Fall Suggestions
BETSY ROSS and the FIRST AMERICAN FLAG, A Musical Play for Young People – A heartfelt salute to our flag that begins before there was a United States….just 13 little colonies whose rights were being trampled. Six songs include a swinging new version of “Yankee Doodle,” plus “You Can do it, Betsy,” “Red Stripes for Bravery,” “The Betsy Bustle,” and more. For Grades 1 thru 6, this musical instills the true meaning, background and history of our flag. Teacher’s Book is $19.95. Student Book 10/pk is $35.00. Performance/Accompaniment CD is $49.95. Reproducible Flag Pack (Activities, etiquette, vocabulary) is $10.95.
TALL TOM JEFFERSON – History comes to entertaining life as a visit to the Presidential palace in the new Capitol, Washington, D.C. brings the audience into the 1800s – the very beginning of democracy – to meet the new young leader of the country, and follows him to the end of his life. For Grades 4 thru 9, this 40-minute musical drama is narrated by two-time Tony Award winning Broadway star Richard Kiley and a professional Chorus. The songs are rich with history and pathos; and we’ve been told that the participating students end up wanting to own their music books to keep forever! Teacher Book is $30.00; Student 10/Pack is $35.00; Performance/Accompaniment CD is $49.95.
OUR COUNTRY ‘TIS OF THEE – A rousing musical celebration of America from John Smith to the present day, this overview of American history re-creates the various eras that were crucial to our nation’s evolution into adulthood. We have heard from many teachers that this full-fledged musical is an audience-pleasing teaching tool as it focuses on the meaning of democracy (“Are You for Independence?”; “That’s What it Means to Be Free”), the entrepreneurial spirit (“Inventors Song”), and living history (“Goin’ West”; “Unknown Bugle Boy”; “New Deal”). Our teachers also report back to us that they consider this musical a civics lesson set to wonderful music! For Grades 4 -9, 30 to 40 Minutes in duration. Teacher Book is $19.95; Student 10/Pack is $35.00; Performance/Accompaniment CD is $49.95.
SIS! BOOM! BAH! – A two-act fun-filled football musical about school spirit, teamwork, never giving up, and doing your best no matter what the field...as the whole school revs up for the big game with State. You’ll meet Knute Rockne, Coach Agnes Gooch, the cheerleaders, the fans, the players – and you’ll feel the excitement grow as the exciting big game nears. Teachers particularly remember from their own Elementary School days the song, “Practice,” with its especially meaningful lyrics, “Whatever you do it takes practice, so practice whatever you do…remember that every big winner was once a beginner like you….” The Teacher book is $19.95; the Student 10/Pack is $29.95; and the Performance/Accompaniment CD is $49.95. For Grades 4 -9, 30 to 40 Minutes in duration.
COLUMBUS DAY SONGS THAT TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE – This 16 song tribute to the second Monday in October is a particularly amusing collection of sing-along songs, and even features a song that spells out the celebrated explorer’s name. Original – and funny – lyrics set to familiar tunes. Book and Performance CD set is $19.95. For all ages, excellent for early introduction to music.
THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD – As Columbus Day approaches, this approximately 40-minute musical (narrated by film, television, and stage actor E.G. Marshall) takes center stage. The narrator is a wandering minstrel who takes us through Palos, Spain, in the 15th century where the citizens discuss Columbus’ escapades leading to his important discoveries, while the cynics dismiss the “roundness” of the earth. It’s all here: the exciting first sighting of land believed to be The Indies, the controversy of the discovery of a new continent – not India (!), and finally, the celebration of those brave and bold explorers who forged new worlds. Rousing and richly musical, the songs include “Morning in Palos,” “Son of a Tailor,” “A Man & His Dream,” “The Council of Mathematicians,” “Sail on Columbus,” “For Gold & Glory,” and the crowd-pleasing “The Brave & the Bold.” Especially popular for ESL students as it promotes pride in their heritage, teachers also use it annually to complement their “study unit of exploration and migration.” Teacher Book is $19.95. Student book 10/Pack is $29.95. Performance/Accompaniment CD is $49.95. Parts for many students of all Grades – for classroom or stage presentation. Approx. 40 minutes in duration.
HALLOWEEN SONGS THAT TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE – Our most popular musical in the entire “Tickle Your Funny Bone” series; when we produced a YouTube video of this short musical, it proved to be extremely popular with children everywhere. Sixteen sing-along songs feature new lyrics set to familiar tunes from our childhood. Here is good-natured holiday happiness! Book and Performance CD set is $19.95. For all ages, excellent for early introduction to music.
A-HAUNTING WE WILL GO – Just enough fun frights for the little ones to enjoy, this Halloween party features “goblins and witches, where skeletons scare you and keep you in stitches!” Book and Performance/Accompaniment CD set is $19.95. Grades K-3, 15 to 20 minutes in duration – for classroom or stage presentation; excellent for early reading motivation and introduction to music.
THE LITTLEST PUMPKIN IN THE PUMPKIN PATCH – Original lyrics set to familiar tunes from our childhood, this amusing tale of a scarecrow and a “rock ‘n’ roll pumpkin” will excite the young ones around Halloween time – no demons, no real scares, just fun! Songs include “Trick or Treat,” “The Pumpkin on the Vine,” “The Pumpkin Man, “Twinkle Twinkle Candlelight,” and “It’s a Good Old Halloween.” Book and Performance/Accompaniment CD set is $19.95. Grades K-3; parts for many students, 15 to 20 minutes in duration – for classroom or stage presentation.
THE FIRST THANKSGIVING, A Musical Play for Young People – Another children’s musical celebration of one of our country’s most beloved holidays, this “true story of the first thanksgiving” evokes the indigenous people with the introduction of a beautiful flute/percussion motif. The Native Americans (Bright Squirrel et al) befriend the pilgrims and assist them in farming the land, while inventive songs – “Picture Talk” and the hymn-inspired “A Pilgrim Thank You Song” and “Come, Ye Thankful People” – transport the listener to that time in history when our annual November tradition was established. Another Ruth Roberts song favorite, “Over the River and through the Woods” [see also THE EAGLE AND THE TURKEY], sets new lyrics set to the familiar tune about Grandma’s house we’ve all loved for generations. Book and Performance/Accompaniment CD set is $49.95. Grades K-6; parts for many students, 20 minutes in duration – for classroom or stage presentation.
THANKSGIVING SONGS THAT TICKLE YOUR FUNNY BONE – Another popular musical in our “Tickle Your Funny Bone” series, here is yet another holiday celebration that generates good, healthy laughs. Also extremely popular with children, these sixteen sing-along songs even feature a “Thanksgiving Football Game”! Book and Performance CD set is $19.95. For all ages, excellent for early introduction to music.
THE EAGLE AND THE TURKEY – Every school year, as the Fall chill sets in, this mini-play becomes a popular performance choice among teachers for their younger-aged classes. Here is a Thanksgiving folk tale that relates how the Eagle became our National Emblem – and the Turkey became our dinner! A very sweet debate ensues as the two birds compete to be declared the “National bird” of our new country: Turkey advocates argue that, after all, everyone loves turkey on Thanksgiving Day; whereas the other side of the argument reminds one and all of the nobility of the American bald eagle. The thirteen original states take a very close – but definitive – vote, and all ends happily as young students delight in performing the “Turkey Gobble Trot” and “Turkey Dinner, Turkey Dinner,” among others. We’ve been told it’s also a favorite among the parent/grandparent contingent of the audience! New lyrics set to the familiar tune of “Over the River and Through the Woods (to Grandmother’s House We Go”). Book and Performance/Accompaniment CD set is $19.95. Grades K-3; parts for many students, 15 to 20 minutes in duration – for classroom or stage presentation.
