Read The Constitution

Colonial hip hop? Who knew that was a thing? But when you take a well-known song from a couple of centuries ago and infuse it with a sixteenth note swing groove complete with bass, drums, and a bunch of piccolos, that's just what you get. Sung to the tune, "Yankee Doodle," this adaptation is quite simple and easy to learn for all singers of all ages, including your youngest. But the message packs a punch: Read the Constitution!

Like the song says, every American should read and know about our freedoms, including the laws and rights of every citizen. Kids should be aware of this, even from a young age. And since we are keen to include your students from the earlier grades in the revue, this song should do the trick. Whether you decide to just do the song or take it further and create a more teachable moment is up to you. The revue itself has a lot of those already, but they are broad strokes and there is much more to be discussed.

If you have the time to just play the accompaniment tracks for students, it's kind of fun to hear the piccolos do their soli thing until the whole band comes in at the bridge. And don't worry. Kids don't have to swing. The eighths are straight in this one and only the instrumentalists have the swinging sixteenths.