Devon County Council

Everyone sing D-E-V-O-N!

A Tavistock Primary School teacher has had her musical creation voted in as the new theme tune to celebrate Devon.

Many congratulations to Karen Higginson, who teaches at Whitchurch Community Primary School in Tavistock.  She found out she had won Devon County Council’s Song4Devon competition live on the BBC Radio Devon Breakfast Show by presenter Matt Woodley on Monday 15^th December.

Karen’s song ‘D-E-V-O-N’ was one of four finalists whose tunes were put to the public vote on the Devon County Council website.

Karen said: “Wow, we are so pleased that the public have voted for our song. The children loved the whole experience of taking part, and the whole school will be over the moon. This will add extra spice to their end of term celebrations. Thanks to everyone who supported us.”

A Royal College of Music graduate, Karen underwent further training to teach music at secondary and primary school level and has been at Whitchurch School for three years. She teaches Year Three and is also the music coordinator.

Karen, whose song was entered in the ‘Song for a Primary School’ category added: “I enjoy writing songs in school to help the children learn things like maths and science, but have never written any ‘proper’ songs before.

“The inspiration for the song came from moving to Devon and discovering its many attractions, and from seeing the lifestyle that children in Devon enjoy. I wanted the song to be catchy and fun to sing. I also hoped it would be useful and adaptable as an advertisement for Devon, in that it describes some of the many and varied reasons to visit.”

The lyrics to D-E-V-O-N are:

CHORUS

D-E-V-O-N

Devon is the place you can bring a friend

D-E-V-O-N

What a special place give it ten out of ten

VERSE 1

There’s the Tamar and the moors

If you’re feeling fit you could climb a Tor

We have cream teas and green trees

Country walks, great resorts

It’s all for you there’s lots to do

CHORUS

VERSE 2

There’s the navy and the Tavy

Great Devon meat with a splash of gravy

Cheese that’s yummy in your tummy

Roman sites, village life

It’s all for you there’s lots to do

The Song4Devon competition was launched earlier this year after Devon County Council wanted to find a memorable and catchy song to celebrate Devon's unique, vibrant character, appealing to a wide variety of people.

Four finalists were chosen by a panel of judges, their songs professionally recorded and played on BBC Radio Devon's breakfast programme last week.

Congratulations to the other three category winners who were:

A song for any occasion - Paul Painter and "Devon Days"

A song for young people - Alan Boxer and Chris Speyer and "Devon you have a way of calling"

A choral song - Ian Marshall and "Devon time down in the West"

Devon County Council's Deputy Leader John Smith said: "What a great winner! This song is exactly what we were looking for and I have every confidence we will be hearing it not just in primary schools throughout the county but in churches, community halls, civic centres…..just about anywhere. It’s a bright and positive song which paints a wonderful picture of our county. Well done to Karen, and indeed to all the finalists whose songs I also hope will capture people’s imaginations.”

The panel of judges were Exeter Cathedral's Director of Music Andrew Millington, DJ and internationally-renowned 'beatbox' performer Alex Norgate, BBC Radio Devon's Breakfast Show presenter Matt Woodley, Wren Music Musical Director Paul Wilson and Lisa Tregale who is the Director, South West Music School.

Karen will receive £2,000 worth of vouchers to spend at Project Music, an Exeter music shop and sponsors of the competition, with the three runners up each receiving £500 of vouchers.

D-E-V-O-N, the new Song4Devon, together with the other finalist songs, can be heard by clicking on the songs below

Song A - WINNER	Song B	Song C	Song D
A Primary School Song	A Song for Young People	A Choral Song	A Song for any Occasion
D-E-V-O-N	Devon You Have a Way of Calling	Devon Time Down in the West	Devon Days
Karen Higginson, Whitchurch Primary School	Alan Boxer & Chris Speyer	Ian Marshall	Paul Painter
Play Song A - The Song 4 Devon!	Play Song B	Play Song C	Play Song D