Introduction
Home Introduction The Music The Words Percussion

 

"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.

 

History is full of the stories of battle,

Hastings and Crecy and Tweedle Dee's Rattle,

Of tyrants, dictators and bullies and Gorgon,

But little is known of St George and the Dragon.

A dastardly dragon's disgusting demands -

Can George pluck fair maiden from out of his hands?

We'll spare you no detail, we'll set it out fully,

The cautionary tale of the fate of a bully.

               (followed by a general gnashing of teeth!)