Kidstuff 

Winner of the PARENTS CHOICE Award for Children's Music.  A sing-and-clap along hootenanny for kids featuring some of America's favorite folk tunes. David plays familiar and audience accessible songs for kids on the banjo, dulcimer, flute, and concertina and introduces each instrument is a musical "show and tell. There's lots of audience participation as David gets the kids up to dance along, so sign language, and more!   

(Songs available on "KIDSTUFF" CD ! )

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Demo Video Available

(Songs available on "What a Wonderful World" CD and Tape! )

We’re “Going to the Zoo” to visit “My Rhinoceros” and go
“Waltzing with Bears” at “The Animal Faire”. Magical beasts like “Puff the Magic Dragon” and “The Unicorn” play with “Jennifer’s Rabbit” in songs performed on guitar, concertina, banjo, dulcimer, and Native American flute. Great for zoos, nature centers and kids studying about animals!

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Animal Faire
For the younger set
Libraries, Schools
and Nature /Zoo programs

A potpourri of songs and remembrances of the good old days played on fine old instruments.  From "Grandma's Patchwork Quilt" to the community feast we call a "Potluck" David stirs up a sing along soup for the whole family.  Fine for a festival, family concert, library or back porch! This program is especially popular among senior citizens and audiences that span the generations.

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Demo Video Available

A Joyful Noise

Folk Music has always had deep roots in faith. From spirituals to classical and contemporary music, deep belief in a greater good has been a reason to rise up singing.  A Joyful Noise gives voice to the joy of this life for all people with songs that span and bring together the generations, where the Circle is Unbroken.

This program can be performed for church events, parochial schools, and elders.  For a trio event, see the "Dangerous Folk" page.

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See "Let there be Light." This program is presented in schools from Thanksgiving to Christmas with the program material adjusted to the needs of Parochial and Public schools.
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Sing-along  with Santa!

For years kids have been mistaking David for Santa. 
This year there's no mistake!
Sing-along Santa doesn't just sit around listening
to what kids want for Christmas (although he does do that)-
 he also sings songs on concertina and banjo with the kids
and tells the lore of Christmas. 
Singalong Santa also performs at office parties and events
for grownups in touch with the spirit of the season!

David was featured as the Sing- Along Santa for
Breakfast with Santa at the prestigious
American Club in Kohler WI.

Got Santa?
Santa's sidekick, Gnorman the Gnome,
sings and plays while your Santa
is talking to each individual child,
providing entertainment
for those waiting to see Santa!

David can also appear as
"Father Christmas" for historic events

David as Gnorman the Gnome
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Christmas/Holiday songs
for All Ages
Want  to hear  songs from this show?
Go to www.cdbaby.com/all/dhbdrake
and click on "Let there be Light" 

 

Singalong Santa
  
      
            David as the Singing Santa                        

“A SAILOR'S SONGBAG” presents David HB Drake’s portrait of the lives of 19th century Great Lake sailors.  Based on the 1850’s “Diary of William Hulme”, David portrays a salt-water seaman working on the Lakes.  David presents songs, stories, and firsthand insights drawn from his years of working aboard tall-ships. David serves as Shantyman and educator/historian aboard Wisconsin’s flagship, the schooner “Denis Sullivan”  The program has been presented for kids through elders and is age-adjusted depending on the audience
 

For a more theatrical approach or for kids who are into "pirates"
David appears a "Graybeard the Pirate" presenting the lore and lives of real pirates and a treasure chest of maritime artifacts.

Wisconsin Humanities Council Chautauqua Program-
The Wisconsin Humanities Council program is geared for adult and upper school audiences. WHC Funding available to nonprofits in Wisconsin such as Historic Societies, Museums and Maritime Education organizations. See "Links" for information on WHC programs.

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Go to www.cdbaby.com/all/dhbdrake
and click on "Schooner Songbag"

SONGWRITING
Wisconsing History
Environment
Respect
or your suggested topic!

Within an hour the students go from discussing what they know about a pre-selected topic to a song using their own words.  An end-of-residency assembly presents the students singing their own songs along with David for the whole school.
(A videotape of songs written by students at Milwaukee's Elm School for the Creative Arts available for review)

PATCHWORK QUILT -
Character Education Workshops
Songs and elder-wisdom that reinforce
Respect, Character, Honesty, Courage,
Multicultural viewpoints, and Environmental awareness.

David spreads a patchwork quilt of thought provoking curiosities to stimulate discussion of respect and cooperation, environmental, and multicultural issues. David speaks as an elder to the youth in the traditional way that culture and values were transmitted in times past. He speaks directly to their questions, hopes and fears.  Best in smaller groups as a day of workshops with many classes.  A "Gather the Family" concert follows the workshops as a school assembly and/or evening community gathering.

AN AMERICAN SONGBAG
David uses classic American folk songs to demonstrate a variety of folk instruments including guitar, handmade banjo, dulcimer, concertina, Native American Flute, pennywhistle, aero phone, and more in a show-and-tell interactive workshop that encourages kids to see how easy it is to make their own homemade music.

TEACHER IN-SERVICE
David teaches teachers in the use of music, storytelling, and folklore in their classes.

Madison area schools: workshops funding is available through the Madison Civic Center's "Arts Alive" program. See www.madcivic.org for and application. Milwaukee Public schools see MPS Recreation information above.

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All programs are locally grown and free-range artists
with no commercial additives.