1. Gary Plaag Holland Harmony HaCo October 2016
From Page To Stage
Gary Plaag
Holland Harmony HaCo
October 2016

2. Things to consider about the song:
Are the lyrics easy to understand?
Is there a lyrical theme or story?
Are the lyrics interesting to you?
Are they interesting to the ensemble?
What do the melody, etc sound like?
Up-tune or ballad? Comedy or novelty?

3. Things to consider about the song:
Is this a familiar song to an average audience?
Any audience expectations of how it SHOULD go?
Is the music difficult to learn?
Are there any “traps” that will cause the singers a problem?
How will the song fit in our current repertoire?
How long do we think we’ll keep it in the rep?

4. Once you’ve decided on the song:
How will we interpret it?
Story/scenario?
With whom is the character (you) in the song communicating?
What’s your goal/objective; e.g., what are you (the character) trying to achieve in the song?
Any obstacles to achieving your goal(s)?

5. Once you’ve decided on the song:
How will we interpret it?
What happened the moment before you begin to communicate?
In what frame of mind is the other person?
In what frame of mind are you as you begin?
How do you want the audience to feel?

6. Once you’ve decided on the song:
How will we interpret it?
Where are the emotional “beats”?
Where is/are the “climax” point(s) of the song?
Any tempo enhancements/changes?
What visual enhancements can we use?

7. Now that interpretation is underway…
What about staging?
Performed anywhere?
Special lighting?
Special effects: sound, smell, etc.?
Setting: tableau, chorale, etc.?
Soloists, duets, quartets, VLQs?

8. Now that interpretation is underway:
How will we stage it?
Costuming?
Props? Scenery?
Visual Plan:
Choreography?
Simple movement?

9. Schedule: Deadline to learn song? learning tracks?
“Off paper” by when?
Visual plan?
Teach visual plan?
Vocal and visual testing deadlines?

10. Stage time: Where does it fit in the contest/show package?
Will any stage/costume changes ‘fit’ in schedule?
Can this song be done at this venue?
Song introduction? Story/Scenario?

11. Stage time: Let’s try one…
Why Did I Choose You?
Why did I choose you? What did I see in you? I saw the heart you hide so well I saw a quiet man who had a gentle way A way that caught me in its glowing spell Why did I want you? What could you offer me? A love to last a life time through And when I lost my heart so many years ago, I lost it lovingly and willingly to you... If I had to choose again, I would still choose you... And when I lost my heart so many years ago, I lost it lovingly and willingly to you... If I had to choose again, I would still choose you...

12. Why Did I Choose You?

13. Stage time: Let’s try one…
It’s a Lovely Day Today
It's a lovely day today So whatever you've got to do You've got a lovely day to do it in, that's true
And I hope whatever you've got to do Is something that can be done by two For I'd really like to stay
It's a lovely day today And whatever you've got to do I'd be so happy to be doing it with you
But if you've got something that must be done And it can only be done by one There is nothing more to say Except it's a lovely day for saying It's a lovely day

14. Stage time: Let’s try one…
It’s a Lovely Day Today – verse 2
It's a lovely day today And whatever I've got to do I've got a lovely day to do it in, that's true
But perhaps whatever I've got to do Is something that can be done by two If it is then you could stay
It's a lovely day today But you're probably busy too So I suppose there's nothing we can do
For if you've got something that must be done And it can only be done by one There is nothing more to say Except it's a lovely day for saying It's a lovely day

15. It's A Lovely Day Today

16. Show Time!