Open Forum

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing.

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing.

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing.

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.

We have added string parts to orchestrations in the past for the very reason you mentioned – we have a large orchestra program at our school, and want to allow their participation in our program. HOWEVER, we have ALWAYS written and asked for permission to add the parts from the appropriate personnel.  This is a lengthy process and needs to be done well in advance of requesting the rights, announcing the upcoming production for auditions, etc. If we are not given permission, we either do a different show, or do it AS WRITTEN.  I'm so sorry you are experiencing this.

Mindy Reed

Director Troupe #390

Fairfield High School

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing.

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing. 

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.

Drowsy Chaperone is one of my all-time favorite shows second only to "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and probably why I am so passionate about the issue I am asking about. What do you tell someone who thinks it's alright to rescore the music so to give everyone a chance to perform? I mean add strings to the show where there are none. When I told them it's not ok, they responded that everyone does it and it's fine for a school performance. Does everyone really do this? I have performed in several pits as well as directed shows and we never did that. Am I being an old stick in the mud? This is someone I really respected and looked up to, but their comments really opened my eyes to a different side of them. While adding additional instruments might give the kids a chance to play in the orchestra, it also teaches them that violating performance agreements and making unauthorized changes to music is fine. That's not a good lesson to teach if you ask me.  Now that I think about it, they also did orchestration changes to Funny Thing. 

Does anyone have any comments on this? This has been really bugging because their hold their own composed music with high regard, but other peoples they treat just like a commodity that can be changed to suit their own needs with totally disregard to the composer.