BirdNote’s Chirpy Cheerful Theme Song

BirdNote^®

BirdNote’s Chirpy Cheerful Theme Song

Written by Jasmine “Jazzi” Johnson

This is BirdNote. 

Over the years, we’ve heard from lots of listeners about our thousands of episodes. 

Like: My cat loves listening - and I do, too! 
And: A delightful start to each morning– like a robin’s spring song

And listeners are always curious about the origin of BirdNote's theme song.

Around the time BirdNote became an independent nonprofit in the mid-2000s, Chris Peterson, BirdNote’s founder, invited Grammy-Award winning artist Nancy Rumbel to work on the short but memorable theme.

Rumbel used higher-pitched wind instruments to mimic the sound of birds. After sketching a few melodies on the oboe, she threw in the wooden ocarina to add “sweet bird-like chirps.” Rumbel says she created a dance-like marimba pattern to ensure it’d be catchy and playful! Following some additional tweaks and suggestions from our Senior Producer John Kessler, plus a smokin’ bassline, the theme was birthed and history was chirped!

BirdNote is an independent nonprofit funded by our audience, and this week we’re asking for your support, at BirdNote.org. BirdNote has brought a love of birds and nature for over 18 years — and none of it would be possible without donations from our loyal listeners. 

Keep BirdNote going strong by donating at BirdNote.org! Thank you.

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Senior Producer: John Kessler
Producer: Mark Bramhill
Managing Editor: Jazzi Johnson
Managing Producer: Conor Gearin
BirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.
© 2023 BirdNote May/November 2023
Narrator: Ariana Remmel

ID# theme-song-FUND-03-2023-05-03          theme-song-FUND-03