During Summer 2015, I have attempted to promote musical curiosity among the children by arranging popular songs to be performed by the instrumental clubs. My goal is to pick songs that are familiar to children, which should increase motivation to play and to attend clubs with enthusiasm.

Arranging a song for primary school musicians is not a simple task, and takes hours to compose and refine. The process begins by transcribing the song (figuring out the pitches, rhythms, chords, etc), and deciding how the song will help meet my learning objectives for the term (playing new pitches, playing harmony parts, using the violin bow, etc). I then arrange the song in a musical score, decide which instruments will play which parts, and find a backing track. Typically, I have to edit the backing track by changing the pitches and taking out certain parts, so that the music is suitable for the children to play on instruments. Then I record myself playing the instruments, so that the children can hear what the song will sound like when they have learned it.

In links below, I have provided samples of Happy (Pharrell Williams), and Unconditionally (Katy Perry). The children have thoroughly enjoyed these songs, and I have found that they are fun ways to teach basic technique on the recorder, violins, and drums.

Unconditionally backing track with Recorder. Unconditionally Score: Music notation for recorder, violin and drums

Happy backing track with Recorder Happy Score: Music notation for recorder, violin, and drums