Performance Ideas

Rappin’ Caps is a Pre-Program Opening and sung with a small group in front of the curtain. Each has a mic on a stand to allow singing and rap dancing. Each puts on a rappin’ cap when they sing the words to do so. At the end, after the Yoo Hoo, suggestions are given on the lyric page as to how to take places on the stage. If this song is used as a Pre Program Intro, use the words as given. If you would rather use it say before The Three Nyms then change the words at the end after Come on kids to Let’s learn some more. To the audience: Thank you for listening. So happy you were here. End with the Yoo Hoo …..

The TEST REVUE Introduction offers students the opportunity to perform in a Broadway Musical kind of opening. Assigned students could enter the stage from both sides with porn, porns, high stepping to the beat of the music. Details would be planned by the teacher and students.

Capitalization Rules has many verses with some that could be assigned for solo, small group, or as it is divided on the recording.

Homework begins with all singing. The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th verses have two solo parts each — a singer who is also a speaker and a speaker. These students have 8 beats to do their parts. Very tricky! Between each verse all sing the Chorus and also the repeated 1st verse at the end and CODA. During the Interlude, all pretend to study by dramatizing, e.g. hold books in the air as though reading, write in the air, etc., before they say, “We’re done!” Set 1 and Set 2 instrumental tracks are identical. If needed by the speakers, it is suggested to have a drummer play a suspended cymbal using brushes during those 3, 4 beat measures in verses 2, 3, and 4, as cue in’s for Set 2 tracks. This means lots of practice!

Main Idea could be sung as it is recorded, dividing the choir into two sections. Notice the two pronunciations for “sentence” that have been used. This writer prefers the aural given on Google as sen-tense; the same as is stated in Webster’s Dictionary. The silent “t” has also been used.

The Three Nyms has a big part for one student who plays the part of the teacher and a much smaller part for a boy who plays a “naughty” student, when he smarts off at the end with, “Thanks, Teach!” This is a small but very important and funny part.

Four Kinds of Sentences is sung by all students. It could be divided into two groups and sung as recorded. All students always sing the Chorus.

Strategies has everything printed on the lyric pages. All are suggested to sing the verses in Group 1, Group 11, and the Finale. The other groups could be divided with solos, duets, trios, or any way you want to do it. Other groups of verses could be assigned to All with combinations of solos, duets, and trios. If two or three verses are too difficult, you might omit them in performing, if necessary.

Dancers can add lots of fun, if you want to include them at the end of each group of verses, as shown on the notated music and lyric sheets. These brief dances are 8 beats long and should be well planned and practiced.

Performance Ideas

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