top of page
My name is Greg Schultz. I'm a middle school teacher from Arlington Heights, Illinois. Throughout the years I've had the good fortune of crossing paths with musicians from the bluegrass and Irish folk worlds who have taught me that making music doesn't have to be something you do on a stage in front of an audience. Some of the best times I've ever had have been making music with a bunch of people I had just met, sitting in a circle on a porch, in a pub, in a park or in someone's living room.
It is my hope that even people without any formal choral singing experience can use these materials to discover how much fun it to sing in harmony with a group of friends. And if you're looking for an appreciative audience, maybe you could bring a smile into someone else's life by singing at a nursing home, homeless shelter or hospital.
About: About
Although I've included chord charts for accompanists, my original intention was for these songs to be sung a cappella. That way you can sing them anywhere as long as someone has a pitch pipe. Since almost all these songs are in the key of either A, E, G or D, I find it really convenient to use a Kratt violin pitch pipe (pictured to the left).
​
I've intentionally chosen keys for the songs that are a bit on the low side. I wasn't imaging experienced singers belting these out on a stage but rather less experienced singers sitting comfortably in a deck chair or on living room couch. Sopranos, especially those used to singing in their "head voice," may be particularly uncomfortable with the lowness of the keys. If so, maybe the person with the pitch pipe can just start everyone on a higher note.
​
The arrangements for the eight Christmas carols and the Doxology were taken from an old hymnal. For "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee," I went straight to the source: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. The remaining twenty-nine songs I arranged myself.
​
​
About: Welcome
The first time I saw the documentary The Power of Song, I remember how inspired I was by the life of Pete Seeger. His concerts weren't so much about him performing as him leading the audience in a sing-a-long. Here is a clip from his 1965 TV show Rainbow Quest. The woman in the middle is Dr. Bernice Reagon who founded the two singing groups The Freedom Singers and Sweet Honey in the Rock.
About: Video
bottom of page