katherineburr

I have often found it difficult to find good songs for primary/elementary school (ages 6 – 11) singing assemblies and performances. I’m constantly on the look out for new and exciting songs that my singers will enjoy, whilst not being explicitly about romantic love, or featuring words and topics that are inappropriate for the setting. Here is a list of some of mine that have worked well (links are to arrangements I have for sale for some of these songs – usually two part choir, some are SAB):

1. What It Sounds Like – KPop Demon Hunters – there are a number of good songs from the film, but this one is the easiest to teach and doesn’t involve scream singing (like Golden!)
2. Wake Me Up – Avicii – but change the key to F# minor
3. Try Everything – Shakira – I split them for the “Oh oh oh oh oh”, “Try everything” section
4. I’m Still Standing – Elton John – key of Bb or B major
5. Unwritten – Natasha Beddingfield – key of G major – the original is a little low for treble voices
6. Brave – Sara Bareilles – Key of A major
7. Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac – some good opportunities to add in basic call and response
8. Love My Life – Robbie Williams – Key of C minor
9. Mr Blue Sky – ELO – Key of G minor – I split the chorus into two parts, with basic harmonies. Check out my arrangement and message for guide vocal tracks.
10. Mountain – Sam Ryder – an underrated banger!
11. Unstoppable – Sia – good call and response backing vocals, and easy to add body percussion
12. Be Young Be Foolish Be Happy – The Tams – bouncy and fun!
13. Best Day of My Life – American Authors
14. Make Your Own Kind of Music – Mama Cass/Paloma Faith
15. Bad Day – Daniel Powter
16. Bring It All Back – S Club 7
17. Wings – Little Mix
18. Don’t Be So Hard On Yourself – Jess Glynne – a big sing, but empowering
19. Roar – Katy Perry (but don’t show the music video – she’s in a skimpy bikini!)
20. Proud – Heather Small
21. Penny Lane – The Beatles
22. True Colors – Cyndi Lauper/Justin Timberlake – I’m a big fan of the original, but they’ll know the trolls version
23. Shine – Take That
24. Happier – Marshmello
25. Keep On Movin’ – 5ive
26. Fireflies – Owl City
27. On My Way – Phil Collins – from Brother Bear. Difficult to learn off by heart as the words are similar throughout, and there are a weird number of bars in some of the sections.
28. These Words – Natasha Beddingfield
29. You Get What You Give – The New Radicals – but maybe change the end of the bridge
30. Fight Song – Rachel Plattern – key of F major
31. A Sky Full of Stars – Coldplay
32. I’ll Be There – Jess Glynne – surprisingly big range needed, but empowering and about friendship
33. Blackbird – The Beatles
34. Rainbow Connection – The Muppets – Key of G major
35. Almost Nearly Perfect – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
36. Electricity – Billy Elliot
37. Feed the Birds – Mary Poppins
38. Dynamite – bts – fun, upbeat, some syncopation to contend with
39. Diamonds – Rihanna – I change the words in the second verse to “as we sing in melody” instead of “moonshine and molly”
40. Brighter Days – Emeli Sande – if you have confident higher voices
41. You Will Be Found – Dear Evan Hansen – cut out the middle section of talking!