Discovering Musicals

Discovering Musicals
Author: Marc Raymond Strauss
Publisher: McFarland
Total Pages: 241
Release: 2019-06-20
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 147663632X

One of the few studies that cover both Broadway and Hollywood musicals, this book explores a majority of the most famous musicals over the past two centuries plus a select number of overlooked gems. Doubling as an introductory college and university text for musical, dance and theater majors and a guide for both musical connoisseurs and novices, the book includes YouTube references of nearly 1000 examples of dances and songs from musicals.

Discovering the Musical Mind

Discovering the Musical Mind
Author: Jeanne Bamberger
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Total Pages: 374
Release: 2013-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0199589836

Following her distinguished earlier career as a concert pianist and later as a music theorist, Jeanne Bamberger conducted countless case studies analysing musical development and creativity within the classroom environment. 'Discovering the musical mind' draws together these classic studies, and offers the chance to revisit and reconsider some of the conclusions she drew at the time.

The Kid Who Discovered a Magical Musical Instrument

The Kid Who Discovered a Magical Musical Instrument
Author: AQEEL AHMED
Publisher: AQEEL AHMED
Total Pages: 27
Release: 2024-02-23
Genre: Fiction
ISBN: 1998240851

Summary: In a cozy little town surrounded by towering mountains and lush forests, there lived a curious young kid named Alex. One day, while exploring the dusty corners of their attic, Alex stumbled upon something truly extraordinary—a magical musical instrument, hidden away beneath old boxes and cobwebs. This wasn't just any instrument; it was unique, with the amazing ability to make drawings and stories come to life just by playing its enchanting melodies. As Alex began to play this mysterious instrument, they noticed something incredible. The music didn't just fill the room with beautiful sounds; it also brought their drawings to life! Imagine drawing a bird and then, as you play a tune, watching it flutter off the paper and around your room. That's exactly what happened to Alex. Each note played on the instrument was like a key, unlocking the door to a world where imagination became reality. This magical discovery marked the beginning of a series of adventures for Alex. With the magical instrument in hand, Alex embarked on a journey unlike any other. Along the way, Alex met new friends who were just as curious and adventurous. Together, they explored the depths of their imagination, facing challenges and solving problems with the help of the instrument's magical melodies. These adventures were more than just exciting escapades; they were also filled with valuable lessons. Alex and their friends learned about the importance of friendship, courage, and creativity. They discovered that, sometimes, the answer to a problem lies in looking at it from a different perspective or trying out a creative solution. But the most important lesson of all was about the magic within. Through the journey, Alex realized that the true magic didn't just come from the instrument. Instead, it was inside them all along. It was the magic of believing in oneself, the power of imagination, and the strength that comes from the heart. This story of Alex and the magical musical instrument teaches us that within each of us lies the potential to create wonder, to face challenges with courage, and to discover the magic that resides within our own hearts. It's a reminder that, sometimes, the greatest adventures and the most powerful magic are found not in the world around us, but within ourselves. Chapter 1: Little Alex was from Harmony, a great, quiet neighborhood, and he was always excited to try new things. Alex found something interesting one day while playing in their attic, which is full of old things and lost treasures. A dirty old musical instrument was hidden behind some old boxes. There is something about this instrument. It looked like the threads caught the last of the sun's rays and sparkled and shone in the dim attic light. It was so clear and different that Alex couldn't help but be drawn to it, like it was calling them. Alex was shocked and concentrated hard on his guitar. It looked strange and almost magical when they touched it. Alex started to play the strings because he couldn't play the instrument. When the first note was played, a spectacular event began. There seemed to be life in the space around them as the song spread color and light all over. No one in Harmony had ever heard that music before. It was the first time Alex had heard sounds that sparkled and moved. It was so beautiful, it sounded like angels singing. The pure and sweet music from the heart shocked and calmed everyone. Alex knew this wasn't a normal garage gift as the music went on. You're drawn in by this instrument's beautiful sound. Alex thought that the beauty of the music went beyond the everyday and took him to a world of fun and adventure he had never been to before. The instrument looked like it was full of harmony and was hiding secrets and riddles that were just waiting to be found. It reflected the peace and beauty of the town. Because of this, Alex's life changed in a way that was full of magic, excitement, and the power of music. We learned that the most amazing things can happen in places we least expect them to. Alex saw the old, dusty instrument in the attic as the key to a world where magic and truth lived together, and dreams come true. Alex knew right then that the great instrument they had just bought would change their lives forever. It offered adventures that were as beautiful and endless as the music it played. Chapter 2: When Alex found the magical instrument in the attic, he became even more interested. They were amazed by how well the instrument could play and all the cool things it could do. To deal with this important issue, Alex decided to do a simple test. With a pencil, they drew a simple butterfly form on some paper. The butterfly on the paper looked calm, and its wings were spread out like it was looking forward to something great. When Alex picked up the guitar again, he was both excited and nervous. What would happen if they played a tune? Will the picture stay just a sketch, or will something interesting happen?

The Secret Life of the American Musical

The Secret Life of the American Musical
Author: Jack Viertel
Publisher: Macmillan + ORM
Total Pages: 335
Release: 2016-03-01
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 0374711259

A New York Times Bestseller For almost a century, Americans have been losing their hearts and losing their minds in an insatiable love affair with the American musical. It often begins in childhood in a darkened theater, grows into something more serious for high school actors, and reaches its passionate zenith when it comes time for love, marriage, and children, who will start the cycle all over again. Americans love musicals. Americans invented musicals. Americans perfected musicals. But what, exactly, is a musical? In The Secret Life of the American Musical, Jack Viertel takes them apart, puts them back together, sings their praises, marvels at their unflagging inventiveness, and occasionally despairs over their more embarrassing shortcomings. In the process, he invites us to fall in love all over again by showing us how musicals happen, what makes them work, how they captivate audiences, and how one landmark show leads to the next—by design or by accident, by emulation or by rebellion—from Oklahoma! to Hamilton and onward. Structured like a musical, The Secret Life of the American Musical begins with an overture and concludes with a curtain call, with stops in between for “I Want” songs, “conditional” love songs, production numbers, star turns, and finales. The ultimate insider, Viertel has spent three decades on Broadway, working on dozens of shows old and new as a conceiver, producer, dramaturg, and general creative force; he has his own unique way of looking at the process and at the people who collaborate to make musicals a reality. He shows us patterns in the architecture of classic shows and charts the inevitable evolution that has taken place in musical theater as America itself has evolved socially and politically. The Secret Life of the American Musical makes you feel as though you’ve been there in the rehearsal room, in the front row of the theater, and in the working offices of theater owners and producers as they pursue their own love affair with that rare and elusive beast—the Broadway hit.

The Improvisation of Musical Dialogue

The Improvisation of Musical Dialogue
Author: Bruce Ellis Benson
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 218
Release: 2003-02-27
Genre: Music
ISBN: 9780521009324

This book is an important contribution to the philosophy of music. Bruce Benson's concern is the phenomenology of music making as an activity. He offers a radical thesis that it is improvisation that is primary in the moment of music making.It will be a provocative read.

Musical ontology

Musical ontology
Author: Lisa Giombini
Publisher: Mimesis
Total Pages: 287
Release: 2018-01-25T00:00:00+01:00
Genre: Philosophy
ISBN: 8869771539

What is musical ontology? Why should we as philosophers address it, if ever? These questions constitute the Ariadne’s thread running throughout this whole work. The number of papers, volumes and essays that have recently been dedicated to the topic of art and musical ontology is so vast that trying to get a grip on the debate seems like trying to find ones bearings without a compass. This book is a guide to help hapless readers find their way through this philosophical jungle. It is constructed on three levels: the presentation of the debate on musical ontology, a meta-ontological inquiry and a sort of meta-meta-ontological overview, in which both the ontological and the meta-ontological are examined. It does not contain any apology for musical ontology, nor any attempt to definitively get it off the hook. The approach is aporetic, in the spirit of an open investigation in which more questions than answers are posited. But this is the whole point. If this study manages to provide the readers with the necessary theoretical tools to answer these questions for themselves, it could be considered a success.

How to Succeed in Musical Theater

How to Succeed in Musical Theater
Author: Chris Will
Publisher: Waveland Press
Total Pages: 187
Release: 2023-04-26
Genre: Performing Arts
ISBN: 1478651407

Actors and singers use different training and distinctive vocabularies to hone their skills. Chris Will’s accessible handbook bridges the gap between the two, helping singing actors integrate theater and music into successful performances. Will covers all the essential skills you need to succeed in musical theater. How to Succeed in Musical Theater starts with discussions of how to merge theater and music before moving into the specific challenges facing the musical theater song. Copious exercises are spread throughout the book to strengthen learning through doing. Whether you're a seasoned performer or just starting out, this little book will be a constant companion on the road to success in musical theater.