Thanks to support from the Cancer Coping Center, I am going to make music, drum, and play boomwhackers with kids at Camp Kesem, a camp for kids with a parent who has (or has had) cancer. The camp is a week long, and they do all sorts of fun activities.
I awoke from sleep one night thinking of the perfect pop song for the official Camp Kesem song lyrics. The song has to be COOL if we want the kids to dig it. Hence, I’m introducing the Black Eyed Peas to Boomwhackers. Since none of the video footage of the kids will be made public, we’re sharing this humorous video as a demonstration instead. Enjoy!
I have pre-composed parts for 4 players (2 counselors, and 2 kids), but everyone else can improvise on cue playing boomwhackers in the G pentatonic. We’re going to throw in a chorus of boomwhacker sword fights, then another chorus of boomwhacker train lines. This is perfect for groups of 12 or more. And of course, we’ll record it all for the families’ viewing.
Do you use boomwhackers? Share your own stories, thoughts and comments below!
To play the song with your own group, all you need to get are some boomwhackers and octavator caps. You can peruse more boomwhacker items by checking out the boomwhackers section in my inventory list. You can either use a glockenspiel for part of the melody, or fill in your own words to fit the theme of your group as I’ve done. (See below.)
Click here to download the boomwhacker arrangement
Here are the official Camp Kesem song lyrics:
Don’t stand in front of me, I may not follow.
Don’t stand behind me, I may not lead.
Just stand beside me, and be my … friend.
We’re here together, at Camp Kesem.
I also have a video for Boomwhackers Gone Gaga!
Love it! This is great, very creative and lots of fun. I’m working with lots of kids in deprived communities over the next few months as a DCF. If you could e mail me the bw score arrangement or any other ideas that’d be great. Many Thanks
Sharon
Very nice Kat. I have been specifically asked to use this song for a group of 300 girl guides at their summer camp.
I have over 400 boomwhackers and think this is a great idea!
Bravo!
Steve
This is amazing. I absolutely love it
Juliette
Umm YES!!! Kat you never cease to amaze!
Boomwhackers unite!
Thanks everyone for you comments! I’ve sent out the score now. I’ve you would still like a copy, then please email me at kat@soundhealthmusic.com.
Peace, love, and boomwhackers!
What fun! Speaking as a MTM (Music Therapist’s Mom) and a MEM (Music Educator’s Mom) and a lover of shoes, I loved the video! It brightened my day.
So fun! The kids will LOVE it!
I know I do!
This is awesome! I have a group of teens that would LOVE to do this. I would be so grateful if you could e-mail me this arrangement.
Thanks from Connecticut!
I love this! How fun! So now I know what my shoes do when I leave for work everyday. haha
Very clever and very cool!!!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! Mazel Tov! Realease with tone, the song of the decade for anticipation and shoes made for walkin and movin’…Great idea. Joanne
Wonderful Kat, You are an inspiration! I would love this arrangement as well for my summer camp here for kids living with cancer. Thank you for your great work,
All the best,
Lulu :^))
I’ll get the arrangement to you asap! Thanks for your comment, Lulu.
Fun! Thanks. Please send. (Oh, and I hope I win the naming contest!! :0
And Whoa to the guy with 400 boomwackers!
Just came across this from a Facebook link to yur blog posted by another DCF and I see my friend Sharon has been here before me too! This is fantastic Kat. I’d like a copy of the arrangement too please.
Go well.
Anna
Thanks Anna! And thanks for letting me know how you ran across it. I’ll send you the score right away.
Hi Kat!
I was viewing your posts of lady gaga and black eyed peas. I would love to use these 2 songs (Just Dance and I Got a Feeling) for the kids camp that is happening at my work in April. Would you be able to send me both of these scores? Thank you so much, Kat!! Your work is very inspirational and I can just see the joy being brought to their faces when they play it!! -nicole
Hi again, Kat!
I forgot to ask you…I don’t have boomwackers yet. Do you have any sugesstions on where to purchase them? Also, is there a specific set of them I should buy or can I just purchase the ones in C major? Thanks!! -Nicole
Hi Nicole, You can find links for purchasing above in the post. The scores should be in your inbox now, too! Happy boomwhacking!
Hi Kat,
LOVE the Black eyed Peas arrangement, I’ve never used boom whackers but I sure want to now!! If you’re still sharing the pdf I’d love to have a copy to try at some time in the future… after I buy some boom whackers I guess, ha!!
Carmen
Just sent it! Enjoy =)
Hi, May I have a copy of the two scores. You inspired me to use the Boomwhakers that are dusty in the closet.
Check your email!
Hi Kat,
Your video inspires me to try boom whackers with my students. Would you send me a copy of your scores. Thanks in advance…
Hi Barbara! Check your email =)
This is so inspiring! I’m teaching grades 6-8 music this year. Would you please send me a copy of your scores….thank you
I love these arrangements!!! I am a recently board-certified music therapist working in the school setting. My new job includes students with higher cognitive skills than my internship, so I’m looking for unique experiences to challenge these students. I would really appreciate it if you could send me any arrangements (I love Firework too!) as well as any other ideas for boomwhackers. Thank you so much!
Kelsey
I forgot to ask you about how you go about the challenge of creating these arrangements. Is there a specific process you use or a particular type of song that works better than others? I would like to create my own scores, but I’m a bit overwhelmed.
Hey Kelsey! I listen for ostinatos and patterns in the music. I know that kids have an easier time playing repetitive stuff than complicated stuff. Also I listen for songs that use just two chords back and forth. I listen for simplicity. I listen for no chromaticism. And yes, there are songs that are wayyyyy easier than others. BEP was easy because it’s the same 8 bars over and over in the entire song! Michael Franti’s I Love You was easy because it’s basically 3 chords (except for the bridge)….
I have a bachelors in music *theory* so I’ve always loved doing transcriptions and dictations. So, it might just be up your alley, too! =) Keep me posted. Would love love love to hear of others coming up with some boomwhacker arrangements, too!!
Awesome! Check your email =)
Wow! That was fast! I love that What I Am song! I’ve been meaning to notate the chords after I saw the sesame street video. Thank you so much!!!
Sweet! Check for more boomwhacker arrangements and videos here: http://www.rhythmforgood.com/category/kids-2/boomwhackers-kids-2/
Plus one extra one here: http://www.onlinezencmte.com/blog/michael-franti-on-boomwhackers/
=)