Notes from School (James B Partridge)
Explore every episode of Notes from School
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan 2025 | Introducing...Notes from School with James B Partridge | 00:01:05 | |
Sit up straight and get ready to sing! Introducing...Notes from School. A weekly assembly with James B Partridge (or Mr Partridge to the naughty Year 6s on the back benches!) where we take a deep dive into the songs and stories from your school days. ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 22 Jan 2025 | Ep 01: One More Step | 00:44:58 | |
How does an online music teacher end up performing nostalgic school assembly songs around the UK at hundreds of shows? Join me, James B Partridge, as I recount my unexpected journey from virtual music lessons to viral TikTok success in the debut episode of "Notes from School." Discover how a simple suggestion to post on TikTok led to an exciting musical adventure that brought the joy of singalongs from the screen to the stage. 3:26: How did Primary School Bangers begin? 16:55: Q&A Pt. 1: Download Fest dreams, Little Donkey and cheese toasties 24:09: Q&A Pt 2: Piano Practice and Secondary School Singing 31:22: Song of the week: One More Step 41:09: Singalong! 43:13: Roundup and goodbyes ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 29 Jan 2025 | Ep 02: Give Me Oil…and a Stretch Armstrong?! | 00:39:07 | |
Welcome back to the school hall for this week’s assembly! Settle down and let’s have fingers on lips while I catch you up on my first gigs of the year, playing at a tech conference and going to the press night of the amazing Kinky Boots featuring my younger brother as the lead. In this week’s Q&A session I uncover a forgotten classic from the Alleluya! song book, teach you some tongue-twisters (give them a go!), recommend some NEW assembly bangers (Conkers, Spring Chicken etc) and discuss the bizarre and slightly disturbing merits of the Stretch Armstrong children’s toy. Today’s singalong is one of the ultimate primary school assembly classics. It is…Give Me Oil in my Lamp! Or Sing Hosanna depending on your book. You can learn some harmonies or play along with percussion. I’ll briefly explain the song’s origins in African-American spirituals and think about how our singing in school is almost a new folk tradition of its own. 2:22: Correction Section 5:08: Weekly Catch Up! 11:37: Q&A Pt. 1: New assembly bangers and learning tongue twisters 17:39: Q&A Pt 2: Show merch and Stretch Armstrong 20:35: Deep dive request: A Better World (from Alleluya!) 24:24: Song of the week: Give Me Oil in My Lamp 36:08: Full singalong! 37:49: Roundup and goodbyes ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 05 Feb 2025 | Ep 03: Rebellious Scottish songs...from Bonnie Shores to School Floors | 00:37:17 | |
Welcome back to the school hall for a trip back in time to 18th Century Scotland. This week’s assembly takes a historical twist as I dive into some classic Scottish folk tunes that would have been sung in schools across the UK. Discover the link between Loch Lomond, Charlie is my Darling, the Skye Boat Song and My Bonnie lies over the ocean. In the catchup, I talk about AI in schools and the sad music news from Cardiff University. Plus, do you go to see shows alone? I had some amazing comments from those of you that do solo shows. This week’s Q&A session ranges from Dairylee lunchables, advice for young pianists and my primary school’s best feature. I hope you enjoy a slightly different singalong section where the history department takes over and introduces tales of Jacobite rebellion and the songs that came from it. A lot of these songs were sung as part of the national Singing Together programme. Let me know if you sang them at school, I’m sure most of us will recognise these timeless tunes but do you know the back story behind them? 1:45: AI in schools and Cardiff closures 5:11: Weekly Catch Up! 7:11: Do you see shows alone? 12:23 Q&A Pt. 1: Packed lunches, lyrics and piano playing advice 17:44: Q&A Pt 2: Manx tunes, school orchard and potential guests? 22:30: Singing Together and folk tunes 24:47: My Bonnie lies over the ocean 26:00: A Scottish tale 30:45: Charlie is my darling 31:48: Skye Boat Song 33:16: Loch Lomond 35:41: Roundup and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 12 Feb 2025 | Ep 04: What are the top 20 UK wedding hymns? | 00:43:09 | |
It might be February but this week’s assembly is taking us to wedding season. After a big response of answers online, I have put together the Top 20 of hymns sung at weddings in the UK. Some of the tunes might be surprising, some of them absolute classics and some just big tunes from the school hall. Listen to the end to find out which three I had! For some reason I gave three of them Number 20 but hopefully you get what I mean… In the catchup this week, I announce some new shows with a Soho Theatre residency coming up plus a couple of festival gigs. The question section leads us into the top wedding hymn segment and a few honourable mentions that didn’t quite make the Top 20. Thanks to everyone that sent in their wedding hymns and memories. I had nearly 500 submissions! 3:45: When to start learning piano catchup 8:08: Weekly Catch Up! 12:23 Q&A Pt. 1: Little Boxes and Inch Worm 17:57: Q&A Pt 2: If I had a Hammer and Vicar of Dibley 20:54: Q&A Pt 3: Wedding hymn, 80s classic or football chant? 24:38: Top 20 wedding hymns intro plus bonus 5 25:37: 20-11 top wedding hymns 29:19: 10-2 top wedding hymns 36:28 What 3 songs did I have at my wedding? 37:49: Number 1 UK wedding hymn! 41:00: Singalong of Number 1 41:49: Roundup and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 19 Feb 2025 | Ep 05: Self-confidence through song and Magic Penny | 00:36:33 | |
How can singing in a choir from a young age boost your self confidence? In this week’s assembly we have a special guest! Rachel Staunton is the co-founder and artistic director of London Youth Choir and she joins me on the podcast this week to talk about LYC and the amazing ways it helps support young singers in the London area. She gives tips for using song at all ages and how self-confidence can be built through choir singing. For this week’s song, it’s time for a Valentine’s Day theme as Malvina Reynolds’ Magic Penny is lined up for a singalong. It’s a simple song that carries a message that giving love and kindness doesn’t diminish what you have; instead, it returns it to you many times over. If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. 8:44: Weekly Catch Up! 12:28 Link to self-confidence in music 17:00: GUEST CHAT - Rachel Staunton from London Youth Choir 18:54: Cambiata and changing voices 21:27: How young to start choir singing? 24:02: Getting over being told “you can’t sing!” 26:23: Was Rachel always confident? 28:18: Her favourite school song 30:06: Magic Penny background 33:41: Singalong of Magic Penny 35:19: Roundup and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 26 Feb 2025 | Ep 06: A soundtrack for success with Ella Writer plus I Can Sing a Rainbow | 00:45:47 | |
Following on from last week’s great chat about youth singing and self-confidence, today we now look at how music can help build self-confidence with professional and personal success. In the assembly hall today we are joined by Ella Writer, CEO of coaching company Bright Yellow who imparts some wisdom from her 10+ years experience in consulting for FTSE 250 companies. There’s a musical analysis of WHY music makes us feel a certain way plus a chat about finding your tribe. Before we get there, I give a huge shoutout to all the volunteer run venues in the country, after a couple of wonderful experiences at gigs this week. There’s a fun Q&A where I discuss piano exams, family gigs and then take a song request for ‘I have seen the golden sunshine’. Today’s singalong is the infant school tune I Can Sing a Rainbow which is such a classic DESPITE it being the wrong colours!! Enjoy that one to end the show on a high note. If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 05 Mar 2025 | Ep 07: All Things Bright and Beautiful | 00:28:59 | |
Cecil Frances Alexander cracked out some absolute belters in her time. Today’s episode dives into one of her most iconic hymns. It’s one that we all know and love: All Things Bright and Beautiful. I look at all the different versions of the melody, explore the lyrics and even have a cameo Radio 1 message about her by Greg James. Which version of the hymn tune is your favourite? If you have any song requests for future episodes, please do send me a comment, email or message! Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. 03:00: Weekly Catch Up and small venue appreciation 08:10: Song request chats 10:41: The Golden Cockerel singalong 13:40: Cecil Frances Alexander 15:55: CFA on Radio 1?! 17:35: Tune 1 from Come & Praise (Royal Oak) 19:08: Tune 2 from Come & Praise by Graham Westcott 20:24: Tune by WH Monk 20:42: Tune by John Rutter 21:30: Controversial third verse 22:38: Purple headed mountains 25:15: All Things Bright and Beautiful SINGALONG 27:17: Roundup and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 12 Mar 2025 | Ep 08: Ask an opera singer anything! Q&A with Welsh soprano Eleri Gwilym | 00:37:39 | |
Can you really smash glass with singing?! How do you even find out you can sing opera? Find out the stories behind becoming an opera singer, the state of singing in Wales and much more with today’s chat with Eleri Gwilym. She is currently playing Queen of the Night in the Magic Flute by Mozart and has some fascinating insights into the life of being an opera singer. Thanks for the submitted questions, I hope this podcast clears up some preconceptions about opera and opera singers! Also, wait for the only use of the word ‘undulations’ in a podcast. If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.
03:20: How old were you when you started learning opera? 04:11: Do they learn the language in general or just learn the songs for the Opera? 05:16: Best primary school hymn to sing In opera style? 05:45: Memories of singing in Swansea 07:19: Can you really smash glass with singing?!! 08:23: How do you even find out you can opera sing?! 09:14: How did you know your voice was suitable for opera? 11:02: What made you get into Opera and not any other music genre? 12:02: What's the most annoying 'opera singer stereotype' you've come across? 16:24: What happens to opera sets after productions? 18:34: How do they look after their voice? 20:04: Any go-to warm ups? 22:00: Singing in Welsh schools and how to encourage singing 25:20: Any way to make opera more accessible? 30:14: Thoughts on Cardiff Uni dropping the Music course 31:40: Studying law over music 33:30: Y Deryn Pur intro and chat 34:56 Y Deryn Pur PERFORMANCE 36:05: Roundup and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 19 Mar 2025 | Ep 09: Graham Kendrick on Shine Jesus Shine and the legacy of his songwriting | 00:56:54 | |
It was an absolute delight to spend nearly an hour talking to Graham Kendrick about his songwriting craft, the connection of worship music and of course the ultimate school assembly banger: Shine Jesus Shine! In the timestamps below you can see the topics we discuss and make sure you listen ALL the way to the end as there is a special one-off performance of Shine Jesus Shine live at the Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall on 16th March. I’d love to know your thoughts on the conversation and let me know any comments or questions you may have. If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com. Timestamps:
01:37: Graham Kendrick interview begins 03:10: How does he feel about Shine Jesus Shine being an assembly banger? 05:27: How did Shine Jesus Shine get into schools around the UK? 07:41: Did Graham know it would be a hit? 12:48: Taking Shine Jesus Shine to Spring Harvest 17:13: What was the songwriting transition to writing for worship? 18:15: Was there much push-back against rock instruments? 20:45: Graham’s new songwriting and new album 24:00: Graham’s Dad and the healing joy of communal singing 30:20: Singing Shine Jesus Shine at Glastonbury 31:00: The pop and rock musicians that influenced Graham 34:35: School songs as a new folk tradition 37:05: Finding the ‘heart songs’ with songwriters from other countries 40:35: Has Graham worked in the States? 42:05: The change in school assembly singing and Harvest songs 45:58: Where did the claps in Shine Jesus Shine come from?! 47:35: What else should people listen to? 48:30: Balancing the love of church music with issues with religion 51:40: Graham’s memories of school singing 53:12: Conclusion of the interview 53:42: SHINE JESUS SHINE LIVE PERFORMANCE! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 26 Mar 2025 | Ep 10: The genius of the Toys R Us advert theme | 00:45:48 | |
The questions were thrown open this week on my socials. I had some great obscure song requests come in alongside a prompt to explore the best British advert jingles. I even get some AI opinions on this before I do a deeply educational analysis of the iconic Toys R Us theme which is an “an all-out banger” according the YouTube comments. I had to figure out WHY it is so good! Let me know what your favourite advert jingle was, growing up! If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.
07:15: Upcoming gigs shoutout 12:40: Emails and obscure song requests 16:30: There was a princess long ago 18:05: At half past 3 we go home to tea 19:45: Question and Answers 26:03: What’s the best advert tune? 27:40: Chat GPT’s Top 10 advert jingles 37:09: TOYS R US DEEP DIVE 45:12: Goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 02 Apr 2025 | Ep 11: Why live music for children is so important with Polly Ives | 00:32:55 | |
Why is it so important to introduce children to music from an early age? This week I had a slightly different performing experience to usual as my Sunday morning was spent doing my show with a twist: the audience were mostly under the age of 5! Afterwards I had a great chat and interview with Polly Ives who runs Concerteenies which provides live music experiences for parents and young children. In the chat we touch on the importance of early years music experiences and also the future of music education. Even if you don’t have children yourself, or if you don’t work in education then I’m sure you will really enjoy the chat we have. If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com. Timestamps: 07:02: Interview and intro to Polly Ives 08:55: The acts that perform with Concerteenies 10:45: Any unexpected reactions from the children? 11:55: Did online sessions work? 14:50: How does music impact early childhood development? 17:27: The benefits for parents of providing live music to children 19:39: How parents can incorporate music into the daily life of their children 20:45: The misconceptions of Early Years music 23:20: What are the next plans for Concerteenies? 27:45: Pitching to adults as well as children 28:55: Polly’s favourite school banger 31:20: Round-up and goodbyes! ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 09 Apr 2025 | Ep 12: My Top 10 Easter Bangers! | 00:34:08 | |
It’s the Easter holidays! Or it nearly is, depending on what school you’re at. That means it is time to decide on the best ever Easter singalongs, whether we look at some traditional classic hymns or some newer school assembly tunes. Thanks to those that voted for their favourites and let me know if your choice was left off the list! Either way, most of these songs will be stuck in your head. Before we get to the Easter singalongs, there are some great questions and emails which even include a Calon Lân singalong in Welsh. Hopefully I got most of the pronunciation correct. If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.
05:22: I’m writing a book! 07:17: Email about Welsh singing 09:40: Calon Lan singalong 11:05: Q&A section 18:04: Best Easter songs honorary mentions 25:01: Easter bangers intro 26:53: Top 10 Easter bangers! 32:58: Round-up and goodbyes ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 15 Apr 2025 | Ep 13: Football, choirs and Bantam of the Opera with James Sills | 00:59:36 | |
This week we invite James Sills into the assembly hall for a great conversation. We chat about the links between football and singing which have combined in his awesome new project called Bantam of the Opera for BBC Sounds. This is a project bringing together Bradford City fans for the year of the city of culture in Bradford. James, Lesley Garett and Chris Kamara are linking up to get the football fans singing! James talks also about the work he did online with Sofa singers plus his journey into leading choirs. Before we get to the chat, I have a forgotten school assembly classic as this week’s singalong. It is called I watch the sunrise. Let me know if you know this one or if you have any requests for future singalongs. If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.
02:51: ‘I watch the sunrise’ singalong 05:40: James Sills interview 10:10: Bradford as city of culture and intro to Bantam of the Opera 13:55: James’s journey into leading choirs 18:35: Links with football 23:30: Singing as a safe space and corporates 28:40: James’s book ‘Do Sing’ 29:55: Sofa singers and virtual choirs 34:13: Recognition for work in music 37:55: Bantam of the Opera 45:23: Singing as therapy and music in schools 50:10: Power of communal singing 52:10: James’s favourite school assembly song 55:15: Conclusion to interview 58:24: Round-up and goodbyes ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||
| 23 Apr 2025 | Ep 14: The Great British songbook with Tom Carradine | 01:15:05 | |
To celebrate St. George’s Day today, I have Tom Carradine in the assembly hall. He is the mastermind behind the Cockney singalong and has a deep and immersive knowledge of British song from the Victorian music hall to war-time tunes and even obscure classics from the school assembly songbooks. He also is the best dressed and moustachioed musician in the UK. Feel free to check it out on YouTube too. During this epic chat, I hand over the piano keys to Tom so he can dip in and out of musical examples throughout our hour-long conversation. We discover his epic renditions of Shine Jesus Shine from his school days, how the Cockney singalong began and enjoying the heritage of British songs. Also, he reveals the one song that everyone around the world knows! If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. Timestamps below if you want to skip to any bit in particular. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.
02:00: Tom’s route from biochemistry to Cockney singalong via Musical Theatre 10:00: Does Tom include Musical Theatre tunes in his singalong? Mary Poppins link to Cockney songs 12:35: Playing piano in assembly and Any Dream Will Do 16:15: Mr Fogg’s and international audience members 18:15: The one song that everyone knows around the world! 19:55: The Great American songbook vs Cockney tunes 23:40: Pearly Kings and Queens and domestic piano playing 27:00: Cockney humour and My Old Man Said Follow the Van 30:17: Tom’s singalongs and newer singalong classics 36:20: Why did Tom decide on the Cockney tradition as he’s NOT a Cockney! 38:07: Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay school songbook 39:50: I lift up my finger. Forgotten school assembly tune 41:38: Why Cockneys “have a banana”, rhyming slang and Wilton’s Music Hall 50:47: Celebrating St George’s Day and bringing a positive spin to the English song tradition 55:18: Is singing national songs appropriate? Jerusalem and sea shanties 01:00:00: Changing the show for children and the benefits of a singalong 01:07:30: Tom’s favourite school assembly tune Streets of London singalong 01:10:20: Streets of London singalong 01:12:20: Final thoughts and wrap up Find Tom Carradine online: https://www.tomcarradine.com/ ~~~ I am on tour all year, across the UK and you can book your tickets at: https://jamesbpartridge.com/ ~~~ Follow me on socials at: Instagram: http://instagram.com/jamesbpartridge Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesBPartridgeOfficial/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@jamesbpartridge YouTube: http://youtube.com/jamesbpartridge Send me a message: notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com ~~~ Find the podcast on all streaming services and leave a review if you've enjoyed it! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Ta8ch0BjnuV6GDgGv7BN2?si=5270e69bbb9a431e Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-school/id1790674992 Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/054bf11f-a134-42c7-9114-f1398cc3fbe8/notes-from-school | |||