Sing your opening song
Write and perform a short opening song for a show or presentation; create lyrics, choose a melody, practice rhythm, and sing confidently.
Step-by-step guide to write and perform an opening song
Step 1
Choose the theme or topic for your show.
Step 2
Write five words on your paper that remind you of your theme.
Step 3
Decide if your song will have a chorus and one or two verses.
Step 4
Write a catchy chorus line using words from your list.
Step 5
Write a short verse with two or three lines that tells a tiny story.
Step 6
Hum a few different tunes and pick the melody you like best for your chorus.
Step 7
Warm up your voice by humming or sliding from low to high notes for 30 seconds.
Step 8
Tap a steady beat with your spoon or drum for 30 seconds to set the rhythm.
Step 9
Sing the chorus slowly while keeping the beat with your tapping.
Step 10
Practice singing the whole song two times while adding simple gestures.
Step 11
Perform your opening song confidently for family or friends.
Step 12
Share your finished opening song on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use instead of paper, a spoon or drum, or DIY.org if we don't have them?
Use notebook pages, index cards, or the back of cereal boxes instead of paper, tap a wooden spoon on a pot or the table if you don't have a drum, and record the performance on a phone or save it to a private family folder if you can't post to DIY.org.
What should we try if we can't keep a steady beat while singing the chorus?
Slow your tapping to a comfortable tempo for the 30-second beat, hum the chorus while you tap until the melody fits the rhythm, and mark the strong beats on your paper so you can sing the chorus slowly while keeping the beat.
How can this activity be adapted for younger children or older kids?
For preschoolers, choose a single theme, write one or two big words and sing a one-line chorus with big gestures and a slow 30-second tap, while older kids can write five theme words, add a second verse, try harmonies when humming melodies, and practice the whole song two times with more complex gestures.
How can we enhance or personalize our opening song performance?
Make a simple shaker from a sealed container, add a costume or prop that matches your theme, teach a call-and-response for the chorus during your two practice runs, or add a second harmony after you hum and pick the melody and warm up your voice.
Watch videos on how to write and perform an opening song
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Facts about songwriting and music performance for kids
🎤 Singing uses your diaphragm — breathing from your belly (not your shoulders) helps you hold notes longer and sing with more power.
🎶 An "earworm" is a catchy tune that keeps replaying in your head — great opening songs try to be memorable like that!
📝 Many songwriters start with the chorus because it's the catchiest, most repeatable part that audiences remember.
⏱️ TV and stage opening songs are usually short — often between about 15 seconds and 90 seconds — so they introduce the show quickly and snappily.
🧠 Singing boosts mood and memory — practicing your opening song helps you remember lyrics and feel more confident on stage.
How do I write and perform a short opening song with my child?
What materials do I need to create and practice an opening song?
What ages is writing and performing an opening song suitable for?
What are the benefits and safety tips for having a child sing an opening song?
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