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…

by Becky Reardon www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

SELEYASEYABO

Seleyaseyabo

Yaseya Yaseya

by Terry Garthwaite www.TerryGarthwaite.com

Recorded on the CDs Affirthythms and Moving Day

MOTHER EARTH

Mother Earth

She’s my rock, She’s my mountain

She’s my river, She’s my sea

She’s my root, She’s my flower

She means the world to me

Mother Earth

Uh huh

Efik language from Nigeria and the border of Cameroon
This is how we do it – a Challenge Song – create your own harmonies, dances, games!
Arranged by Dr. Fred Onovwerosuoke, African Music Arts
http://www.AfricanChorus.org 

KAB SINI

Kab sin ibaiba koro koro
O  ibaiba koro koro

by Becky Reardon

STICKY COCKLEBURR

She took a ride, took a ride, took a ride
She took a ride, took a ride, took a ride
The sticky cockle burr took a ride, took a ride, took a ride on the ear of my little black dog
If he’d just mind me
And not chase rabbits
Bad dog
Bad habits
But the burr is happy, she’s finally free to leave the mesa and come stick with me

by Terry Garthwaite www.TerryGarthwaite.com

Recorded on the CD “Natural Rhythms”

JUJU

1)

The clicking of the stick beat

The humming of the drum beat

The rhythm of the heart beat

You do JuJu

2)

Plant a seed and watch it grow

Give it light and let it go

3)

Dark shadows hide the spirit secrets

Deep inside the silent heart

by Rebekka Goldsmith  www.RebekkaGoldsmith.com

LET ME BELIEVE THAT LOVE IS POSSIBLE

Let me believe that love is possible
Let me remember the courage in my soul

I wil raise my voice for justice

Let me remember the courage in my soul

I’ve got two feet to march with
I’ve got one mouth to sing with
I’ve got two ears to listen
I’ve got one heart to love with

Listen, listen, listen, listen

I will never give up, never give up, never give up!

by Becky Reardon

Recorded on the CD “Songs for A Walk” by Becky Reardon

www.BeckyReardonMusic.com

THIS

This body, this breathing, this, this

This body, this breathing, this

This light surrounding sound and beckoning

by Terry Garthwaite www.TerryGarthwaite.com

WHAT IF

What if is only imagination

What if is only a state of mind

Now is the moment of realization

When I’m here I leave the future behind