The Nativity Blog

Last night I joined Pat and Cat for 45 mins on air with Marlow FM. It was great fun. The last time I was on a Marlow FM show, they were based temporarily in the town centre, but now they’ve got their own well-equipped building at Longridge, by the river. We were talking – amongst other things – about the seven schools participating in the schools’ festival during Hope in the Park on May 20th. Plus, they played a couple of my songs, which Holy Trinity and Foxes Piece schools will be performing (brilliantly), and my choice of three (grown-up) music tracks – by Curtis Stigers, Annie Lennox, and Tears for Fears. Turns out being interviewed is a sneaky way to get your fave songs on air!

There couldn’t be a more poignant way to end the school year than with our most popular ‘any-time’ musical, The Selfish Giant. Oscar Wilde’s enchanting children’s story is brought to life with a simple play and simply beautiful songs. Audiences, teachers, children … everyone adores this show, from the start to the end, the heart-ache to the laughter. More people write to us about The Selfish Giant (praising it!) than any of our other musicals… if you try it, you’ll find out why!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

“We were overwhelmed with your beautiful production. The show was a great success.” 

K Bourne, Broadstairs

What’s not to love about Noah?! This is a great way to end the year, with 7 cool songs, laughter, animals, rhyming narration, a Mrs Noah with pet-allergies, and – just when you least expect it – a tear or two (‘Live in Peace’). For reasons unknown, it’s published on cassette (why?!) but fear not, Redhead Music provides a free CRD recording if you purchase it from us! Rock the Boat remains one of our most popular ‘any-time’ musicals, not least because of the excellent ‘feel good’ atmosphere it generates for cast and audience alike!

  Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

The perfect theme for a leavers’ play, this famous story (published by Faber) has a bit of a moral, but told with great humour and some rocking music! There are 8 songs in all, for key stage 2, ages 7-12, with plenty of optional harmonies and solos, handjives, kazoos, occasional poignant moments (bring your tissues, mum!), and a whole load of celebrating at the end. The play’s got room for Starbucks and some club-bouncers and a bunch of good-time ‘friends’ as well as all the key characters. A full-on end of term production that your kids will really enjoy! You can find it and listen to it here: Prodigal Rock! or peruse our great range of ‘any time’ music here!

All the best, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Crikey, Moses!

Crikey, Moses! is a perfect choice for an entertaining end-of-year performance. Children love the rocky songs like ‘Gnats, gnats everywhere! (Even in your underwear)’, and the kazoo bands, and the handjives. There’s a chance for Pharaoh to really vamp it up in ‘What I say gets done!’, but also a chance for the choir to shine in a lovely three-part round. There are plenty of creative opportunities if you’d like them, for props, mime and dance. The CD includes backing tracks for the eight songs, and the wordbook has helpful staging suggestions as well as the easily-adaptable play.

‘Crikey, Moses!’ … a bit of values-education, and a whole load of fun!

You can find details of all our ‘anytime’ musicals here – or choose the dropdown menu ‘All year music’ on our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Happy hunting! Sheila.

There was a time when few schools performed musicals in July, now each year it’s increasingly popular to mark the departure of Year 6 in style! We regularly get asked which of our musicals are most suitable, so I’ll give an overview over a few posts…

Superkids Rock (the planet!) is our newest musical, with five catchy songs  – four rock & blues, and a beautiful ballad ‘Love the planet’, which may bring a tear or two to the event…). It starts with the children gathering on stage, ‘Glee’-style, to sing their catchy theme tune; then they chat and choose a project, in this case conservation. There are plenty of short speaking parts, with permission to adapt or extend the play and dialogue if you wish, to suit your children. It’s a fun, feel-good, hand-jivin’ musical which also covers curriculum topics … the songs include ‘H2O blues’ (water conservation), ‘Down, down, turn it down!’ (energy conservation) and ‘Pass it on’ (re-cycling). And amazingly, it’s only £8.95 for the music, CD and play, so even if you’re not planning a concert, it’s perfect for creative, memorable topics and assemblies.

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

This blog comes from a sixteenth century farmhouse in deepest Wales, looking at the snow on the mountains and the sun on the newborn lambs in the fields… ahhh! I haven’t brought a keyboard – I sometimes do! – but of course I’ve brought manuscript paper and a black fine-liner. I’m working on a variety of things … Finishing off a children’s song for ‘Hope’, which is an annual, nationwide festival you may know of. And writing songs for my new Christmas musical, which is always very enjoyable! And also mulling over a commission I’ve recently been very excited to receive. More news to follow on all these! But I’ll be walking (strolling) in the mountains and paddling in the streams (brrr … in my wellies) too, and of course consuming an Easter bunny – of the chocolate variety.

I wish all ye users, followers and friends of Redhead Music a very happy Easter, and especially I wish all exhausted teachers a really good break before the long summer term begins. All the v best, Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… in the sea. In March – can you believe it?!

So far it’s hands on your shoulders, run, and jump!

Yip, the new Christmas musical is ON. Not all of it composed at the beach, though.

Hope you enjoyed the weekend heatwave. All the best, Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Q: What do you get if you play new age music backwards?

A: New age music

I forgot to say that the songs from The Selfish Giant are on available from iTunes, too, if you’re one of the many schools who use this as an endearing alternative to the traditional Easter story.

… send a note letting your choir parents know that the songs in Easter Praise!, Easter Children and Here Comes Jesus! are also on iTunes – just put the album-name or Sheila Wilson into the iTunes search box, et voila! Practising round the clock…

 

Okay, it’s not very Easter-y, but I’ve received some lovely pics of a performance of Stable Story this Christmas in the Philippines by the children of The City Gates Academy – a free school for children from poor and destitute families living in the slums of Antipolo. First they staged it in their own school, and then to Christmas shoppers in the city Mall.

Beautiful photos – used with permission.

Q: What’s the difference between God and a conductor?

(hmm…)

A: God knows He’s not a conductor

The two fastest-selling Easter musicals in our range SO FAR this year are:

Easter Praise is for KS1-2, and Resurrection Rock! is more KS2 (although I’ve seen it used many times by KS1 or Combined as well).

As always, The Selfish Giant is proving the popular alternative, with its beautiful fairy story by Oscar Wilde weaving themes of Spring and resurrection, as well the importance of children.

Other schools and churches are putting on Here Comes Jesus! with KS1, and Easter Children with KS1-2.

And, obviously, many schools are adding in the Golden Apple Easter Songbook, as it’s full of individual songs about Spring and Easter – perfect for easy assemblies!

My mobile failed spectacularly to take a good or even half-decent picture of the new sales team at Orca and Marston, so this office-lit snap doesn’t do them justice at all. We’d just finished an enjoyable meeting made even nicer by some Lindt truffles (thank you, Martyn!). Well, it was Valentine’s day. Anyway, these are some of the lovely ladies at my new Distribution Co. who’ll be taking your orders now. Next time I see them I’ll take my camera along. Hopefully there’ll be more truffles.

What do you get if you a cross a diminished chord with an augmented chord?

A demented chord.

(Hah, I’ve played a few of those in my time…)

Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Easter Praise! & Easter Children (tell the story!) Both KS1-2, with 7 lovely songs and a simple play.

Here comes Jesus! KS1 & easy KS2. Five songs & an easy play; very accessible and popular.

Golden Apple Easter Songbook. KS1-2. 16 songs for spring and Easter, perfect for assemblies.

All work with plays or readings, and as assembly songs, and all come with CDs which include backing tracks. Easy!

Best wishes, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

What happens if you play country music backwards?

Your wife comes back/your dog comes home/you get out of jail

Cheers! Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

How does a lead guitarist change a lightbulb ?
He holds it up and the world revolves around him…*

Have a good weekend! All the best, Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

There’s nothing like a bit of piped music in a restaurant, eh?

We were all serenaded by this splendid fellow in London last night! Or rather, the haggis was.

A belated but sincere happy Burns night/week to our many Scottish customers!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

But pleasures are like poppies spread,
You seize the flower, its bloom is shed;
Or, like the snow-fall in the river,
A moment white, then melts forever

Rabbie Burns 1790

How many altos does it take to change a lightbulb?

None – they can’t reach that high

Have a great weekend! Sheila*. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

*an alto

A surprisingly high number of teachers ordered their Easter musicals immediately after Christmas, which I found very impressive! For those who haven’t bought one yet (and that would surely be me), we have a very nice selection to choose from. You can read about them on our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk, and listen to them too. But here’s an overview:

Easter Praise! & Easter Children (tell the story!) Both KS1-2, with 7 lovely songs and a simple play.

Here comes Jesus! KS1 & easy KS2. Five songs & an easy play; very accessible and popular.

Golden Apple Easter Songbook. KS1-2. 16 songs for spring and Easter, perfect for assemblies.

All our Easter music comes with CDs including backing tracks. And great reviews from happy customers!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Glissando

The music equivalent of slipping on a banana skin

Spotted after final bows had taken place, and mulled wine was being enjoyed (by parents), at one of the Christmas performances I visited…

Oh dear! Sheila.

A wonderfully happy New Year to all ye followers of Redhead Music, and those who’ve staged and sung our music in 2011. Thank you so much for all the great feedback, the wonderful compliments, the beautiful photos, the action-packed DVDs, the stories, the questions, the suggestions … keep them coming! It’s so nice to hear about performances not only from over the whole of the UK and Ireland, east to west, north to south, but also from Europe, the USA, Australia, India, Asia, Africa, and – well – literally worldwide! I love writing songs that children love to sing, and I’m brimming with ideas for 2012, so, keep watching this space! In the meantime, I wish every reader and every teacher, conductor, musician, singer, performer young and old, and browser, a happy, healthy, creative and successful 2012!

All the very best, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… actually this wish comes rather late, but hey it’s still Christmas in some parts of the world, and so: I hope you had or are having a great time!

Now all us musos who’ve been playing in nativities and shows and carol concerts and parties can take a well-earned rest – unless we’re swapping ‘White Christmas’ for ‘Auld Lang Syne’, that is!

Happy holidays, one and all – Sheila x www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Here’s a rather grand finale from ‘Hosanna Rock!’ that someone’s just posted on YouTube; from Scotland, I’m thinking, by the lovely accents…

‘Hosanna Rock!’ finale

Looks like it was a fun show!

Sheila (its composer) www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I’m really enjoying visiting performances of several of my shows this fortnight. Details, and hopefully photos (if we can check permission), to follow. Meanwhile, to all the children I’ve seen acting and singing their hearts out: I applaud you! You are wonderful.

Finally! The tracks from both Nativity Rock! AND The Nativity Party! (bring your own lamb) have joined all our others on iTunes. Man, that took a long time. Hey ho – but at least they’re there for some last-minute home cramming (with parents’ permission), or for a post-performance memento…

If so, our new book could be a life-saver… it’s packed full of advice and moral support and a few wry chuckles to keep you going through the tough times!

At only £4.99, and with 24-hour despatch, help can be swiftly on its way!

All the best, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

It’s a source of great frustration to me that iTunes STILL hasn’t loaded the tracks from Nativity Rock and The Nativity Party. However, if you’re waiting as impatiently for them as I am, good news – you and and your choirs can find and download the tracks at Amazon or e.music.com, using the following links…

Nativity Rock! mp3 tracks on Amazon

The Nativity Party! mp3 tracks on Amazon

Nativity Rock! mp3 tracks on e.music.com

The Nativity Party! mp3 tracks on e.music.com

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

My study is a complete mess towards the end of the year. It’s still got final proofs from my new musicals lying around, as well as copies of about 50 others from performances and workshops I’ve been doing, or from scrutinising to answer a customer query. I don’t really like anyone else filing it all, in fact I don’t think they could (!), and guess what: I’m too busy just now! Plus ça change … what can I say, musos, eh? Imagine my surprise yesterday when I caught sight of a copy of Hosanna Rock! whilst talking on the phone to my distributor, and noticed that my name’s spelled incorrectly on the front cover! I’m now trying to find from its publisher how many hundreds or thousands have been printed that way. The original was fine, so this must have occurred when it was reprinted as a book/CD combo. If you’ve got a copy like this (see pic below) I’d be interested to know how long I’ve had two names…

Actually, I’ve got three, but that’s another story.

Cheers! Sheila. And Shelia.   www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I guess it must be a long half-term leading up to Christmas, because loads of teachers are still ordering their music!

If you’re one of them, and would like some guidance, here’s my choice of the best musicals if you’re a bit short of time:

Early years (3-5): The Nativity Party, The Tiptoe Nativity

KS1 (4-6): Rock the Baby, Stable Story, or either of the two above

KS1-2 (5-11): Nativity Rock, Hosanna Rock, Rock around the Flock, Christmas Praise, Christmas Presence

KS2 (7-11): Nativity Rock, The Star Attraction, The Christmas Code, jesus@bethlehemstable.com

If you’d like more details regarding these or any of our range, do call our advice line on 01628 473806. But if you know what you’d like, call us on 01202 724294 or order online at www.redheadmusic.co.uk, and we’ll turn your order around in 24 hours.

All the best with those rehearsals! Sheila.

PS Our site www.whichchristmasmusical.com is dedicated to helping you chose the best musical for your requirements. Large cast/small cast/easy/challenging … give it a visit if you’re still undecided!

It’s always interesting to see which musicals are most popular each year. For harvest, it was ‘Harvest Rock!’ and ‘Harvest…it’s a little bit corny!’

This Christmas, I’m glad to say all our musicals are in great demand! Both new ones are practically flying off the shelf – that’s Nativity Rock! (KS1-2), and The Nativity Party! (early years). So are The TIptoe Nativity! (early years), Christmas Stars! (The Xmas Factor) (KS1-2), Rock around the Flock!, Hosanna Rock! (KS1-2), Scrooge … a ghost of a chance! (KS2) and Nativity Nightmares!

Everything’s in stock except, briefly, Sheik Rattle and Roll (which is being reprinted by its publisher, due in shortly), and our distributor is turning orders round in 24 hours, so you can contact us on www.redheadmusic.co.uk or +44 1202 724294 for presto music!

All the best, Sheila.

… to the majority of our UK customers and friends who have this week off.

Hope it’s a good one! Best wishes from everyone at www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Sheila.

My book’s out! It was published a bit late, so my apologies to the customers who’d ordered it in advance and had to wait; you should have received it now. It’s a light-hearted but practical look at how to survive staging your school’s musical without feeling you’re going to have a complete breakdown. With Christmas shows looming, I suggest that this half term could well be the perfect time to get your hands on a copy and read it in peace …

You can find full details here.

Best wishes, Sheila.  www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I spent a really enjoyable Saturday at Edinburgh musicroom store, Rae Mackintosh. The manager, coincidentally called Rae, is a wonderful host with an encyclopedic knowledge of all things musical plus a genuinely charming nature which makes the shop feel like one big happy family for customers and staff alike. And for visitors like me.

She’d set up a little studio at the far end of the shop for us, where there was not only a good supply of my musicals and a nice touch-sensitive keyboard (the latter requested), but also a great supply of home-made cakes, and even party bags. Okay, goody bags. Here’s a pic of Rae – ask her anything if you’re in the area – and of three of the wonderful Scottish music specialists I met. I have to take my hat off to the Music Education system around Edinburgh – although they’ve had some terrible budget cuts, the specialists I met were all wonderful, dedicated professionals, talented, enthusiastic, and all with a great sense of humour thrown in too. Girls, if you read this, send me your email addresses, I forgot to take them and would love to get back in touch!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

PS. We sang our way completely through Nativity Rock!, The Nativity Party!, and Superkids Rock the Planet!

It was a drizzly Friday afternoon when I visited the musicroom store at Stratford on Avon, but there was a busy market outside, so we decided to mic up the keyboard and broadcast through the open doorway for a free concert. It went down rather well, with people calling in to say they’d been enjoying it all the way along the street. Some people said how much they liked hearing a piano being played live, others said it made them nostalgic, and some actually came in to enquire about buying keyboards! I’m not sure we sold many school musicals, but we had plenty of merry, toe-tapping visitors. It’s a great store, I recommend it, and Rebecca (the store manager, in the middle, below) really knows her stuff. For reasons unknown, we’ve been photographed here at a jaunty angle; I’m rocking through one of my new musicals, Nativity Rock! (‘out now!’ key stages 1 & 2), with the musicroom girls singing and playing kazoo instumentals. As you do.

Sheila* www.redheadmusic.co.uk

(*available to play in good music stores … and nice restaurants!)

If you’re in Edinburgh on Saturday and would like to hear songs from Nativity Rock!, The Nativity Party!, Superkids!, Hosanna Rock!, Christmas Stars (The Xmas Factor), Scrooge, Harvest…it’s a little bit corny!, Easy PEASy Harvest, we’ve BEAN blessed! or any of my musicals, I’ll be in the Rae Mackintosh musicroom store in Queensferry Road EH2 4PA playing and teaching songs and answering any questions, from 10:00 am to 1pm. Manager Rae Lamond has even lined up refreshments and goody bags for all! For further details you can call her on 0131 225 1171 or email edinburgh@musicroom.com.

Good news: all back-orders of Nativity Rock! and The Nativity Party! were dispatched last week. I was on holiday so had to wait a bit for my copies. A few months ago these songs were in my head; then they became artistic (okay, sometimes messy) flourishes on reams of manuscript paper until my piano nearly disappeared from view; and now, hurray, they are real books and CDs. So, if you’re ordering your Christmas music and fancy something new for KS1-2 or early years, these two are both now in stock (as are all the Christmas and harvest musicals) and come highly recommended. (No, not just by me, silly!)

Hello, and good wishes to all the teachers joining Scottish teachers back at school this week. If you’d like to get your harvest music organised fast, we have six great ready-made harvest festivals for you, each with lovely songs in a variety of styles, a CD including backing tracks, and plenty of readings … so all you have to do is add fruit and veg!
For 4-6s: Easy PEASy Harvest, we’ve BEAN blessed!

For 5-11s: Harvest Rock! - Harvest Praise! - Harvestsong - Harvest…it’s a little bit CORNy!

For 7-12s: Lord of the Harvest!

Plus, for all ages, our popular, fun harvest songbook ‘Hooray for Harvest!‘

Our songs are perfect for autumn assemblies, too. Everything’s in stock so you can order online or call us on 01202 724294, and we’ll despatch within 48 hours for a stress-free start to harvest…

Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

There’s a double celebration in the air here at Redhead Music! Both new musicals have been signed off and will soon be in the warehouses and on the shop shelves. Nativity Rock! is perfect for key stages 1 & 2 (ages 5-11), and The Nativity Party (bring your own lamb)! is great for nurseries, pre-schools, reception and easy key stage 1. You can hear excerpts of all the songs on our website, and order them too if you want to get Christmas organised nice and early!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Another interesting thing I saw last week was an antique printing plate of a hand-engraved score. The founder of Halstan Print Group had engraved the pewter plate himself – backwards, of course, so as to be the right way round when printed. One tool was used to draw – or ‘score’ – the five lines of the stave into the soft metal, another made the round heads of the notes, and the stems of the notes were drawn (indented) by hand. It was absolutely lovely to see it and run a finger over it. Here’s a photo, in case old scores interest you, too…

In the meantime, my very new scores have gone to print, and will be in warehouses and all good music shops in a couple of weeks’ time! Excerpts to follow shortly, or you can find them on our website already.

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

What I expected to be a routine business meeting at the end of a busy week turned into something very special on Friday afternoon, when I was invited by my gracious hosts to play a century-old Steinway grand on which the great Benjamin Britten and John Rutter have played. The sense of history was moving. It’s a truly beautiful piano, with a sensitive touch and deeply rounded, mellow sound; and sitting improvising at it for a short while (see below) was a wonderful experience. I’ve been invited to return to play it again … an invitation I shall be delighted to accept!

Sheila Wilson. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Last week I was rocking with 200 or so kids and teenagers by day then working on 2nd proofs by night. Here’s me and m’band (under a tree, curiously, rather than on stage). The picture was taken ridiculously early, given that we’re all musos, and that half of us (not me!) are students. We’d already played and sung and generally grooved through the deafening first session, our ears now ringing, so we’re on our way to get some caffeine. This was day 2 of 5. We usually deteriorate somewhat through the week, physically, as exhaustion and sleep deprivation kick in, but at least we get tighter and tighter musically! From the left, here’s Tom (drums), Euan (lead), Beth (bass), (me – keys), Ben (harmonica), Ceri (sax) and Mick (guitar). It’s great to work with excellent musicians who are also lovely people. We had a brilliant time, and so – more importantly – did the kids!

Playtime’s over for me. Actually, I wasn’t playing, I was bent over my laptop writing plays, concentrating hard. But I’ve now finished writing this year’s new plays, to accompany the songs in The Nativity Party! (early years, 3-6) and Nativity Rock! (key stages 1&2, ages 5-11). In a week or so they’ll be edited, set, and returned to me for first proofs. It’s a busy time of year, but it’s still great fun even after 5o  musicals, seeing things turn from ideas into print, and from jamming and singing at my piano, to CDs. It’s also lovely seeing pre-orders coming in, some from regular customers who’ve done almost everything I’ve written, and some from new customers who’ve just found us. I’m sure you’re going to enjoy the new musicals!

Best wishes to past, present & future customers, and to browsers … Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I’ve just finished scoring the final page of the latest musical. That’s three this year – Superkids! (already published), The Nativity Party! (now at first proof, due out August), and Nativity Rock! (last note just drawn in black fineliner, due in the shops late August). Yay!

Am I happy? You bet! Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

We’re happy to say that our early-years/easy KS1 Christmas musical is also well on its way to the shops … here’s a sneaky preview of the charming cover. Once again it’s beautifully illustrated and designed by Jackie Marks and Nick Flower, and once again it’s available for pre-order if you contact us through our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk

The Nativity Party! is an immensely enjoyable musical for ages 3-6, which children, teachers and parents will all love. There’s a simple, optional play which endearingly captures the meaning of Christmas, plus six catchy songs, and even a party game or two (optional!) for the children. Everyone can wear a crown or carry a lamb, and teachers can prompt away (or join in on their knees!) without spoiling the show.

If you enjoyed the very popular Tiptoe Nativity, you’ll certainly love The Nativity Party! too. Customers have already started leaving their contact details to be notified with further details or to pre-order it, so feel free to do the same! Just drop us a line below or to info@redheadmusic.co.uk and Steff will be in touch shortly.

Best wishes, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… a brand new Christmas musical: Nativity Rock!

For those of you who like to choose your Christmas music early, Nativity Rock! will be in the shops from August, but here’s a sneaky preview of the cover, beautifully illustrated and designed by Jackie Marks and Nick Flower. If you’d like to join the schools who’ve pre-ordered it, you can contact us here at the blog or email us at info@redheadmusic.co.uk and we’ll get in touch with you soon with all the details.

Nativity Rock! is for KS1-2 (ages 5-11) and rocks its way through the Christmas story with six great songs we guarantee your children will love!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

PS. If you’re looking for lovely new early-years Christmas music, another sneaky preview follows shortly…

We get lots of queries about summer concerts, so here’s a run-down of our four most suitable musicals, all of which include backing tracks on CD to help with those practices and performances…

Superkids Rock (the planet)! This is brand new, great fun, and is proving the most popular this term. The children meet together ‘glee’ style and sing their club song (Superkids Rock!) then choose their theme (conservation) and romp their way through four more songs and a reprise. There are plenty of small speaking parts in the play, with full permission to adapt or extend. Actions, kazoos and handjives add to the entertainment, as does their moving anthem ‘Save the planet’. Ideal for KS2 and upper KS1.

Prodigal Rock! is great if you’re looking for a longer musical, with 8 songs which include optional solos, harmonies and instrumentals (and kazoos). There’s plenty of humour as the prodigal son parties his money away in the city, then a moving anthem and a big celebration when he returns. Perfect for year 6 leavers and KS2.

Crikey, Moses – this witty look at Moses’ life, from the bullrushes to the plagues (gnats, gnats everywhere/even in your underwear) to the 10 commandments, is always a popular rock-musical, especially with church schools. Lots of humour, rhyme, handjives, and plenty of opportunities for scenery and dramatic movement. Ideal for KS 2 and upper KS1.

The Selfish Giant – one of our most loved musicals. Oscar Wilde’s uplifting story is set to beautiful music and provides scope for dance and movement. It’s a truly moving show which really endorses the value of children. Ideal for KS1 or 2.

All these musicals, and other ‘all year’ ones, are available to listen to and order through our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk. Or you can speak to a real person! For advice call 01628 473806; or to order, speak to Steff, our lovely sales supervisor, on 01202 724290.

Welcome back, teachers – I hope you had a good half term break.

I did a bit of this:

and a lot of this:   

… but now it’s just the latter, because there’s a Primary Christmas musical out there with my name on, which isn’t going to finish itself, lol.

Happy second-half of term, everyone!

Best wishes Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I spent a day in Horsham on Monday, joining 60 great teachers from West Sussex for workshops and exhibitions. I was the guest of vocalist and singing-expert Emily Barden (centre in the photos below) for three age-targeted sessions, and as you can see, the teachers I met were not only enthusiastic professionals but also totally up for a bit a fun.

I taught the early-ages teachers two songs from my new musical ‘The Nativity Party!’ (being published in August); the years 2-4 teachers, the theme tune from ‘Superkids Rock the planet!’ (published a month ago); and the years 5-7 teachers, the bluesy ‘There’s no room at the Inn’, in three-parts, from ‘The Star Attraction!’ I would have taught them a song from the musical I’m writing now for KS1-2, but the songs weren’t quite ready to share.

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

‘The Nativity Party!’ is finished. The last song has been composed and scored, and all six have left me to be set, illustrated and recorded. Whilst I’m waiting for first and second proofs of each, I shall move onto composing songs for the next Christmas musical, a Primary one, as music goes through longer processes than print before reaching shops and warehouses in late August. So I’ll finish the plays last.

Almost immediately after completing ‘The Nativity Party!’, I did indeed go to a party, but there were absolutely no pre-schoolers there – and no piano either, so I couldn’t do my usual ‘happy birthday’ turn (as any pianists reading this will know, it’s a much called-upon trick) (and it will come as no surprise to learn that I usually rock and roll mine). Anyway, it was a beautiful garden party for my beautiful friend Jackie, who has illustrated many of my musicals and is even now drawing up lovely ideas for ‘The Nativity Party’. She illustrated The Tiptoe Nativity (below) last year.

By the way, I’ve been asked how come my eyes were closed on the previous fringe photo. Umm, I was just looking down actually. OK, here’s the new fringe, and eyes wide open …

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

It’s nearly time for a party. That is, I’ve nearly completed one of the two musicals I’m currently writing: an early-years musical called … ‘The Nativity Party!’ It was going to have five songs, and today I did indeed scan and email the fifth song to be recorded, but I realised a few days ago it would work much better with the play(let) if there were six. Hence it’s nearly but not quite time for a party. Doh.

I actually composed most of the final song at 3:00 this morning since I was awake anyway, and wrote it down on some paper by the bed, after first hand-sketching some manuscript. (Fortunately, faithful readers, there was a fine-liner to hand, since – as you know – I have a thing about them). Good thing I sat up and did this, since the odds of remembering it otherwise this morning were low.

Oh, and I’ve got a fringe. Just for a little while.  All the best, Sheila.

(This blog was powered by apple)

(Yes I know I could have sung the song into my phone, but hey I’m an old fashioned girl)

(But actually I did record one of the earlier songs onto it courtesy of my keyboard app, whilst at the theatre with my musical friend Emma. Hi Em!)

From this

to this

Both fun! Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

PS. The new early-years nativity is coming along nicely …

And the second, third, fourth … it’s a veritable cuckoo-concerto here in Wales; Delius would have loved it. But my mind’s on Christmas music, of course, as it is for most of the year. I’ve nearly finished composing the early-years’ nativity, apart from the final song, which I keep re-writing. Often the song that’s hardest to compose ends up being the best, or the favourite, so that’s the positive view I’m taking on the dilemma, as I stroll in the mountains and soak up some sun by trickling streams – who’d believe it was April? I’ve also chosen the name for the new Primary nativity, which is a great relief as it was holding me up. So, it’s full steam ahead this week with the scoring of the first musical and the composing of the second. Full details to follow soon! In the meantime, sadly, it’s bye-bye, mountains …

It was really nice to be invited to join Burford School’s Easter performance of The Selfish Giant musical. I turned up after almost all the hard work had been done by the year 4 children and teachers, to play the piano for a couple of rehearsals and the performances. The children acted, danced and sang their way through the moving story brilliantly, leaving the audiences – even the very youngest ones – absorbed, apart from their rapturous applause, obviously! The children were absolute stars. Bravo, Burford.

Here’s a few snapshots. (NB Yes, I am sitting on a gym horse, but I was offered a piano stool – I just prefer to stand or sit high when I’m playing … I miss less cues that way!)

Then we celebrated! Sheila.

No, not us – though we do rock. This is Neil Pardoe, the excellent Education Editor at Music Sales Ltd (which you might know better as Musicroom) and me, at the Education Show. I’m pleased to announce that not only was ‘Superkids Rock! The Planet’ launched there, it’s also now up and running on our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk.

“Tell us about it”, I hear you cry. Sure! It has five great songs which can be sung individually, or as a musical with the play. At the start, the superkids (your choir, class or school) get together – glee style – to sing their theme tune (‘Superkids Rock!’ – a cool song with actions), then chose a topic for their show. They choose conservation, ie saving their planet. ‘Pass it on’ is a recycling song, with optional 2 part harmonies; ‘Down, down, turn it down!’: a rocking energy-conservation song; ‘H2O Blues’ is about water-conservation; and ‘Love the Planet’ is a (rather charming!) anthem. Then it all comes together with a hand-jiving ‘Superkids’ reprise finale.

The optional play is very flexible, with lots of short speaking parts for any number of ‘Superkids’, and can easily be adapted to suit your cast. The fun songs can also be used as the nicest sort of conservation teaching in class or assemblies.

You can listen to the songs, find further details and, should you wish, be one of the first to purchase ‘Superkids Rock!’ here.

All the best, Sheila. PS. Costumes can be as simple as a big S on each T-shirt. Of course, it’s up to the kids whether they want to wear extra pants on top of their trousers…

It’s time for me to get my feet back on the ground after the fun of the Ed. Show (lovely to meet you, by the way, if you were one of the many teachers and musicians visiting the musicroom stand). In other words, I’d better get on with actually composing music, rather than swanning around playing excerpts, signing books, and enjoying a false sense of being ahead-of-time after completing ‘Superkids Rock!’ and seeing it published at the exhibition. (Luckily, I really enjoy writing music, so it’s no hardship!) Unbelievably, various deadlines are already creeping up for the two new Christmas musicals, as they’ll be in the shops for enthusiastic teachers from late August.

Talking of feet, as I did at the start of this, here’s the reason why my feet were aching at the NEC. I know, ridiculous shoes to wear to an exhibition … musos, eh?

Sheila www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Seeing a piano and not playing it is just unnatural, like not going ooh at fireworks or ahh at kittens, so being invited to musicroom’s stand at the NEC Education Show on Saturday and being told I could play as much as I liked, was Quite Something. Well, we writers spend a lot of time alone with a pen, a macbook, a fridge and a TV, trying to make the right choices. The only thing missing really was a glass of something nice balancing on the edge, but since this wasn’t a hotel, pub or restaurant piano (hey, I’ve hijacked pianos all over the place), I guess that was too much to ask. It was a really nice day – the musicroom stand was absolutely heaving with teachers, and I lost count of how many books I signed for enthusiastic shoppers.

My feet haven’t recovered from the exhibition yet, but that’s another blog. Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

PS  I just looked up exhibitionist to check it isn’t rude, and one of its descriptions is poseur, so I guess that makes me a composeur HAHAHAH.

I’m off … to the Education Show at the NEC, at the invitation of musicroom. It’s always fun meeting teachers, hearing your tales, getting feedback and signing books. Occasionally if it’s really busy I even get to play shops and use the till, hahah! I especially like it when we have impromptu singalongs at the piano. Seems you guys are always up for a bit of hand-jiving!

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I’ve come across this great video of a performance of ‘Resurrection Rock!’ from St Luke’s school in San Antonio, Texas (preceded by a 30 second intro from their Principal) on a Catholic TV channel. Lovely american children in a very impressive production!

All the best to those of you rehearsing your Easter musicals and songs … large or small scale, all equally endearing.

Sheila. Click here or on the picture

Did I mention that the sun shone in Wales? Here’s proof! Well, OK, it’s also proof that it was windy. And that I have an iPhone. I really enjoy dreaming up music on beautiful walks. The song in the last post began its life in the car when I was driving a newly completed musical (Superkids!) to one of my publishers in Soho, then was completed in the lovely Welsh hills, before being quickly scored into my moleskine for future ref. I wonder where I’ll first enjoy seeing it performed – invitations are definitely one of the perks of my job!

Product placement, that is. ‘Cos, although I have a great keyboard that’ll wire into my laptop, plus garageband, cubase and sibelius software, and even a piano app on my phone, I have to admit that when I found a Moleskine manuscript book recently I nearly fainted with happiness. Don’t you just love Moleskines? So during a few days in Wales last week it was a pleasure to score a new song onto it. Here’s a sneeky preview from the next musical. OK, if you’re examining it with a magnifying glass, it’s simple, I agree – but it’s for pre-schools, so the challenge is to make it as simple as possible but not boring. No, no. Let the children be the judge of that, hahah – Sheila. PS. Yes, to the dear faithful readers, of course it’s a fine-liner! PPS. The glass is merely to demonstrate proportions…

… about the new musical! As I started to say last week, it’s a short, sassy, conservation musical, for use any time of year. Perfect for a summer concert. It’s called SUPERKIDS ROCK (the planet). The children (aka Superkids – with or without extra pants over their trousers) get together for a glee-style rehearsal and concert, where they choose their own theme – saving the planet – and after an opening action-packed Superkids song with handjives and kazoos, come up with three great ‘green’ ideas. The five fun songs include rock’n'roll, blues and anthem, and children will definitely love singing them. It’s due out in time for the Education Show in March, a mere three weeks’ time. Here’s hoping, as a lot of frenzied teamwork has gone on to try to meet the deadline…

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… the H2O blues, that is. Well, not really – it’s a song from my new musical, which I can now reveal is on the theme of conservation. It’s entertaining, as well as thought-provoking and educational. Perfect for a summer term concert! The musical’s been written, set, backtracked, recorded, and gone to print, all since January 4th, phew… that’s teamwork. The title was the first thing chosen, but it’s still being discussed at lofty levels; and I don’t have a personal copy of the vox recording yet, although I was in London on Thursday watching Holly Petrie sing the songs with wonderful chutzpah. It’s due out on March 17th so I must surely* have more details for you soon, as well as an excerpt or two.

All the best, Sheila. (*don’t call me Shirley) www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Time flies. When it’s not dragging, that is, lol. Time really is flying in the publishing world, in fact it may have gone into hyperdrive. Because whereas a musical usually takes atleast a few months to go from the composer’s fingertips into the shops, my new one – which I only started writing on Jan 4th – is due to be published this March. March 17th, to be precise. Spookily quick. Fly, Golden Apple*, fly…

*That’s the publisher, not the musical. I’ll share full details of the show with you, dear readers, as soon as my IP** is secured (just incase Andrew LW is perusing this blog in need of inspiration).

** Intellectual property

All the v best, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… a finished score. It meant working ’til 2.30am on the final night/morning, but I managed to drive up to Soho and deliver the musical to the publisher on schedule the next day. And met the new editor, who’s very nice indeed. And played the beautiful grand piano. And enjoyed a cup of tea with their resident musician/philosopher/and all-round genius, Rick. (When will I learn to take a photo of such things for this blog?)

There’s still the small matter of the play to write, but that’s like a holiday in comparison. I guess I ought to get on with it, though. ‘All work, no play’ makes – well, a songbook, obviously, rather than a musical, hahah!

I apologise for this trivial posting, but, as I mentioned, happiness is (in the nicest sense) settling a score. Have a great weekend everyone, Sheila.

Sheila Wilson www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Musical interlude

The songs for the new musical were finished – but not transcribed – at 5pm the day before my deadline. Then the scoring began. Yes, I do have software wired up to my keyboard which enables me to play it straight to manuscript – magic! – I even know how to use it – amazing! – but, I don’t. Use it, that is. I guess I’m just an old fashioned girl. I love sitting at the piano with a pile of manuscript paper and actually writing music. I find hand-written manuscripts quite beautiful, even when they’re messy. But a small obsession comes over me. When I was taking exams, it was polos – I always liked to have a packet of mints there while I revised, and none other would do. Eventually I was nicknamed Olop by amused friends. Now it’s fine-liners – I like to write scores with black fine-liners, and proof them, later, with red ones. Not roller balls (shudder) or pencils, not even my lovely fountain pen, only a fine-liner will do. And fine-liners, like half a pair of socks, mysteriously disappear all the time. How can this be? Yesterday I had to score a song (yip, I’m working weekends) with a blunt one, and this was very frustrating. Today I can either go out in the rain to buy some new ones before I start, or – and this is much more likely – I will be found turning out cupboards, drawers and handbags, trying to find a good one. It’s only a few weeks since a whole boxfull was delivered with my stationery, so where on earth have they all gone? Argh!

Sheila.

Is it true, I wonder, that musicians (and artists generally) do their best work under pressure? Or is that true of everyone / no-one? Do deadlines motivate us and create the best inspiration in us? I have a deadline of tomorrow to finish the new musical for Golden Apple. So what am I doing? Writing my blog.

Hmm…

Sheila.

A happy new year to all our Redhead Music customers, and a happy new term as many go back to school today. December’s productions are a hazy memory but hopefully you’re still getting the pats on the back! May your term – and year – be filled with happiness and success. And music … talking of which, I’m busy writing a new musical for Golden Apple, and the deadline is next week so I’d better get on with it. I’ll tell you about it soon – very best wishes to all, Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

It's all about the music!

Merry Christmas to all our performers, young and old – and to all the directors, producers, musicians, stage-hands, helpers … and to you, too, of course, if you’re just browsing. We’ve had wonderful feedback from schools and churches all over the UK and abroad, letting us know how well performances of our Christmas musicals have gone. We’re as happy as you about this! Thanks to everyone who took the time to write and phone. We love hearing the stories, seeing the photos, and even the DVDs we’re sent. We’ll be posting helpful comments later on our website, brochure, and here, which might guide future shoppers, but not without checking permission first. In the meantime, here’s a few lovely links to performances which have been broadcast on youtube…

Enjoy your well-earned post-production break, very best wishes Sheila.

Hosanna Rock in Slovakia

Hosanna Rock in Germany

Hosanna Rock in South Africa

Hosanna Rock in Wales

Hosanna Rock in the playground!

My friend Colin texted me yesterday to say he’d just heard ‘I am the Shepherd’ from ‘Rock around the Flock!’ being sung solo over the telephone on the Chris Evans breakfast show. I usually have my first cup of tea of the day listening to Radio 4, so missed it – I flick channels at 9:00 when the Today programme ends, so if anyone’s planning to sing another of my songs, perhaps you could arrange it a bit later? Or let me know, ’cause it’s a real treat! Thanks to the miracle of iPlayers though, I listened to it at midnight – wow, 6 year-old Tom Marney from Amersham is a real star (okay, technically not a Star, or InnKeeper, but a Shepherd): his mum played our backing track in the background, and he sang the song beautifully to nine or ten million listeners. Sadly I don’t think I’m allowed to copy it from the BBC’s site (nor know how to), but here’s a bit of ‘Rock Around the Flock!’ from the CD to move your blue suede shoes to this frosty, snowy, sunny December day. And if you’re one of the thousands of children or teachers who’ve performed this over the years, I’m expecting you to join in with the hand-jives too… Rock around the Flock!

By the way, if anyone knows Tom, please congratulate him, his family and his school from me. And I’ve just heard that so many people phoned in to ask to hear him again, that they played it a second time. Yay, Tom! A star indeed.

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

It’s not too late to put on a musical this Christmas! The first bit of good news is that here at Redhead Music we despatch your order within 24 hours, so you can receive your music just a couple of days after choosing it. Secondly, the CD is your best friend … if you’re short of teaching-sessions, learn from the many schools who’ve discovered that playing the CD in & out of assembly and at any time possible, is the easiest and quickest way for children to pick it up in a flash. Try it, and the children will practically be teaching it to you – and that’s a promise! Thirdly, if your children are old enough for iTunes on their computers or mp3s, then that’s a massive help too – but by no means necessary – see point 2. And finally, here are the musicals I recommend as the easiest to learn quickly – they have simple speaking parts (which you can extend if you wish), catchy songs, and have been tried and tested in KS1&2 to create both impressive and endearing performances:

Rock the Baby, Stable Story, Rock around the Flock!, and Hosanna Rock!

Of course, if you’re an old hand then you’ll know all the above is true and you might want to try The Star Attraction! or The Christmas Code…

… And if you’ve got early years, reception or KS1 children, The Tiptoe Nativity is exactly what you dream of for an almost instant sucess!

To order by phone, call us on 01202 724294. Or if you’d like further advice with your choice, do call our advice line: 01628 473806 and we’ll help you find the very best musical for your numbers, ages and time available.

You can do it! (We can help)

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

KAZOOS are flying off our shelves – we no sooner import a new load than they’re snapped up. Well, they are rather superior! If you’ve just started rehearsals for one of our Christmas musicals, chances are you’ll find you need some – and if so, our pack of 12 purple and red, which can be worn (rather than dropped mid-performance!) are almost certainly the best you can find – and only £24 for 12.

‘Hurry, while stocks last’ (!) Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I hope all you teachers had a good half-term. I’ve enjoyed another break in Wales. I love the mountains there. I recall writing the title song from ‘The Christmas Code’ walking up and down Snowdon a few years ago (by the easiest route) – working out the rhymes kept my mind off my poor toes, which were being attacked by my walking boots. Although I enjoy going somewhere hot sometimes, I actually find the spectacular countryside and stunning views in mid Wales, and the relaxed pace of life*, overwhelm me with their beauty and make me very creative. (*Of course I realise life’s only slower for those of us on holiday there. I watch how hard the farmers work and feel truly bad that most of my work is done sitting in my study, and that my pressures are mere publishing and rehearsing deadlines.) Anyway, whilst enjoying the fresh air and views this year, I found myself starting to write a couple of books,  one of which I’ll publish through Redhead soon (though not this term). Watch this space!

Talking of light-hearted, here’s the full picture a few people have commented on, from the snapshot in my brochure. It’s just me celebrating reaching the top of a (small) mountain in Wales last year, but in this version you can see the beautiful grassy mountaintop and clouds as well. I hope whatever you’ve done this week that you’re well rested, maybe jumped for joy occasionally, and that the second half of your Christmas term goes well.

And of course if you’re staging a Christmas musical, let us know how the preparations are going…

Very best wishes, Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

A: Sing to each other!

This is me and Patrick Gazard at a 2-day event in Yorkshire, which was very well organized with the exception of … delegates. Yip – two days, five specialists, ten workshops, no delegates! Hahah! Ah well. Patrick and I only live a few miles apart but hadn’t seen each other for a couple of years, so it was very funny travelling 200 miles to catch up. He’s celebrating the launch of his excellent new book ‘You can teach Primary Music’, and I’m celebrating the launch of my latest musicals ‘The Tiptoe Nativity!’ and ‘Bethlehem Baby!’ And indeed we’d have taught expertly on them if anyone had been there! We didn’t take it personally, because it’s a unique (and uniquely funny) experience to be invited along then find no delegates – there were forty teachers at my last workshop, and at the Education Show each year a steady stream of people come along to sing and be sung to, and get books signed, which is very enjoyable. Still, in the meantime, Patrick and I caught up on our news, took turns to play the piano, and sang duets (I was Mary, he was Joseph; he was Herod, I was the wise men; but we had a bit of trouble with the angels’ four part round as, talented though we are, neither of us has mastered polyphony). Also (and this is surely my claim to fame) I taught him to play the kazoo. There was me thinking you knew everything, Patrick – I’m still laughing at your first question (‘is it bass or treble?’) This was the first time I’d actually tried my uber-smart red and purple kazoos, which are selling like hot-cakes on my website at the moment. They rock.

For the record (or CD) – Patrick and I are still available for workshops, but it’s even more fun if you add guests…  Sheila.  www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Well, lucky me – I had an invitation to join Burford school for their harvest celebration, and what a show they put on! It’s a large, combined school (with the warm atmosphere of a village school) and as well as singing, clapping and clicking their way through songs from several of my musicals with great style, each class made a presentation of their own, ranging from informative to fun quizzes for the other children. It ran right through to morning break, when sadly I had to decline an offer of tea in the staff room (a nice change for us mostly lone-working composers!) as I had to dash off. But I hope there was much congratulatory back-slapping as they all did a wonderful job. Here’s a picture of the excellent Burford choir.

I hope all your harvest celebrations, large and small, were lovely too. Sheila. (Christmas next! But half term for you first to summon up the strength…)

Yes, it seems the harvest season ‘ain’t over yet’ … not just in my garden, but schools all over the place are enjoying harvest songs, and some are still just making their choice and ordering them – perhaps they’ve discovered the secret that if you play children the CD they pick the songs up as easily as, well, picking apples from a tree. So it’s not too late – if you’ve got young children, I recommend Easy PEASy Harvest; if you’ve got 5-11s combined, try Harvest Rock!; if KS2 only, Lord of the Harvest! is ideal; and if you’d like something new, for any ages, try Harvest…it’s a little bit CORNy! Plus, they’re all available on iTunes, to make it even easier for you and your choir. All our harvest – and Christmas – music can found in a good music store near you, or on our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk

… but only because it’s harvest time. Yes, if you’re looking for a harvest musical, you’ve come to the right place. For the young ones we’ve got ‘Easy PEASy harvest (we’ve BEAN blessed!)’; for ages 5-12 there’s ‘Hooray for Harvest!’ ‘Harvest Praise!’ ‘Harvest Rock!’ ‘Harvestsong’ and my most recent, ‘Harvest…it’s a little bit CORNy!’; and for ages 7-12 there’s ‘Lord of the Harvest!’ Gosh, I hadn’t realised how many harvest musicals I’ve written. With the exception of ‘Hooray for Harvest’ (published by Novello, which comes with topic work), each one is a ready-made harvest festival, with readings, poems, some humour, some poignancy, a prayer, and room for your own material to be added should you wish; plus some great songs of course, and – as usual – a big finale.

We’ll be back to Christmas soon – well, this is the nativityblog after all – but in the meantime, along with the farmers and most primary school teachers, it’s time to get started on the harvest…

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

There’s a simple ’round’ in Bethlehem Baby! It’s quite nostalgic for me because I wrote it in my head whilst a passenger on the way home from Wales, in numbers (of the octave). This is what it looked like when I scribbled it down at the end of the journey – hum along if you read music (minor 3rds and 7ths) (now scored in Dm, but I sing low so it was probably composed in Bm) …

1 1 1 1 11 2 3

5    8    5    5

3 1 3 1 43 2 1

8   5    7    8

And here’s what that sounds like now it’s recorded with Charlie singing and Jeff Leach accompanying, as the musical’s fifth song (starting in unison): Glory to God (4 part round)

Well, ‘it’s a strange job, but someone’s got to do it’ – and I enjoy it immensely! I look forward to hearing this sung by children when I’m playing at or visiting various places this Christmas …

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

As we e-speak, 30,000 of our new catalogues are winging their way around the country. If you’re a teacher at a UK primary school, you’ll receive one any day. But if it doesn’t get past your secretary, or if you’re at a church or any other UK or world address, call us at the number below requesting a catalogue, or email us here or via our website, and we’ll get one off to you post-haste. It’s got details of all our harvest and Christmas musicals, including the three newest: Harvest, it’s a little bit CORNy! Bethlehem Baby! (both KS1-2, ages 5-11), and The Tiptoe Nativity! (pre-school and reception, ages 3-5).

Also in the catalogue are details of our most popular harvest musicals: Easy PEAsy harvest! and Harvest Rock!; and most popular Christmas ones: Hosanna Rock!, Rock around the Flock!, Scrooge … a ghost of a chance!, Christmas Stars (the Xmas factor!), Rock the Baby, and the Christmas services Seven Lessons and Carols, and Christingle Rock! There are fifty resources all together. If you can’t wait, they’re also for sale on our website www.redheadmusic.co.uk where you can listen to them too!

All the best, Sheila.

PS. Call us if you need any advice choosing a musical: Redhead Music 0044 1202 724294

So, as I was saying, before a server problem erased the post – recently we’ve been getting vocal at Redhead Music – or rather, Charlie Cooke has – she’s finished recording the vox to my two new musicals Bethlehem Baby! and The Tiptoe Nativity. Sorry, no samples just yet, but trust me, she sounds – and looks! – beautiful; you can see her below in action with mic and headphones . Also there’s me with AD, the lovely producer of The Tiptoe Nativity, enjoying some early-evening fresh air outside Runway Studios once the final session was over. Look what gorgeous countryide surrounds her studios..

Both musicals are coming soon to a good music shop near you!

Charlie at work:            AD & Sheila taking some early evening sun afterwards:

Did you miss us? We missed you… our website and blog have been offline, due to some sort of catastrophic problem at our server (see below for details). The website came back first – good news for teachers in Scotland, to whom we say Happy Christmas Term, and hope you had a good summer break!

The blog limped back today, minus a few photos, and minus the most recent post which I will re-write if I can remember it (just joking, of course I remember it…)

Anyway – many apologies to anyone who was inconvenienced or frustrated – it really was out of our control, and trust me we were frustrated too. Meanwhile, I can tell you the new brochure’s looking good – more on that soon – and the new musicals are looking great. But for now, it’s simply nice to be back …

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Postscript: I’ve just found that the server’s catastrophic probs have resulted in loads of my links not now, umm, linking – just a minor point – argh, so apologies if you’re reading back through time, I will now start doing the same and re-linking them…

I took a break from proofing and recording this year’s Christmas music, to work with four lovely schools for a concert in the park in Marlow. The sun shone, the river twinkled, balloons floated around and the audience picnicked – it was a great day. Each choir sang individually, and we sang four songs altogether – two from New Millennium Heroes (the anthem Children want Peace & the finger clicking Jericho Road (Live), a specially adapted Run, run, run away (live, adapted)) away from The Selfish Giant, and a new song I wrote for the event called Children of Hope (live). The links lead to their live recordings. I don’t know why people joke about working with children, because the hundred or so in our performance were absolutely brilliant! (And the teachers were pretty well behaved too, hahah)

Okay, back to Christmas for me: time to check the first draft of the ‘Bethlehem Baby!’ play before my editor Chris Hussey works his magic on it…

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Sheila and friends from Burford, Bisham, Sandygates and Holy Trinity schools.

… at Redhead Music! Well, not quite, but nearly. Since March I’ve been writing two new Christmas musicals, and this week Charlie (the excellent vocalist who sang The Star Attraction), is recording the vocals for the first of them, Bethlehem Baby! It’s for key stages 1+ and 2, with a few challenges thrown in (like 2-part singing and a round), but still very adaptable for a simple or more impressive show. We rehearsed it in preparation today with the windows wide open, thanks to the wonderful ongoing heatwave. Heaven knows what anyone walking by thought about the Christmassy lyrics in early July! (Though hopefully they agreed with the angels about peace on earth). But we’re committed to getting this musical into the shops for the September rush of teachers hitting the busy Christmas term running. So if you and your lovely children perform it in December, spare a fleeting thought for us musos sweating our way through it in airless studios in the summer heat! We’ll definitely be thinking of the many great and varied Marys, Josephs, wise men, Herods et al as we lay down their tracks, and be smiling.

Oh by the way, Bethlehem Baby’s available now for pre-order if you’d like one thing less on your September to-do list…

Season’s greetings, Sheila.

People often ask if there are harmonies or two-part singing in various musicals, and sometimes, because I try to keep things simple for younger children, there’s only a little. But one of my latest, Bethlehem Baby!, is bursting with harmonies throughout, plus a four part round; it’s been great, indulgent, fun writing it! There are two duets so far – one between Gabriel and Mary, and another between the Innkeepers and Mary/Joseph (with the choir helping everyone out). All the songs can be sung in unison instead, of course. At the moment the musical’s in the process of being edited and recorded, but for me two tasks remain: scoring the fifth song, and composing the finale. It’s being published in August, and can already be pre-ordered on our website. In fact, I really should stop chatting and get on with it … ‘bye.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

My first pre-school nativity musical is nearly on the shelves, yay! I’ve composed and arranged the songs and the play, and am currently correcting the first proofs; the backing tracks are being recorded; and the musical is up and running at my Distributor’s (available to pre-order on 01202 724294). I’m just finalising its write-up for various brochures. The wonderful Jackie Marks, who illustrated my first Redhead musical ‘Rock around the Flock!’, has illustrated ‘The Tiptoe Nativity!’ beautifully. Her drawings of children are heart-achingly good, and as usual she’s interpreted the spirit of the musical perfectly… in this case, an early-years fest of sweetness and fun – a bit organised, a bit charmingly chaotic, hahah. And her lamb nearly steals the show. Would you like to see it? Of course you would!

Life has returned to normal – I’ve finished my initial brochure work and handed it over to more experienced hands, my multi-talented designer, Nick – and am back to composing nativites again, ‘as you do’… Things are charging ahead: I have the first proof of my pre-school musical (The Tiptoe Nativity) back from Chris (multi-talented editor) to peruse; it’s always nice when something changes from my hand-drawn dots on staves, to printed music. And yesterday I composed song 5 of 6 from the new KS1-2 (Bethlehem Baby), a very tongue-in-cheek rock’n'roll duet between the 3 wise men / and Herod & his soldiers, who are in hot pursuit. Once again, I chuckle over my Very Strange Life And that hopefully excuses the terrible pun above, for which I apologise …

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

I’ve put the enjoyable task of completing my second new musical on hold for a couple of weeks, whilst I do new write-ups on all my existing musicals (around 50 now) for the new brochure, which will be out in August. I’m trying to answer most of the questions which customers ask when they contact us, such as the number of speaking parts, and which musical would be best for their particular sized school or group. Also, which musical they’d like next if they particularly enjoyed this one or that one. The spread of papers (50 plays) has got too big for my desk as I cross-reference, and it’s all very messy, but hopefully a pleasing sense of order will emerge!

If you have a particular favourite and can verbalise why, or if, having performed one (such as Hosanna Rock!) and then found another you particularly like, please do email me to let me know, as it’s all helpful information!

Also, if you have anything you’d like to say about one of them (such as Christmas Stars (The Xmas Factor), The Star Attraction, The Christmas Code…), please let me know as we usually add a few helpful quotes to the brochure and website each year.

Anyway, back to work before I drown in paper … all the best, Sheila.

www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Now my pre-school musical has been composed, scored and is being engraved, I’m wondering how to catagorise it in my next catalogue. Personally I’ve been calling it KS -1 and I reckon this ought to catch on, but in truth I’m not sure if people prefer pre-school, early years or reception. If you have an opinion or actually know the answer, please email to let me know…

And if your school has a dept. for 3-5s, please let them know about the forthcoming sensation ‘The Tiptoe Nativity’. It’s being published in August, but advance orders are now being taken! It’s great for little ones: fun, catchy, poignant, easy to learn and hard to forget – as my insomniac nights can verify, hahah…

Sheila.

PS And like all Redhead Music musicals, it’ll be downloadable from iTunes.

If I seem a bit blank when you’re talking to me at the moment, it’s because I’m writing two-part harmonies in my head. Usually at any given moment, 365/1, I’m humming something in my head, analysing the chords, and ‘playing’ it with my fingers or – yes – toes, in my pockets or shoes. But from Easter each year I’m doing the same with my own compositions, plus trying to fill in missing lyrics. This sometimes makes me a little slow in conversations – I’m still listening and partaking and enjoying the company, but a few seconds might pass whilst I ‘filter’. But when it comes to two-part writing, such as I’m doing now, much more concentration is required, and I probably seem plain rude. Or stupid. C’est la vie!

The reason for such musical self-indulgence is that, because I’m bringing out a pre-school musical this Christmas, my second one can be more complicated than usual (it’s more KS2 than the usual KS1-2). What fun! Composer fun.

The only time it’s not even worth trying to get through to me is if I’m writing a three-part round in my head– and it’s been a year or two since I last did, so I think I feel one coming on. (Sorry, did you say something?)

Sheila

It’s ‘all systems go’ now in Redhead Music 2010  … the timetable for the new musicals and brochure has been drawn up and agreed amongst myself and the two most crucial other people at this stage: my designer – a term I surely don’t understand, because in this case it seems to mean the person who knows absolutely everything / and ties absolutely everything together – I’ve even occasionally asked him if he knows the title of the next musical I’m going to write, since he knows more than me about everything else – and it turns out he does have a file, atleast a mental one, of potential new musicals – anyway, that’s the wonderful Nick Flower … and my wonderful editor and engraver, Chris Hussey, who also knows way more than me technically about music and grammar, and has developed a meticulous inhouse style over the last few years for all my music books and plays. Between them they are daring to holiday and move house (not together, that would be strange) at outrageously inconvenient times, so I’ve got a choice between being organised early or having a summer meltdown.That’s why it’s ‘all systems go’, because I’m aiming for the former … but don’t hold your breath! For now, though, time to find out what Nick’s title really is. Oh, and since you ask, the (working) title of the pres-school/KS1 musical is ‘The tip-toe Nativity’ (orders now being taken!); and the KS1-2 title is … just being finalised. (Well, we don’t want too much excitement in one post, do we?)

Best wishes, Sheila.

Although I’m mostly thinking about and composing Christmas music now, I interrupt this flow of thought with some news: as of this week, my Easter musicals have joined my Christmas ones on iTunes! That’s Easter Praise, Easter Children, and Here Comes Jesus, along with Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant, which has turned out to be rather a popular alternative to the traditional Easter story, sensitively combining the themes of death and resurrection within its beautiful children’s story.

All the Easter songs can be used individually in assemblies, as well as with readings or the plays in Easter services.

And of course they’re all available on our website too … www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Sheila.

Yes, it’s official: Redhead Music’s getting younger (just like me – okay, that’s not official). Whilst enjoying a few weeks of snowed-in-ness at the start of the year, I started to write my first ever early-years nativity. I lost track ages ago of how many customers have enquired of me and my various distributors if I’ve got one – well, from this August the answer will finally be … yes! So, if you’ve enjoyed ‘Hosanna Rock‘ et al, please spread the news to any nursery and pre-school teachers you know. I’m just firming up the title – got to make sure no-one else has used it – before ‘releasing my IP’ (yikes, almost a luvvie!). Watch this space.

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

PS If you’re awaiting a new KS1-2 nat., don’t worry, that’s coming too

Last year Redhead Music was only available in English, now 2010 is but 40 days old, yet I find I’m published in Welsh and (okay, the title gave it away) Korean! Again, this topic is a bit off-piste for a nativity blog, but it’s not the kind of thing you can drop into casual conversation very easily so I may as well have a blog perk or two. Yes, ‘Easter Praise’ and ‘Resurrection Rock’ are both going on sale in Korea this month, following a request from a publisher there. I haven’t seen the translation yet but if I can I’ll attach a scanned page for anyone else interested to see what children’s lyrics, narration, stage directions etc. look like in Korean. Or to find out what the Korean for kazoo is. I feel I’m on a [rock and] roll now, so I’m wondering what the next translation might be…

Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

There’s been exciting stuff going on at Redhead Music this fortnight – the first (known) translation of one of my musicals into Welsh has just been completed. It’s an Easter one, so, hmm, maybe I shouldn’t write about it here at nativityblog.com, but, well, it’s my blog so I guess I make the rules! I’ve been meaning to look into getting Welsh translations done for several years, then with a burst of New Year determination, I found (with a bit of help) a translator who could not only translate the words but also rearrange the song lyrics poetically so that they still rhyme AND fit to the melody lines. This clever lady is Sian Jones, and her finished work is just about to appear on my website. Yes, Easter Praise is now available in English or Welsh! I’m really pleased about this, and am planning to add a Christmas and a harvest musical to my Welsh repertoire later this year.

To keep this blog well on topic, here’s some more breaking news: this January I’ve written the songs for a new nativity; it’s a bit of a departure for me, but more about that soon …

I’d really like to sign off with a few words of Welsh, but I haven’t learnt any yet. There’s another New Year challenge!

Sheila.

We’re planning to put some photos of productions into our next brochure. I’ll be contacting the schools I visited directly, but if you staged a production of any of our Christmas shows (see the list below if you’re not sure!) then we’d love to see them. The best way to do it is either to write to us at info@redheadmusic.co.uk attaching a photo or two, along with your school name and the production, or to reply to this blog doing the same (particularly if you’d like them to be posted on the blog too, to inspire other teachers here). Don’t forget that permission will be required from parents of any children in the shot.

Thank you! Sheila. www.redheadmusic.co.uk

Christingle Rock! Christmas Praise! Christmas Presence Christmas Stars! (the Xmas factor) Holy Joe! (the unsung hero) Hosanna Rock! jesus@bethlehemstable.com Little Angels! Mary, Mary Nativity Nightmares! Rock Around the Flock! Rock the Baby Scrooge (a ghost of a chance!) Seven Lessons and Carols Sheik, Rattle and Roll! Stable Story! The Christmas Code! The Star Attraction!