Open Forum

Over the summer I did a bunch of writing and adapting and one thing that I worked on was an adaption of Pirates of Penzance since it is in the public domain.   To save on our very limited funds, I would really like to use that this year with my students, however, the problem that I have is with the music.  I am not a pianist and we do all of our rehearsing in class (I will have two casts, two shows).  Though this is one of the most widely produced musicals ever, I can't seem to get my hands on any good instrumental/backing tracks that could be used with the songs.  

Any suggestions?  I feel like any savings I would have from  not just using MTI's Jr version at this point would be negated by the cost I'd have to pay to get a pianist to come to rehearsals, etc. 

How do you/would you handle this???

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Jennifer Simmons
Lexington SC
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I did this play at a school with no music department. I play the piano, so I could do the rehearsals, but I also found a young pianist from the local college who was willing to come for rehearsals for the second part of the rehearsals for very little money. Put a notice on Craigslist. Sometimes you can find someone who plays piano and just will come for the fun of it.

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Ellen Di Filippo
Tracy CA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-30-2014 19:58
From: Jennifer Simmons
Subject: Pirates of Penzance music???

Over the summer I did a bunch of writing and adapting and one thing that I worked on was an adaption of Pirates of Penzance since it is in the public domain.   To save on our very limited funds, I would really like to use that this year with my students, however, the problem that I have is with the music.  I am not a pianist and we do all of our rehearsing in class (I will have two casts, two shows).  Though this is one of the most widely produced musicals ever, I can't seem to get my hands on any good instrumental/backing tracks that could be used with the songs.  

Any suggestions?  I feel like any savings I would have from  not just using MTI's Jr version at this point would be negated by the cost I'd have to pay to get a pianist to come to rehearsals, etc. 

How do you/would you handle this???

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Jennifer Simmons
Lexington SC
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Hi Jennifer,

I am with Right On Cue Services (rightoncueservices.com) and we have backing tracks for Pirates of Penzance available.  If you are interested, please visit our website.

Thank you,

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Dave McDougal
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-30-2014 19:58
From: Jennifer Simmons
Subject: Pirates of Penzance music???

Over the summer I did a bunch of writing and adapting and one thing that I worked on was an adaption of Pirates of Penzance since it is in the public domain.   To save on our very limited funds, I would really like to use that this year with my students, however, the problem that I have is with the music.  I am not a pianist and we do all of our rehearsing in class (I will have two casts, two shows).  Though this is one of the most widely produced musicals ever, I can't seem to get my hands on any good instrumental/backing tracks that could be used with the songs.  

Any suggestions?  I feel like any savings I would have from  not just using MTI's Jr version at this point would be negated by the cost I'd have to pay to get a pianist to come to rehearsals, etc. 

How do you/would you handle this???

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Jennifer Simmons
Lexington SC
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