Writing Songs for Children: Peter Combe interview

02/09/20 • 21 min

In this episode I chat with Peter Combe (who has just been awarded the OAM) about his beginnings as a primary classroom teacher, his advice on what makes a great children's song, his work over his 38 year career as composer and performer of songs for both children and adults and his views on primary music and singing.
Episode highlights include:

Peter’s primary classroom and music teacher origins.
Hosting Music Time in the UK.
Why we still need such a program.
What makes a successful children’s song and why Peter’s songs have achieved longevity.
The origin of Spaghetti Bolognaise .
Peter’s 18+ concerts (Big Kids Night Out).
Peter’s Adelaide Fringe shows.
Using elemental musical cocepts in children’s songs.
Children’s singing keys.
The importance of singing for children.

About Peter
Peter Combe started as a primary school classroom teacher in 1969, moving shortly after into music teaching. By the late 70s he was writing and performing songs for both children and adults and decided to move the family to England to see where his career might take him.

In England he presented the classic BBC school music program Music Time which was aired also in Australia by the ABC. Returning to Australia, Peter pioneered the recording of albums for children that consisted of new songs (rather than nursery rhymes and old favourites). He also pioneered the making of video clips for children – the first being Toffee Apple . His Radio National radio show Ticklepot was voted best children’s radio program in the world in New York 1991.

Peter has performed in schools, pubs, clubs, concert halls, has sold out the Sydney Opera House (twice) and the Melbourne Concert Hall, has appeared at Carols in the Domain and other capital city Carols nights ... and regularly performs his children’s songs in pubs full of adoring adults who turn up to sing along with the soundtrack of their childhood. Yet another first for children’s songs.

Peter’s albums have won 3 ARIA awards, plus 7 gold and 3 platinum awards.

And on Australia Day 2020, Peter was awarded the OAM. And deservedly so. He has elevated the status, not only of children’s songs, but also the importance of music in children’s lives and the importance of those who provide the music education.

Peter made time in late 2019 to share his insights into children’s songs and music education. You’re going to enjoy listening to the man who gave us Mr Clicketty Cane , Toffee Apple , Spaghetti Bolognaise , Newspaper Mama , Christmas albums and Snugglepot and Cuddlepie the musical.

Also in this episode:
A recipe from film composer Ennio Morriconi
A teaching tip video on storing music teaching resources from Alison Lunnon. https://youtu.be/0eTvwfBuft4

Peter’s primary classroom and music teacher origins.
Hosting Music Time in the UK.
Why we still need such a program.
What makes a successful children’s song and why Peter’s songs have achieved longevity.
The origin of Spaghetti Bolognaise .
Peter’s 18+ concerts (Big Kids Night Out).
Peter’s Adelaide Fringe shows.
Using elemental musical cocepts in children’s songs.
Children’s singing keys.
The importance of singing for children.

Peter’s albums have won 3 ARIA awards, plus 7 gold and 3 platinum awards.

Also in this episode:
A recipe from film composer Ennio Morriconi
A teaching tip video on storing music teaching resources from Alison Lunnon. https://youtu.be/0eTvwfBuft4

Previous Episode

Putting on a Show: Interview with Lynne Bartlett

In this episode I chat with Lynne Bartlett about putting on a show with primary/elementary schools. Lynne has been involved in the writing of no fewer than 16 primary school shows and assorted plays and mini-musicals, as well as touring curriculum-based educational performances to schools. Lynne has is a founder partner in Bushfire Press. She holds an Associate Diploma in Speech & drama from Trinity College in the UK. Lynne has been working in primary schools since the Eighties and is still passionate and active, mentoring and team teaching with performing arts teachers, writing and, of course, helping schools put on concerts and shows.

In this interview, Lynne walks us through the steps from deciding to do a school production to pulling up the curtain on opening night.

Episode highlights:

Why put on a show?
Choosing a production.
Forming a production team.
Organising a venue.
Auditions.
Choreography.
Rehearsals schedule.
Working with grade teachers.
Large schools.
Number of performances.
Student esteem through performance.

HINTS & TIPS
Alison Lunnon from Maryborough QLD shows some uses for bluetooth speakers in the music room:
https://youtu.be/SWe15Afzh5o

Next Episode

3 of My Favourite Apps: Interview with Katie Wardrobe

In this episode I chat with Katie Wardrobe from Midnight Music. Katie shares her 3 favourite apps for music teachers and explains how they can be used in the classroom. She also provides free lesson plans.
Episode Highlights
The website, Groove Pizza (online drum sequencer)

The app, Flipgrid
The app, Wakelet
Mozart’s recipe for Liver Dumplings

For discussions and info, visit
https://www.facebook.com/groups/musicroom.net.au/

Or address us directly with questions, suggestions or hints & tips: [email protected]
Katie Wardrobe is a music technology trainer, consultant, blogger and podcaster who is passionate about helping music teachers through her business Midnight Music (www.midnightmusic.com.au). She runs hands-on workshops, presents regularly at conferences in Australia and overseas and she offers online training and support to music teachers all over the world through her music technology professional development online community - the Midnight Music Community. Her workshops and courses focus on incorporating technology into the music curriculum through a range of creative projects. Katie has been Keynote speaker at the Australian Society for Music Education National Conference and the Music Education New Zealand National Conference.

Katie is the author of the keyboard and technology program for middle school students titled Studio Sessions (published by MusicEDU). She is known as an expert in the practical integration of iPads in music education and in 2014 published iPad Projects for the Music Classroom - a collection of step-by-step creative projects for primary and middle-school students. In the Midnight Music Community - an online professional development learning space especially for music teachers using technology - was launched in 2016 and has more than 500 members from around the world. Katie is also the host of the Music Tech Teacher podcast which was launched in early 2017