“Five Little Squirrels” “Five little squirrels climbing up a tree…” begins my latest recording for children, my newly rewritten version of the old anti-bullying finger play I wrote so long ago called “Five Little Monkeys.” I’ve always loved sharing this old finger play in my children’s music programs, I thought … Continue reading
How do you treat the stranger at your door The one who comes in need of comfort with no place to sleep Little food Just the few possessions they can carry in one move This question is before us all around the world People displaced, on the move from the … Continue reading
by Barb Tilsen, May 2020 You can hear my musical poem “Dancing Spring” here. I love exploring how the evocative combination of poetry and song can inspire creative movement. My poem “Dancing Spring” evolved over the years each spring in my Sound Beginnings children’s music classes. I originally named it … Continue reading
by Barb Tilsen May 2020 Northern Spirit Radio’s program, Song of the Soul, is a really wonderful series of interviews with musicians all across the country including many of my friends and favorite songwriters. In December of 2018 I had the pleasure of being interviewed for the program by its … Continue reading
Fall brings so many wonderful things along with it, and one real treasure is the annual conference of The Children’s Music Network. This year we’re meeting on beautiful Cape Cod for a rich weekend full of vibrant singing and the welcome connections of old and new friends. I have been … Continue reading
In 1981 young people from reservations in South Dakota participated in the Run for Freedom, a spiritual run from Pine Ridge Reservation to the Sioux Falls State Prison. The Run was held to support family and loved ones who were imprisoned there. Tragically one of the young runners, 11-year old … Continue reading
This is a place I’ll be sharing some of my music, experiences, and reflections over the years as a songwriter, performer, activist, and teaching artist. Music has filled my life from early on. I started playing accordion when I was 10 years old inspired by my Swedish great-uncle Ernie and … Continue reading
I went to Chicago for a few days this past August for a Midwest regional gathering of The Children’s Music Network. CMN has been a treasure trove of wonderful songs for many years and its members are among some of my dearest friends. The weekend was full of good times … Continue reading
