Singing Grandpas

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If your quartet is made up of retired guys who can do daytime gigs, you can have a ball visiting grade schools as “Singing Grandpas.”

Anyone who’s delivered a Singing Valentine to a grade school teacher knows how thrilled and enraptured the kids are. They probably haven't spent much time singing around the family piano like you did—so the happy surprise reaction is all the more intense.

Former Society staffer Bill Rashleigh put together a This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. which includes pointers for success, a song list, even a script that can be followed. The approach basically is to be light-hearted and fun. Song suggestions include such numbers as Bill Grogan’s Goat, Coney Island Baby, and Please Mr. Columbus, Turn the Ship Around. There can be singalong songs such as I’ve Been Working On The Railroad, and Row, Row Row Your Boat as a round. Most quartets have uptunes in their repertoire that would fit.

For middle schools, where the students are ready for one- and two-part harmonies, the Society’s Introduction to Barbershop Singing for Youth songbook can be an excellent source of ideas.