Simon Mayor & Hilary James
Hello and welcome to this leading UK music site for children, teachers and parents.
As well as new songs to sing (visit our songs page), you’ll find pages packed with musical instruments, information and fun things to do.
Simon and Hilary have worked as presenters, songwriters and musical directors for BBC TV and Schools Radio programmes (Play School, Playdays, Green Claws and The Song Tree.)
Simon is one of the world’s leading mandolin virtuosos and composers for the instrument, as well as a fine fiddle player and guitarist.
Hilary has ‘one of Britain’s finest voices’ (BBC Radio 4) as well as an unusual taste in bass instruments. See her amazing giant mandobass.
As well as touring the world playing concerts and festivals they have over 20 years experience of visits to schools, performing to pupils of all ages.
For news of other recordings by Simon Mayor and Hilary James of folk, classical, swing and blues… and lots of mandolin music… visit mandolin.co.uk and folksong.co.uk
Musical Mystery Tour Albums
‘Splendid musical fun.’ The Daily Telegraph
By train, tractor, bicycle or even hot-air balloon – the Musical Mystery Tour introduces you to a lively collection of characters and places. Discover snowmen and kings, parrots and flamingoes, sleepy sheep and weeping willows – and even a donkey who can’t-can’t do the can-can!
These delightful, witty songs are guaranteed to capture the imagination, and will be enjoyed by children of all ages – from 4 to 104!
Lullabies With Mandolins
A bedtime collection of traditional songs and classical tunes, graced by Hilary’s sublime vocals and laced with Simon’s peerless mandolin playing. This is definitely one for the Mums and Dads too.
‘Exquisite, magical, delicate, intriguing are just few of the words to describe the stunning performances on the album Lullabies With Mandolins.’ Roots Review
Play School – 50th Aniversary Reunion
Simon and Hilary were the last guest presenters to appear on BBC’s Play School just a few months before the doors and windows on the Play School House were finally boarded up in 1988.
The aniversary reunion was organised by Paul R Jackson, keeper of the Play School archives and supported by the Children’s Media Foundation.
The Parrot Song
One of Simon & Hilary’s best-loved songs from the album Gobble! Gobble! Gobble! can now be heard both Colour The Parrot
If you’d like to colour Hilary’s drawing of the parrot please
click here.
More pictures to follow.
Make Time For Music
Hilary James’ article Make Time For Music (PDF file) offers some great ideas on how to give children the musical start they deserve.
First published in Creative Steps magazine.
Two Rhyming Picture Books (with CD)
Based on songs written by Hilary James & Simon Mayor. ‘I’m A Parrot’ and ‘Gobble! Gobble! Gobble!’ are also illustrated by Hilary and contain music with ukulele chords and a singalong CD.‘brilliantly composed and presented… gloriously silly… a joy…’
Teach Nursery Magazine
Parents In Touch