Childrens Musicals - Any suggestions?

[chillikate]

DSs latest obsession is with his new CD of the Jonah Man Jazz. My sister bought it for him after he loved his cousins copy. My sister and I did it at school so I've been singing along with him.

Well, now I'm getting fed up of it. I'd love to get him some more similar stuff and thought that a Musical soundtrack might be a good idea. Problem is the only Childrens one I can think of is Lion King.

Does anyone have any other suggestions??

[chillikate]

Just ordered Prokofievs Peter & the Wolf. That should keep him busy for a short while.

Any other ideas much appreciated.

[Idontknowhowtohelpher]

No ideas, sorry - but I've been singing "Ninevah City was a city of sin" for the last five minutes

[iggly2]

Oliver, Joseph, Shrek, Mamma Mia. I know certain songs maynot be great ("It's raining men!") but I think children do not understand at that level. Ds (5 yrs) loves these ones

[iggly2]

Jungle Book and other Disneys have some lovely songs that they probably sell CDs of.

[NoPinkPlease]

Sound of music and Mary Poppins - big hits here!

[seeker]

How old is he?

[cherub59]

How old? There is a musical version of hairy maclary touring at the moment if he is quite young. Think you should be able to buy the cd. It's for little ones though.

[trumpton]

Have you come across The Singing Kettle ? not a musical but great songs and actions.

[chillikate]

Hes 4 but is past typial preschool hings.

I never thought of Mary Poppins / sound of music etc.......
Thank you :)

[PaintingRainbows]

My dd had read all the Dr Seuss books to death at that age and we took her to see an amateur production of 'Seussical the musical'. She absolutely loved it and so we brought the official CD version too. Shame they never produced a DVD - you do need to know the books to get the most out of it though.

[seeker]

Chitty chatty bang bang,.
Singing In the Rain
Song of the South
guys and Dolls
fiddler On the Roof
Oliver

all favourites with my two.

[seeker]

Is he g and t musically? Does he play an instrument?

[chillikate]

Not G & T at music just loves listening / singing to it. He loves music with a "story" to it. And the questions stop when he listens to music giving my ears a rest!!

[mrsshears]

my dd2 loves the snowman soundtrack and can pick out which part of the story the music corresponds to.

Another favorite of hers in the movie labyrinth,i know its not a musical as such but the soundtrack is fantastic.
Musicals wise dd1 enjoyed the soundtrack to cats,starlight express, bugsy malone and annie when she was that age.

[MollieO]

Do you realise you posted in G&T? You may get more responses in primary education.

[chillikate]

my son is (I believe) G & T, although not in music. I posted here because I was looking for something a bit more stimulating than the norm for a 4 year old.

[iggly2]

I've started a post for you in primary education as there is more traffic. I love this thread and I'm getting lots of ideas (for me ).

[chillikate]

Thank you. I'd better go & find it!!!

Thats Peter & The Wolf, Oliver! and the Sound of Music now ordered.

To also add, he found The Tales of Beatrix Potter ballet on TV recently and was fixated, by the dancing and music. How far from a typical 4 year old boy can you get??

[MollieO]

Sounds just like my ds at 4. Mind you he was used to going to classical concerts, ballet, opera, musicals etc at that age so just a normal part of his life. He's 7 now and isn't G&T unless you can be G&T in arguing.

[Avocets]

When I was his age, my top favourite was "Tubby the Tuba" - a narrated story about a tuba who got upset because he was teased by the other instruments in the orchestra as he never had the tune. So someone - the piccolo I seem to remember - taught him this lovely lyrical melody which, somewhat bizarrely, I can still remember clearly, 40+ years on - which all the instruments then passed between themselves. Isn't it funny, the things that stay with you. No idea whether it is still available, but I would recommend it if it is!

[Avocets]

I also loved hoffnung - e.g. Concerto for hosepipe and strings - and some of the Gilbert & Sullivan operas. A more contemporary great tip is the Elastic Band - I'm quite tired now, and I can't remember all the exact details but you will find them if you do a web search. It is the section of the orchestra based in the southbank that does concerts aimed specifically at children - so eg one year I remember they had a magic theme and performed eg the Harry potter theme tune with a little boy invited from the audience to " conduct" wearing a pair of harry potter glasses, and they did that piece from fantasia when the broom splits into lots of different brooms, and the conductor handed out brooms to about 10 children and had them racing up and down the stage as the music got faster and faster. And they encourage the children to come dressed in eg magic fancy dress. Brilliant.

[Avocets]

Also, there is the BFG and now mathilda of course - now she, of course, was G&T - i'm getting carried away now. Better go to bed.

[Avocets]

High society and Porgy and Bess also good. Themes aren't particularly suitable, but there are some great jolly tunes eg who wants to be a millionaire, there's a boat that's leaving soon for new York etc. My girls have always loved this big band sound, right from being dots.

[NormanTheForeman]

He might also enjoy the Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten (esp if you get a narrated version).

[chillikate]

Thanks Norman - it came on the same Cd as Peter & the Wolf. Hes loving Oliver & Peter & the Wolf most. Hes not so keen on the Sound of Music

His favourite CD is the Relaxation CD I got when I was pregnant with him!