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…

 
 
SWIMMING TO SURVIVE

Intro (sung only once)
My mother taught me how to swim
When I was very young
Swimming to survive

Round
You kick, and then you glide
You kick, kick, and then you glide

It’a all in the rhythm
It’a all in the rhythm
It’a all in the rhythm of the heart

Keep breathing, it’s the most important part
Keep breathing, it’s the most important part

 
[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Swimming-to-Survive-2.pdf” save=”0″]

Words by Alla Renee Bozarth from the poem “Belonging” © Wisdom House 1990

Music by Terry Garthwaite © nJoy Music BMI

INFINITY

Know your own waters and hills

But know more

You belong to infinity

 

You have stars in your bones

And oceans in blood

You belong to infinity

 

You belong to the land and the sky of your first cry

You belong to infinity

 

Earth changes

No home is forever

Earth changes

No home is forever

 

 
[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/INFINITY-BELONGING.pdf” save=”0″]

© Kellog Company

KELLOG’S RICE KRISPIES

SNAP! What a happy sound
Snap is the happiest sound I’ve found
You may clap, rap, tap, slap
SNAP makes the world go ‘round

I say it’s CRACKLE, the crispy sound
You gotta have Crackle or the clock’s not wound
Geese cackle, feathers, tickle, belts buckle, beets pickle
CRACKLE makes the world go ‘round

I insist that POP’s the sound
The best is missed unless Pop’s around
You can’t stop hoppin’ when the cereal’s poppin’
POP makes the world go ‘round

[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Kellogs-Rice-Krispies.pdf” save=”0″]

Round by John Krumm

SUMMER

Slow simmering sounds fill the air

In the sultry sexy heat of summer

Roll me over gently please

Ovens of nature cookin’ me well done

[gview file=”https://elisewitt.com/web/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/SUMMER.pdf” save=”0″]