Liz - the BBC are still broadcasting musical plays for schools (like the 'Alice in Wonderland' you mentioned) - and very good they are, too. I came across a wonderful version of 'Macbeth' not long ago when doing a day's supply teaching in a junior school - liked it so much, I ordered the book and CD for myself ! Each song is in a different style (jazz, rap, reggae, lament etc.) and as well as looking at different styles, they learn about sequences, minor keys, counter melody and so on - plus being introduced to the story and characters in a fun way. The two hired murderers sing a kind of punk song, like East End thugs, and the bit I was doing with them was Macbeth and his missus singing jazz with some improvised scat.

Children are still moving around school halls and classrooms, often to music, pretending to be people and things other than themselves - (I confess to being one of those who inflict this upon them ) - but it has got a lot less "twee" than it used to be. The trouble is, and always was, that unless the teacher is committed to what is happening, or if the teacher is embarrassed and feels it is an ordeal to make sounds and move about, the children will too - and their natural enjoyment goes out of the window. Hence all the cringing memories people have about these classes. If a junior school has a permanent member of staff who is committed to the subject and isn't afraid of music, movement and drama, they are very fortunate. It is so much luck of the draw.

- jeanie