Half a Sixpence: Vocal Score

Name: Half a Sixpence: Vocal Score
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 12-0571539815
Price: 26.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

By David Heneker

Item: 12-0571539815

$26.99

Shipped

One moment…

David Heneker's musical, Half a Sixpence, was written as a vehicle for British pop star Tommy Steele and was later turned into a film. It was based on H. G. Wells' novel Kipps: The Story of a Simple Soul.

Half a Sixpence: Vocal Score isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Faber Edition

Publisher: Faber Music

ISBN10: 0-571-53981-5

ISBN13: 978-0-571-53981-9

UPC: 9780571539819

SKU: 12-0571539815

More about this title

About the Composer: David Heneker

David Heneker (1906-1996) was a British composer and lyricist who shaped the sound of mid-century musical theatre. His gift for crafting tuneful, character-driven songs made him a natural collaborator for performers across stage and film, and he understood how to write music that served both narrative and star power.

Heneker's work demonstrates that commercial theatre and artistic craft are not mutually exclusive. He composed with clarity and accessibility, never sacrificing melodic invention or harmonic interest for the sake of broadness. His scores reward both casual listening and close study, making them enduring vehicles for teaching performers how storytelling works in song.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

This vocal score captures the infectious charm that made Half a Sixpence a stage and film success. The score sits squarely in the tradition of accessible British musical theatre, with numbers that are singable, memorable, and dramatically purposeful. For programs seeking material that audiences recognize and casts genuinely enjoy performing, this collection offers genuine entertainment value alongside solid vocal writing.

What to expect

Bright, energetic, and thoroughly British, with a warmth that comes from songs written for a specific performer and star. The music captures the optimism and charm of early 1960s musical theatre, balancing comedy and sentiment without becoming saccharine.

Who it's for

Vocalists preparing audition material, educational theatre programs, and performers looking for well-crafted popular theatre repertoire. This score works equally well for solo singers mining the score for audition numbers or for full cast preparation.

How to get the most out of it

Observe the lyrics and phrasing carefully; Heneker's songs often use conversational rhythm and British colloquialisms that shape the melody's character and must not be flattened by generic legit singing
Consider the score's film heritage when interpreting character moments; these are songs designed to work for camera as well as a live audience, which can inform your approach to intimacy and clarity
Balance the vocal line with piano accompaniment that, while straightforward, carries harmonic and rhythmic detail that supports rather than underscores the melody

How to use it

Select individual numbers for recital or audition contexts, or use the full score for a production of the show itself. Songs from Half a Sixpence work well on variety shows and theatre galas where vintage musical theatre material connects with audiences across generations.