"George and the Dragon" should
be suitable for a variety of school and junior regional choirs; but I hope that its style
and format will also make it an attractive addition to the repertoire of classroom
teachers. The attractive piano part is not technically difficult, and simple percussion
parts with score are available along with a separate vocal part.
(A wind band score and parts are also available for big
occasions.)
Hopefully children should find the music both fun and exhilarating
to sing.
Essentially "George and the Dragon" comprises five
separate unison songs; but through various "mix and match" techniques some
effective two and three-part singing is achieved.
The left-hand side of the choir should be designated (i), and the
right-hand side (ii). In addition, the middle-third block of children are to be called
(iii) as well, just during the battle scene, which has a slightly different structure to
the other four songs. In two places verses are indicated as being Solo, or perhaps
a small group of singers could be used.
The format of these other four songs - Dragon Diablo, The Young
George, Little Angel and Sun Day! - is similar. In each case the music is in
two contrasting halves, and the whole verse is sung through by everybody. At the end of
the verse, there usually follows a REPRISE, which is simply the two halves being sung
simultaneously - i.e. the choir sings a verse in unison, then divides (i) and (ii) to sing
its reprise.
The Battle Royal is different. It starts with the first verse
(and reprise) of Dragon Diablo, sung as before; but in addition the Young George
enters (centre stage) with his Tally-ho call, now sounding rather more urgent. During the
final reprise the three groups are all singing together.
After this initial sparring, the Battle itself rages, and
this song (They're at it hammer and tongs) is a type of two-part round (canon).
Then the music returns to the Dragon Diablo/Tally-ho clash, this time with a new verse two
and now dejected Diablo!
To start, a brief eight-line spoken introduction is provided, which
can be recited either by the conductor or by one or more choir members. After this there
should be a general ferocious baring of teeth, leading straight into Dragon Diablo,
which then provides ample further opportunities for Dental Display.
