The show starts in a modern-day middle school, where young Gwen is inspired by the King Arthur legend and wants to learn more. As she researches the different stories and shares with her friends, she slowly draws their interest to the Arthurian world, too. When she and her classmates read different books, the stage transforms into the world of King Arthur, and the legend of King Arthur is told in flashbacks. Soon, Gwen and her fellow students begin to see parallels between the Arthurian legend and their own lives. Could the return of the age of Camelot be close at hand?

We asked so much from our talented group of young students! Emily and I feel this show is our most ambitious work yet. We started work on this in early December, and we decided to up the ante; we wrote a more complex score and employed more staging effects than usual. And by unfortunate coincidence, this happened to be the snowiest winter in years! So many days of school were canceled for inclement weather, meaning lost rehearsals. Students made up the time by rehearsing on weekends and during lunch and recess. Given all of these hindrances, it’s a minor miracle the kids pulled off such great performances, with rich, thoughtful characterizations.

Here are a dozen pictures from the production; click the image to enlarge.

The teacher drones “On and On and On.”

Gwen researches King Arthur as the scene transforms to medieval mimes

The villagers in medieval times

Merlin and the Lady of the Lake convince Lady Igraine she must give up the baby Arthur

Merlin watches the young Arthur retrieve the sword Excalibur

Lady Igraine, Lady of the Lake, and Merlin crown the new king

Gwen reads with Bernard, while the classmates look on

King Arthur explains “The Code of Chivalry” to his knights

“Have a Little Faith”–Marvin gets his magic back

Old and new worlds join; is Bernard the new king?

Bows

Swordplay posing between Arthur and Bernard, after the show

The post New Musical premieres appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

This time around, I discussed active listening and used examples of music from different movies. After practicing on a few famous themes (from Star Wars and Jaws) we then listened to some music to decide what “pictures” we heard. I used the “Moonlight Sonata” and “Flight of the Bumble Bee,” for instance.

I was amazed how sharp these kids were!

Richard Russell lecturing about a movie score

After the school day, I stuck around to help with a rehearsal of “Winner Takes All!”, the new musical I’ve written with my collaborator, Emily Clare Thompson. Here’s a picture of her rehearsing with one of our young leads.

Emily Clare Thomson rehearses a student for “Winner Takes All!”

The post New Lecture presented at New Jersey School appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

We’ve written a number of shows together, typically for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, but this year, for the first time, we’ve added a 2nd grade show.

The second grade show is “It Takes a Rainbow” which tells the story of young, brown lizards who feel safe at home and never want to travel. Eventually they leave move on and explore, discovering colored frogs and learning the value of a multi-hued world. I’ll post pictures of the premiere performance, which will be this Thursday, May 9.

At the same time, rehearsals are under way for “The Winner Takes All.” This is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” set in a modern day middle school. Much like Shakespeare’s original, there’s a real sense of rivalry between the boys and girls, so this is a fun show. However, I still have so much music to write! The children are rehearsing their dialogue, and are awaiting my score, which is only about 75% done. This show will premiere on June 6, so I’ve got some catching up to do.

(You should be able to click the images for a larger view.)

Emily Clare Thompson directs the finale. (The group at left is the choir.)

Emily Clare Thompson directs “It Takes a Rainbow”

The boys do a reading of “The Winner Takes All”

The post New Spring Musicals to premiere appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

In the show, a school class visits the museum to follow up on some lessons taught in school. The teacher announces that final projects are due soon. Theodore wishes for some inspiration and accidentally invokes the nine Muses to his side, each of whom want to inspire him. Theodore is annoyed and wishes them away, but in fact they are not allowed to leave until Theodore IS inspired. Only Theodore can see the Muses, but in due time his sister Thea and his friend Hector also accidentally invoke the Muses. The show is all about finding inspiration in spite of traditional education, while at the same time respecting tradition and finding inspiration in it. (Indeed, respecting tradition is an insight into Theodore’s ultimate creative solution!) And along the way, some really good laughs occur.

Here are several pictures from the show. A DVD has been made and can be ordered by anyone wishing to receive a copy.

Before show rehearsal

Theodore sees the Muses for the first time

Thea sings while the boys study the painting

Theodore and Hector

The Muses explain themselves to Theodore

Calliope: “Use Imagination”

Emily Thompson directing a scene

“It’s All Greek to Me!”

“Life Is Better With A Song”

The final confrontation!

The Company takes bows

The post “To A Muse” premieres appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

Emily is the G & T teacher at this school, and every year she presents a musicalized adaptation of a Shakespeare play. The performances are presented by her 4th Grade group, the Student Actors’ League of Arts and Drama, also known as SALAD.¬†I’m delighted to be joining her for the first time in writing music. I was very impressed by the huge number of students who participated–all of whom rehearse during lunch recess or after school.

Here are several pics from the show.

Padua School of Arts

Alexandra Altonjy, pianist, with Emily Thompson Schweer and students

The cast performs the title number

The cast performs, “That’s the Way to Deal with a Shrew”

The post Katrina The Shrew premiere appeared first on Richard D. Russell.

At Central School

This past Halloween season I presented a lecture and demonstration to young grade schoolers at Central School in East Hanover, NJ. The subject was how the literary tradition of the heroic quest can be found in the music of Beethoven.

I presented the lecture six times in a row to different visiting classes — you teachers out there know how it is!

A special thanks to all the students who asked such interesting questions (“Where does inspiration come from?” “How long does it take to write a piece of music?” etc.) and to my host, Emily Thompson Schweer.

The post Lecture at Central School in NJ | Oct. 29, 2010 appeared first on Richard D. Russell.