It's "Miss Carole" Stephens - having so much fun with my work, I’m
taking a break from sharing music and movement activities on my blog this
month. Don’t worry – I’ll have some great Macaroni Soup music ideas to go back to school with on my August 16th blog!
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| Everyone wants to add something to the Alligator Pie! |
But first I have to add on to Deb Chitwood’s
excellent Alligator Activities blog from yesterday. Ya gotta sing “Alligator Pie” – or chant the
original poem by Dennis Lee from whence it came! I recorded it years ago on my H.U.M. – HighlyUsable Music cd. It’s still a favorite
in early childhood through 2nd grade classrooms wherever I go. It’s so much fun – and all about
rhyming! You can make up words to fit
the rhyme – the kids singing with me put “pizza” in the song, then had to top
it with “cheetza” and “meatza!” I heard “Alligator
Pie” first at a Children’s Music Network Song Swap from a wonderful singer
named Judy. Been singing it ever since!
Basic lyric:
Alligator
pie, alligator pie
If I don’t
get some, I think I’m gonna die (or cry!)
Give away
the green grass, give away the sky
But don’t
give away my alligator pie!
To hear the song, click HERE!
Now, back to my JULY 2014 blog topic: What
I Did This Summer. I spend the school
year with early childhood kids – in their classrooms, in concerts – and with
their teachers in workshops all over the USA.
In the Summer I change hats and work with children who are in K through 6th grades during two theater camps here in Illinois.
Producing and directing a musical is very
hard work – but fun and rewarding, too! I
emphasize PROCESS over PRODUCT, though the show is always entertaining! I have
assistants ranging in age from 17 – 24 who bring a wealth of experience to our
camp. I have live piano accompaniment –
no tracks! I believe it’s important for
the students to experience live music played at tempos they can handle easily.
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| Learning choreography takes concentration, listening and observing! |
My first camp has 30 children, ages
5-10. In twelve 2-hour classes they go
through an age-appropriate audition process, paint set backdrops, make costumes
and learn the songs and dances for a 25-minute show. Every child has lines, every child sings and
dances, and we’re ALL sad when Theater
Stories and Songs ends each June.
The pictures here are from this year’s production, “This Old Gingerbread
House”, by Teresa Jennings.
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| Kids loved painting the house! |
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| Ready and waiting for an audience of relatives and friends! |
Summer Stock – the second theater camp also
has thirty students, ages 8-12. Our show
is “A Kid’s Life” by John Jacobson and Mac Huff.
Right now we’re blocking, learning the songs
and choreography and getting started on set decorations. Yesterday we took a Field Trip to see a
professional production of “Little Red Riding Hood” in suburban Chicago. My students ooze energy and enthusiasm, and
that makes me a Happy Camper! |
| Rehearse, then do it again! |
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| Everyone sings, dances and learns about the theatrical experience. |
Oh, I’m still doing workshops with teachers
(heading for Muskogee, OK and River Forest and Lincolnshire, IL in August.) AND concerts with Families – Libertyville and
Lake Zurich, IL at the end of this month.
AND I’m working on a new recording, hopefully for a Fall 2014 release.
Summer VACATION? Right!
I just have too much fun working to take too much time off! Need a concert or in-service in the coming
year for your school, library, church or community? Contact me!
Enjoy your Summer, be it busy, relaxing,
exciting, quiet – whatever fits your fancy! Please take time to enjoy some music – sing,
listen, or get up and dance! Let music
lift your spirits!
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| Come sing and dance with Miss Carole and Clarence! |
Yours for a
Summer Song!
“Miss Carole”
Stephens
847-384-1404
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