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Will the Music Play?

By Lois Lewis

Grade Level: 3-6

Story Preview: Controversy threatens to cancel a famous music festival.

Roles: Narrators 1-3, Concertmaster, Maestro Alfred Allegro, Cello Player, Trombone Player, Clarinet Player, Flute Player, Sandra Scoop, Man in Crowd, Woman in Crowd, Tim, Teen Boy, Teen Boy's Mother

Setting: present day; a music hall, a town square, a university

Theme(s): music

Vocabulary:

• allegro: quick, lively beat or tempo
• arranger: someone who changes music to be played or sung
• ballot: piece of paper used in voting
• composer: someone who creates music
• concertmaster: musician who is the first violinist in an orchestra
• conductor: person who leads or directs an orchestra or other performance group
• deadlocked: a difficult situation where there is no progress; a standstill
• encore: request by an audience for another performance or selection
• maestro: an artist with great skill, usually a music conductor or composer
• symphony: piece of music for an orchestra with several movements

Props: (Optional) music stand, toy musical instruments or pictures of musical instruments in an orchestra (including violin, cello, flute clarinet, trombone), baton or stick, toy or student-made microphone, (from paper, cardboard or other available materials), small cardboard or plastic box, small pieces of paper

Follow-Up Questions:

• What event takes place in Symphony Land each year? Why was this year's event different?
• What topic did the musicians discuss at their meeting? Why did they argue about it?
• Who was Alfred Allegro? What did he do to solve the problem?
• How did the audience react to the new program?
• How will future concerts be different from those in the past?
• How would you have voted if you were a member of the orchestra? Why?

Follow-Up Activities: Ask students to look up other ways of referring to the following musicians: cello player, trombone player, clarinet player, flute player. Then have students research the sections of an orchestra and other instruments in each of those sections. You also might divide the class into small groups to create posters announcing the festival's 50th anniversary. When completed, invite groups to present their posters to the class.

Additional Notes: Before students read the play, invite them to discuss their favorite kinds of music, or share their experiences at music events they have attended. You also might use the play as a supplemental activity for a music program or concert at your school.

Click here for a printable script.

Article by Lois Lewis
Education World®
Copyright © 2006 Education World

09/15/2006