GIVEAWAY ALERT: Stand to win a spot at The Music Circle’s The Magic of Musicals Holiday Camp. Contest closes 7 June.
It is no coincidence that many of the most-beloved children’s shows are musicals. Think Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, and countless others. Musicals have a special power to capture a child’s imagination and connect with their emotions.
The Music Circle’s June 2017 holiday programme, The Magic of Musicals (14 to 16 June), draws on this special power to introduce children between ages 6 to 9 to music.
We spoke with Dr Alyssa Koay, Programme Manager with The Music Circle to find out more about what lies in store at the upcoming Magic of Musicals holiday camp.
Little Day Out: Why did The Music Circle select “The Magic of Musicals” as the theme for the upcoming June camp?
Alyssa Koay: In planning our holiday programmes, besides the music elements that we look to teach the children, we try to think of fun themes to give learning a context and to make it come alive for the children.
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With the recent remake of the musical film Beauty and the Beast, it was timely to explore the theme of musicals. When we talk about how music can shape the mood and feel of a story, children will be able to relate to it easily.
Plus, we really love this musical form and want to share it with the children!
LDO: What are some of the musicals that children will be exposed to at the camp?
AK: We had to select stories that were not too heavy for children. Therefore, your Phantoms and Les Miserables are out.
Instead, we selected pretty iconic ones from the family-friendly range – The Sound of Music, Annie, Beauty and the Beast and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat just to name a few.
LDO: What else can kids look forward to The Magic of Musical’s camp?
AK: Besides singing, learning about the instruments of the orchestra and the music and movement sessions they go through, children at our camps really enjoy the craft sessions conducted. During these sessions, they get deeply involved in making masks and props that are used in the end-of-camp performance.
This time around, to raise the “showbiz factor”, we are really excited to be working together with our partner, Music Warehouse, on the end-of-camp performance. Together with stage lighting and the professional sound system, the kids will be able to get a taste of what it is like being a star in a musical!
LDO: Are there any prerequisites for kids who wish to attend the camp?
AK: There are no musical prerequisites. Just come eager to have fun!
LDO: How about younger children?
AK: Besides the camp we have a workshop for 3 to 5 years olds. This is a 2-hour workshop on Thursday 15 June, and we call it the Magic of Musicals: Mini Edition. The younger children are introduced to musicals by listening to stories, singing along and moving to the music.
The Magic of Musicals June Holiday Camp
Find out more about The Music Circle’s The Magic of Musicals holiday camp, taking place from 14 to 16 June at The Little Arts Academy, POMO Singapore here.
