The Emperor's New Clothes: Choral SoundTrax CD

The Perrys capture the absurdist humor of Andersen's tale without talking down to young singers. The fully orchestrated SoundTrax CD transforms what could be a thin novelty piece into a genuinely engaging production that holds up to repeated listening, making rehearsals feel like time well spent rather than crowd control.

Lighthearted and clever, with moments of genuine musical charm beneath the comedy. The orchestration sparkles, the songs stick in your head, and the whole piece moves with the kind of theatrical momentum that keeps young performers (and audiences) genuinely entertained.

Elementary and middle school choirs ready for their first full musical production. This work suits mixed-age ensembles because unison passages accommodate developing readers while 2-part sections engage singers with stronger vocal independence.

• Layer your unison and 2-part sections strategically. Use the unison passages to establish character voices and tell the story clearly, then build ensemble blend when the full group sings in harmony.
• Treat the dialog as part of the musical storytelling. Coaching speakers to match the witty tone of the songs creates a cohesive show rather than a series of musical moments interrupted by talking.
• Reference the SoundTrax CD during early rehearsals so singers absorb the orchestration, phrasing, and style before drilling individual voice parts.

Schedule this as a winter or spring concert centerpiece when you have 6-8 weeks of rehearsal time. The 40-minute length works perfectly as a standalone show or as the main event in a concert pairing it with a handful of shorter seasonal pieces.

• Singing in unison and 2-part harmony with clear tone and diction
• Following orchestrated accompaniments and tracking cues
• Integrating spoken dialog with sung sections
• Sustaining focus and energy through a full-length musical work