A weekly assembly with James B Partridge (or Mr Partridge to the naughty Year 6s on the back benches!) where we take a deep dive into the songs and stories from your school days. Each week, the assembly will start with a catch-up session, a Q&A with listener questions (anything goes!) and we will of course finish with a group singalong and deep dive into your favourite songs from school. Make sure you’re sat up straight and get ready to sing every Wednesday with Notes from School with James B Partridge.~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
Email me: [email protected]
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
The podcast Notes from School is created by James B Partridge. The podcast and the artwork on this page are embedded on this page using the public podcast feed (RSS).
After a few weeks of some great interviews, I thought I would take it back to the assembly hall with a mega episode of singalongs. This week I go through the entire Apusskidu songbook from 1975 which is packed full of tunes for children to sing at school. Some of these are very famous, some are obscure folk melodies, we have some nursery classics, plenty of animal tunes and even a song about aliens. Hope you enjoy the play through, I am sight-reading some of them so apologies for any mistakes 😅 hope they bring back some happy memories, either way.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Introduction, emails and catch up!
05:19: If you’re happy (and you know it)
06:14: I’d like to teach the world to sing
07:17: I whistle a happy tune
08:24: Yellow submarine
09:04: Sing a rainbow
09:53: The super-supper march
11:08: My ship sailed from China
12:28: Daisy Bell
13:31: The bonny blue-eyed sailor
14:23: Li’l Liza Jane
14:49: Clementine
16:01: Sparrow Twitters
16:33: Little brown jug
17:02: I’m Henery the eighth
18:23: There’s a hole in my bucket
18:42: There was an old witch
19:05: Ten in a bed
19:13: Lily the pink
20:14: Bananas in pyjamas
20:49: The great meat pie
21:57: Michael Finnegan
22:13: The train is a-coming
22:44: Wheels keep turning
23:33: Morningtown ride
24:30: She’ll be coming round the mountain
25:17: The Wombling song
25:45: Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!
26:52: Battle song of the Zartians
27:20: The wind blow east
27:54: One potato, two potato
28:47: The guard song
29:23: The fireman
29:42: When Father papered the parlour
30:11: The animals went in two by two
30:38: Going to the zoo
31:06: The hippopotamus song
31:40: Tiger, Tiger, orange and black
32:12: Where, oh where has my little dog gone?
32:39: Daddy wouldn’t buy me a bow-wow
33:04: Five little frogs
33:24: Frog went a-courtin’
33:50: Down in Demerara
34:19: Ferdinando, the donkey
34:49: Apusski dusky
35:50: Gobbolino, the witch‘s cat
36:35: A windmill in old Amsterdam
37:45: Maggon, the bad-tempered dragon
38:22: Risha, rasha, rusha
38:50: Final thoughts and wrap up
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Over the past couple of weeks in April I’ve been in the States on holiday. Clearly, I’m not very good at fully relaxing so I teamed up with Anthony Garone from the YouTube channel Make Weird Music for a great conversation. We discuss topics such as being a content creator on YouTube, music education in the States vs the UK, creative mindsets, confidence and even some of the best British exports to the US.
You can find Anthony’s channel here and all it’s weird goodness: https://www.youtube.com/@MakeWeirdMusic
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Introducing Anthony and the start of Make Weird Music
3:00: Eccentricity in British music and the school assembly in UK and US
9:55: Music in US schools and the universal language of the piano
23:20: The importance of improvisation vs exams
32:20: Can we get weirdness into the classroom?
37:10: Advice on starting out as a content creator
45:15: British vs American mindsets
54:00: Anthony’s best of British culture and the start of Primary School Bangers
01:05:50: Final thoughts and wrap up
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
To celebrate St. George’s Day today, I have Tom Carradine in the assembly hall. He is the mastermind behind the Cockney singalong and has a deep and immersive knowledge of British song from the Victorian music hall to war-time tunes and even obscure classics from the school assembly songbooks. He also is the best dressed and moustachioed musician in the UK. Feel free to check it out on YouTube too.
During this epic chat, I hand over the piano keys to Tom so he can dip in and out of musical examples throughout our hour-long conversation. We discover his epic renditions of Shine Jesus Shine from his school days, how the Cockney singalong began and enjoying the heritage of British songs. Also, he reveals the one song that everyone around the world knows!
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Introducing Tom Carradine
02:00: Tom’s route from biochemistry to Cockney singalong via Musical Theatre
10:00: Does Tom include Musical Theatre tunes in his singalong? Mary Poppins link to Cockney songs
12:35: Playing piano in assembly and Any Dream Will Do
16:15: Mr Fogg’s and international audience members
18:15: The one song that everyone knows around the world!
19:55: The Great American songbook vs Cockney tunes
23:40: Pearly Kings and Queens and domestic piano playing
27:00: Cockney humour and My Old Man Said Follow the Van
30:17: Tom’s singalongs and newer singalong classics
36:20: Why did Tom decide on the Cockney tradition as he’s NOT a Cockney!
38:07: Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay school songbook
39:50: I lift up my finger. Forgotten school assembly tune
41:38: Why Cockneys “have a banana”, rhyming slang and Wilton’s Music Hall
50:47: Celebrating St George’s Day and bringing a positive spin to the English song tradition
55:18: Is singing national songs appropriate? Jerusalem and sea shanties
01:00:00: Changing the show for children and the benefits of a singalong
01:07:30: Tom’s favourite school assembly tune
Streets of London singalong
01:10:20: Streets of London singalong
01:12:20: Final thoughts and wrap up
Find Tom Carradine online: https://www.tomcarradine.com/
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
This week we invite James Sills into the assembly hall for a great conversation. We chat about the links between football and singing which have combined in his awesome new project called Bantam of the Opera for BBC Sounds. This is a project bringing together Bradford City fans for the year of the city of culture in Bradford. James, Lesley Garett and Chris Kamara are linking up to get the football fans singing! James talks also about the work he did online with Sofa singers plus his journey into leading choirs.
Before we get to the chat, I have a forgotten school assembly classic as this week’s singalong. It is called I watch the sunrise. Let me know if you know this one or if you have any requests for future singalongs.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and catch up
02:51: ‘I watch the sunrise’ singalong
05:40: James Sills interview
10:10: Bradford as city of culture and intro to Bantam of the Opera
13:55: James’s journey into leading choirs
18:35: Links with football
23:30: Singing as a safe space and corporates
28:40: James’s book ‘Do Sing’
29:55: Sofa singers and virtual choirs
34:13: Recognition for work in music
37:55: Bantam of the Opera
45:23: Singing as therapy and music in schools
50:10: Power of communal singing
52:10: James’s favourite school assembly song
55:15: Conclusion to interview
58:24: Round-up and goodbyes
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
It’s the Easter holidays! Or it nearly is, depending on what school you’re at. That means it is time to decide on the best ever Easter singalongs, whether we look at some traditional classic hymns or some newer school assembly tunes. Thanks to those that voted for their favourites and let me know if your choice was left off the list! Either way, most of these songs will be stuck in your head.
Before we get to the Easter singalongs, there are some great questions and emails which even include a Calon Lân singalong in Welsh. Hopefully I got most of the pronunciation correct.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Intro, catch up and what’s to come
05:22: I’m writing a book!
07:17: Email about Welsh singing
09:40: Calon Lan singalong
11:05: Q&A section
18:04: Best Easter songs honorary mentions
25:01: Easter bangers intro
26:53: Top 10 Easter bangers!
32:58: Round-up and goodbyes
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Why is it so important to introduce children to music from an early age? This week I had a slightly different performing experience to usual as my Sunday morning was spent doing my show with a twist: the audience were mostly under the age of 5! Afterwards I had a great chat and interview with Polly Ives who runs Concerteenies which provides live music experiences for parents and young children. In the chat we touch on the importance of early years music experiences and also the future of music education. Even if you don’t have children yourself, or if you don’t work in education then I’m sure you will really enjoy the chat we have.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and gig catch up
07:02: Interview and intro to Polly Ives
08:55: The acts that perform with Concerteenies
10:45: Any unexpected reactions from the children?
11:55: Did online sessions work?
14:50: How does music impact early childhood development?
17:27: The benefits for parents of providing live music to children
19:39: How parents can incorporate music into the daily life of their children
20:45: The misconceptions of Early Years music
23:20: What are the next plans for Concerteenies?
27:45: Pitching to adults as well as children
28:55: Polly’s favourite school banger
31:20: Round-up and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
The questions were thrown open this week on my socials. I had some great obscure song requests come in alongside a prompt to explore the best British advert jingles. I even get some AI opinions on this before I do a deeply educational analysis of the iconic Toys R Us theme which is an “an all-out banger” according the YouTube comments. I had to figure out WHY it is so good! Let me know what your favourite advert jingle was, growing up!
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Intro, school exams and catch up
07:15: Upcoming gigs shoutout
12:40: Emails and obscure song requests
16:30: There was a princess long ago
18:05: At half past 3 we go home to tea
19:45: Question and Answers
26:03: What’s the best advert tune?
27:40: Chat GPT’s Top 10 advert jingles
37:09: TOYS R US DEEP DIVE
45:12: Goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
It was an absolute delight to spend nearly an hour talking to Graham Kendrick about his songwriting craft, the connection of worship music and of course the ultimate school assembly banger: Shine Jesus Shine! In the timestamps below you can see the topics we discuss and make sure you listen ALL the way to the end as there is a special one-off performance of Shine Jesus Shine live at the Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall on 16th March. I’d love to know your thoughts on the conversation and let me know any comments or questions you may have.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Introduction to Graham Kendrick and what’s coming up
01:37: Graham Kendrick interview begins
03:10: How does he feel about Shine Jesus Shine being an assembly banger?
05:27: How did Shine Jesus Shine get into schools around the UK?
07:41: Did Graham know it would be a hit?
12:48: Taking Shine Jesus Shine to Spring Harvest
17:13: What was the songwriting transition to writing for worship?
18:15: Was there much push-back against rock instruments?
20:45: Graham’s new songwriting and new album
24:00: Graham’s Dad and the healing joy of communal singing
30:20: Singing Shine Jesus Shine at Glastonbury
31:00: The pop and rock musicians that influenced Graham
34:35: School songs as a new folk tradition
37:05: Finding the ‘heart songs’ with songwriters from other countries
40:35: Has Graham worked in the States?
42:05: The change in school assembly singing and Harvest songs
45:58: Where did the claps in Shine Jesus Shine come from?!
47:35: What else should people listen to?
48:30: Balancing the love of church music with issues with religion
51:40: Graham’s memories of school singing
53:12: Conclusion of the interview
53:42: SHINE JESUS SHINE LIVE PERFORMANCE!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Can you really smash glass with singing?! How do you even find out you can sing opera? Find out the stories behind becoming an opera singer, the state of singing in Wales and much more with today’s chat with Eleri Gwilym. She is currently playing Queen of the Night in the Magic Flute by Mozart and has some fascinating insights into the life of being an opera singer. Thanks for the submitted questions, I hope this podcast clears up some preconceptions about opera and opera singers! Also, wait for the only use of the word ‘undulations’ in a podcast.
If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to [email protected].
Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and welcome to Eleri Gwilym
03:20: How old were you when you started learning opera?
04:11: Do they learn the language in general or just learn the songs for the Opera?
05:16: Best primary school hymn to sing In opera style?
05:45: Memories of singing in Swansea
07:19: Can you really smash glass with singing?!!
08:23: How do you even find out you can opera sing?!
09:14: How did you know your voice was suitable for opera?
11:02: What made you get into Opera and not any other music genre?
12:02: What's the most annoying 'opera singer stereotype' you've come across?
16:24: What happens to opera sets after productions?
18:34: How do they look after their voice?
20:04: Any go-to warm ups?
22:00: Singing in Welsh schools and how to encourage singing
25:20: Any way to make opera more accessible?
30:14: Thoughts on Cardiff Uni dropping the Music course
31:40: Studying law over music
33:30: Y Deryn Pur intro and chat
34:56 Y Deryn Pur PERFORMANCE
36:05: Roundup and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Cecil Frances Alexander cracked out some absolute belters in her time. Today’s episode dives into one of her most iconic hymns. It’s one that we all know and love: All Things Bright and Beautiful. I look at all the different versions of the melody, explore the lyrics and even have a cameo Radio 1 message about her by Greg James. Which version of the hymn tune is your favourite?
If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular.
0:00: Intro
03:00: Weekly Catch Up and small venue appreciation
08:10: Song request chats
10:41: The Golden Cockerel singalong
13:40: Cecil Frances Alexander
15:55: CFA on Radio 1?!
17:35: Tune 1 from Come & Praise (Royal Oak)
19:08: Tune 2 from Come & Praise by Graham Westcott
20:24: Tune by WH Monk
20:42: Tune by John Rutter
21:30: Controversial third verse
22:38: Purple headed mountains
25:15: All Things Bright and Beautiful SINGALONG
27:17: Roundup and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Following on from last week’s great chat about youth singing and self-confidence, today we now look at how music can help build self-confidence with professional and personal success. In the assembly hall today we are joined by Ella Writer, CEO of coaching company Bright Yellow who imparts some wisdom from her 10+ years experience in consulting for FTSE 250 companies. There’s a musical analysis of WHY music makes us feel a certain way plus a chat about finding your tribe.
Before we get there, I give a huge shoutout to all the volunteer run venues in the country, after a couple of wonderful experiences at gigs this week. There’s a fun Q&A where I discuss piano exams, family gigs and then take a song request for ‘I have seen the golden sunshine’.
Today’s singalong is the infant school tune I Can Sing a Rainbow which is such a classic DESPITE it being the wrong colours!! Enjoy that one to end the show on a high note.
If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular.
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
How can singing in a choir from a young age boost your self confidence? In this week’s assembly we have a special guest! Rachel Staunton is the co-founder and artistic director of London Youth Choir and she joins me on the podcast this week to talk about LYC and the amazing ways it helps support young singers in the London area. She gives tips for using song at all ages and how self-confidence can be built through choir singing.
For this week’s song, it’s time for a Valentine’s Day theme as Malvina Reynolds’ Magic Penny is lined up for a singalong. It’s a simple song that carries a message that giving love and kindness doesn’t diminish what you have; instead, it returns it to you many times over.
If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular.
0:00: Intro and wedding hymns
8:44: Weekly Catch Up!
12:28 Link to self-confidence in music
17:00: GUEST CHAT - Rachel Staunton from London Youth Choir
18:54: Cambiata and changing voices
21:27: How young to start choir singing?
24:02: Getting over being told “you can’t sing!”
26:23: Was Rachel always confident?
28:18: Her favourite school song
30:06: Magic Penny background
33:41: Singalong of Magic Penny
35:19: Roundup and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
It might be February but this week’s assembly is taking us to wedding season. After a big response of answers online, I have put together the Top 20 of hymns sung at weddings in the UK. Some of the tunes might be surprising, some of them absolute classics and some just big tunes from the school hall. Listen to the end to find out which three I had! For some reason I gave three of them Number 20 but hopefully you get what I mean…
In the catchup this week, I announce some new shows with a Soho Theatre residency coming up plus a couple of festival gigs. The question section leads us into the top wedding hymn segment and a few honourable mentions that didn’t quite make the Top 20. Thanks to everyone that sent in their wedding hymns and memories. I had nearly 500 submissions!
If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular.
0:00: Intro and alternate lyrics
3:45: When to start learning piano catchup
8:08: Weekly Catch Up!
12:23 Q&A Pt. 1: Little Boxes and Inch Worm
17:57: Q&A Pt 2: If I had a Hammer and Vicar of Dibley
20:54: Q&A Pt 3: Wedding hymn, 80s classic or football chant?
24:38: Top 20 wedding hymns intro plus bonus 5
25:37: 20-11 top wedding hymns
29:19: 10-2 top wedding hymns
36:28 What 3 songs did I have at my wedding?
37:49: Number 1 UK wedding hymn!
41:00: Singalong of Number 1
41:49: Roundup and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Welcome back to the school hall for a trip back in time to 18th Century Scotland. This week’s assembly takes a historical twist as I dive into some classic Scottish folk tunes that would have been sung in schools across the UK. Discover the link between Loch Lomond, Charlie is my Darling, the Skye Boat Song and My Bonnie lies over the ocean.
In the catchup, I talk about AI in schools and the sad music news from Cardiff University. Plus, do you go to see shows alone? I had some amazing comments from those of you that do solo shows. This week’s Q&A session ranges from Dairylee lunchables, advice for young pianists and my primary school’s best feature.
I hope you enjoy a slightly different singalong section where the history department takes over and introduces tales of Jacobite rebellion and the songs that came from it. A lot of these songs were sung as part of the national Singing Together programme. Let me know if you sang them at school, I’m sure most of us will recognise these timeless tunes but do you know the back story behind them?
Thanks again for listening and please do send me a comment, send in a question or leave a review if you’ve enjoyed it!
0:00: Intro
1:45: AI in schools and Cardiff closures
5:11: Weekly Catch Up!
7:11: Do you see shows alone?
12:23 Q&A Pt. 1: Packed lunches, lyrics and piano playing advice
17:44: Q&A Pt 2: Manx tunes, school orchard and potential guests?
22:30: Singing Together and folk tunes
24:47: My Bonnie lies over the ocean
26:00: A Scottish tale
30:45: Charlie is my darling
31:48: Skye Boat Song
33:16: Loch Lomond
35:41: Roundup and goodbyes!
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Welcome back to the school hall for this week’s assembly! Settle down and let’s have fingers on lips while I catch you up on my first gigs of the year, playing at a tech conference and going to the press night of the amazing Kinky Boots featuring my younger brother as the lead.
In this week’s Q&A session I uncover a forgotten classic from the Alleluya! song book, teach you some tongue-twisters (give them a go!), recommend some NEW assembly bangers (Conkers, Spring Chicken etc) and discuss the bizarre and slightly disturbing merits of the Stretch Armstrong children’s toy.
Today’s singalong is one of the ultimate primary school assembly classics. It is…Give Me Oil in my Lamp! Or Sing Hosanna depending on your book. You can learn some harmonies or play along with percussion. I’ll briefly explain the song’s origins in African-American spirituals and think about how our singing in school is almost a new folk tradition of its own.
Thanks again for listening and please do send me a comment, send in a question or leave a review if you’ve enjoyed it!
0:00: Intro
2:22: Correction Section
5:08: Weekly Catch Up!
11:37: Q&A Pt. 1: New assembly bangers and learning tongue twisters
17:39: Q&A Pt 2: Show merch and Stretch Armstrong
20:35: Deep dive request: A Better World (from Alleluya!)
24:24: Song of the week: Give Me Oil in My Lamp
36:08: Full singalong!
37:49: Roundup and goodbyes
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
How does an online music teacher end up performing nostalgic school assembly songs around the UK at hundreds of shows? Join me, James B Partridge, as I recount my unexpected journey from virtual music lessons to viral TikTok success in the debut episode of "Notes from School." Discover how a simple suggestion to post on TikTok led to an exciting musical adventure that brought the joy of singalongs from the screen to the stage.
In a light-hearted Q&A session, I dive into my DREAM festival gig (it involves Cradle of Filth) while sharing future plans of a Christmas-themed album. We all need a new Little Donkey recording. As music education takes centre stage, I offer insights into the best instruments for children to start with, advocating for the piano as a gateway to a lifelong love of music. Plus, how do we get secondary school pupils singing?!
This week's song is the timeless classic: "One More Step Along the World I Go". I can't wait to learn the Palais Glide. Come join the assembly, and let's keep the spirit of school assemblies alive, one note at a time.
0:00: Intro
3:26: How did Primary School Bangers begin?
16:55: Q&A Pt. 1: Download Fest dreams, Little Donkey and cheese toasties
24:09: Q&A Pt 2: Piano Practice and Secondary School Singing
31:22: Song of the week: One More Step
41:09: Singalong!
43:13: Roundup and goodbyes
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
Sit up straight and get ready to sing! Introducing...Notes from School. A weekly assembly with James B Partridge (or Mr Partridge to the naughty Year 6s on the back benches!) where we take a deep dive into the songs and stories from your school days.
I'd love to hear your favourite memories, song requests or questions. Send them in to [email protected]. Follow me at @jamesbpartridge. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Give a little review. Unless you didn’t like it.
~~~
I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/
~~~
Follow me on socials at:
Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge
YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge
Send me a message: [email protected]
~~~
Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992
Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school
En liten tjänst av I'm With Friends. Finns även på engelska.