Putting on a Musical

Session Abstract

This workshop will explore the use of Orff principles in four original works written for performance by both primary and secondary students. Participants will sing, dance, laugh, create and as well as having a good time, will leave this session with a grab bag of ideas for putting on a musical.
We will make use of four original works co-written by the presenters who work under the partnership name of “Sync or Swing”. The works have come about as a result of being frustrated by the lack of suitable material for performance by primary and lower secondary students.
“Fantasy”, “Vox Vulture & The Knitting Shop”, “The Rooster Who Couldn’t Crow” and “Happily Ever After” are all chorus based shows with a many principal roles. They are suitable for large and small casts. They deal with issues relevant to those performing and they provide a theme relating to believing in yourself, loyalty and friendship. All have music which is written to suit the voice range of the performers, which is varied in style and which leaves performers and audience members with remnants buzzing pleasantly in their heads. Most importantly all the shows lend themselves to the principles and practices of Orff, incorporating creativity, imagination and fun.