My Musical Musings Blog | betsyleebaileymusic.com - The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey

Words and Music

7/9/2025

The movie "Words and Music" from 1948 was a biopic based loosely on the partnership of two American writers, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. It was stacked with talented performers who sang or danced the most popular of the Rodgers and Hart songs. I expected that. Some of the actors portrayed themselves such as Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. Other very famous names portrayed other people from Rodgers' and Hart's history. The movie was not a documentary. It was more a vehicle for showcasing this duo's collaborations with a few historical details thrown in.

Writing words and music to create songs that last down through many generations is very interesting to me. What gives a song such longevity? Is it because it was included in some memorable show? Is it because it was performed by some popular artist? Is it because the melody and lyric are paired so well that they go on to take on a life of their own? (Probably all of the above.) Songs don't usually last very long on the popularity scale. They must be promoted some way to give them longevity.

The portrayed way Rodgers and Hart worked together was so foreign to the way I write songs. Rodgers would write the music completely --- not just a melodic idea or a chord progression, but completely. Then Hart would write words (taking his own sweet time) to fit the layout of the music. I am not so sure this is true, but it is how their collaboration was depicted in the movie.

Many composer/lyricist teams sit in the same room and banter their ideas back and forth to come up with a song. Sometimes the words come first, or an idea that is based off dialogue in a play, or text from scripture, and so forth. Other teams have meetings to discuss ideas, then go off and work separately. Some pop groups sit in the studio and "write" as they lay down tracks. The song just synergizes from everybody's input in the session. I guess different authors have their unique ways of writing together.

Creating a song or arrangement or a show has always been something that I do on my own. I simply don't know if I could write with a collaborator because I have never had anyone to collaborate with. Sure, I have had people that give me inspiration or feedback, but I still need that space to write alone.

It is still a mystery to me how songs take on a life of their own. Maybe someday one of my songs will reach multi-generational longevity...

Here are a few children's songs that might have a chance. "Let Kindness Begin with Me," "Good Mornin' Sunshine," and "My Baptism Covenant"

An Upbeat Text Needs an Upbeat Tune

6/14/2025

The timeless tradition of beautiful folk hymns is part of our American History. We owe a lot to our forebears for the gorgeous melodies and texts of "Come Thou Fount," "Be Thou My Vision," "Simple Gifts," "Saints Bound for Heaven," and the "Battle Hymn of the Republic," to name a few. These songs and hymns reach into our souls and provide voice to the yearnings and feelings of devotion that we long to express.

Many of these tunes and texts were in effect written "by committee." In other words, the ideas have been sung and modified and developed over many years from many situations. Verses have been added and arrangements have been made that may or may not have modified the original melodies. The originals may never have been written down, so how would we know? What we have had handed down to us is the best of the collective memories. Each succeeding generation has had an arranger or two that puts his unique stamp on the piece and gives it new life.

Many of the tunes and texts that we so admire were actually written separately. Congregations in olden times generally only had the texts of the hymns printed for their use. Most congregations sang without accompaniment, in unison or made up their own harmony parts. The tunes were well-known and matched to whatever text suited them that day. Many texts were matched to several different tunes. The tunes even had their own titles, such as "Old Hundredth" that we know today as the tune to "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow."

The song leader or clergyman would stand up and announce the page of text and state which tune it would be sung to. Some hymnbook collections today have a list of tunes and texts in the glossary that gives meters and suggestions for matching tunes and texts. Only in recent times have the hymn texts and tunes become so synonymous. Then again, there are also newer hymns that were written with composer and lyricist collaboration and would never be considered for alternate tunes. (But very likely could be!)

For example, "Choose the Right" was written by a separate author and composer, Joseph Townsend (1849-1942) and Henry A. Tucket (1952-1918) sometime before 1909. Since the leaders of the Church made "Choose the Right" such a motto for the youth and even created the CTR shield logo and rings, no one even thinks of putting those words to a different melody. However, there have been many new arrangements made. Here's mine:

"Choose the Right" - sung by the Fruit Heights Stake Children's Chorus and a Young Women's Chorus

Elementary School Chorus Concert

5/5/2025

Boy was I surprised when I attended my 6th grade granddaughter's elementary school chorus concert last week! Most of the elementary school music concerts I have gone to have been less than impressive. And sometimes, my heart was really hurt knowing that the concert was all about getting the kids to sing loud (usually in a monotone yelling) rather than working on proper singing techniques.

But I have to say, that I was really impressed that this group sang in proper ranges for young children, were encouraged to sing in their head voices to better learn to match pitch, and also sang some pretty sophisticated music. I expected some 2-part songs, but was actually quite surprised when they sang some three and four-part songs! Granted, these were mostly canon parts, but also some actual three-part treble voicing - Soprano I and II plus Alto in sections.

My granddaughter has been taking vocal lessons with me for a couple of years now. She has been developing a lovely voice that spans about three octaves. She can sustain notes above the staff as well as sing alto notes below the staff. I am glad that she was in the soprano section though, because that's where I think her clearest "money notes" are.

All in all, I was really pleased that this teacher was so focused on having the children sing with proper posture, attention to vowels and good diction, and using their head voices. It made the experience as an audience member so much more enjoyable for me. I really enjoyed the choices of songs, too. There was quite a range. They sang songs about the theme which was "Music," such as "The Sound of Music," plus other folk songs, songs from various style periods, and even one song in Spanish. Well done, Teacher!

I wish all of the Elementary School Choral concerts I attended were as well planned and executed!

Report on Music Workshop

2/6/2025

Darling Demonstration Dude

Whenever I teach at one of these Music Workshops, I wonder out of all the things I've prepared, which I will really get a chance to share.

This was a first ever music training in this small Pennsylvania stake. The people live hours away from each other and from the building we were using. We wondered who if anybody would show up. I had 10 people come to my Primary break out session. My 10-year-old grandson I coaxed into helping me out. He was my "Demonstration Dude." He helped me set up a display of visual aids and games and other stuff. Then we practiced a few interactive "routines" to demonstrate how the visual aids, games, singing skills, and simple instruments like chimes worked. We even did some straight up movements to show how actions can be used to teach or review a song.

The trouble always is trying to stick strictly to an outline. I did not know exactly what these Primary Music Leaders were interested in or needed help with. I am afraid I left some things out in favor of addressing their questions. Then we just ran out of time. Hopefully I gave them some good information and infused some energy into new things they might try in their own wards.

Then, one lady asked, "Where can I get transposed songs. The Primary songbook has songs that are too high for me to sing."

I found myself saying, "Oh, no, you mustn't lower the key just for your benefit. The children need to sing in the keys as they were written. Children naturally have light high voices with a singing range of roughly one octave Middle C up to Treble C. They need to sing in their head voices so they can learn to hear and match pitches."

Then we talked about how when children try to sing along with and imitate lower adult voices, they tend to match pitches only on the few notes in their speaking range and then they monotone croak the rest.

"And never ask them to 'Sing Louder" to the point that they just yell!"

I told them a story of when I jumped in to accompany in a Primary I was visiting. The song leader handed me a piece of music that I was unfamiliar with. She said the children had learned it, so I just needed to play the piano part. As I sight-read the 5-page song, I realized that I was naturally slipping into "rock-band" mode. It was clearly a rock power ballad in chord progression, rhythm, and style. I caught myself, and reigned back my pop inclinations when I realized that the kids were singing about the Atonement of the Savior. I wouldn't have known, though, from how they were singing. They were yelling loudly in mostly monotone.

Probably, the song leader had told the children to sing louder, but the song was too low. When the melody got down below Middle C (which was most of the song), all they could do was croak out a noise. Then when it got above an F4, they had not been encouraged to sing in their light head voices and couldn't match pitches, they just yelled in monotone. This hurt my heart. It was so hard to listen to such irreverent treatment of such a sacred message.

If no other instructions resonated with these Primary Song Leaders, I hope that did!

Singing Children's Songs in Church

1/6/2025

Sunday was the first week of using a new slate of songs for Sacrament Meetings. Each quarter, I try to take the time to ask the Primary Song Leader which songs she has taught or intends to teach so that I can be sure to include some songs the kids know. This time I didn't. However, having my 5-year-old granddaughter living with me for the next five months helps.

Yesterday, I had decided to include "I Will Walk with Jesus" for the closing hymn. I asked C.J. to sing nice and strong for me. She has sung this one around the house, so I knew she knew at least the first verse and chorus. She had learned it, however, in her old ward. I told her that I would look at her while I was leading the singing so she could help me sing the right words. (I told her I needed help because I didn't know it very well yet.)

Lo and behold, she took that request literally. Whenever I looked at her, she was singing her heart out. She was sitting in the second row just below where I stood on the podium. She sat up straight and tall, and I could even hear her. She knew the words to all three verses plus the chorus! I bet she sang that song better than anyone else in the entire room!

This only goes to show that if the Primary Song Leader does a good job of teaching the songs, the children will be happy to sing them in other meetings.

The problem just seems to be coordinating and using songs that the children have learned. I don't think our Ward Primary Song Leader had taught that song yet. I didn't see any of the kids singing. Later, when I spoke with the song leader, she told me that she would be following the list as outlined in "Come, Follow Me" this year. At least I can follow that outline for the future song selections.

Keeping track of the songs the Primary kids know is quite difficult. Primary song leaders tend to choose songs without regard to following the proscribed list, or even reviewing very many songs throughout the year. Therefore, the songs the children know will vary greatly from ward to ward.

Guess I'm lucky, though. We have a rather musical ward. The congregation members seem to be able and willing to sight sing the new hymns without much difficulty. Just wish the kids would sing, though!

The Promise of a Child

8/20/2024

Through the summer, my daughter's family has been able to come regularly to Sunday dinners. It has been a real treat to see their little family of my currently youngest grandchildren. I have enjoyed watching the changes in them from week to week.

Not only are they growing bigger noticeably week to week, but their abilities are also growing week to week. Over the summer the baby has learned to walk, she babbles intelligibly, and her hair is growing in more and more. Three-year-old brother has developed some real ball skills that nearly match his love for all ball sports. And big 4-yr-old sister has really been developing her singing abilities. Each week she has shown her developing talents by singing Primary songs to me. (It helps that her mother sings with her every day.)

The Ellis and Betsy Bailey Family Christmas 1989

Watching those grandchildren gets me thinking about raising my own children. We sang together often. My older children learned to sing parts from the time they were very young. I wrote many arrangements to take advantage of the developing ranges of those older five kids. Kathryn, Carolyn and Katelyn could sing any of the treble parts and I'd write special parts for the boys, Michael and Matthew, depending on where their voices lay that day,

At first, we just sang 2-part songs with both parts in similar ranges. But, of course, I would give them each little solos, too. Then it became obvious that my second daughter had an unusually low range, deeper than my oldest son for a time. That gave us the option to branch out into 3-part treble songs. Then came that glorious day when Michael's voice dropped. We could do full out SATB+ arrangements. Dad even joined us when he and Michael could support each other singing the bass part together.

Cami as an Autumn dancer in "A Successor to the Throne"

My youngest two children were like our second family. The older kids had left the nest before Cami and Mitchell were old enough to hold their own in part-singing. So, those two, of necessity, developed their own solo singing careers. We did a lot of Children's Theater shows during their youth where Cami and Mitchell did many featured roles. Cami mainly did parts where she could also dance. Mitchell, by virtue of the fact that it was rare to have enough talented singer boys sign up for the show, got many lead roles. (He much preferred the unnamed Guard #6 parts)

All of this reminiscing makes me think of one of the songs in "A Successor to the Throne." At the climax of the show came the song, "Worthy to Admire."

One of the lines compares the promise of a seed to the promise of a child.
Both miracles are worthy to admire.

Mitchell as the heir-apparent in "A Successor to the Throne"

Music Keeps Life Exciting

8/17/2024

Inviting Music Room door decor

Fall is in the air...

Well, the cooler weather isn't actually here yet, nor are the changing colorful leaves, but school has started up again in many areas, including mine.

One of my friends has been teasing her Facebook followers by advertising little bits of her fall semester choral classroom decor. Now that it has been revealed, it is impressive. Those students will be singing in Camelot every day. So cool! I envy those students who get to be involved in the music, the activities, and the classroom environment that is awaiting them this semester.

Yes, I was that type of student who loved to ride the waves of excitement provided by a few of my wonderful teachers. And yes, you guessed it, they were mostly my Music teachers. I loved singing, playing, and listening to music of all kinds. Preparing for concerts was the kind of excitement that kept my spirits up. I could stand the dreariness of listening to lectures on subjects I wasn't interested in or doing endless math problems when I knew that I would be going to music class later in the day.

In fact, I directly credit being involved in music classes with making good grades through Elementary school (and beyond). If I finished my work early and correctly, I got rewards like getting to spend extra time helping down in the Music Room. By Fifth Grade, my friend Judy and I were basically Mrs. Richardson's aides in her Music classroom. We built her bulletin boards, helped the younger classes do their assignments including demonstrating the harmony parts, and even assisted with folk dancing on Fridays. I loved getting hands-on experience teaching music from that very young age.

Janie and Carolyn practicing with BYU students on tour bus circa 1960

But my aunt and my mother were the real experts at keeping life exciting through musical activities. My aunt Janie was always doing shows. She worked for Brigham Young University (BYU) and was always being asked to provide entertainment. When the college students couldn't get away from their studies to go do a show, Janie would fill in with her family. I was even on a lot of shows when I was a child. ( I fancied myself a little Shirley Temple.)

When I was 8, our family moved to Texas. My mother kept up our family tradition of providing entertainment for almost any type of event around our area. She was the professional singer who could also accompany herself while she sang at the piano. Once my music teachers at school learned about my mother's abilities, she became a fixture at the schools, too. A woman of her talents was a valuable commodity anywhere we lived. And that was a lot of places --- 36 moves over 50+ years.

Bailey children singing for Christmas 1991

Here's a song Janie taught us to sing when my siblings Bobby, Betsy, Benny, Barby, Billy and Bonnie were little. I also taught it to my my family as well as many an elementary school chorus over the years.

"Don't Wait 'til the Night Before Christmas to Be Good"

For years I thought that my aunt Janie wrote this song. Turns out that she only borrowed it and put her own stamp on it. I finally wrote out her version so that we other mere mortals could enjoy performing it, too.

A Family Affair

7/20/2024

Avery the unexpected dancer

When we moved from Maryland to Utah 15 years ago in 2009, we still had children living at home. We wanted to find a house close to other family members to be able to join in family events and just enjoy their company. Suddenly I could walk the few blocks to my sister's house any time, and also be close enough to help take care of my ailing mother.

My husband immediately tore apart the house to start renovations. Three years later we were able to move into the newer sections. But even through the renovations, we used our back patio as a stage. The first show, "Never Cry Wolf," was actually mounted by our daughter Cami and her friend Miriam along with other youth in the ward and a few cousins. They did a second show the next summer, "A Successor to the Throne." Then the girls graduated from High School and went off to college.

I was quite busy with getting the house finished and singing in the Tabernacle Choir, but eventually I decided that I should continue doing Summer Theater Camps in the back yard. In 2012, I produced "Stone Soup" as a neighborhood summer camp show. (I needed a way to meet people in the neighborhood and my home ward.) From that show, I learned never to subject the poor kids to performing in the evening in the summer. It is much too HOT! Even then, I had help from my husband and sons, nieces, brothers, sisters, sisters-in-law, and their kids. So nice to have help from family.

Mice from "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse" 2020

In 2013, a friend of mine recommended that I direct shows at an Elementary School nearby. For five more years I wrote and directed shows for Provost Elementary during the school year, then did them again for the neighborhood Summer Camp. (Five new shows) And through all those years, I got plenty of help from my family. In fact, by then some of my grandchildren were getting old enough to be in the shows. And my daughters and daughters-in-law took turns helping me in big ways! I even produced "Momotaro" at one of their schools and my niece Rachel directed one of my shows at her children's school, "Never Cry Wolf."

My daughter Cami, who grew up doing theater from a very early age, started her teaching career, and even produced some of my shows where she was teaching. The costumes and props that I have used and reused over the years have really seen some adventures.

2020 Cousins Camp Cast Photo

During the 2020 COVID year, I had to cancel my neighborhood summer camp. So instead, my 20+ grandchildren indulged me by doing one of my shows for our Family Reunion. I was so happy to have so many of my own grandchildren in a show together, even though it was put together so quickly ---- in only 3 hours! "The Country Mouse and the City Mouse." Talk about everybody helping...

Everybody circle to the left...

Now, this summer, a younger generation of my grandchildren were in the summer camp show who were too young four years ago. In the 2024 camp "The Frog Prince," seven of my 26 grandchildren were involved, plus three teenagers who recorded the vocal tracks, and an adult granddaughter who taught the music. Two daughters helped direct, and a son-in-law agreed to be our Dragon. My sisters also helped, plus my sister's two granddaughters were in it and her daughter-in-law helped backstage. It was truly a family affair. Not to even mention how my brother-in-law and nephew took charge of striking the set and putting the big stuff away.

I started writing shows when my two youngest children were starting in theater. I couldn't find material that suited the goals of the children's theater company I was working for. So I just wrote one. You might say that I started writing the shows because of my family. Now, seventeen Children's Musicals later, I'm just happy that so many of my own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and so forth, have been able to be involved over the years.

I have loved this Family Affair!

Curiosity and Creativity

6/3/2024

My dad used to say, "There are as many ways to do things as there are people to do them."

"And that is as it should be," he said explaining that we each have our own God-given agency to think and make choices for ourselves. We also have minds that should be CURIOUS as to how things work and natural creativity to experiment on how to make things work better.

My dad was a scientist. He always told us kids that one of the most precious gifts we humans on earth were given is CREATIVITY. He always encouraged us to come up with our own solutions to problems. He said that as a scientist he was basically a dreamer. He would sit at his desk a lot thinking about how to solve problems. He worked for NASA during the Apollo program. His science was hypervelocity impact physics. He figured out how to test materials for the surfaces of the spacecraft and space suits that would keep the astronauts safe.

So, I drew a picture of my dad once for a Father's Day Contest advertised in the local Pasadena, Texas newspaper. Indeed I pictured him in his office with his feet up on his desk dreaming about solving Space/NASA problems. The picture was printed and written up in the paper. I even won a gift certificate for $25. (I have no idea where that went over the years...)

I was so blessed to have a dad who encouraged my curiosity and creativity. He also applauded my efforts and was always there at the momentous and even the small but formative events in my life. My Dad was the best role model, defender, and storyteller there ever could be. Besides that, you always wanted him in the audience for your show. His laughs were infectious --- he had a whole repertoire of laughs from humorous giggles, to guffaws, to full out belly laughs. He also had a whistle that could rival a fog horn for keeping ships safe at sea!

When I took my fiancee' to a family gathering to meet the extended family before the wedding, my uncles announced to the group that Betsy was marrying her father. Ellis had many similar characteristics to my father. He had the same look of an engineer/scientist. He wore glasses. He was a great storyteller. He even had a wonderful infectious laugh. Best of all Ellis appreciated my dad and sought him out for counsel and encouragement in his work, Church callings, teaching and testifying of Christ, Scouting leadership questions, and about raising a family. I couldn't have asked for a better companion.

Happy Father's Day to all of those great Dad's out there!

This song is in memory of my Dad who loved ball games----any kind of ball game! "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"

Putting on the Armor of God

10/2/2023

In Ephesians 6:11-18 the Apostle Paul teaches "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."

Two songs that I have written help us incorporate this idea of putting on the Armor of God into our daily lives.

"Put on the Whole Armor of God" is a children's song with a martial flavor. I wrote it for my Cub Scouts years ago. We were preparing to perform at a pack meeting. Our theme was "Knights of the Round Table." Our activity was jousting. The boys made their own helmets, swords and shields.

I really wanted them to sing a catchy tune that had a better message than just battling each other in a mock tournament. I was thrilled by how much they enjoyed learning this song. They sang out with gusto. They really seemed to absorb the message of how to prepare to fight the fiery darts of the adversary by putting on the whole armor of God.

The other song I wrote for the Youth. "By Small and Simple Things" comes from a quote in Alma 37:6-7.

"6.Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls."

The lyrics compare how very small things can bring about great things such as how a small helm can steer a great ship or how small strokes can create a beautiful painting. Our small actions can also bring about great things. Showing obedience in reading the scriptures daily can help us feel the guidance of the Holy Ghost. Doing good and serving gladly we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. We can prepare each day by putting on the whole armor of God.

The Music of Betsy Lee Bailey copyright 2020