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New book of songs offers children a festive flavour

19/12/2017

A University of Wolverhampton lecturer has compiled a Christmas songbook for schools and community groups during the festive period.

Kevin Stannard, Director of Performance and Outreach in the School of Performing Arts at the Walsall Campus, has written and compiled the songbook, Junior Voiceworks at Christmas, published by Oxford University Press (OUP). There are contributions from local musician Roy Wood, well known composers Edmund Jolliffe and Bob Chilcott and also members of staff, students, local teachers and their pupils.

The forty seasonal songs and arrangements can be used for all occasions, including school concerts, Advent and Christmas services and carol-singing.  All songs are supported by a comprehensive lesson/rehearsal plan and a CD with backing tracks.

Kevin said:  “Organising and arranging musical concerts can often be time-consuming which led me to think that a structured songbook would be really useful for schools and community groups.

“The songbook contains 40 fabulous carols and songs are ideal for children aged 7 to 11 and beyond – including a number of newly composed songs - and there’s a vast range of styles, from warm-up chants and traditional music to folk, jazz and rap.

“There’s also a chapter devoted to fun partner-songs ideal for whole school assemblies or when combining choirs.”

The songbook is available to order online and advance copies have already been ordered from as far away as Australia. Full recordings of all the songs are also available from the OUP companion website.

The book was officially launched at a ‘Christmas Festival of Voices’ attended by 200 local children early in December at St Matthew’s Church in Walsall.

ENDS

For more information please contact the Media Relations Office on 01902 32 2736 or 01902 518647.

Date Issued: 27th October 2017

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