From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra – Voicestra http://www.bobbymcferrin.com
and Rhiannon http://www.RhiannonMusic.com

Circle Song

One person gives out repeating parts to the groups.

Find parts by first singing what’s inside, then refining to find a motor part. Harmony is good. Look for spaces in the motor part to interlock new parts.

Find parts by first solo-ing over what is already created.
Play with rhythm – try putting 3 over 4 or try something in an odd rhythm like 5/4, 7/8, 9/8
Play with tonality – use some unusual harmonies, try notes that may not be the “first choices”
Play with language – try using some sounds you don’t always use; experiment with different consonants; imagine you’re speaking a language you don’t know but have a sound in your ear eg. french, russian, italian, etc.

The person giving out the parts can then solo over the foundation they have created.

Solo-ist can then step out and let another person solo and/or create new parts…

WISH BOATS

Star light, star bright
Tether your wishes on dreams you’ll dream tonight

Wish Boats

by Becky Reardon
www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

DANCE ON THE PORCH ALL DAY

I’m so happy I dance on the porch
Dance on the porch all day
I’m so happy I dance on the porch
Dance on the porch all day

A mighty dark cloud has lifted
A mighty dark cloud has gone away
A mighty big weight has lifted
A mighty fine gift has come my way

All day
Dance all day
All day, all day
All day
Dance all day
All day, all day

Dance-on-the-Porch-All-Day

Composer unknown
Learned from Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell who learned it from Rev. James Bevel during the Civil Rights Movement. When he taught this song, he told the young members of SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Co-ordinating Committee) that: “This is the easiest song you’ll ever learn, and the hardest song you’ll ever sing.”

* Imagine singing it to someone or some people you love.
* Imagine singing it to someone who is very difficult for you to love
* Imagine someone you love, and someone you find hard to love together, and imagine singing it to them.

I LOVE EVERYBODY

I love everybody
I love everybody
I love everybody in my heart
I love everybody
I love everybody
I love everybody in my heart

[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/I-Love-Everybody-In-My-H.pdf” save=”0″]

by Becky Reardon
www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

KOBADOBEY

Ko-ba da-bo da-bo dey
Ko-ba da-ba
Ko-ba-do-bey

Koo-doo, Koo-doo (Cu-ru, Cu-ru)
Koo-doo, Koo-doo (Cu-ru, Cu-ru)
Koo-doo, Koo-doo (Cu-ru, Cu-ru)
Koo-doo, Koo-doo (Cu-ru, Cu-ru)

The way you LOVE
The way you LIVE
The way you FALL
They way you GIVE

Nothing else to do but keep the faith
Everything you do with a gen’rous hart
Finds a way to leave a better place
Finds a way to start

Kobadobey songbook rev

by Linda Allen

ASHES AND SMOKE

We have been burned, burned by the fire
And we are ashes, ashes and smoke
And we will rise higher and higher
On the wings of compassion,
justice, and hope

Ashes-and-Smoke

by Mary Buckley, Ukiah CA

WHAT AM I AFRAID OF?

What am I afraid of?
What do I desire?
Life is brief beyond belief
Life is brief beyond belief
Dive into the water
Walk through the fire

[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/What-Are-You-Afraid-Of_.pdf” save=”0″]

Banuwa-sheet-music-1 Banuwa-sheet-music-2.docx Banuwa-

by Harry Belafonte and Robert M. Freedman
© Clara Music Publishing Corp. ASCAP
A zipper song inspired by traditional story from Guinea

TURN THE WORLD AROUND

We come from the
Mountain
Living in the Mountain
Go back to the
Mountain
Turn the world

Water

Fire

Sky

Wo ho! So is life!
Ah ha! So is life!
Wo ho! So is life!
Ah ha! So is life!

Do you know who I am?
Do I know who you are?
Hearing one another clearly
Do we know who we are?

Water make the river
River wash the mountain
Fire make the sunlight
Turn the world around

We are of the Spirit
Living in the Spirit
Only can the Spirit
Turn the world around

2017 GVP Students: