In one of Platypus Theatre’s most beloved family concerts, audiences embark on a musical expedition across continents and through centuries to help a discouraged bird discover her unique voice. Young audiences laugh, chant and sing along with the Gimquat and her wizard guide as they explore musical styles from Gregorian chant to rap. With so much wonderful music to choose from, how can she ever find the song that’s meant for her? How the Gimquat Found Her Song is a heart-warming tale about the search for identity and a celebration of music in all of its forms.
The How the Gimquat Found Her Song family concert has sold out theatres on three continents in more than 200 performances. The production was also adapted for television and won several awards, including Best Children’s Program at the prestigious Banff World Television Festival. With excerpts from 12 of history’s most important musical works, including Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro and even Duke Ellington’s Sophisticated Lady, How the Gimquat Found Her Song gives audiences a crash course in the evolution of music. The show’s adaptable format makes it the ideal family concert for orchestras, chamber orchestras, or small ensembles, and in venues of all sizes.
How the Gimquat Found Her Song is also available in a Chamber Orchestra Version and a Small Ensemble Version
Story Themes
Musical Themes
Fun Facts
Performed in five countries on three continents
Seen by a quarter of a million spectators worldwide
Twice made into TV specials (PBS with North Carolina Symphony, 2000; TVO with Toronto Symphony, 2006)
Instrumentation
2(1.2Picc)2(1.2EH)22 / 4231 / Timp + 2/ hp (opt) / *orchestral strings
*The number of string players is at the discretion of the orchestra. Number of books supplied is 87665. All music is supplied by Platypus Theatre in the form of bound books for each musician. A score with all text cues is also supplied as well as a rehearsal CD and a DVD for the use of the conductor and stage crew.
Repertoire
Bizet - “Prelude” and “Les Toreadors” from Carmen Suite No. 2
Vivaldi - “Spring” from The Four Seasons(1st Mvnt)
Duschenes, Mario - Awakening
Bach - “Badinerie” from Orchestral Suite No. 2
Bach - Chorale from St. Matthew Passion
Mozart - Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (1st mvnt)
Tchaikovsky - Symphony No. 4 (4th mvnt)
Debussy - Prélude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
Ravel - “Pavane” and “Le Jardin Féérique” from Mother Goose Suite
Lloyd Webber/Arr. Custer - excerpts from Phantom of the Opera
Ellington/Arr. Custer - Sophisticated Lady
Tech Specs
This performance requires the services of three artists from Platypus Theatre: two performers and a stage manager.
Lighting can be varied to suit facility.
Presenter must supply two flesh-coloured, inconspicuous microphones (Sennheiser MKE 2 Gold or similar) that can be hooked over the ear or attached to the face.
For full technical requirements, click on downloads for the rider.
How the Gimquat Found Her Song is also available in a Chamber Orchestra Version and Small Ensemble Version.
Each Platypus Theatre program is tailored to suit both the primary (kindergarten to third grade) and junior divisions (fourth to seventh grade). Our in-depth and relevant study guides were developed by teachers, with separate activities by grade level and curriculum that meet or exceed most state and provincial standards for arts education.
Cross-Curricular Connections
Character Education