About Girl Scout Music

Girl Scout Music composer Melinda Caroll

Melinda Caroll is a composer, producer, performer, recording artist, dancer, business woman, a lifetime Member of Girl Scouts and mom. She has been the inspirational creative force behind music for Girl Scouts since 1989. During that time she has received multiple honors for her Girl Scouts-inspired music, including Woman of Distinction, The Thanks Badge, National Song Leader for Girl Scouts of the USA and induction into the Girl Scout Council of Hawaii Alumnae Hall of Fame. She has performed live before hundreds of thousands of Girl Scouts and played for distinguished guests including members of the United States Congress, Secretary of State, Colin Powell and members of the President's cabinet. She has sung alongside many famous musicians and with Girl Scout Choirs all across the country and around the world.

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"My magical journey with Girl Scout music, began with a song I wrote in 1989 in 30 minutes, called 'We Change the World.' After that, I began working with a 22-girl choir, Na Hokulele, for seven years and was also the leader of my daughter's Girl Scout Troop #755 for eight years. This all led to the development and release of my first CD, Girl Scouts Greatest Hits, Vol 1, We Change the World in 1997.

Our music series was born out of my own frustration at trying to find quality recordings of age-appropriate, relevant songs and music for my girls. Since I was already a professional singer-songwriter it was natural for me to compose new songs to fulfill that need."
- Melinda Caroll

Melinda Caroll with Choir at Madison Square Garden October 2002

Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of Girl Scouts of the USA.
Used by permission of the Smithsonian Institution.

"There is this rich musical legacy that Girl Scouts has to draw from, but no one at that time (1989) had collected and recorded it in a professional setting. From the beginning, my intention has been, and still is, to preserve our Girl Scout tradition of singing together and to create quality music resources for all Girl Scouts and Girl Guides to enjoy."
- Melinda Caroll

The History of Girl Scout Music

Singing has always been an important part of the Girl Scout program-songs have been included in Girl Scout hand books from the organization's earliest days. In the early years, Girl Scout leaders used song books such as the Kent County Song Book, which contained folk songs of the British Isles. As Girl Scouting began to grow, the volunteer committees soon realized that a song book was needed that better reflected Girl Scouts of the U.S.A.

The first song book published by Girl Scouts was Girl Scout Songs in 1925. It was compiled by the Education Committee and edited by George Newell. For its time it was a very progressive book and featured American cowboy songs, patriotic songs, sea shanties, Negro spirituals, an Ojibway Indian song, religious songs and Christmas carols. Also included were art songs such as "Cradle Song" by Brahms and many more rounds and canons we still sing today, such as "For the Health and Strength," "When E'er You Make A Promise," "Hello, Hello," and "We're All Together Again." The words for the current Chalet song about the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) chalet in Adelboden, Switzerland, were set to the music of the "Swiss Chalet Song" by Joseph Bovet.

Beginning in 1936, several editions of a song book entitled Sing Together have been published. Other Girl Scout songbooks continued to be published throughout the years, including The Pocket Songbook, first published in 1956 for the first Senior Girl Scout Roundup, which made it possible for a girl at camp to carry her song book easily in her uniform.

Used by permission of Girl Scouts of the USA. (Revised by GSUSA 10/23/09.)

Eleanor Roosevelt with Hawaii Girl Scouts circa 1940's.
Used by permission of Girl Scouts of Hawaii.

Interview with Melinda Caroll
by Adrianne Martinez

Tell us about your life growing up and how it relates to Girl Scout Music.

Life as a musical. ...As the oldest of six children growing up, I remember songs constantly being sung in our home by anybody who happened to be in the mood. Children, parents and grandparents, all sang freely and without embarrassment around each other. It was considered normal in my family to break out in a gospel number, lullaby or a funny song while folding laundry, washing dishes or bathing the little ones and putting them to bed.

Our home was part of a large family farm in Florida next to lakes, rivers, swamps and nearby ocean. There was an abundance of animals, young and old, wild and tame, and all kinds of wooded areas, and wild places to explore. My goal each day was to stay outdoors as long as I could. I often found myself making up songs, which I usually sang to my dogs, cats and other willing creatures who became my first audiences. The Baptist (Mom) and Presbyterian (Dad) churches that I attended were my first introduction to the amazing ways music can make you feel. Then one of our neighbors decided to start a Girl Scout Troop and invited me to join as a Brownie. I loved our meetings and excursions into the woods. One of my first memories of our Troop was making a "frog in the hole" (an egg fried on a piece of bread with a hole in it) on our first camp-out, then gathering on our newly made sit-up-ons around the campfire and singing together.

Why are you a musician?

I received my first guitar from my Aunt Mable and Uncle Don when I was 12 and you can ask anyone who knew me then, I dragged it everywhere I went! I was really obnoxious about it. It went to the dinner table, to school everyday, and stayed beside me while I slept. Playing it was the first thing I did when I woke up and the last thing before I went to bed. And though I was shy about playing and singing in front of anyone other than my family, I had a voracious appetite to learn to play. My parents couldn't afford lessons so whoever happened to cross my path that played an instrument was showered with a thousand questions, then I would go right home and practice what I had just learned. I had no formal training but music has had a deep hold on me from very young, and it's one art you can learn by watching and listening to others.

I went through three years of college taking pre-veterinarian courses thinking I would one day become a vet, which I was paying for by singing rock and roll and touring with a band on the weekends. One day in college, after an amazing performance weekend, I woke up and realized I just wanted to sing and write songs, and that's what I've been fortunate enough to do ever since.

What inspires you?

Life inspires me. Sure, I love poetry, movies, read lots of books and listen to tons of different kinds of music. I also love spending time in the ocean or mountains or anywhere in nature. But I sometimes get the best ideas when I'm driving home from the grocery store or waiting in line at the bank. I've also gotten entire songs from dreams. One song I wrote for Girl Scouts of the USA, "Growing Strong," poured out in its complete form one morning just as I was rising for the day So, I guess I'm saying, inspiration for me is a mighty and unpredictable muse who arrives in all shapes and surprises.

What is your creative process?

I seem to be constantly humming something. Even if I'm not singing it out loud, there's always a melody or lyric going through my head. Also, journaling has been an important and steady part of my life since I was 18. It seems to allow a clearing area of sorts as I write about whatever stands out that day. I do thrive on inspiration, but I can be incredibly creative when there's a deadline looming. Meanwhile, I do try and write a little everyday and for the past year, even a song a day, no matter how good it is, just to stay in the process and to help me improve my art.

What other creative things do you do besides Girl Scout Music?

Ecstatic dance, specifically, Gabrielle Roth's 5Rhythms has been the other deeply creative outlet in my life. I began this practice with Gabrielle in 1982, and have found it to be a constant and reliable anchor. The teachings of this healing movement allow music to be the medicine and the dance to dance you. In other words you let your mind go and your body follows and moves as it feels within the framework of the maps or the 5Rhythms, flowing, staccato, chaos, lyrical and stillness. It is the best all-round therapy I know, plus it's great fun and keeps me up on the latest dance beats and world rhythms! I find it to be a perfect complement to songwriting! Cooking, planning feasts and unique gatherings with my friends and family, plus gardening are my other delights and creative passions!

Name a few highlights of your Girl Scout Music career

There are so many high points in the last 20 years of my involvement with Girl Scouts Music. The one commonality these high moments hold is my direct involvement and work with the girls! Their energy, response and passion keeps me inspired and on track. I have been truly blessed with some unforgettable memories and highest highs of life since my association with Girl Scout Music in 1989. I have worked with some of the most amazing, kind and generous people in the world. There are Angels among us and I have had the joy to met and sing with them!

What do you see for the future of Girl Scout Music?

My record company, Legend Productions Inc., just became a national licensed vendor of Girl Scouts of the USA, which means all of our music is now available directly to consumers via online digital downloads. This means our music is now available to a broader audience of current and future Girl Scouts, Girl Guides, and fans of both! Our intention is to continue to keep our songs and music relevant, useful and FUN for girls and leaders, to inspire Girl Scouts and Guides to sing together at every opportunity! Our job is to stay connected to them and the music and to keep up with all the latest technology and avenues available to do that! We want the girls themselves to be more involved with our music and process. So ...in preparation for the upcoming 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the USA in 2012, we'll be inviting aspiring young women songwriters to send us their songs, to be recorded by girls, for girls, for the purpose of creating a 100th Celebration Song Collection CD of their music!

Testimonials
These heartwarming expressions of gratitude have been chosen
from the hundreds we've received from Girl Scouts of all ages everywhere!
We thank all of you for your wonderful comments and continued support!

The 'Juliette' Song
Hello Melinda,

A friend of mine mentioned that she read something at some point that mentioned that the song titled "Juliette" that you sing had been broadcasted to the astronauts in a shuttle in outer space. I tried looking for more information online, but did not find anything. Is that something that was actually done? If so, what is the story behind that?

Thank you so much in advance!

Karla Pavey
Troop # 8384
Deer Park, TX

*****

Aloha Carla! Here's the story...

The Story of the Song, 'Juliette'
by Melinda Caroll

In August of 1997, the beginning stages of "Girl Scouts Greatest Hits", I was contemplating songs for the album and looking in particular for one about Juliette Low, Founder of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. My dear friend, Joyce Richards, Executive Director of Girl Scout Council of Hawai'i, was visiting me at my ranch on the Big Island of Hawai'i one night, when I mentioned to her that I was having trouble finding a song about Juliette and was thinking of trying to write one myself.

Both Joyce and I had read "Lady From Savannah" and another biography of her life, and we talked that night of Juliette's extraordinary accomplishments and what a brave and pioneering woman she had to have been in her day and time. We felt that a song should be directed to the Daisy and Brownie Girl Scouts�, so that 'Juliette' would become a familiar name to them.

I went to sleep that night after playing a little on my guitar and not really getting any fresh ideas. At about 2:00 a.m., I awoke with a melody and lyric playing in my head.

(click here for the rest of the story)

Venus (Hesperus/Vesper) near the Moon, photo Jay Ouellet.

Dr. Tammy Jernigan, NASA Astronaut.

Ride the Wave!
"I love everything about Melinda's music, her voice, her enthusiasm and her energy. She inspires me and energizes me. Her voice is so easy to sing along with!"
- Susan, Hickory, NC

Music and the Miracle
"Your CDs have been such an inspiration to me and my daughter Sarah. I was a Girl Scout for eight years and was thrilled when I gave birth to a daughter. Then they told me she was Down's Syndrome. At first I was stunned, but soon I decided that when she was old enough, she would be a Girl Scout. When she turned six, I formed a Daisy Troop and had 14 girls join. Soon after, your first CD came out and brought back such good memories for me, I quickly started teaching the girls the songs.

Then Sarah got really sick. Her lungs were continually collapsing and filling with fluid. The doctors did not believe she was going to make it. I began working with my Troop to learn the beautiful song 'Juliette.' What they didn't know was that I was preparing them so they might sing this song at Sarah's funeral. Well, miracles do happen, and Sarah is today 12 years old and stronger than ever! We still sing 'Juliette' at all of our special events, every time, bringing tears to my eyes. And as Cadettes, we now use all your CD's to teach songs to the younger girls in our neighborhood. Thank you so much for your dedication to Girl Scouts! You have made a difference in my life and to so many hundreds of girls in Cleveland, Ohio."
- Joyce, Cleveland, Ohio.

A Great Way to Start the Day!
"I love playing your music as the beginning of my troop meetings. It really charges up the girls' energy level, and puts them in positive and responsive mood."
- Thank you so much. K.C. Phoenix, AZ

Tools for Personal Peace
"I bought your CD intending to use it to assist me in teaching some of the traditional songs for my own Troop, but in fact, I will use it for much, much more! It will be played when I need a peaceful moment, or when life becomes too hectic and I need to escape to a simpler time, a time during which I felt surrounded by the love of my sister Girl Scouts! Thank you so much for such a gift! Sing on!"
- Patty Hughes.

A Candlelit Circle of Love
"My seventh grade girls bridged to Cadettes and my Daisy girls bridged to Brownies the same night. We used your newest song, 'In a Circle, Light A Candle.' We started with all the girls sitting throughout the auditorium and first my tallest girl walked in carrying a candle, then one by one the Juniors and Cadettes got up and walked to the center making two circles around the candle. Then one by one each girl left the circle and got a Brownie from her seat and brought her into the circle until all 32 girls were in one of the three interwoven circles. It was BEAUTIFUL! You have once again produced a song that brings tears to my eyes. THANK YOU!
- J.

50 Years of Memories and Song
"About two weeks before our Troop 189's, 50-year reunion, I ordered Vol. 1, We Change the World and took it to a high rise in Chicago where nine of us from around the country and Canada gathered to sing and reminisce. Many of us had been Girls Scouts together from second grade through high school in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, and this was our third reunion. Singing was such a big part of our Girl Scout days, and almost all the songs on that album we knew and loved. So, there we were, 65-year-old women sitting around a candle, singing. Your album is so beautifully put together! As a footnote, I must tell you that my mother was one of the leaders for the entire time our troop existed, and one of her favorite songs was 'Peace of the River,' so it was played at her Memorial Service several years ago."
- Thank you, Martha Oches

Live and Lovin' it.
"What can I say but WOW! You did such a great job at the concert to help us celebrate the 90th birthday. You are certainly a wonderful asset for Girl Scouts. I know that the girls truly enjoyed your performance and getting to know you. After all, how long did you stay and sign autographs? The extra time you spent at the camp and signing all the CD's was above and beyond the call of duty. It was great to see you in Washington and I know that all Girl Scouts appreciate your commitment to writing Girl Scout music. Your two new songs, 'Every Girl, Everywhere' and 'Juliette' are both great. You have a special gift to capture the Girl Scout mission and purpose. Thanks again for sharing your special talent with our council."
- Sincerely, Sandi Stewart Executive Director Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.

Acknowledgement From a Pro!
"Hello, I am a librarian, a singer and member of several choirs, professional and volunteer, in the New York City area. I think the album is fantastic!! The girls sound great, great diction, great tone and the harmonies they sing in are astounding! Just wanted to pass this along. Good luck in future endeavors."
- T. M., Long Island

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including the Trefoil Design are owned by Girl Scouts of the USA.
Legend Productions is an official GSUSA licensed vendor.