Join us again for our junior prom event on the bowling green at Carisbrooke Castle!  Bring your students along for an opportunity to perform on the green with fantastic visibility for parents, friends and families to come along and watch on the raised areas around the green and bring a picnic.  This year our theme will focus on local stories, myths & legends as part of our Songs of Place project.

There are 6 songs in total to learn as follows for different Key Stages:

Key Stage 1 will need to learn 4 songs as follows -

Cheer for the Biosphere, March of the Rats, The Pied Piper and A Cockerel-headed Man (chorus only)

Key Stage 2 will need to learn 4 songs as follows -

Cheer for the Biosphere, A Cockerel-headed Man, Isabella di Fortibus and You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

Songs

Cheer for the Biosphere by Jo Downs KS1 & KS2

This is a ‘list’ song similar to the 12 Days of Christmas and we will learn actions for each item on the list to help us remember them as we go. This is a list of all the unique flora and fauna that are found only in the Island’s incredible Unesco biosphere regions.

The Pied Piper of Newtown by Pam Wedgwood KS1

This is a set of two songs telling the story of the Pied Piper of Newtown. There are some narrations that go with this which will be assigned in workshops alongside some optional recorder parts for schools that might want to try them out! Versions of the songs with vocals will be added to this page shortly.

March of the Rats

The Arrival of the pied piper

A Cockerel-headed Man by Jo Downs KS1 & KS2

This original song has been written about one of the famous pictures that make up the mosaic floor at Brading Roman Villa - Gallus the Cockerel-headed Man! This song has been written in the style of Victorian Music Hall as a nod to the time that the Villa was discovered.

You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet by David Redston KS2

This upbeat musical theatre style opening song is a general song preparing the audience for all the stories they will hear during the event! Schools will be assigned verses and parts and everyone will sing the choruses together.

Isabella Di Fortibus by Jo Downs KS2

This is a Hamilton style rap written about Carisbrooke Castle’s most famous resident - Isabella Di Fortibus! Verses will be assigned to different schools to learn and everyone will perform the chorus.

We are delighted to share with you a newly commissioned original song by Jo Downs about the Winter Olympics!

The Winter Games is suitable for KS2 with some chanted elements and chorus that KS1 can join in with. Below you will find the full track a backing track, a pdf of the score and a lyrics sheet. We will be creating a sign and sing version of this in the next few weeks.

Special Songs to Celebrate Christmas at Osborne House

Southampton & Isle of Wight is delighted to present a mini KS1 Christmas songbook and story written for us by Island composer Pam Wedgwood about Christmas at Osborne in Victorian times! Pam has written may incredible musical resources for schools and we are so lucky to have her as an Island resident now and she may well make an appearance on the day to hear your wonderful performances if you are taking part in the event at Osborne this term.

Here you will find vocal track and backing track versions of both songs, The Christmas Star and A Right Royal Christmas Lunch. Alongside that you will also find a small script with the song lyrics and some suggestions for how to stage along with some additional handbell parts which could be played on any tuned percussion (glockenspiels, chime bars).

Feel free to use this in school but please credit Southampton & Isle of Wight Music and composer Pam Wedgwood and let us know about your performances so we can share them too!

Celebrate! Schools Concert at Southampton Guildhall

Here you will find all the resources for our latest songbook Celebrate! which brings together songs that celebrate different festivals, cultures and traditions from the UK and around the World. Please feel free to make use of these resources however you would like but please credit Southampton & Isle of Wight Music and the composers as necessary.

Schools who are taking part in the performance at Southampton Guildhall on Thursday 4th December you will see that the songs are labelled by Key Stage and you will find a lyrics document and powerpoint for rehearsal along with scores, vocal tracks and backing tracks. Signing videos will be added at a later date.

Key Stage 1

Singing in the City

Light the Diya

The Year of the Horse

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Shine a Little Light

Key Stage 2

Gdy Się Chrystus Rodzi

Matunda ya Kwanzaa

The Longest Night

Key Stage 1

Singing in the City

Light The Diya

The Year of the Horse

Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Shine A Little Light

Key Stage 2

Gdy Się Chrystus Rodzi

Matunda ya Kwanzaa

The Longest Night

This newly commissioned song for the summer term has been written as part of our partnership with The New Carnival Company and their annual schools Mardi Gras celebration in Ryde but all are welcome to make use of this wonderful folk inspired track!

Here you will find the song, backing track, score and lyrics and we will also be including a sign & sing video version on this page which we will update at the beginning of June.

We are delighted to share with everyone brand new songs commissioned by Creative Island for our annual Vocal prom event at Carisbrooke Castle on Thursday 12th June! These songs are intended to be an expression of what it is to be a young person growing up on the Isle of Wight and to celebrate and champion their hopes for the future.

We have five new songs suitable for a a wide range of ages as suggested with lots of optional parts and arrangements suitable for a variety of ages and abilities. Along with the recordings and backing tracks you will also find pdfs of the the scores and a lyrics powerpoint to support practising these in your setting.

For those schools taking part in the vocal festival we would suggest that different age ranges learn the songs as suggested below but we will organise this with you during workshops to ensure you are happy and comfortable with what you are learning. Some songs are split into parts which will be ensure you have been allocated at your workshop to introduce the material. All songs will need to be learned off by heart for the outdoor performance where possible.

If you have not yet signed up for the vocal prom event and wish to do so please complete THIS form.

Our Day Will Come Project Lyrics for display and rehearsal

Time Is On Our Side by Graeme du Fresne

This cheerful song about school life on the IOW was written by Island composer Graeme du Fresne is suitable for both KS1 and KS2 with some optional harmonies during the chorus. We will be teaching actions in the workshop to support learning lyrics for KS1 pupils in particular. nb the lyrics on the score for this are slightly mismatched with the pdf and recording please refer to the recording and lyrics document for the final version.

Changemaker by Emily Barden

This fun and uplifting pop song from Emily is suitable for KS1, KS2 & KS3(verses only for KS1 if too difficult to learn all the way through) with some optional harmonies and echo phrases. Kindly borrowed from Portsmouth Music Hub’s Song Source resources.

You Are Not Alone by David Redston

This lovely musical theatre style song from Spotlight IOW’s composer in residence David Redston is suitable for all ages but we recommend KS1 only learn the chorus. schools will be allocated part to learn and follow in their introductory workshop. There are many optional harmonies and extras that could be included.

It’s My Story Now by David Redston

Another fab musical theatre song from David Redston suitable from KS2, KS3 & KS4 with lots of opportunities for harmonies and additional parts if you feel able to use them. Your workshop leader will make sure you are learning the correct part suitable for the ability of your students.

Can You Hear Us? by Jo Downs

This call and response pop song it suitable for all ages (KS1, KS2, KS3 & KS4) and will be the finale of our event on the day. You will only need to learn the chorus for the this song as the verses will be filled by schools writing their own verses for the song as part of the songwriting project. During your workshop you will be assigned parts and learn the body percussion at the end of the track.

We are so excited to have collaborated with local artists Shannon B and producer Sera Bless for 2024’s Black History Month song on a theme of Reclaiming Narratives; showcasing untold stories, correcting historical inaccuracies, challenging the narratives that have often overlooked the contributions and achievements of Black individuals.

Below you will find a KS2/KS3 music curriculum resource to go alongside the song outlining the topic, researching the themes and writing your own verse to fit with the existing chorus and example verse.

Below you find the songs and resources for our 2024 Christmas Songbook! This year after listening feedback from teachers we have focused our songs around the nativity story. Each song will tell the Christmas story sequentially and features varying styles and genres of music. Sign and sing video resources for each song will be added to our YouTube channel to support this and are embedded below.

Below you will find 6 songs - the first three have been written with Key Stage 1 pupils in mind and the last three are aimed at Key Stage 2 but any of them could be sung by either group if appropriate in your setting. For each song resource there is a guide track including vocals, a backing track and a pdf of the vocal score along with a lyrics document for printing and a powerpoint for easy display and learning along with the signing videos.

The tracks are as follows:

1. The Message (KS1)

2. Donkey, Don’t Stop! (KS1)

3. A Big Night in Bethlehem (KS1)

4. Under the Moonlit Sky (KS2)

5. Herod - A Puppet King (KS2)

6. Anthem for a Better World (KS2)

Thanks to:

Composer Jo Downs

PowerPoint resources Anna Thompsett

Illustrations Mabel Thompsett

Makaton content Vicky Trevithick

Recording & Editing Aidan Hampson

Southampton Songbook 2014

The Southampton Songbook is a collection of original songs composed especially for the 50@50 project – a celebration of 50 events to mark 50 years of Southampton’s city status. Schools and individuals were invited to compose songs about Southampton’s people, places and history. The songs were mostly written with children and young people in mind (schools and choirs), however adults and community choirs may also find this book a useful resource to add to their repertoire.

Each song contains original lyrics and in some cases, children from several primary schools in Southampton have played a key part not only in writing the lyrics, but also offering ideas for the melodic, creative and stylistic content.

Find the complete songbook with lyrics and musical scores via the button below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the Southampton Songbook below.

Southampton Is The Best - Hightown Primary School

Three Cheers for Southampton - A. Jones

S is for Southampton - L. Mills

Come Along with Me - Jo Downs

The Legend of Sir Bevois - Jo Downs

Deep in the Heart of Southampton - Bitterne Park Primary School

Samba Round The Solent - A. Mills

Shopping at West Quay - A-M. Taylor

The Ships Sail In - Jo Downs

African Choral Exchange

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for the African Choral Exchange via the buttons below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the African Choral Exchange below.

Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) - Shakira

Try Everything - Shakira (from Zootropolis)

Growth Mindset & Emotional Literacy

Power In Me - Rebecca Lawrence

Growth Mindset & Emotional Literacy

Happy (For Kenya) - Pharrell Williams

We're All Here From Around The World - Big Summer Sing 2017

The songs are appropriate for both KS1 and KS2. Some could be sung in English if language is prohibitive or certain songs could work if pupils just sing in the chorus or just the responses.

Songs  collected and adapted by composer and choir leader Fiona Funnell (www.fionafunnell.co.uk), accompanied by Julian Harrow on several ukuleles. The CD gives you the opportunity to learn the song and sing without the vocals if you wish.

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for We're All Here From Around The World (Big Summer Sing) via the buttons below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the We're All Here From Around The World (Big Summer Sing) below.

Latvia

Bangladesh

England

Senegal

France

UK, Original Song

Poland

South Africa

Big African Sing - Southampton Schools Music Association

Compiled and arranged by Kath Page, Nia Collins and Matt Brombley.

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for the Big African Sing in the resource pack via the button below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the Big African Sing below.

PSHE - Big Spring Sing 2018

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for the PSHE (Big Spring Sing) via the buttons below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the PSHE (Big Spring Sing) below.

The Worlds Around Us - Big Summer Sing

With original songs by Leah Mills, transcribed by Kath Page.

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for The World Around Us (Big Summer Sing) in the songbook via the button below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for The World Around Us (Big Summer Sing) below.

Every Story Rocks! (Storytelling - Big Spring Sing 2016)

Songs about storytelling, with original songs written and illustrated by Fiona Funnell. Accompanied and recorded by Julian Harrow.

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for the Storytelling Big Spring Sing in the music pack via the button below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the Storytelling Big Spring Sing below.

Sports (Big Spring Sing 2014)

Find the complete lyrics with actions, musical scores and teaching notes for the Sports Big Spring Sing in the music pack via the button below.

Find all of the downloadable audio files for the Sports Big Spring Sing below.

Solent Shanty Sing includes existing shanties and new songs written for and about Southampton, Isle of White, Portsmouth and wider Hampshire. Some of the shanties in this book were collected locally by the folk song collectors of the early 1900s and can be found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library online. Many of the songs were inspired by school children who contributed ideas and drawings, and sometimes words. Songs can be adapted and song arrangements are very flexible.

This book was curated, compiled, arranged, designed and sometimes composed by sound artist and composer Dr Emily Peasgood, with the support of musicians Dani Osoba and Sam Slattery.

The Songbook (PDF), lyrics presentation, and all audio files are accessible via the buttons below.

Below you will find all the vocal resources for this project with downloadable sound files, scores and lyric sheets.

Songs by theme:

Growth Mindset: “What You Leave Behind” & “Mayflower 400”

Emotional Literacy: “You Don’t Know a Thing” & “It All Hangs in the Balance”

Hourglass

Music by Rebecca Applin

Book by Rebecca Applin and Susannah Pearse

Lyrics by Susannah Pearse

1. Make Full Sail

2. Seek It With Thimbles

3. It All Hangs In The Balance

Emotional Literacy

4. Mayflower 400

Music & Lyrics by Jo Downs

Growth Mindset

COMPASS

Music and lyrics by Stephanie Jayne Amies

Additional Music and Arrangements by Teddy Clements

Book By Stephanie Jayne Amies and Dinos Aristidou

5. You Don’t Know A Thing

Emotional Literacy

6. Just For You

7. What We Leave Behind

Growth Mindset

FINALE - FROM NOW ON

Music and lyrics by Pasek and Paul

Additional Music and Arrangements by John Bell

8. From Now On

9. The Voyage (Instrumental Piece)

Music by James Redwood

The Biosphere Big Sing Songbook includes the following songs:

Suggested songs for Key Stage 1:

Cheer for the Biosphere (Jo Downs)

Blue Whale Blues (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Plastic Pollution (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Recycling Rumba (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Suggested songs for Key Stage 2 and 3:

Protect Our Island (2 part harmony options) (Jo Downs)

Nurdles (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Put it in the Bin (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Tidy Up The Beach (Portsmouth Music Hub)

One World (2 part harmony options) (Portsmouth Music Hub)

Endangered Species (2 part harmony options) (Jo Downs)

Isle of Wight National Landscapes

IOW music collaborated with the IOW AONB team (now IW National Lapdscapes) who were successful in bidding for the IOW Unesco Biosphere Reserve status. For this project they helped us to create a list of 10 things you can do to help your Biosphere which appears in the song “Protect Our Island”. These 10 things were extrapolated from the 17 UN Sustainability Development Goals

MARDI GRAS SONGWRITING PROJECT, SUMMER TERM 2024, MARDI GRAS VOCAL WORKSHOP, SUMMER TERM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NEW CARNIVAL COMPANY

We are continuing our collaboration with The New Carnival Company to create and write with young people a new anthem to perform at Mardi Gras linked to their theme for this year. 

Schools signed up will receive a free creative workshop from the hub in the summer term to learn the chorus and create their own musical theme to sing, stomp, chant or play before the parade heads off on the day in July 2024!

You can hear the chorus for the new theme here and have a look at the music below.