A Whale of a Tale: Choral Preview Pak (Student Edition & Listening CD)

Donnelly and Strid understand what keeps elementary singers engaged: vivid characters with distinct personalities, humor that doesn't condescend, and original music that sits comfortably in young voices. The Barnacle and Bailey Underwater Circus concept gives your singers an instant dramatic anchor, making rehearsals feel like preparation for an adventure rather than technique drills. With a full cast of characters and six separate songs, this musical offers flexible programming options, whether you're staging a full production or pulling individual numbers for a concert.

Underwater chaos in the best way possible. The Barnacle and Bailey Underwater Circus is colorful, silly, and full of heart, with characters pursuing a "Clammy" award and singing their most ambitious songs to win it. Young singers get to inhabit quirky personalities while learning music that bounces along with genuine charm and humor built into every number.

Elementary music teachers and choir directors working with singers in grades 2-6 who want a complete musical package that requires minimal additional resources. This is ideal for programs seeking an accessible, character-driven show with built-in accompaniment support. Teachers preparing for spring musicals, assembly performances, or concert programming will find the six original songs efficient to learn and rewarding to perform.

• Assign character parts early and encourage singers to develop vocal and physical choices specific to each personality (Terry Tuna, Monty Mussel, Waylon J. Whale, and P.T. Barnacle each have distinct personas that shape how lines should be sung).
• Use the listening CD during rehearsals to help singers internalize the recorded accompaniment patterns and stylistic choices before blocking stage movement.
• Rehearse any unison or two-part sections separately by voice group so younger singers can lock their parts before full ensemble run-throughs.
• Keep energy high by rotating who gets solos or featured lines during different rehearsals; this maintains engagement and gives all singers moments to shine.

Feature this as your elementary school spring musical with flexible staging options suited to your performance space and ensemble size. You can also excerpt individual songs for concerts, assembly programs, or interdisciplinary units that pair music with ocean themes or animal studies. The preview pak format makes it practical for directors wanting to audition the material before committing to full production materials.

• Character interpretation and expressive singing tied to personality traits
• Unison and part-singing clarity in mixed-age choir sections
• Following recorded accompaniment and syncing ensemble entries with tracked cues
• Building confidence through featured character moments in a low-pressure musical context
• Reading melodic lines and rhythmic patterns in age-appropriate original compositions