An Autumn-ish Feelin'

This is a super happy song! It's upbeat and enthusiastic, and it's a lot of fun to sing, especially if you happen to be an autumn aficionado. We start out using a soloist (Grace Morgan) on our recording, but you can feature a group or your whole ensemble if you prefer. We also include the optional second part, which joins in at the pick-ups to measure 11 on the D.S. If you like this and want to incorporate it but don't necessarily have the singers in your class, ask for a little help from other classes or older singers (maybe even teachers or parents). It could also be treated like a descant by the same soloist who started the song, if you choose that option. To help learn this part, we have isolated it and included it with the free downloadables associated with this issue. (See the box following for details.)

Because the word "autumn-ish" is unusual and not actually a real word, you want to be sure it's understood. For that reason, we would suggest that at least the first time or two it is sung, you put a glottal stop (hard attack) on the "a" of "autumn-ish" as our soloist did starting in measure 3. That way it won't sound like "nautumn" from the previous "an." As the song continues, this is less critical as the word is now known and simply restated. A soft "t" in "autumn-ish" is also best for this song, as it sounds more natural.

Use this in your classroom for the joy of it, or use it in a performance setting, maybe adding some movement and color with scarves or ribbons. Naturally, you will want to use the colors of the season for this as mentioned in the song. Add drama with as much or as little movement as you like. For example, have students do easy motions by bouncing or swaying scarves on quarter notes or half notes. Do this together or alternately, like a call and response. They could also be more energetic with large movements - arms out, up, down, making shapes like circles, etc. Think cheerleaders with pom-poms. Or The Rockettes if you really want to get carried away. At measure 28, the music does a stop time section which invites a similar action from your singers whether they are holding scarves or not. Suggestions for this part are written on the music.

Here's one more neat idea: Change the title and lyrics to celebrate another occasion. For example, "A Holiday Feelin'." There are really only two phrases that you would have to completely re-write to make it work (measures 19 - 27). Try to make them rhyme and fit the existing rhythms for the best effect. If you use it for the holidays, be sure to add your own jingle bells.

Online extras - The free, downloadable tracks mentioned can be found under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 21, No. 1 at MusicK8.com