The Solar System CD

Gary and I had a great time recording this one. Thanks to the Rainbow Singers: Jamie and Kylie Shorter, Jaycee Clarkson, Nicola and Samantha McIlwrick, Jessica and Sabina Breuer and Calliandra Grekul for their fine work on this CD. Also, thanks to the students of Silverdale Elementary School, Grace Duncan, Brenden Derewenko, Duncan Milne and Curtis Bloom for singing on the NORTHERN LIGHTS song. And thank you, sweet litte Laura Egolf for your inspiration on 'GUESS I MUST BE SATURN'.

All songs copyright by HUMMINGBIRD MUSIC 2002. Except 'NORTHERN LIGHTS' which is by Judy McAlpine. The songs, 'TWINKLE', THE FAMILY OF THE SUN', THE PLANETS REVOLVE AROUND THE SUN' and THE GRAVITY SONG are re-writes of folksongs.

Tracks:

SPIRAL GALAXY (Mr. I) A simple round. The universe is made up of circles. Great fun to do with three circles in a classroom.
TWINKLE Mr. I is softly singing the Twinkle song when, suddenly, Gary comes running in to the studio. He never leaves!
THE SOLAR SYSTEM (Mr. I) Put on your 'boot-scootin' cowboy hat and line-dance along with this one. Names all the planets.
THE FAMILY OF THE SUN (Lyrics by Anise Abdulla) Silly Gary, acting like Elvis. Sorry, Barney, we really do love you.
CONSTELLATIONS (Mr. I) It has been my fascination for many years to write a song about the constellations. Managed to name quite a few in this song. Hope I pronounced them all correctly. Seems difficult, but I had my preschool children learn this song.
METEORS, COMETS & ASTEROIDS (Mr. I) What can I say? It's about meteors, comets & asteroids!
GUESS I MUST BE SATURN (Mr. I) Laura Egolf came in to class one day and told me that she was the planet Saturn.
JUPITER (Gary Huntbatch) Beautiful song written by Gary. The first recording opportunity for Jessica & Sabina.
IN THE CENTER IS THE SUN (Mr. I) Wanted this to be right in the middle of the CD. Managed to get every known fact about the sun in there. Over one million of our planet earth's would fit inside the sun. Quite amazing when you think about it.
PLANET RAP (Mr. I) A simple rap, repetition song to learn the names of the planets in order. Turned out to be a real favourite.
THE PLANETS REVOLVE AROUND THE SUN (Lyrics by Anise Abdulla) Hurrah!, Hurrah!, Favourite folk melody.
SPACE ODDITY (Gary Huntbatch) Okay, let Gary run wild again with his funny sense of humour. Look out! Outer Space!
THE MOON TUNE (Mr. I & Gary Huntbatch) We needed something about the moons. Here it is. By the time we had recorded the song with a set number of known moons in our solar system they had discovered a couple of new moons around Jupiter. Bon Chance!
THE NORTHERN LIGHTS (Judy McAlpine) Found this song in an Orff Songbook. Have used it over the years during Christmas recitals. I have the children hold large solid-coloured sheets and stand and twirl with the sheets to depict the northern lights.
GRAVITY SONG Fun song to do with 'apple' themes during September. Works with the solar system because it discusses gravity.
THREE ASTRONOMERS Frere Jacques used once again. This time for the children to learn the names of three famous astronomers.
SOMETIMES, I WONDER WHY (Anise Abdulla & Mr. I) Beautiful tune made up by Anise. I simply had to finish the song for her.