Brought to You By... A Commercial Revue: Teacher's Edition with Reproducible Script

Lighthearted and irreverent, with the bouncy energy of commercial jingles mixed into sketch comedy. Students will recognize the musical styles (blues, rock, folk) and feel invited to have fun with familiar forms rather than sitting through "serious" concert fare.

Middle school and upper elementary music programs looking for a full theatrical experience that doesn't require advanced orchestra skills. This works equally well for classrooms where Orff instruments are central to instruction and for ensemble programs seeking repertoire that doubles as music literacy review.

• Split your orchestra into sketch groups during rehearsals so everyone stays engaged while waiting for their number. Assign students to work on staging and props while one group runs their musical moment.
• Record the Orff accompaniments first, then layer in vocals and blocking. This lets singers focus on staying confident and connected while learning their parts.
• Start with the comedic sketches that need minimal props (like "What's My Line, Anyway?") to build confidence before tackling the more elaborate setups.
• The unison singing and single canon keep arrangement demands manageable; use that to your advantage by drilling entrances and breath points rather than worrying about complex voice leading.

String these commercials together as your main event concert, or slice them up as palate cleansers between more traditional pieces throughout the year. The modular structure makes it perfect for spring entertainment nights, end-of-year programs, or even as a unit that extends across several months of regular rehearsals.

• Reading and performing unison melodies with rhythmic accuracy
• Understanding treble clef note placement and names through active application
• Ensemble coordination using Orff instruments as accompaniment
• Memorizing melodic material and vocal text
• Recognizing and performing in contrasting musical styles (blues, rock, folk, commercial jingles)
• Stage presence and synchronized movement with musical cues
• Basic canon singing (one-part round structure)