Spring 1 - Aspiration

At Drake, we champion the belief that everyone can become happy and productive citizens, and we encourage all to dream big and achieve great things.

Some songs with themes of aspirations:

When I grow up - from Matilda
This song is from the musical Matilda based on the book by Roald Dahl. The song features children singing about things they’ll be able to do when they grow up.

Tim Minchin wrote the music for the musical Matilda. Here he is talking about the writing process and singing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiRYOmG2-tQ   
Lockdown version of the song made by the cast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBzdA8jUa9U   
Singers from the cast making a recording:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxF2HaMKcU8 

Reach for the stars – S Club 7
The sky's the limit you can reach your goal, no-one knows just what the future holds
There ain't nothing you can't be, there's a whole world at your feet.

Hall of Fame – The Script
You can be the greatest, you can be the best, You can be the King Kong bangin' on your chest, You can beat the world, you can beat the war, You can talk to God, go bangin' on his door.
Be students, be teachers, Be politicians, be preachers, Be believers, be leaders, Be astronauts, be champions, Be truth-seekers

I have a dream – from Tangled
Every one has dreams and aspirations!

High Hopes – Panic at the Disco
No matter how hard your dreams seem, keep going. You might even have to climb up the side of a building in downtown LA, but it'll all be worth it at the top.

Firework – Katy Perry
When explaining the message behind ‘Firework’, Perry said: ‘I really believe in people and I believe that people have a spark to be a firework.’ It’s an empowering message to her fans – the only person in charge of your goals is you, and that same person has the power to change things.

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
“Don’t you know that there ain’t no mountain high enough. Ain’t no valley low enough, ain’t no river wide enough. To keep me from getting to you, baby”. 
There may be obstacles on the way, but you can overcome them to reach your goals.

Live Your Story – Disney Princesses
Dream big, and live your story.

Whole Wide World - Mindy Gledhill
I wanna hold the whole wide world, right here in my open hands.

Some Musicians and Composers who display the value Aspiration:
 

Florence Price
Florence Price is one of our previous Ten Pieces Composers that we have learned about. She faced many barriers because of her gender and colour,  but she overcame these to follow her aspirations of being a successful musician.

Find out more about Florence Price:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=IZ8sSdYiTwo

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu
Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu was an Aboriginal musician from Australia and was born blind. When he was 4 years old he found that he had a love for music. His family had very little money and could not afford for anyone to help him learn at school. Despite his blindness Geoffrey was determined to become a musician. He taught himself to play the accordion with no help and he practised every day. Next he learnt the piano and then the guitar and drums. Being blind did not stop him from following his aspirations to become a musician and he was determined to share his music. People loved his music and he travelled the world to play his music to many different people.

Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo - Somewhere over the rainbow.
Israel was a native Hawaiian ukulele player and singer-song writer. In this video he is playing the ukulele, which is the national instrument of Hawaii. Israel’s music and his high aspirations of himself and others helped to get Hawaii noticed and create a better life and rights for other Hawaiians.
Israel is perhaps best known for touching the world with his rendition of 'Over the Rainbow'. This song has become an anthem for people all over the world who hope for a better and safer life. The words in the song remind us that dreams can be achieved.
(The footage at the end is from after his death and shows the love he had from his community.)

Errolyn Wallen
Our Music Room is named after Errolyn Wallen. https://www.drake.norfolk.sch.uk/errollyn-wallen/
Commissioned for the opening ceremony of London 2012 Paralympic Games, PRINCIPIA is a four minute work for massed choirs and symphony orchestra.  PRINCIPIA seeks to give expression of the collective human endeavour and aspiration. The work was performed on 29 August 2012 in the Olympic Stadium to 80,000 people including Her Majesty the Queen and was televised to a billion viewers around the world.