Tweet! A Musical for the Birds

Tweet! A Musical for the Birds

A funny, uplifting elementary musical about growing up, facing the unknown and finding the courage to spread your wings!

Tweet! A Musical for the Birds by Andy Beck and Laura Groves is a charming 40-minute children's musical created for students in grades 2–7. Featuring flexible unison and 2-part singing, memorable characters, kid-friendly humor and an encouraging message about growing up, Tweet! is an excellent choice for elementary and middle school music programs.

Four little birds are getting curious about life beyond their comfortable nest. But what exactly is waiting for them out there?

Everyone seems to have an opinion.

A collection of colorful feathered friends—and even a troupe of Squirrel Scouts—arrive with very different ideas about what the world is really like. Eventually, a wise Owl helps the young birds understand that life is largely what they make of it, while a soaring Eagle gives them the encouragement they need to finally spread their wings and fly.

The result is a delightful school musical filled with singing, movement, comedy and a positive coming-of-age message young performers can understand.

Why Music Teachers Love Tweet!

• Recommended for grades 2–7
• Approximately 40 minutes long
• Unison and optional 2-part singing works well with developing voices
• Flexible casting opportunities
• Numerous featured character roles
• Plenty of opportunities for chorus participation
• Fun animal characters inspire creative costumes and staging
• Free instructional choreography/staging videos are available from Alfred Music
• Positive themes of courage, growing up and approaching life with confidence
• Excellent choice for elementary school concerts, children's theater and school musical productions

What Is Tweet! A Musical for the Birds About?

Four young birds are growing up, and sooner or later they're going to have to leave the safety of their nest.

Before taking that big step, however, they'd really like to know what life is like beyond home.

The answer depends entirely on whom they ask.

As different visitors arrive, the little birds hear a colorful assortment of perspectives. Some make the world sound crazy. Others make it sound frightening. The Squirrel Scouts emphasize being prepared, while still other characters offer completely different views of the adventure ahead.

With each encounter—and each new musical number—the young birds discover another way of looking at life.

Finally, Oliver Owl offers a wiser perspective: life is what you make it to be. Emerson Eagle then provides the final burst of encouragement the birds need to stop wondering and start flying.

It's a simple message with a lot of heart: growing up can feel scary, exciting, confusing and wonderful all at once.

Songs in Tweet! A Musical for the Birds

1. Tweet! – Momma, Little Birds and Chorus
2. Singing Practice – Little Birds and Chorus
3. I Wonder What It's Like – Little Birds and Chorus
4. The World Is Cuckoo! – Clem, Cuckettes and Chorus
5. Scary Things – Hannah, Hummingbirds and Chorus
6. Be Prepared! – Squiggy, Squirrel Scouts and Chorus
7. Song of the Dove – Dorie the Dove and Chorus
8. The Woodpecker Rap – Wendell Woodpecker, Little Birds and Chorus
9. Life Is What You Make It To Be – Oliver Owl, Little Birds and Chorus
10. The Eagle's Song – Emerson Eagle, Little Birds and Chorus
11. Finale – Momma, Little Birds and Chorus
12. Bows – Full Cast

Meet the Characters

Tweet! provides teachers with a colorful collection of bird and animal characters that can give young performers opportunities to sing, act and develop memorable stage personalities.

• Momma
• Four Little Birds
• Clem
• The Cuckettes
• Hannah
• The Hummingbirds
• Squiggy
• The Squirrel Scouts
• Dorie the Dove
• Wendell Woodpecker
• Oliver Owl
• Emerson Eagle
• Chorus / Ensemble

Because many of the musical numbers incorporate groups such as the Cuckettes, Hummingbirds, Squirrel Scouts and chorus, directors have opportunities to involve additional students beyond the principal roles.

Perfect for Elementary School Musical Productions

Tweet! works especially well for directors looking for a children's musical that feels like a complete theatrical production without requiring the rehearsal commitment of a full-length Broadway-style show.

At approximately 40 minutes, it's long enough to create a memorable performance for families while remaining manageable for younger students.

The combination of featured characters, ensemble groups, unison singing and optional 2-part music also makes the show adaptable to the abilities of your particular students.

A Musical With a Positive Growing-Up Message

Underneath all the feathers, squirrels and comedy is a message nearly every child can relate to.

What's waiting for me when I try something new?

Will it be scary? Exciting? Difficult? Wonderful?

The characters in Tweet! give the young birds different answers until they discover that no one else can completely define their experience for them. Ultimately, they have to find the courage to leave the nest and discover life for themselves.

That makes Tweet! especially meaningful for elementary students who are experiencing their own milestones, new challenges and growing independence.

Preview Tweet! Before You Buy

Take a look inside the musical before choosing it for your school or children's theater program.

Official preview provided by Alfred Music.

Tweet! Choreography & Staging Videos

One of the best resources available for directors is Alfred Music's collection of instructional staging videos for Tweet!. The videos demonstrate movement ideas for the show's musical numbers and can make preparing choreography with young performers considerably easier.

Director Tip: Use the choreography videos as a starting point rather than feeling locked into every movement. The staging can be adapted to your cast size, performance space and students' abilities.

What's Included in the Tweet! Book & CD Kit?

The physical Tweet! Book & CD Kit (00-38242) combines the reproducible musical materials with Alfred's Enhanced SoundTrax CD.

The Enhanced SoundTrax CD includes performance/accompaniment materials as well as reproducible PDF Student Pages and color cover art. The Teacher's Handbook is reproducible for use within the purchasing school or organization according to Alfred's stated reproduction terms.

Tweet! Musical at a Glance

Title	Tweet! A Musical for the Birds
Authors	Andy Beck & Laura Groves
Recording Orchestration	Tim Hayden
Recommended Grades	2–7
Running Time	Approximately 40 minutes
Voicing	Unison / 2-Part
Publisher	Alfred Music
Book & CD Item Number	00-38242
ISBN-10	0-7390-9094-1
ISBN-13	978-0-7390-9094-7
UPC	038081427133

Frequently Asked Questions About Tweet! The Musical

What grades is Tweet! recommended for?

Alfred Music recommends Tweet! for students in grades 2–7.

How long is Tweet! A Musical for the Birds?

The complete musical has an approximate performance time of 40 minutes.

Is Tweet! sung in unison or two parts?

Tweet! is written for unison or 2-part voices, giving elementary music teachers flexibility based on the age and experience of their singers.

How many songs are in Tweet!?

The musical contains 10 principal songs, followed by a finale and full-cast bows.

Is Tweet! good for an elementary school musical?

Yes. Its grades 2–7 recommendation, approximately 40-minute running time, flexible vocal writing, animal characters and large-group musical numbers make it particularly well suited to elementary and younger middle school performers.

Are choreography resources available?

Yes. Alfred Music provides instructional choreography/staging videos for the show, giving directors visual ideas for staging the musical numbers.

Are the student pages reproducible?

Yes. Alfred identifies the Teacher's Handbook as 100% reproducible for the purchasing school or organization. The Enhanced SoundTrax CD also includes reproducible PDF Student Pages and color cover art. Reproduction is subject to the publisher's stated terms and is not permitted for resale.

Who wrote Tweet! A Musical for the Birds?

Tweet! was written by Andy Beck and Laura Groves, with the recording orchestrated by Tim Hayden.

Help Your Young Performers Spread Their Wings

Funny characters and catchy songs make Tweet! entertaining, but its message is what gives the musical staying power. Young performers get to explore curiosity, uncertainty, courage and the excitement of growing up—all through a cast of unforgettable birds, squirrels and other feathered friends.

For music teachers looking for a funny, manageable and meaningful elementary school musical, Tweet! A Musical for the Birds gives students a chance to sing, act, move, laugh and ultimately spread their wings.

Bring Tweet! to your school and give your students their chance to soar.