Jane Smith

Jane Smith studied at Manchester University, and later at the Institute of Education in London. Originally a secondary school music teacher, she became interested in working with primary-aged children in the 1990s. She has worked in Seer Green CE Combined School, Buckinghamshire for over 10 years, and also works as a consultant teacher for the Bucks Music Service, creating and teaching Wider Opportunities projects, and helping to develop singing across the county.

She first started composing in order to give the children of Seer Green school something different to perform for their school production in 1998. She has written 6 more musicals since then, along with carols and other songs. Much of her work has been performed widely in Bucks. Two of the musicals, ‘The Time Machine’ and ‘Planet Plenty’ have already been performed in cantata form at the Royal Albert Hall by 750 children, and a third, ‘The Sea’ is due to be performed in March 09. Her songs use musical devices that children enjoy when singing, such as rounds, chant, partner songs and part singing. They also take ideas from different cultures, such as folk music, rock and roll and gamelan.

Jane is passionate about the importance of singing for all, and as well as running choirs in schools, she conducts the Village Voices, a women’s community choir. She has two daughters, and lives with her husband in Buckinghamshire.

Planet Plenty

by Jane Smith
E-Print Publishing

About the musical
The people of Planet Plenty are mystified by the changes in their world. They thought they lived on the perfect planet, but now they are suffering from global warming, acid rain and congested space highways. Their animals are dying. They travel to neighbouring Planet Pleasant to see how to conquer the CO2 monster that they guess has caused the problems on their own planet. However, while there, they discover that it is their own behaviour that has caused their difficulties. They are shown how to conserve water, recycle their rubbish, save energy and take up pedal power in order to prevent them further damaging their environment. On returning home, the Plentarians vigorously debate whether they want to put effort into saving their planet, but finally resolve to make some changes, and start to live for tomorrow, not for today.

Key points
A catchy, exciting and flexible musical for KS2 children on the topical issue of saving the environment.
Songs in many different styles, from rock and roll to Gamelan, which can be sung in unison, or using more challenging part singing.
Strong links to QCA schemes of work for music, dance, geography, science and citizenship, with supporting teachers’ notes.
Ideas for dance included.
Up to 40 speaking parts, with number easily reduced or increased if required.
CD that can be used for rehearsal or performance.