Notes from School – Détails, épisodes et analyse

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'd love to hear your favourite memories, song requests or questions. Send them in to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com. Follow me at @jamesbpartridge. Don’t forget to follow and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Give a little review. Unless you didn’t like it. 

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.
 
Thanks again for listening and please do send me a comment, send in a question or leave a review if you’ve enjoyed it!
 
0:00: Intro

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

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.

In a light-hearted Q&A session, I dive into my DREAM festival gig (it involves Cradle of Filth) while sharing future plans of a Christmas-themed album. We all need a new Little Donkey recording. As music education takes centre stage, I offer insights into the best instruments for children to start with, advocating for the piano as a gateway to a lifelong love of music. Plus, how do we get secondary school pupils singing?!

This week's song is the timeless classic: "One More Step Along the World I Go". I can't wait to learn the Palais Glide. Come join the assembly, and let's keep the spirit of school assemblies alive, one note at a time. 

0:00: Intro

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

Send us a text

~~~

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

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?
 
Thanks again for listening and please do send me a comment, send in a question or leave a review if you’ve enjoyed it!
 
0:00: Intro

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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

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!
 
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.
 
0:00: Intro and alternate lyrics

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.
 
0:00: Intro and wedding hymns 

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and welcome to Eleri Gwilym

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.
 
0:00: Intro 

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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

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.

Send us a text

~~~

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

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:

0:00: Introduction to Graham Kendrick and what’s coming up

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!

Send us a text

~~~

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