Tags

  • Published on

    95. Joy To Your Heart with guests Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson

    4:4 Celebrate Empower Friendship Generosity Heart Hope Joy Light Love Open Play Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Zipper Songwriter Conversation
    Song: Joy To Your Heart
    Music & Words: Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson
    ​Lyrics

    I want to bring joy to your heart,
    I want to bring joy to your (+) heart.
    I want to bring joy to your heart,
    Joy, joy, joy!

    Joy! Joy! Joy!
    Let me bring you some Joy! Joy! Joy!
    *I want to pour it on ya* Joy! Joy! Joy!
    Let me share my Joy! Joy! Joy!

    (this to your that, this to your that...)
    Examples:
    wind-sail or hugs-heart
    blue-sky or soup-bowl
    *line is changed to suit the bold-faced pair*
    Picture
    ​Notes: Lately, I've been reading closely the lengthy gratitude lists that follow any achievement, struck by the glories created in collaboration. Cathy Baker and Dick Jackson are both work and life partners... so I had many questions for them about collaboration. How do you nurture trust, how do you communicate through disagreement? They took over the reins of the large and thriving Getttin' Higher Choir from beloved coleaders Siobhan Robinsong and Denis Donnelly -- such changes are often fraught with disappointments and unhappiness -- yet they seemed to me to have negotiated the transition with grace and generosity. Cathy describes "A whole lot of good will and an understanding of what ultimately really matters here… that we each feel completely heard," and according to Dick, “A little bit of meditation practice can go a long way.” Hear, too, about their thoughts about imposter syndrome (hint: it's real!), "only the freshest" choral arrangements, the difference between "performer" and "facilitator of people singing in harmony," and more... including Cathy's exuberant, warm-hearted wish, partially inspired by large bus windshield wipers -- "I want to bring joy to your heart!"

    ​Songwriter Info: Cathy was once the shy middle kid of 5 siblings where singing as a family was just part of everyday life. She always loved singing, especially around campfires, on road trips, wilderness trips or anywhere outside. Always seeking harmony, she got over much of her performance shyness by bringing groups of friends together to sing. She now directs the Gettin' Higher Choir with her life partner, Dick Jackson, and she is on the leadership team for both The Ubuntu Choirs Network and the Community Choir Leadership Training (CCLT) program in Victoria, BC. Cathy is active in her local Unitarian Universalist community where Dick is the Musical Director. Together, Cathy and Dick provide musical leadership for Canadian UU camps and Canadian national UU services. They both welcome the opportunity to bring members of the Gettin' Higher Choir to "Sing When Asked To" community events. Dick was fortunate to have singing in the home with his Mom from an early age, and kept involved with singing, school band and organ, later with percussion, piano and a few stints in opera chorus. A keen observer of his excellent music leaders over the years, he is grateful to be able to make this a shared joyful vocation with Cathy.​

    Sharing Info: The song is free to share but Cathy always welcome financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved. Do let Cathy know where this song has travelled. Have fun...may it bring JOY to your heart!

    Links:
    Gettin’ Higher Choir: ​​http://www.gettinhigherchoir.ca/index.php
    Gettin’ Higher Choir YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thegettinhigherchoir8002
    Community Choir Leadership Training Program: http://www.communitychoirleadership.com/
    Ubuntu Choir Network: http://www.ubuntuchoirs.net/index.php
    Pat Wictor: https://patwictor.com/
    Cee Cee’s Climb by Pat Wictor, performed by Brother Sun https://youtu.be/fkTVK2Yg-JI
    Dick’s album that’s affected him strongly: Joe Jackson “A Big World”
    Dick suggestion for an artist:Joe Jackson: http://joejackson.com/
    Cathy’s album that’s affected her strongly: Peter Paul & Mary: Peter, Paul & Mommy
    Cathy’s suggestion for an artist: Connie Kaldor: https://www.conniekaldor.com/
    Patti Page: Mocking Bird Hill: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7zrMzVNYwo
    God Sees the Little Sparrow Fall: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnN1Cu7RZ-Q
    A sound Cathy feels strongly about – Pacific Chorus Frogs: https://acousticatlas.org/item/2433

    Nuts & Bolts: ​4:4, Major, zipper 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

    86. We Were Made for These Times

    12:8 Change Determination Empower Flex Friendship Gather Hope Journey Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song: We Were Made for These Times
    Music by Angela Gabriel
    Text by Clarissa Pink Estés
    from "Letter to a Young Activist During Troubled Times"
    Lyrics
    Call: Don't lose heart,
    Response: Do not lose heart,
    Call: We were made for these times.
    Response: We were made for this.
    Together: Show your soul, it shines like gold in these dark times.

    Additional verses: Don't lose hope, Don't give up.


    Picture
    Notes: Angela Gabriel's gospel-infused setting of Clarissa Pink Estés' fierce words is enough to lift me out of bed into the January cold! You'll hear me play with adding my voice in the looper with different tonal qualities so it sounds like we're singing with a crowd... and then at the end, I'll invite you to sing it simply with me, as a heartfelt duet. Patty said her art for this episode is inspired by the images of boats and wood from the Clarissa Estés letter... "and the idea of standing together, so here are the trees, rooted and strong in all weather."
    * This song has had a significant evolution since I recorded it for this episode -- please catch the updates under the links with Angela's own recordings!

    Songwriter Info:  Angela is a professional percussionist & pianist and community music/community singing facilitator. She lived in Santa Fe NM for the last 20 years, where she played with the opera, symphony, chamber music festival, as well as in African, Haitian, and samba gatherings, funk and ragtime bands.  
         She just moved to Bloomington, Indiana in the end of 2022.
    Angela's mission in life is to facilitate expressive creative, musical, and vocal experiences and to encourage folks to replace judgement with curiosity and open themselves to their unique, creative flow.
        Part of how Angela does this is by singing and drumming online weekly with people living with Parkinson’s and other movement disorders.

    This song is free to share but Angela always welcomes financial and/or networking support if/when folks are so moved.

    Links: 
    Learn the updated version with Angela herself: https://youtu.be/kZfD7YbZJew?feature=shared
    Listen to the updated version: https://youtu.be/Rash_81HIhY?feature=shared
    Letter to a Young Activist by Clarissa Pinkola Estés: https://www.mavenproductions.com/letter-to-a-young-activist
    Angela's website: www.AngelaGabriel.me
    Support Angela's work: find songs, rhythmic activities, and more at patreon.com/AngelaGabriel
    Check out Hidden Whale, Angela's old band (she's the drummer): https://youtube.com/channel/UCpxdVqwSxzEBhgUilN3qQLg

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:02:55
    Start time of reprise: 00:12:49

    Nuts & Bolts: 12:8, major, harmonized call & response

    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

    82. Whoever You Are

    3:4 Accept Belonging Friendship Gather Generosity Journey Listen Ribbon Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song: Whoever You Are
    Words by Rev. Ana Levy-Lyons
    Music​ by Adam Podd
    Lyrics
    Whoever you are, whomever you love;
    Wherever you are on your life's journey...
    ​you are welcome here!
    Picture
    Notes: I learned this song from Adam at the end of the summer at a group singing weekend workshop, and immediately decided to use it for my Pocket Songs welcome song during the fall, not only because of the generous, wide-open welcome of the words, but because of the way the music backs up the message. The lift and lightness of the rhythm, and the enjoyment of slightly surprising notes (I particularly love the first "are" of the tenor line, for example), the way we move from unison into connected harmonic diversity -- these musical things help me FEEL welcoming. Sometimes I shift the words to sing it to myself, as a reminder that whoever I am, whomever I love, wherever I am on this journey, I am welcome... and when I feel genuinely accepted as I am, it is so much easier to extend that welcome and acceptance to others.

    Join the A Breath of Song mailing list by clicking here. You'll 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.

    Songwriter Info: Adam Podd (he/him/his) is a Vermont-bred, Brooklyn-based music director, pianist, organist, bassist, composer, and arranger. As a pianist, Adam specializes in blues, jazz, and gospel. He plays regularly around NYC with his twin brother Matt, and their jazz and blues band Mimi and the Podd Brothers. He also plays keys, bass and music directs for singer/songwriter Dan Mills. I met Adam as he co-led a workshop on Star Island, off the coast of New Hampshire. I was struck by his unassuming, gentle manner and musical generosity. He welcomes sharing of this song.
    ​
    Links: 
    learn about Adam himself: ABOUT — Adam Podd
    check out the choral music Adam and his brother arrange: The Podd Brothers
    to read more of the writings of Ana Levy-Lyons: Home - Ana Levy-Lyons (analevylyons.com)

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:03:15
    Start time of reprise: 00:13:19​

    Nuts & Bolts: 3:4, Major, harmonized

    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

    81. Light Returning

    2:2 Change Darkness Friendship Light Night Release Scale: Aeolian (minor) Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Round Sun Trust
    Song: Light Returning
    Words & Music by Emma Mutter
    Lyrics
    A low sun burning; crimson in the cold,
    Sing for the slow year turning; time's soft unfolding.
    As cherished spirits linger near our own,
    ​Yearn for the long night's ebbing; the light returning.
    Picture
    Notes: I love the way Emma's song ushers in the darkness and turning of the seasons with a lilt that includes a trust that the light will return. There's a softness and acceptance to the song that makes it easier to be present with the turning. Emma says the song "was born on a winter walk during Covid restrictions in the UK. I was finding some comfort in the unruffled flow of the seasons - 'time's soft unfolding'. 21st December is my late father's birthday as well as winter solstice, so this song is dedicated to him - I think he would have liked the words and the structure." 

    Songwriter Info: Emma has been singing all her life and enjoys all styles of song and ensemble! When her daughter was born in 2018, she began an acapella singing group for local mums, and after joining the Singing Mamas network in 2020, was inspired to start writing her own songs, for herself, for her groups and songsharing colleagues. 

    Links: 
    Find Emma's album 'Light Returning' on Bandcamp https://emmamutter.bandcamp.com/album/light-returning
    You can also find newer songs on her Facebook page www.facebook.com/emmamuttermusic
    Contact Emma by email elrfmutter@gmail.com to buy the score (suggested contribution up to £5) and/or purchase the song on Bandcamp if you'd like to share this song as a songleader. Please contact Emma directly for recording or performing permissions.

    Song Learning Time Stamps:
    Start time of teaching: 00:00:47 
    Start time of reprise: 00:15:38 ​

    Nuts & Bolts: 2:2, Aeolian (minor), harmonized melody with option of a round.

    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

    79. Be Yourself

    4:4 Belonging Celebrate Fire Friendship Gather Listen Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Harmonized Trust
    Song: Be Yourself
    Words & Music by ​Kate Thomas
    Lyrics
    Come in and be yourself,
    there's a place for you here, by the fire.
    And as our voices rise up ever higher,
    come in, come in -- come home.
    Picture
    Notes: "Be Yourself" was written for 'Body of Sound', a women's group that Kate Thomas leads, for a residential at Laurieston Hall in Scotland which has a lovely open fire. Can you imagine joining with friends around a fire and singing this to each other? And sometimes, I swear, I find myself singing it to just myself (or my many selves???), welcoming all of them around the fire -- the part of me that's anxious, the part that's grouchy, the part that is confident, the part that's flamboyant -- shall I go on? I definitely have enough for a campfire gathering of my own -- but I'll grant you that it's even better if you're gathering with others!

    Songwriter Info: Kate Thomas is a singer, song leader, songwriter and instrumentalist (guitar, piano and handpan) and has been leading singing groups in Sheffield for over 20 years. She has produced two songbooks, 'Honey and Salt' (from which 'Be Yourself' is taken) and 'Scattered Seeds'. If you are interested in contacting her about these resources, her email is honeyandsalt65@gmail.com. 

    Links: 
    email: honeyandsalt65@gmail.com
    Kate's profile and choirs: Member profile - Natural Voice Network
    Information about Honey and Salt: Honey and Salt - Natural Voice Network

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, major, 4-parts
    ​
    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

    76. I Am Listening

    4:4 Accept Empower Friendship Listen Notice Scale: Ionian (Major) Song Form: Call & Response Song Form: Harmonized Song Form: Layer Tend
    Song: ​I Am Listening
    ​Words and Music: Patricia Norton
    Lyrics:
    Are you crying to be heard?
    I am listening.
    Are you dying (needing) to be known?
    I'm attending to you.

    I am listening,
    when you're crying.
    I'm attending
    ​when you're dying.
    Picture
    Notes: After being sick for several weeks, I was lying in bed and trying to come to terms with the fact that I still felt crummy. I was trying to listen to my body, and this is the song that came into my head. The melody is pretty closely related to a Happy Birthday song which I learned from Liz Rog, but I don't know the origin of the song, and neither did Liz at that point. If anybody happens to know it, I'd love to learn! The song can be sung just as the first part, in which case I think "needing to be known" is more satisfying to sing, but when I added the second part it suddenly made sense to me to use the word "dying." It feels to me like a song that spans caregiving from infancy to deathbed. I'm moved by what a powerful feeling it is to be heard and seen.

    Songwriter Info: That would be me, so both of the websites below have stuff...

    Links: 
    abreathofsong.com
    juneberrymusic.com

    Nuts & Bolts: 4:4, Major (Ionian), call and echo with second harmonized part
    ​
    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!