Children’s music – John Whittaker

Children's music by John Whittaker

A] 'Aesop's Fables'

A cantata for Children’s Choir, Baritone and 8 Professional Musicians (or can be performed with piano accompaniment). Duration 30 mins. Words by Alf Williams. Additional Words by *Nia Williams. Aesop’s Fables was first performed by the Oxford Youth Choir in 2004. Consists of seven sections – each telling a separate fable. Aesop himself (baritone) introduces the stories and make a concluding appearance in the ‘grand finale’ section of ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’. Ideal for a Music Festival performance or as a concert piece for a children’s choir. Listen to extracts from their recent performance at St. Andrew’s Church, Oxford, on March 16th, 2024.

''The Lion and The Mouse'

'The Fox and The Crow'

''The Greedy Dog'

'The Vain Jackdaw'

''The Fox and The Stork'

Finale 'The Tortoise and The Hare'

B] 'In the Days of England Old'

Cantata for Children’s Choir and Saxophone (or Clarinet) Quartet. Duration 30 mins approx. Arrangements of English Folk Songs. Some linking narration. The introductory song* has original words by Nia Williams. Ideal for a Music Festival or as a concert piece for a children’s choir. (Suitable for Ages 7-11)

Listen to a live recording of most of the work in a performance by The Oxford Youth Choir:

Overture (on an old Morris tune)

'In The Days of England Old' * / 'The Ploughboy'

'Just As The Tide Was A-Flowing'

'The Jealous Woman'

''O No John'

'Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron'

C] ‘ Tales of The Greeks’

A stage work for children based on Greek Myths. Words by Oxford-based writer, Nia Williams.

It involves a number of chidren acting, a choir and 10 professional musicians. (Duration 50 mins) The music can also be performed in a modified version as a concert piece with the same instrumentation or with just piano accompaniment (Duration 30 mins.)

First performance as a concert piece by the Oxford Youth Choir in 2010. A staged performance followed at Long Lane Primary School in Tilehurst. (Suitable for Ages 8-12)

D] 'Songs of The Sea'

A cantata for Childen’s Choir and a variety of mainly folk instruments (or just a piano) of old sea songs and shanties. Some short narrations. Duration 25 mins. Ideal for a school or music festival performance. (Suitable for Ages 8-12)

E] ‘The Selfish Giant’ – A Childrens’ Opera/Musical (see opera section)

Scores and parts are available to hire for all these works.