Topic Five (1.5): Musicals

Topics Icon.png Objectives for this topic

This topic will provide examples of stage musicals and musical films, so that you can learn about a composer’s approach to musical song writing and use vocals with a song from a musical.

Firstly, use the Dreamgirls website to listen to examples of songs from the hit musical. Dreamgirls follows the highs and lows of three female singers trying to make it big in 1960s America. Musicals use powerful, stand-alone songs that tell a narrative and you can clearly hear this in the examples of songs from the show. 

Scroll to the bottom of the home page to listen to recording from the live shows – with ‘And I’m Telling You’ being a fantastic example of a powerful song. You will also see some of the other features of musicals on show in the home page: the acting, dancing and amazing costumes that all come together to create a musical show.

EXPLORE – Dreamgirlsthemusical.co.uk Links to an external site.

Lin Manuel Miranda is a modern composer and musical songwriter. Hear his creative approach to song writing in the interview. 

EXPLORE – Lin Manuel Miranda CNN Interview (YouTube) Links to an external site.


Quiz Icon.png Instructions

Choose a musical song to perform vocally. Vocals are essential to musicals, as they tell the story through the lyrics. Below is a long list of suggested musicals, many being performed as both musicals on stage and film. 

EXPLORE – Musicals for kids – commonsensemedia.org Links to an external site.

Select a musical that you like the sound of, or one you have already enjoyed. Spend some time researching songs from your chosen musical and selecting one that really appeals to you. For example, do you prefer upbeat songs or emotive songs? Use the sheet music websites to look for a vocal sheet music for your selected musical song. 

https://musescore.com/ Links to an external site.

https://sheetmusic-free.com/ Links to an external site.

https://www.musicnotes.com/free/ Links to an external site.

https://www.8notes.com/ Links to an external site.


Review Icon.png Review

  • Could you name five famous musicals?
  • In what two ways does a musical tell a story?
  • Have you found a musical song that you really enjoy listening to and performing?

Bridge Icon.png  Support activity for this topic

Choose an instrumental version of a song from a musical to practise on your instrument. Select a musical that you like the sound of, or one you have already enjoyed. Spend some time researching songs from your chosen musical and selecting one that really appeals to you. 

Use the sheet music websites to look for a sheet music for your selected musical song.


Stretch Icon.png Extension activity for this topic

If you have really enjoyed performing your vocals for your chosen musical song, why not source the backing music for this song. You can then practise the piece and record your own version of the backing music. Finally, use your vocals over your performance of the backing music for a complete performance of the song! Send the final, layered recording to your tutor (they would love to hear it).