Hap Palmer
Encyclopedia
Hap Palmer is an American children's music
ian and Guitarist
whose songs specialize in developing motor skills, language acquisition, math and reading skills, and overall basic skills aimed at young children. Palmer released his first recording in 1969, and has composed over 200 songs for children. He is considered a pioneer in the use of music and movement
in early childhood education
.
He has received numerous Parents' Choice Gold Awards
for his recordings including:
Some of his best known early albums include the Learning Basic Skills Through Music series, Getting to Know Myself (which features the song "Sammy" which has been one of Palmer's popular songs), Sally the Swinging Snake, and Walter the Waltzing Worm. He released the famous Halloween song Witches' Brew in 1976 with music by him and Martha Cheney
co-wrote the lyrics. Hap's granddaughter Megan Schulze sings on the children's chorus of the updated version of his most popular song "Witches' Brew" on his new CD "Learning in Two Languages".
He has also released a series of DVDs and videos called Baby Songs
, which have sold over 2 million units.
He received his MA in Dance Education from UCLA in 1983 with his thesis titled "Songs to Enhance the Movement Vocabulary of Young Children."
His newest CD is titled MULTIPLICATION MOUNTAIN released January 15, 2009.
Children's music
Children's music is used here to refer to music composed and performed for children by adults. In European influenced contexts this means music, usually songs, written specifically for a juvenile audience. The composers are usually adults. Children's music has historically held both entertainment...
ian and Guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
whose songs specialize in developing motor skills, language acquisition, math and reading skills, and overall basic skills aimed at young children. Palmer released his first recording in 1969, and has composed over 200 songs for children. He is considered a pioneer in the use of music and movement
Music and movement
The term Music and movement often especially denotes the use of rhythmic song and dance in education, thought of as beneficial for childhood development...
in early childhood education
Early childhood education
Early childhood education is the formal teaching and care of young children by people other than their family or in settings outside of the home. 'Early childhood' is usually defined as before the age of normal schooling - five years in most nations, though the U.S...
.
He has received numerous Parents' Choice Gold Awards
Parents' Choice Award
The Parents' Choice Award is an award presented by the non-profit Parents' Choice Foundation to recognize "the very best products for children of different ages and backgrounds, and of varied skill and interest levels." It is considered a "prestigious" award among children's products, and has been...
for his recordings including:
- So Big - Activity Songs For Little Ones
- Early Childhood Classics - Old Favorites With a New Twist
- Can A Jumbo Jet Sing The Alphabet?
- Can Cockatoos Count By Twos?
- Rhythms on Parade
- One Little Sound - Fun With Phonics and Numbers
- Two Little Sounds - Fun With Phonics and Numbers
Some of his best known early albums include the Learning Basic Skills Through Music series, Getting to Know Myself (which features the song "Sammy" which has been one of Palmer's popular songs), Sally the Swinging Snake, and Walter the Waltzing Worm. He released the famous Halloween song Witches' Brew in 1976 with music by him and Martha Cheney
Martha Cheney
Martha Cheney is the author of several titles in the Gifted & Talented book series, which sold more than one million copies. She currently resides in Montana. She was also a contributing lyricist to the acclaimed children's music videos, "Baby Songs". whose words were set to the music of Hap...
co-wrote the lyrics. Hap's granddaughter Megan Schulze sings on the children's chorus of the updated version of his most popular song "Witches' Brew" on his new CD "Learning in Two Languages".
He has also released a series of DVDs and videos called Baby Songs
Baby Songs
Baby Songs is one of the first, and longest-running, American, independent children's home video series. Since 1985, more than 4 million copies of Baby Songs have been sold. The series is still sold at retail and online locations.-History:...
, which have sold over 2 million units.
He received his MA in Dance Education from UCLA in 1983 with his thesis titled "Songs to Enhance the Movement Vocabulary of Young Children."
His newest CD is titled MULTIPLICATION MOUNTAIN released January 15, 2009.
External links
- Official Site
- Baby Songs
- Article published in "Young Children" Issue Sept. 2001, NAEYC