SongFighting for the Arts

[PegamooseG]

I am a member of the Austin Summer Musical for Children (<a href="http://www.summermusical.com">ASMC</a>). Each summer, before school starts up, our organization produces a free musical for children over two weekends. This is to give the kiddos of Central Texas a taste of the arts.

Previously, we paid royalties to use pop songs for the musical. We were misinformed about our use of these songs, and can no longer use pop songs without paying much higher royalty costs. So, we are in search for other sources of affordable music to use for our productions. Songfight popped into my head. A friend of mine (a.k.a. Hujhax) previously submitted songs to Songfight.

Getting to my point, would anyone care to produce some tunes for our non-profit musical? Submitted songs must follow some restrictions:

* All the songs must be clean, family-friendly songs (i.e no profanity or suggestive material)
* Songs should be around 3 or 4 minutes in length.
* Most songs will be performed as an ensemble piece (entire cast). Solos or duets are acceptable, with back up chorus.
* Sheet music should be provided so the cast can learn the songs.
* The show will probably have piano accompanyment; though, we may be able to arrange for guitar accompanyment, too.

The next show will be an adaptation of the children's book "And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon". We will probably use around eight songs scattered throughout the show. If you need more information, please let me know.

[roymond]

I for one would jump on this (especially dishes and spoons!) but fear I'm a bit booked these days and short on time. However, stranger things have happened.

I think this is a great idea and this is the place to come for participants.

[PegamooseG]

After reading the previous reply, I realized I forgot to give a time frame.

We are currently working on the adaptation of the script. We typically present the "finished" script to the board in January/February. Auditions are around April. Rehearsals are in June/July. The show is performed late July, early August.

So, preferably, we could use the music before the presentation to the board in January. But, there is possible room (although we don't like pushing it this much) up to sometime before rehearsals. Song changes have been known to be made up to before rehearsals, but this is very rare. We usually have a good idea about the songs as we're writing the script.

[ken]

This reminds me of something Lunkhead told me about where people write songs to tell a fairytale or something like that.

I'm not really sure what you are asking for. Do you want people to write songs for your show or do you want to use already written Songfight material? If you want people to write stuff, you should probably be more specific about what you want. Also, you may just contact specific people to do specific parts. That has worked in the past for folks. I wish you luck, but really doubt you will get full on SATB choir parts from any of us. Mostly lyrics and chords is the best you can get.

Ken

[roymond]

but really doubt you will get full on SATB choir parts from any of us. Mostly lyrics and chords is the best you can get.

Oh yeah, you'll need an arranger to finish things off. You'll typically get good songs, lyrics, chord charts and a produced recording.

Also, what age are the kids that take part in this?

[PegamooseG]

D'oh! Another good question.

The audience is typically kids from about 3 to 8 years in age, with their parents. Though, like the Muppets, we have humor that the older crowd will get more than the little kids.

As for arranging the music... The music director is an elementary school music teacher, and might be able to arrange the music for the cast (though, this is speculation).

[jack]

i wrote a kid's song once to try to teach kids not to swear....

just say booger by brody

* featuring the fine vocal contributions of hoblit, the redmon family, starfinger, jim of seattle & madi, chris, courtney, elsa, noa, and e-money

[roymond]

The audience is typically kids from about 3 to 8 years in age, with their parents.

The audience, or the performers? I guess I wanted to know who will be performing.

[PegamooseG]

Sorry. I misunderstood you.

The show is targeted to an audience of kids ages 3 to 8 (with parental figures).

The cast is comprised of adults (18 and up). Usually, a majority of the cast is female. I'd say it's roughly 2/3 to 3/4 female, 1/4 to 1/3 male.

[drë]

In my opinion, JOS (Jim of Seattle) would be the most qualified person around here for something like this. you may want to ask him directly.

[Bjam]

My school's AP Music Theory class does a similar project to this. (Well they have to write a 'themed' set of songs with full vocal and piano score, a musical-esque project). I'll pass this idea to the teacher in case they're interested. I can rock musical-like lyrics, but I have no theory skillz.

(Btw, way to go for arts-for-kids programs!)

[king_arthur]

I won't be able to work on this right away, but I'm definitely interested in a project like this.

Would it be possible for you to post a portion of a previous script and a list of some of the "pop songs" that have been used in the past? I'm guessing that the general structure is a section of "drama" to tell the story and then a song that fits in at that point, more drama, another song, etc. - correct? And that the songs should be more general "fits the story" songs, not songs which actually carry some of the dialogue themselves.

And just to confirm, this is the Janet Stevens book published in 2001, right?

Charles (KA)

[PegamooseG]

I won't be able to work on this right away, but I'm definitely interested in a project like this.

Would it be possible for you to post a portion of a previous script and a list of some of the "pop songs" that have been used in the past? I'm guessing that the general structure is a section of "drama" to tell the story and then a song that fits in at that point, more drama, another song, etc. - correct? And that the songs should be more general "fits the story" songs, not songs which actually carry some of the dialogue themselves.

And just to confirm, this is the Janet Stevens book published in 2001, right?

Charles (KA)

I don't think the organization will like me to submit any portions of previous script to a forum, but I can email it to anyone interested. One of the best ways to reach me is through my hobby company, Pegamoose Games (http://www.pegamoosegames.com). (KA - I'll email you an older script later when I'm not at my day job).

Yes, that is the correct publication of the book.

Also, according to the music director from this weekend's board meeting, he requests geting SAB parts with piano accompanyment; no rhythm section necessary.