Simply Silly Songbook: Songs About Music: Piano Book

These songs break through the polite, earnest tone that can dominate children's choral literature. Olson's melodies support Nesbitt's wordplay and absurdist humor without talking down to young performers, and the included chord symbols mean classroom teachers and accompanists at all levels can make this work without needing advanced sight-reading skills.

Bouncy, playful, and full of surprises. The silly premises (a piano-playing puppy, an elephant musician) create an invitation for young performers to have fun with their voices and stage presence rather than worry about perfection.

Elementary and middle school choirs, classroom music teachers, and music directors looking for contemporary repertoire that appeals to young singers. This works equally well for informal performances, assemblies, and school skits where laughter and engagement matter as much as technical precision.

• Emphasize the comedic timing in the lyrics; let the rhythm and melody support the jokes rather than rushing through punchlines.
• Use the chord symbols to explore simple improvisation or arrangement with students during rehearsal, especially if you have student pianists who want more involvement.
• Lean into character voices and theatrical gestures during performance. An elephant in a band deserves physicality.

These pieces shine in concert settings where you want to shift the mood toward levity and audience connection. Program them after more serious repertoire to give singers and listeners a chance to smile, or use individual songs as openers for assemblies and school events.

• Singing with clear articulation to deliver lyrics and comedic timing
• Reading and interpreting chord symbols
• Building confidence in expressive, character-driven performance
• Sight-reading melodic lines with simple to moderate ranges