Notes from School

Ep 26: The Endless Harmony of The King's Singers with Chris Bruerton and Julian Gregory

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0100

The school term has ended and in fitting fashion, this will be the final episode of this season of Notes from School. I'm absolutely thrilled to be joined by two members of the legendary vocal group The King’s Singers. I have loved listening to this group since I was a teenager and it's honestly fascinating to hear all about life in the group. I speak to Chris Bruerton and Jules Gregory all about their journeys into the group all the way through to how important singing is for physical and mental health. The musical harmony is literally supported by the emotional harmony between the six singers. Make sure you listen to the end for the quick fire round of questions. Chris and Jules reveal their favourite countries to perform in, ultimate show closers and their favourite tour snacks!

As well as all this, we chat talk about:
👔 Life inside one of the world’s most prestigious a cappella ensembles
🏫 How school music shaped their journeys
🎼 Balancing tradition and innovation in their unique sound
🧠 Music, wellbeing, and mental health on the road
🎵 Why singing still matters—especially in schools today

📣 Find out more about The King’s Singers: https://www.kingssingers.com
https://www.instagram.com/kingssingers/
https://www.facebook.com/kingssingers

#TheKingsSingers #NotesFromSchool #PrimarySchoolBangers #MusicEducation #SingingInSchools

Send 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

Ep 25: Help Me! I’m a Teacher at the End of Term with Mr Firth

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0100

Fingers on lips! The digital school assembly of Notes from School this week invites in the internet’s favourite Year 2 teacher and creator of the podcast Help Me! I’m a Teacher!: the brilliant Mr Firth.

On a very hot school night, I gave Mr Firth a Zoom call which hopefully didn’t trigger too many traumatic memories from the dark days of the online teaching during lockdown. During our nearly hour-long chat we talk about surviving the end of term with humour intact, juggling classroom chaos with content creation and getting the correct rhythm of a classic school assembly banger!

Expect laughs, honesty, and a heartfelt chat about life on the front line of primary teaching in 2025. Whether you’re a teacher, ex-teacher, or just someone who wants to know how you can balance being a full time Year 2 teacher and a social media sensation, this is a must listen!

Follow Mr Firth online here:

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mister_firth/

🔗 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mister_firth

❎ X/Twitter: https://x.com/mister_firth

If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.

Send 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

Ep 24: Redefining the Recorder with Sarah Jeffery (Team Recorder)

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0100

In this episode of Notes from School, I meet the fantastic Sarah Jeffery. She is a professional recorder player, professor at Royal College of Music and the creator behind the wildly popular YouTube channel Team Recorder. From when I started this podcast, I really wanted to do an episode about the iconic primary school instrument and how it does in fact have a fascinating life beyond those early school days!

During our chat we discuss:
👉 How Sarah is changing the way the world sees (and hears!) the recorder
👉 Life as a professional musician and content creator
👉 School music memories, recorder myths, and moments of pure musical joy
👉 Her favourite videos, behind-the-scenes chaos, and advice for aspiring players

Whether you can crack out a masterful rendition of Three Blind Mice or just simply curious about the recorder, Sarah gives us an inspiring look at one of music’s most misunderstood instruments.

Follow Sarah online here:

🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Team_Recorder

🌐 Website: https://www.sarahjeffery.com

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/team_recorder/

📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahTeamRecorder/

If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.

Send 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

Ep 23: Post-Glasto catch-up with Dan Partridge

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 02:00:00 +0100

After a week’s recovery, Notes from School is back with the return of Dan Partridge to catch up on the madness of the Glastonbury experience! If you’re missing the festival then hopefully you’ll enjoy this catch-up. If you’re sick of hearing about it then this will be the last you hear me chat about it 🤣

If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow Dan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/danpartridge_/

See him on tour: https://kinkybootstour.com/

Send 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

Ep 22: Glastonbury hype and chat with Dan Partridge

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:00:00 +0100

This week I have invited my brother, and musical theatre star, Dan Partridge onto the Notes from School podcast. We chat about everything Glastonbury Festival, from our favourite acts and areas to the experience of performing there in 2024. I try not to make Dan to sad as he is on tour this summer and can’t make the festival…

Apologies also for the lack of episode last week. I recorded a whole special episode tribute to Brian Wilson passing and the Beach Boys but I dropped my hard drive and lost all the files! Maybe I will do it again at some point. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this and if you’re going to the festival…see you on the farm!

If you have enjoyed the episode please feel free to leave a comment or review. All questions and/or requests can be sent to notesfromschoolpodcast@gmail.com.

Follow Dan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/danpartridge_/

See him on tour: https://kinkybootstour.com/

Send 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

Ep 21: The Disturbing History of Nursery Rhymes

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 03:00:00 +0100

What do "Ring a Ring o’ Roses" and "Three Blind Mice" have in common? They're MUCH darker than you remember. In this episode of Notes from School, I take a look at the surprising (and occasionally horrifying) history behind classic nursery rhymes. Expect plague, beheadings, and wool-based tax policy, the perfect themes to get kids singing!

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 the episode

1:36: Weekly Catch up

6:44: Nostalgic memory on the emails

10:12: My nursery rhymes book collection

13:54: RING A RING O' ROSES

16:56: MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY

18:36: THREE BLIND MICE

20:24: BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP

23:28: HUMPTY DUMPTY

24:40: JACK AND JILL

26:46: ORANGES AND LEMONS

28:51: GOOSEY GOOSEY GANDER

32:48: ROCK-A-BYE BABY

33:50: LONDON BRIDGE IS FALLING DOWN

31:10: Round up and goodbyes

Send 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

Ep 20: Mega Song Request and Q&A special!

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 02:00:00 +0100

We’ve hit the 20th episode milestone! To celebrate, this week is a bumper crop of song requests, as well as a short Q&A section. If you have any song requests for future episodes or suggestions for topics to cover then feel free to comment or write in. Hope you enjoy the songs today!

Timestamps:
0:00: Introduction to the episode

1:38: Weekly Catch up

3:08: Glastonbury times and show news

6:36: Lord of the Rings messages and comments

11:55: Songs for anxious adults message

13:48: Q&A - Are Panda Pops “woke”?

16:13: Q&A - How is the book project going?

17:10: Q&A - Favourite tour venue?

18:17: Mega song request special

19:15: O Jesus I have promised

20:16: Water of Life

21:46: You Raise Me Up

23:05: BINGO

24:20: The Bell of Creation

25:05: Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs

27:05: He Who Would Valiant Be

27:55: The School Rules Song

28:46: Football Crazy

29:59: Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

31:10: Round up and goodbyes

Send 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

Ep 19: Tolkien’s Forgotten Song Cycle, “The Road Goes Ever On”.

Wed, 28 May 2025 02:00:00 +0100

What do Hobbits hum and Elves sing? Join me for this week’s assembly as Tolkien’s poetry meets Donald Swann’s piano in a musical walk through Middle-Earth. In this week’s episode of Notes from School, I explore “The Road Goes Ever On”, the enchanting song cycle that sets Tolkien’s poetry to music. Forget the classic LOTR soundtrack briefly and discover how Tolkien would have actually HEARD these songs. I’ll sing you some of each tune from the song cycle and you’ll hear how Donald Swann gave voice to the songs of the Shire, Lothlórien, and beyond.

Send 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

Ep 18: I Vow to Thee, My Country

Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:00 +0100

Following on from last week’s episode, today’s assembly is focussed on the classic tune: I Vow to Thee, My Country. I’ll be exploring the history and tension behind one of Britain’s most emotional hymns.

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro to the topics today

2:20: Catch up

5:19: Obscure question on email

7:00: I Vow to Thee intro

11:30: How did this hymn come about?

12:35: Who wrote the words?

15:31: Poem reading plus extra verse!

18:08: History of lyricist Cecil Spring Rice

21:06: Link to Gustav Holst

25:10: Second tune by Ralph Vaughan Williams “Abinger”

29:00: The controversial patriotism of I Vow to Thee

35:30: Links between Holst and Parry

36:15: Rugby anthem and World in Union

38:30: I Vow to Thee, My Country SINGALONG

41:20: Teaser for next week’s episode

Send 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

Ep 17: Jerusalem, England’s Most Iconic but Controversial Hymn

Wed, 14 May 2025 02:00:00 +0100

Jerusalem. It has been one of the most recognisable and iconic English tunes of the past 100 years. But is it as universally loved as we remember and can it even be called a hymn? How has a story about Jesus taking a road trip to Glastonbury led to a First World War patriotic anthem, through the lens of a Georgian revolutionary poet.

In this week’s assembly, I do a deep dive into Jerusalem, talking about its history, the association with the WI and even how it can signify the English musically. I really hope you enjoy this episode and I would love to know any memories of singing it plus any comments or thoughts about what I have to say!

Timestamps:
0:00: Jerusalem poem reading

0:50: Catch up

4:10: Education and positive music news

7:20: Intro to Jerusalem

10:03: A vicar’s PM about Jerusalem

11:58: How did the hymn Jerusalem come about? William Blake, Robert Bridges and Hubert Parry

17:23: What makes the Jerusalem introduction so stirring?

22:02: Why Jerusalem is musically English

25:14: How the hymn became the anthem of the Women’s Institute

27:16: Becoming used by political movements

29:24: Is Jerusalem even a hymn?

33:16: Memories from social media

37:21: Jerusalem singalong

38:50: Final thoughts and wrap up

Send 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

Ep 16: Playing through the entire Apusskidu songbook!

Wed, 07 May 2025 02:00:00 +0100

After a few weeks of some great interviews, I thought I would take it back to the assembly hall with a mega episode of singalongs. This week I go through the entire Apusskidu songbook from 1975 which is packed full of tunes for children to sing at school. Some of these are very famous, some are obscure folk melodies, we have some nursery classics, plenty of animal tunes and even a song about aliens. Hope you enjoy the play through, I am sight-reading some of them so apologies for any mistakes 😅 hope they bring back some happy memories, either way.

Timestamps:

0:00: Introduction, emails and catch up!

05:19: If you’re happy (and you know it)

06:14: I’d like to teach the world to sing

07:17: I whistle a happy tune

08:24: Yellow submarine

09:04: Sing a rainbow

09:53: The super-supper march

11:08: My ship sailed from China

12:28: Daisy Bell

13:31: The bonny blue-eyed sailor

14:23: Li’l Liza Jane

14:49: Clementine

16:01: Sparrow Twitters

16:33: Little brown jug

17:02: I’m Henery the eighth

18:23: There’s a hole in my bucket

18:42: There was an old witch

19:05: Ten in a bed

19:13: Lily the pink

20:14: Bananas in pyjamas

20:49: The great meat pie

21:57: Michael Finnegan

22:13: The train is a-coming

22:44: Wheels keep turning

23:33: Morningtown ride

24:30: She’ll be coming round the mountain

25:17: The Wombling song

25:45: Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!

26:52: Battle song of the Zartians

27:20: The wind blow east

27:54: One potato, two potato

28:47: The guard song

29:23: The fireman

29:42: When Father papered the parlour

30:11: The animals went in two by two

30:38: Going to the zoo

31:06: The hippopotamus song

31:40: Tiger, Tiger, orange and black

32:12: Where, oh where has my little dog gone?

32:39: Daddy wouldn’t buy me a bow-wow

33:04: Five little frogs

33:24: Frog went a-courtin’

33:50: Down in Demerara

34:19: Ferdinando, the donkey

34:49: Apusski dusky

35:50: Gobbolino, the witch‘s cat

36:35: A windmill in old Amsterdam

37:45: Maggon, the bad-tempered dragon

38:22: Risha, rasha, rusha

38:50: Final thoughts and wrap up

Send 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

Ep 15: UK meets USA. Make Weird Music with Anthony Garone

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0100

Over the past couple of weeks in April I’ve been in the States on holiday. Clearly, I’m not very good at fully relaxing so I teamed up with Anthony Garone from the YouTube channel Make Weird Music for a great conversation. We discuss topics such as being a content creator on YouTube, music education in the States vs the UK, creative mindsets, confidence and even some of the best British exports to the US.

You can find Anthony’s channel here and all it’s weird goodness: https://www.youtube.com/@MakeWeirdMusic

Timestamps:
0:00: Introducing Anthony and the start of Make Weird Music

3:00: Eccentricity in British music and the school assembly in UK and US

9:55: Music in US schools and the universal language of the piano

23:20: The importance of improvisation vs exams

32:20: Can we get weirdness into the classroom?

37:10: Advice on starting out as a content creator

45:15: British vs American mindsets

54:00: Anthony’s best of British culture and the start of Primary School Bangers

01:05:50: Final thoughts and wrap up

Send 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

Ep 14: The Great British songbook with Tom Carradine

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:00:00 +0100

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!

Timestamps:
0:00: Introducing Tom Carradine

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/

Send 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

Ep 13: Football, choirs and Bantam of the Opera with James Sills

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 19:00:00 +0100

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.

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and catch up

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

Send 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

Ep 12: My Top 10 Easter Bangers!

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 05:00:00 +0100

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.

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro, catch up and what’s to come

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

Send 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

Ep 11: Why live music for children is so important with Polly Ives

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 01:00:00 +0100

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.

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro and gig catch up

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!

Send 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

Ep 10: The genius of the Toys R Us advert theme

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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!

Timestamps:
0:00: Intro, school exams and catch up

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!

Send 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

Ep 09: Graham Kendrick on Shine Jesus Shine and the legacy of his songwriting

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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.

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 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

Ep 08: Ask an opera singer anything! Q&A with Welsh soprano Eleri Gwilym

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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.

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 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

Ep 07: All Things Bright and Beautiful

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 06: A soundtrack for success with Ella Writer plus I Can Sing a Rainbow

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 05: Self-confidence through song with Rachel Staunton

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 04: What are the top 20 UK wedding hymns?

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 03: Rebellious Scottish songs...from Bonnie Shores to School Floors

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 01:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 02: Give Me Oil…and a Stretch Armstrong?!

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 05:00:00 +0000

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 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

Ep 01: One More Step

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 06:00:00 +0000

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 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

Introducing...Notes from School with James B Partridge

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 15:00:00 +0000

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 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