200 Children Sing…

Wind in the Willows by John Rutter

Lingfield Primary School, Heathfield, Viewley Hill, Marton Manor, Mandale Mill Primary School,Captain Cook Primary School,
Mount Pleasant Primary School, Handale Primary, Corporation Road School, Hemlington Hall Academy

It has been decided to perform John Rutter’s Wind in the Willows. It’s shorter (c.28 mins), jazzier and more accessible.

Practice Materials

Below is the full musical score for the Wind in the Willows:

The-Wind-In-The-Willows-John-Rutter-1Download

Bar Numbers from the musical score will mapped up as to where our children are singing – this will be updated a.s.a.p.

Compete Lyrics of The Wind in the Willows

The highlighted words are what the children will need to learn.

Lyrics-Wind-in-the-Willows-John-RutterDownload

I have created separate lyric documents all our parts.

Introduction-The-Wind-in-the-WillowsDownload
Finale-Wind-in-the-Willows-John-RutterDownload

Practice Resources – to being with…

Our Children’s Participation in the Opera:

  1. Introduction (Full Song)
  2. Rat and Mole meet: A life on the river (Children sing responses)
  3. Scene at Badger’s house (Children sing field mice)
  4. Toad’s car (Children do car sound effects)
  5. Court scene (Children respond to sentencing)
  6. Toad in gaol: Let me tickle your fancy
  7. Toad’s song: I’ve got style (Children Sing at end)
  8. The recapture of Toad Hall: Let’s wallop a weasel (Children sing towards end)
  9. The banquet at Toad Hall (Children sing responses – ‘hear hear!’)
  10. Finale: Home is a special kind of feeling (Full Song)

Full recording on Spotify of the performance by the The King’s Singers – an excellent performance.

To start with, children should listen to the opera in its full so that they understand what it is is about.

A performance of the King’s Singers can be found on You Tube

I have also found this recording of You Tube by The Vocal Associates. This video of the live performance has the lyrics on the screen. I have mapped out the timings of where our children are to sing.

  1. Introduction (Full Song) – 2mins 44secs – 4min 8secs
  2. Rat and Mole meet: A life on the river (Children sing responses) 5min 23 secs
  3. Scene at Badger’s house (Children sing field mice) 12 mins 9 secs
  4. Toad’s car (Children do car sound effects) 17 mins
  5. Court scene (Children respond to sentencing)
  6. Toad in gaol: Let me tickle your fancy
  7. Toad’s song: I’ve got style (Children Sing at end) 24mins 45 secs
  8. The recapture of Toad Hall: Let’s wallop a weasel (Children sing towards end)27 mins 40 secs
  9. The banquet at Toad Hall (Children sing responses – ‘hear hear!’) 32 mins 24 secs
  10. Finale: Home is a special kind of feeling (Full Song) – 34 mins 42 secs to the end.

I will add piano recordings of the Introduction and the Finale so we have a clear rehearsal recording of these melodies. This will be added at the weekend: 9 – 11th May 2025.

If you need any further resources of support with resources, please do not hesitate to contact me.

All details for the day will be added to this page.

If there are any updates to this webpage, I will email you.

Oper Nova and the performers are very excited about this musical venture and very much look forward working with us. This event is sure to be a musical treat!