For most of my life I have been an avid birder. I watch birds, I read about them, I feed them, I listen to their amazing music. What I didn’t realize was how deeply birds have permeated my songwriting over the past 25 years. As symbols of freedom and joy. As metaphors for growth and transformation. At the same time I found myself gravitating towards folktales with birds in them. Some serious, some silly. They all seemed to have a lesson for me in particular and all of us silly humans in general
Depending upon the age and sophistication of the audience as well as time factors this program picks and chooses from the following menu of possibilities. Original Songs:
“Birds”
“Thirsty For The Sky”
“Chickadee”
“Raptor Rap”
“Fly, Fly, Fly”
“Kite Flight”
“Scarecrow Boy”
“Yours For Free”
“Be Patient With Your Flying” and more
Stories:
Land of the Birds (Inuit): a man finds a wife from among the Bird People. She takes their son and leaves him to return to the Land of the Birds. He follows and after many adventures rejoins his family. (Lots of sound effects possibilities with this story which I had the privilege of developing with a wonderful group of 3rd graders at Columbus Ave. Elementary School in Thornewood, NY)
Why The Swallow Has a Forked Tail (Palestine) Explains why mosquito’s whine, Why they like to bite Humans, why snakes eat frogs and of course why swallows have those beautiful forked tails.
The King of Birds (Tunisia) Little Ruby Crowned Kinglet, one of the smallest of birds accepts Lion’s challenge to a contest of strength. Of course Kinglet wins which explains why he wears his tiny crown to this day
Why Woodpeckers Play the Drums (original) Wendell the Woodpecker just can’t seem to learn how to sing so he goes off alone in the forest to find his own way of doing things.
True-Life Bird Stories
The Song Sparrow who had no tail. (Molting, Predator/Prey Relationships)
Great Blue Heron Catches A Huge Fish (Patience, Taking Appropriate Action)
Tom Turkey attacks my car! (mating habits, courtship displays)
Green Heron Catches a lot of Little Fish (different survival strategies)
Drums, songs and stories about birds by Mark Shepard
Instruments: Guitar, Djembe, Djun-Djun, Shaman Drum, Bodhran, Congas, “Bob The BIG Drum”, & more
Sound Effects: Cuicas, Wind Tubes, Thunder Tubes, Thunder Drum (the Djun-Djun), shakers, Ocean Drum, Space Phones, audience whistles, hand slaps, Paint Stick Clackers & more…
To book this program now call 1-888-598-7709 or e-mail mark[at]markshepard.com
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