
During the 3rd Year of Let's Play Music, classical music study gets trickier. In the "Monsters" puppet show (Dance of the Knights from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet), two themes play simultaneously—DOUBLE FUN.
Double Your Fun Again!
There is a double-scoop surprise to make your Monsters show even more fun! First, enjoy some silly lyrics to help you sing and remember the parts. Then, for the second scoop, explore seven stylistic versions, each with music for a different day of the week. By the end of the week, this will be your new favorite piece!
Meet the Characters
Each character has their own theme song to help remember their part.
Note: While singing is fun, make sure everyone has time to just listen and audiate the music. Listening is just as important as singing!
Ogre: The house’s only member with a chore chart, he stomps around singing “Left, Right, Left, Right,” inspecting for messes. He’s grouchy about crumbs and laundry but only sings if his best friend, Montague the Dragon, is singing too.
Montague the Dragon: As protector of the house, Montague flies around singing, "Montague the Dragon, I like flying high, I can blow fire!” He makes sure no one uninvited gets too close.
Crocodile: Always hungry and surviving on ramen noodles, Croc sings, "SNAP and chomp and SNAP and chomp" while clapping his hands like a crocodile mouth. Someone get him a pizza!
Ghost: The jock of the house, studying kinesiology. His theme goes, “Up and Down and Up and Down…” He’s fast at pull-ups, but maybe because he doesn't weigh anything!
Capulet the Frankenstein: As the fraternity president, Capulet is super friendly and escorts everyone up the grand staircase, singing, "Hello, friend, I will walk you up the stairs.” He has the most friends of anyone!
Skeleton: Quiet and shy, Skeleton sneaks around singing, "Bones are quiet, Bones on tiptoe…" His theme is soft, and you can picture him huddling down before stretching up and down.
Fall Down: Not a character, but a sound. Capulet and Skeleton fall down the grand stairs when Capulet trips on Skeleton!
Monsters Every Day
Now, let’s put it all together! Grab your Orange Roots Student Booklet and follow along with your puppets as you listen to each variation. Soon, you'll be able to recognize each theme.
Prokofiev wrote this music before many of these styles existed. People love experimenting with different sounds, and Let’s Play Music helps students explore how to change chord voicing and rhythms to create new styles. It’s empowering to understand and shape music!
Monday: The orchestral version, from Romeo and Juliet's ballroom scene, sets a dark tone, hinting at the Montagues' and Capulets' trouble ahead.
Tuesday: This piano version will inspire you to learn the piece.
Wednesday: This stylized rendition will get your toes tapping!
Thursday: The dubstep remix will have you dancing like a robot.
Friday: Grab your controller and join Mario and Luigi in the video game music version.
WEEKEND BONUS: Musicians love pranking each other. Listen to this version and catch the funny surprise.
Prokofiev's Story
Sergei Prokofiev, born in 1891 in Ukraine, was deeply influenced by his mother, a devoted pianist. By age 5, he was composing, and by age 11, he was writing symphonies. Prokofiev studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he became known for his unique "futuristic" music. Some loved it, others didn't, but Prokofiev’s originality set him apart.
In 1914, he won a piano contest with his Piano Concerto No. 1. The prize? A grand piano! He later lived in the USA and Europe before settling in Moscow. In 1936, he wrote Peter and the Wolf for children, introducing them to instrument sounds. In 1940, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet ballet was staged. Despite difficulty with its tricky rhythms, the dancers embraced it, and it became an instant success.
We hope you don’t give up on this puppet show either—it could soon be one of your favorites too!
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