"Bethlehem! is a wonderful and hugely enjoyable production with attractive songs and catchy melodies, expertly played live backing tracks, and humorous lyrics with a contemporary twist."

We started this project on 6th January 2009 - appropriately, the Feast of the Epiphany - setting out to write a Christmas musical ‘for schools and communities’.

We stress the ‘and communities’, implying ‘all ages’. We had wanted to create something which children could enjoy both performing and watching, but which adults could take part in as well. While the songs involve many parts for solo voices, these should be treated flexibly, e.g. by the use of a semi-chorus where appropriate. There being no spoken dialogue, we feel that the musical would work equally well as a concert or staged performance.

Nigel Walsh has adopted a wide range of musical styles for the songs, ranging from chant (Listen to me) to ragtime (We are known), via “lute song” (Wake up, Mary), Klezmer (Mile on mile and I am old), ländler (We welcome you), Celtic folk song (I’m watching over my little baby) and Latin rhythms (Glory to God).

For the connecting narrative, Richard Skinner has written a series of stanzas in ‘rhyme royal’ (a rhyme scheme – ababbcc – used by Chaucer in some of the Canterbury Tales). Lyrics, music and narrative combined constitute Bethlehem! A Christmas musical for schools and communities.

We are greatly indebted to Judith Johnston, who is much involved with music in schools, for developing and editing the keyboard accompaniments. Also to Andrew Daldorph for his many insightful comments and suggestions, and for assembling and leading the band of musicians to record the backing CD. And to Tina Guthrie for singing the teaching tracks.

• Suitable for children aged 8 and upwards (UK Key Stage 2) and/or adults
• Duration approximately 40 minutes.

© Richard Skinner and Nigel Walsh 2010. All rights reserved.

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