Memories of a Singing Girl Scout

Today is the anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America.

On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low began an organization with a group of girls in Georgia which would go on to become the Girl Scouts of America.

I am proud to say that I am a lifetime Girl Scout.

Scouting was a major part of my childhood and youth.

Sure, I enjoyed earning badges, cooking and camping out, playing games and performing skits. 

It was in Girl Scouts that I learned the importance of the flag and participated in many flag ceremonies for troop, camping, and civic events.

Camping was a big part of my summer. I was horribly homesick the first time I went for a two-week stay. I cried every night the first week. I recall receiving a letter from my mommy telling me that being homesick just meant how much I loved my family and my home and that I'd be just fine until they came to pick me up. 

Then I cried at the end of the two weeks because I didn't want to leave. I'd LOVED camping!

(Well, not all of it. To this day, after many caper assignments of cleaning out the latrine, I do NOT care to use an outhouse/latrine. Give me my indoor plumbing!)

My fondest memories of all the Girl Scout activities I was involved in all involved singing of some sort.

All songs were taught/learned through oral tradition - learning something through repetition. All harmony was done by ear.

I think it was Girl Scout camp that really prepared me musically for listening carefully for musical sounds.

"Make New Friends" is a song that takes me back to those childhood days spent in Girl Scouts.

At camp we sang all kinds of songs.  Beautiful songs like "Barges" and fun songs like the "Billboard Song."

After each meal we would sing songs that cheered for our camp (Camp Conestoga in Iowa) and for our individual units.  I can still remember the songs I sang for my units - Prairie's Edge, Tinder Trails, and Outback.

Campfires were a highlight of my time camping. I loved hearing all the voices blending together. Early on I was a fan of the harmony that was created.  I still find myself singing the three songs that always ended each final camp-wide campfire: "Each Campfire Lights Anew," "Green Trees Around Us," "Taps"

Games were song based. I remember "One & Twenty" and "Sarasponda" being favorites.

The songs I've mentioned here are just examples of the 100s of songs that I learned while at Girl Scout camp.

I am thankful for my involvement in Girl Scouts. Not only because of all that I learned, but because of all the music that it brought to my life.

I'll end with one last song: "Happy Birthday, Girls Scouts!"

Thanks for the memories...

It's 2013.

Today's music thoughts dwell upon the music my students shared with their playlists today.

I found it interesting that two students in different classes chose the old song "You Are My Sunshine."

It is 2013.

This song was first recorded in 1939.

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Another two students chose the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads."

It is 2013.

This song, by John Denver, was first recorded in 1971.

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Another student chose the song "(I've Had) The Time of my Life."

It is 2013.

It was a cover of the song made popular by the movie Dirty Dancing in 1987.

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It is often said, "Don't sell the younger generation short."

Despite an earlier blog, I believe that the younger generation is going to carry on the music of the past.

Nearly all of the students claim to have learned of a song from a parent, grandparent, or sibling.

The tradition of passing on songs from one generation to the next does seem to be continuing.

But is it ORAL tradition?

While it might be more an AURAL tradition, many students claim they learned to sing the songs from the repeated play of cassettes [YAY! They know what cassettes are!] so they are learning it from a voice though not a LIVE voice.

Sure, it might not be folk songs from 250 years ago.

But, they're off to a good start.

As long as music remains a vital part of our young people's lives, I believe that our music will survive.

Now, the challenge is to get students back to actively PERFORMING music and not just listening.

There's time.

After all, it is 2013.

And they are young.

To Catch a...Song: Where does Oral Tradition Stand Today?

                                                

I am reading a book titled Singing family of the Cumberlands by folk singer and song collector, Jean Ritchie. I've not read a lot of it, but have thoroughly enjoyed what I have read. It is very down-home and country.

Today I read how members of her large family (14 children) would learn, or "catch," a new song.

This old time terminology caused me to ponder the plight of oral tradition.

Oral tradition is the passing own of songs from one generation to the next through repetition, repetition, repetition. In so doing a song survives and is allowed to breathe anew as it is passed along.

Most of us were taught songs as a children through oral tradition. Think about how you learned "Jesus Loves Me" or "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."  No one put the sheet music in front of you, pointed to the notes and said, "now, honey learn this song."

What is becoming of oral tradition?

With the advent of radio and recorded song many have said oral tradition will die out.

Will it? Or has it already died out?

I don't think it has nor do I think it will. There will always be occasion to teach someone a song. 

Music will last forever. 

I believe that as long as there is singing oral tradition will survive.

(To be continued...)