How The Gimquat Found Her Song
“The Ultimate Family-Friendly Concert!”
How the Gimquat Found Her Song
“A gem of a family show!”
- Minneapolis Star Tribune
Synopsis
A down-hearted bird finds inspiration in musical masterpieces from the last 1000 years.
In Platypus Theatre’s most beloved family-friendly concert, 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-friendly 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-friendly concert for orchestras or small ensembles, and in venues of all sizes.
How the Gimquat Found Her Song is also available in a Small Ensemble Version
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 - "Bist du bei mir”
Mozart - Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique (last mvnt)
Brahms - Lullaby
Offenbach - French Can-can
Ravel - “Pavane” and “Le Jardin Féérique” from Mother Goose Suite
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.
Tech Specs
Gimquat as a School Concert
Each Platypus family-friendly concert is also tailored to fit both the primary (kindergarten to grade 3) and junior (grade 4 to 6) divisions. Our in-depth and relevant study guides were developed by teachers, with separate activities by grade level and curriculum that meet or exceed most provincial and state standards for arts education.
Cross-Curricular Connections
Drama (puppetry, story-telling, body language
Social Studies (history, geography)
Language (poetry, rhyme, rhythm)
Character Education
Empathy
Optimism
Perseverance