Musicals: Elements and Performances

Musical Plays and Performances

• Musical plays combine songs, dialogue, acting, and dance for an entertaining experience.
• Music often takes precedence over other elements, creating a unique storytelling approach.
• Modern productions use advanced stage technology like lighting and sound to enhance the audience's experience.
• Live orchestras or bands typically provide musical accompaniment.

Theatrical Elements in Musicals

• Dialogue is often expressed through song lyrics, allowing for impactful emotional expression.
• Melody establishes the play's mood and tone, guiding audience emotions.
• Acting is often synchronized with music (songs or instrumentals) for a seamless experience.
• Scenery uses props to symbolize locations, enhancing visual storytelling.
• Lighting and sound effects build atmosphere and emotion.

Key Components of a Musical

• The score contains all the music, setting the foundation.
• Songs are strategically placed to advance the plot and enhance character interactions.
• Lyrics convey the narrative and emotional content of the songs.
• The script (book) includes spoken dialogue, providing structure.

Broadway Musicals

• Broadway musicals, a key American contribution, are characterized by accessible style and broad appeal.
• Their production quality and storytelling techniques influence global musical theatre.
• Broadway shows are known for memorable scores and innovative choreography.

Key Organizers of a Musical

• Choreographers design dance sequences, following the director's vision.
• Costume designers create and manage costumes, enhancing character portrayal.
• Directors unify all production elements to ensure a cohesive vision.
• Lighting designers use light to enhance scene mood and storytelling.
• Musical directors conduct performers and musicians, ensuring synchronization.

Technology's Impact on Music and Theatre

• Modern technology expands musical creative possibilities, including sound production.
• Recording technology enhances music accessibility.
• Musicians adapt skills and equipment to meet audience preferences.
• Music technology has influenced new styles and genres.
• Electronic sound and lighting in the 1980s revolutionized theatre, enhancing audience experience.
• Electronic devices create richer visual and sound effects.
• Modern performances are accessible through laptops and portable devices.
• Social media democratizes access to the arts by allowing viewing anytime, anywhere.
• Multimedia performances integrate various media into live shows.
• Social media facilitates audience engagement and sharing.
• Interactive experiences during shows engage audiences.

Traditional Filipino Music

• Filipino music reflects the culture and traditions, often celebrating nature.
• Impacts from colonization influenced traditional music characteristics.
• The diatonic scale is commonly used, contrasting with the Asian pentatonic scale.

Ethnic Music Forms

• Kulintang is an ensemble of 8 gongs, reflecting Muslim community heritage.
• Gangsa, played by tribes in the Cordillera region, uses gongs and highlights indigenous traditions.

Hispanic Influences

• Rondalla, a stringed instrument ensemble, has become a staple since the 19th century.
• Sarsuwela, a musical theatre form, combines Spanish melodrama with songs and dances.

Contemporary Philippine Music ("New Music")

• Contemporary Philippine music integrates 20th-century Western music elements.
• Blends traditional and modern styles, reflecting entertainment industry trends.
• Composers like Antonio Jesus Molina and Lucrecia Roces Kasilag influenced 'New Music'.
• Music often addresses contemporary themes while maintaining cultural roots.
• Festivals like the Philpop MusicFest promote original Filipino compositions.

Overview of Philippine Music

• Philippine music combines indigenous, Spanish, and contemporary elements.
• Traditional forms include Sarsuwela, Kundiman, Balitao, and Musikong Bumbong.
• Sarsuwela blends melodrama with songs and dances.
• Kundiman expresses a man's love for a woman, Typically ending on a happy note.
• Balitao is a humorous folk song and dance in the Visayas.
• Musikong Bumbong employs bamboo instruments made from local materials.

Classification of Traditional Instruments

• Instruments categorized as aerophones (blown), idiophones/membranophones (struck), and chordophones (plucked).
• Aerophones include flutes and brass instruments, idiophones include struck instruments.
• Chordophones include lutes like the Kudlung and Kudyapi.
• Diversity reflects regional variations and rich cultural heritage.
• Instruments used in festivals and celebrations preserve Filipino identity; their use of indigenous materials shows artistry.

Notable Filipino Composers

• Antonio Jesus Molina (1894-1980): Prominent conductor and composer known for works like 'Matinal' and 'Ana Maria'. Performed at Malacañang Palace. Led the first Philippine performance of Bach's Christmas Oratorio.
• Lucrecia Roces Kasilag (1917-2008): Pioneering composer and educator with over 250 compositions across genres. Studied at Eastman School of Music. Notable work includes 'April Morning' and 'Legend of the Sarimanok'. Served as Dean at Philippine Women's University College of Music, integrating indigenous instruments.

Modern Contributions to Philippine Music

• Ryan Cayabyab: Versatile musician and composer contributing to theater, choral music, and pop. Awarded a scholarship to pursue music. Executive director of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation, promoting original Filipino music. Often blends traditional Filipino elements with modern styles. Professor at UP Diliman, influencing future musicians. Preserving and innovating Filipino musical identity.