can make it richer and rounder and groovier -- and one harmony on top, so you can add more in the middle, or even higher up. AND there's space for you to add extra calls! A Breath of Song is unique in that it's not about MY singing -- this is not for you to listen to and admire -- this is for you to sing with, to make yours. Because, as Maggie advises, "This is it. This is it! This is the place you wanna be, the song you wanna sing, the love you wanna feel.... the world is calling out to you -- this is it!" Next week, Maggie does the first ever return songwriter episode, and we get to learn where "this" is for Maggie right now... another chance to get to know a miraculous person a little better.

    Songwriter Info: Maggie Wheeler is best known in the U.S and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends. Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop "Singing In The Stream" for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, communities and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony. Maggie directs the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood, an inter-generational, non-auditioned choir now in its 17th year. She is a prolific songwriter with a catalog of powerful and timely songs that have been sung by choirs worldwide. Maggie’s original music for choirs and communities is available on Apple Music and other music platforms. To accompany her CD entitled 'Walk With Me’, Maggie created a songbook available by request through her website www.goldenbridgechoir.com Throughout this time of change Maggie continued the Golden Bridge Choir online producing virtual concerts and videos as well as hosting a weekly online community gathering called Together In Song, bringing together over 4000 people from around the world to join in the healing power of singing. 

    ​Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but Maggie always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: To learn more about Maggie’s work please visit: www.goldenbridgechoir.com and maggiewheeler.net

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:20
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:50
    ​​
    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, Minor, unison with optional harmonies

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!​
  • Published on

    108. Can I stand Here For You?

    3 Layer 4:4 Be Present Belonging Breathe Empower Enough Friendship Generosity Heal Heart Scale: Ionian (Major) Trust
    Song: Can I Stand Here For You?
    ​Music:     Kate Munger
    Lyrics

    Can I stand here for you?
    May I use my heart as a gate?
    We may not need words.
    We may not need songs.
    ​We may only need our two hearts beating.
    Picture
    Notes: Kate wrote "Can I Stand Here For You" after watching an Oprah show about two injured women Iraq veterans. Juanita Wilson (who had lost her hand) saw Tammy Duckworth come in (she had lost one hand and both feet). Juanita had committed herself to “standing for” any injured female veteran. She asked Tammy "Can I stand here for you?" Then she washed Tammy's hair which still contained dust from Iraq. She used her one hand and asked an orderly to help her with his two hands. Tammy was comatose, in terrible pain and Juanita stood beside her bed for 5 days. Now Tammy is a tri-athlete and was Undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for President Barack Obama, the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 8th congressional district. And was then elected to the Senate from the State of Illinois.

    Knowing the backstory behind some songs makes the songs even richer. As I'm thinking about how we can work toward easing loneliness, this example of two women connecting, then Kate allowing herself to be touched by the story, gives an example... and gives me a way to remember how to make the offering of standing by someone. Don't miss the chance to sing with Melanie DeMore once you've learned the song -- she sings lower, which may give you a chance to experiment with the high harmony if you found it too high in this podcast -- or maybe the melody will feel super comfortable in Melanie's range? Keep finding what feels good in your voice!

    Songwriter Info: From Inverness CA, Kate Munger has devoted herself for over 40 years to creating non-hierarchical, collaborative models for spirited group singing, joyful community building, and deep fellowship through rounds and parts singing. Kate has written hundreds of singable, swinging, deep songs that remind us of our best inclinations and intentions, and are sung accompaniment to and medicine for our lives.

    She has loved returning home to Inverness after 9 singing trips to Bali, 6 to Thailand (and the Elephant Sanctuary where singing to and with Elephants was the highlight), and one each to Russia and Spain in the past three decades. Just as the Pandemic arrived, Kate returned from a month in New Zealand with 13 singers where they offered their sung prayers to the community of Christchurch as they remembered the devastating earthquake of 2011 and healed from the horrific shooting at the Muslim Mosque in March 2019. She deeply believes that singers are the best ambassadors of peace on our planet; we show our neighbors our best selves when we travel in their land and appreciate their people, their culture, and their tragedies and show that appreciation through our singing.

    In 2000 she founded the first of now 220 Threshold Choirs worldwide for choral singers who are called to sing at the bedsides of people who are dying, in a coma, newborns, children in hospital, and with folks who are grieving and who are incarcerated. In honoring its innovative mission, the Threshold Choir has re-imagined what true service can look like; healing the giver as it offers comfort, presence, and ease for the receiver. Now retired from running the business of the Threshold Choir, Kate lives, swims, works, and sings along the shores of Tomales Bay, for 16 years at the Lama Foundation in New Mexico and wherever she can.
    ​
    Sharing Info: Please sing this with loved ones freely -- when sharing in a money-making venture, like a workshop, class, or performance, please contact Kate for permission and rates.

    Links: A beautiful recording by Melanie DeMore, highly recommended by Kate: https://youtu.be/iDMFt9d5NaM
    Threshold Choir:     https://thresholdchoir.org/

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:28
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:52
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4 major 3-part harmony

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!​
  • Published on

    Bonus: Settle Sweetness

    Simply a single, very real human voice (no reverb, no special effects)  helping find a cozy, safe space for when you wish to allow your body to rest and restore -- possibly even to sleep. I don't always find it easy to let go, release, float... and this whole episode is how I wish someone would talk to me, helping me transition. No ads, no loud sounds at the end. Depending on the player you're using, you may need to set it to only play this episode (Apple Podcasts, I'm looking at you for annoyingly automatically playing the next episode!) But otherwise, should be good... and the more often you hear it and let yourself use its cues to allow your body and mind and heart to soften, the more it will become a signal to let go.

    At the end there are a series of thoughts that you can repeat to yourself, if you choose, or simply hear as I say, "You are loved.... You are safe...." and so on.

    Let me know if it's useful; shall I do another one eventually?
    Picture
  • Published on

    107. As A Seal Upon Thy Heart

    4:4 Belonging Earth Farewell Friendship Future Grieve Heart Holy Journey Love Safe Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Layer Song Form: Round Tend
    Song: As a Seal Upon Thy Heart
    ​Music: Alison Burns
    Text: from Song of Songs (Shir Hashirim) 8:6
    שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים
    Lyrics

    Set me as a seal upon thy heart, as a seal upon thy arm.
    ​For love is strong, as strong as death

    שִׂימֵ֨נִי כַֽחוֹתָ֜ם עַל־לִבֶּ֗ךָ כַּֽחוֹתָם֙ עַל־זְרוֹעֶ֔ךָ כִּֽי־עַזָּ֤ה כַמָּ֨וֶת֙ אַֽהֲבָ֔ה קָשָׁ֥ה כִשְׁא֖וֹל
    Picture
    Notes: Ali Burns gives us a beautiful two-part song that can also be a round... it feels like very exposed singing to me, and there's a way in which committing to what feels vulnerable in my voice, both high and low, also feels powerful and affirming. The ancient words resonate with longing for connection beyond death with those whom we love... and to me, are a reminder that can't force anyone into accepting love -- we can only offer.

    Songwriter Info: Ali has built her reputation over the past 30 years as one of the UK’s prominent workshop leaders for community choirs. Many of her songs have found their way into the repertoire and hearts of singers across the UK, and increasingly, Canada, the USA and Australia. Her work is published by Faber, Sing Up! and Oxford University Press.
    ​
    Sharing Info: You can hear and buy a copy of the song for £5 from www.aliburns.co.uk 
    Please visit her online shop for information about permissions:     https://aliburns.co.uk/shop/licensing/song-licence/

    Links: 
    Ali's Website: www.aliburns.co.uk

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:08
    Start time of reprise: 00:14:38
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4 major, 2-part layer, round optional

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!

  • Published on

    106. Don't Numb to This

    4:4 Accept Be Present Breathe Calm Empower Flow Gentle Grieve Heal Heart Open Pain Release Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Unison
    Song: Don't Numb to This
    Music: Abigail Bengson
    Lyrics
    ​
    Don’t numb to this, don’t numb it out.
    Let it all flow in and out.
    ​You’re strong enough to feel it all,
    ​and keep your heart alive.

    Stay soft to this, don’t numb it out.
    ​Let yourself breathe in and out.
    You’re strong enough to feel it all,
    and keep your heart alive. ​I said,

     Don’t numb to this, don’t numb it out,
    Let yourself breathe in and out,
    You’re strong enough to feel it all
    and it’ll keep your heart alive. I said,

    Don’t numb to this, don’t block it out,
    Let it all flow in and out,
    You’re strong enough to feel it all,
    and it’ll keep your heart alive.
    Picture
    Notes: Singing this song settles me so deeply, reassuringly, into my body to be able to tolerate the discomfort of big feelings. When I was browsing for links about the Bengsons to share, the video, "My Joy is Heavy", drew my eye. I started it to see what it was about -- and couldn't stop watching. This podcast episode is about a fabulous song... and if you can go see "My Joy is Heavy", it will give you so much more. Abigail and Shaun Bengson are powerful storytellers, creating stories rooted in truths of their lives... this one in pregnancy and loss. Abigail says, "Honor the poetry that exists in each of our moments of crisis... when something big cracks your life, there is a kind of poetry that spills out -- details become important or disappear; it's an amazing time outside of time."

    Songwriter Info: Abigail and Shaun Bengson have this to say on their Patreon page: "We've been working to create music and community online and releasing it, joyously and of course for free for a bunch of years. Lots of folks found us initially through our songprayer The Keep Going Song, and then stayed so we could get to know each other. We've been so moved and humbled by the incredible support of the folk who come to our pages and participate through listening, commenting, singing along or writing to us with their own stories of grief, joy, loss, rage and transformation. We've always been focused on releasing everything for free, and keeping our concerts affordable for all!"
    ​
    Sharing Info: Yes -- The song is free to share but the Bengsons always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: 
    My Joy is Heavy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMTBaFm5ibc https://www.bengsons.com/
    Abigail singing "Don't Numb to This" https://www.facebook.com/thebengsons/videos/629432998893008
    The Bengsons' Website: https://www.bengsons.com/
    The Bengsons' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebengsons/?hl=en
    ​The Bengsons' Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thebengsons
    The Bengsons' Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebengsons
    The Bengsons' Spotify:
    https://open.spotify.com/artist/08VxLl1rmtFqsvoAmCVaNH?si=MxhG1JamRX6q_3C3a1ulbg&utm_medium=share&utm_source=linktree&nd=1

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:30
    ​
    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4 Minor (Aeolian), unison

    ​Join the A Breath of Song mailing list to receive a heads up as a new episode is released, plus a large version of the artwork, brief thoughts from my slightly peculiar brain... and occasional extras when they seem vitally important! No junk -- I will never sell your address. I read out all your names into my living room when I send new mailings... I appreciate the connection to you who are listening and singing these songs with me.

    Exchange energy with A Breath of Song with dollars at the Gratitude Jar (whoo-hoo!!!!), or by making comments, leaving reviews, suggesting songs or songwriters (including yourself) ..... your participation matters!