Song A Week By Jodie
Free simple songs for choirs and singing groups
For several years, I published a blog - Song A Week By Jodie - where I shared arrangements and compositions I created while working with community choirs. Here they all are - on one page. The choir songs are organised into Super Simple, Easy, Medium. I have also included separate categories for Pedagogical and Christmas.
These songs are free for community choirs to download and use for non-commerical purposes, so please help yourself.
Super Simple
These arrangements are great for quick sings - I have used them for warm ups, choirs just starting out, workshops and getting audiences singing in concerts. When I’m working with Emlyn, he takes the lead, while I guide the harmonies.
Easy
These arrangements are straightforward, good sings for community choirs, and fast sings for reading choirs.
Train’s Off The Track
This American Folk Song is for lead and three harmonies. It can be taught by ear in about two minutes. lead +SAB
The Wind And The Rain
This song comes from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night Or What You Will, sung by Feste the Fool. It is for lead and three harmonies, and can be taught by ear. lead+SAB
Oliver Cromwell
An English folk song arranged for lead singer and four harmony parts. We enjoy singing this with a good lusty robustness. lead+SATB
Michael Row The Boat Ashore - community choir
I arranged this traditional gospel song in the minor and added a chorus. SAB.
Michael Row The Boat Ashore - high school
I arranged this traditional gospel song in the minor and added a chorus. SSAB
Quinty Quire Song Book
This song book has four songs - The Wind And The Rain, Michael Row, Blow The Wind (English folk song) and Toss The Pot (after Ravenscroft). SAB
The Parting Glass
This beautiful Irish song has divisi in the tenor line, for female tenors who don’t like to sing high. SATTB
The Turtle Dove
We learnt this charismatic Appalachian folk song before we moved to Tennessee! SSATB.
Alle Psallite - bass clef organum parts
I didn’t arrange this 13th century rock song, I just laid it out. It splits into two songs - the organum and a two voice duet. This might work well for two choirs. 4 voices.
Alle Psallite - treble clef duet
I didn’t arrange this 13th century rock song, I just laid it out. It splits into two songs - the organum and a two voice duet. This might work well for two choirs. 4 voices.
All The Same
This is a beautiful peace song written by my mother Kerry O’Regan, which I arranged for SATB.
Scarborough Fair
A simple SSAA arrangement of this pretty English folk song.
Medium
I have used these with confident community choirs. They take time, but the wonderful choristers have certainly made them work and performed them proudly.
When You Stand With Me
I composed this song during the Australian debate/debarcle over same sex marriage. Thankfully it passed, and this song is now a creature of its time! SATB and piano.
Gloria Ad Modum Tubae
This piece was written by Dufay for two voices and two trombones. I converted it to SATB.
Lorem Ipsum
This is a setting of the latin text webdesigners use as ‘dummy text’. Written in a renaissance style for a bit of fun. SSAABB
Down To The River
Many choirs will know this song. This arrangement is still simple, but feels completely different, converted to the minor and compound time! SATB
I Sing - SATBB
This is an arrangement of I Sing - by Australian singer/songwriter Andy Armstrong. I can’t hear him sing this without crying.
I Sing - SSAA
This is an arrangement of I Sing - by Australian singer/songwriter Andy Armstrong. I can’t hear him sing this without crying.
Complex
Gloria
Setting of the Latin Gloria. There is divisi in every part, and a number of key changes. It would require confident readers to sing. SATB with divisi in every part.
Prayer For Sanctuary - 2015 arrangement
Setting of Psalm 23. There is divisi in every part and a number of key changes and other challenging moments. it would require confident readers to sing. SATB with divisi in every part. I set this in 2015 and significantly rearranged it in 2023 to feature a mezzosoprano soloist - music will be available in the shop in 2024.
Pedagogical Resources
Singing The Dots
A collection of 16 progressive choir songs, for choirs to learn sightreading, whilst singing SATB repertoire together. This was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Australian Kodaly Scholarship. SATB
Sing Well Songs
Ten songs that focus on and support different foundation aspects of singing technique. These could be used as warm ups. I wrote them to feel like lovely songs, rather than stodgy exercises. Unison with guitar chords.
A Little Tune Up Round
A little round that helps singers get used to singing in tune with each other, and the universe. I have an explanatory video on the blog. 2 voice.
Christmas
A Child Is Born In Bethlehem
An arrangement of this beautiful medieval carol. There’s a bit of dissonance to bring some Christmas spice to your concert! SAAB
Rolling Downwards
The melody is a southern Baptist hymn. I've set it for SSA in the Americana style.
Still Still Still
This is for two treble voices. It’s a simple arrangement of this beautiful Christmas song.
