Toe Tapping Music
Alan Kirkland was a full time teacher for 10 years (minus a term) in the
Derby area and during that time, partly due to a dissatisfaction with the
Christmas music in his school, he decided to have a go at writing a musical for
the infants Christmas production. The resulting performance was a great success
and so each year a new set of songs was written.
In 2001 two of his songs were published in an assembly book by Diane Walker
and this spurred him on to leave full time teaching and have a go at building up
a more musical career.
He now spends his working life supply teaching in local primary schools and
running rhythmic music workshops, primarily in schools, but also for churches
and young people’s groups. Alongside that he is producing CDs and books of
material that he has written.
There are currently three products available. These are a Christmas
production package that contains a book with written score, play script, song
sheets and song lyric OHP masters, as well as a CD containing eight songs,
followed by eight backing tracks.
Assembly material
An assembly package called Polyphonic Parables. Polyphonic Parables
is a book and CD containing 11 assemblies, with a new song for each assembly.
The assemblies tell two stories that Jesus told.
The son who came home (Prodigal son) is told over 6 assemblies, with a new
song to be listened to and learned (if time allows) in each assembly. Each song
moves the story on and the assembly plan picks up on aspects of each part of the
story.
The remaining 5 songs and assemblies tell the story of the unforgiving
servant.
The songs are modern, with touches of humour, to appeal to the children.
The book also contains two play scripts, as the songs are sung by characters
in the story and can be used as part of a musical performance.
The accompanying CD contains the 11 complete songs, followed by the 11
backing tracks, should you wish to perform the songs as part of a play.
Spelling songs
Spelling songs is a CD which contains short songs or jingles, spelling
out individual words, or looking at certain letter patterns.
The songs about individual words all contain the word and the letter
sequence, enabling the children to learn the spelling by relating it to their
memory of the melody and rhythm.
By September 2003, it is hoped that two more Christmas performance packages
will be available. The initial outlay for the production of each product has to
some degree been a limiting factor as it is effectively a one man business,
without any external financial backing and it is aimed at what in business terms
is a limited market.
However it is hoped that the use of technology will ease this as the new
products will be sold as a single CD containing the necessary audio tracks, but
the musical score, script and song lyrics will be emailed to the CD purchaser.
This will reduce the retail cost as production costs will be reduced. There will
still be an option to buy the additional sheets for those not wanting to use the
online service.
Uncomfortable humour
Alan’s favourite part of his work is composing. He tries to put across
biblical truths in a way that is straight forward and uses humour to get the
message across.
“Actually, if you are honest about what the bible says then the surprises in
it can be very refreshing and even make you laugh. For example, Jesus wasn’t
born in a comfy, cosy stable. It was probably dirty and insect ridden. What
great material for a children’s song!”
Here’s an extract from one of the songs due out this year:
What was it like in the stable?
Was it cozy was it snug, or was it full of mud and lots of other horrible
things
Creepy Crawlies everywhere
Straw keeps getting in my hair
I think I’d rather be at home in bed
With soft pillows under my head.
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