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Music Education
Resources by Paula Downes, a lot of music by Andrew Downes
On this page you will find music and songs suitable for all ages and voice types, in unison and in parts by English Composer, Andrew Downes, whose music has been inspired by music from around the world, Native American Culture, Paganism, and many religions. There are lesson resources based around some of the songs on our Climate Change and Music pages. Scroll through to find your perfect songs as well as music for Piano, Violin, Native American Flute and Strings, Wind Band and Symphony Orchestra.
Image from the video, "Reducing Plastic Waste", animation by Paula Downes
World Anthem
Suitable for all ages. Can be sung in 3 parts for high voices, or low voices, or a combination of both, or in one unison line with piano or other instruments playing the other voice parts.
Awaiting Dawn
Native American Poem in English Translation set to music by Andrew Downes for unaccompanied SATB Soloists and SSAATTBB Choir.
This is part of his large-scale oratorio New Dawn. More info, libretto and sheet music here.
Other large-scale cantatas/oratorios by Andrew Downes on the subject of Climate Change (click links for info, to listen, view librettos, purchase sheet music):
The Marshes of Glynn
Songs of the Prairies
Butterfly
Poem by DH Lawrence set to music by Andrew Downes for High Voices and Piano.
Learn more about the music and purchase downloadable sheet music here.
The Tantrum That Saved The World
Audiobook with music about Climate Change for Children. Purchase book here. Learn more about the music here. You can just listen to this on podcast episode 15.
"Songs for The Planet"
A series of six songs called "Songs for the Planet" by Andrew Downes for all ages with chamber orchestra or backing track.
FREE word sheet
Purchase the Sheet Music
Conductor version of the video for multimedia live performances
Lesson Resources
More information on each song:
1. Lift your eyes up to the skies
Song about stopping flying to save the planet. Suitable for primary/elementary school and KS3 children. Can be sung with backing track or chamber orchestra. View lesson resources.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
2. "Avoiding the car"
Song about avoiding the car to save the planet. Suitable for primary/elementary school and KS3 children. Can be sung with backing track or chamber orchestra. View lesson resources.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
3. "Zero Waste Shopping"
Song about ways of shopping without excess packaging to save the planet. Suitable for primary/elementary school and KS3 children. Can be sung with backing track or chamber orchestra. View lesson resources.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
4. "Reducing Plastic Waste"
Song about reducing plastic waste on our beaches and streets and making ecobricks to combat the problem. View lesson resources.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
5. "Reducing Food Waste"
Song about clearing our plates in order to avoid wasting food. View lesson resources.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
"We need to talk"
Song about the need for us to talk in order to save the planet.
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
Songs for the Planet (the above 6 songs in one video)
Sheet music/backing tracks can be found here.
FREE word sheet
Mass for Solo Unaccompanied Voice
Meditative and comforting. Films show nature.
More info and sheet music can be found here.
Mass for Solo Unaccompanied Violin
Meditative and comforting.
Listen to the podcast, The Tantrum that Saved the World, a climate change book for children by Megan Herbert and Michael E. Mann, narrated by Paula Downes which uses this music.
More info on this music and sheet music can be found here.
Wind Song
Song about a storm with Native American poetry in English translation. For high or low voices in up to 6 parts, or for solo voice with string quartet. Andrew Downes' music has been heavily influenced by the Pueblo Indian belief that we are part of, and belong to the Earth, as opposed to the very aggressive materialistic ideas of the West in which the Earth and its resources are seen as belonging to us, allowing us to exploit it to its, and our destruction. Song about a storm with Native American poetry in English translation.
More info and sheet music can be found here.
Learn more about Native American Culture here.
'The Huron Carol' from Andrew Downes' Ballads for Christmas for High Voices and harp sets a poem about the Huron/Wendat people of Canada .
You can purchase the sheet music for this song here.
Lesson resources for this song are here.
Concerto for Native American Flute and Strings
Andrew Downes bought a Native American Flute when he was in New Mexico and was deeply inspired by the adoration and worship of every tree, flower, mountain, stream.
More information and sheet music can be found here. Version for Soprano and String Quartet also available.
7 Preludes for Piano
Tone poems with the following titles: Solitude; Leaves in Autumn; Winter Lanes; Spring Lambs; Summer calypso; Daybreak in the Fields; Storm Force
Watch
7 Postludes for Piano
Tone poems with the following titles: Dusk; Twilight; Evensong; Owls; Nightfall; Flight of the Bats; At Midnight
Symphony No. 3 - Spirits of the Earth
The subject of the symphony is deeply concerned with the pagan idea of our belonging to the earth which is itself a great living entity, and worthy of our doing all we can to preserve its beauty for future generations of children.
Symphony No.4 for Wind Band
'Andrew Downes' Symphony No.4 is on a larger scale, painting a comprehensive picture of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and its environs. Immediately appealing was the vivid opening depiction of the town itself, an expressive solo on cedarwood flute in the third movement and the buoyant energy of the closing Rio Grande, but the composition clearly demands further listening....'
THE BIRMINGHAM POST
Listen to the podcast episode about this work:
Visit andrewdownes.com for more works by the composer.
Follow Cynthia Downes on Instagram to keep up-to-date with her blog posts.
Music Education
Resources by Paula Downes, a lot of music by Andrew Downes
Back to andrewdownes.com
If you have performed in any of Andrew Downes' works or come to listen, please share your experiences in the Premieres Blog! Also see what others have said. Thank you so much for your contribution.