The Drum

The Drum: A 20-Minute Elementary School Musical About Kindness and Generosity

Can one simple act of kindness make someone's dream come true? Discover the answer in The Drum, a heartwarming 20-minute school musical based on a traditional folktale from India.

Created by Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse, this engaging mini-musical follows Jordan, a child who dreams of owning a drum. What begins with a simple stick becomes an extraordinary journey of giving, sharing, and unexpected rewards.

Recommended for grades 2-7, The Drum features unison and two-part singing, an accessible performance length, reproducible student pages, and staging notes to help teachers bring the production to life.

It's an excellent choice for elementary school concerts, character education assemblies, multicultural celebrations, and school programs emphasizing kindness, generosity, and compassion.

What Is The Drum Musical About?

Jordan has a dream: to own a drum. But when the story begins, Jordan has little more than a stick.

Through a remarkable series of encounters, that simple stick becomes the beginning of an unexpected adventure.

Jordan gives the stick to someone who needs it and receives bread in return. The bread is shared with hungry children, leading to another gift. As the story continues, Jordan receives a pot, a coat, and eventually even a horse.

Each exchange shows how helping someone else can create unexpected opportunities and bring happiness to others.

Jordan's final adventure involves a wedding party of musicians. Will this extraordinary day finally bring Jordan the drum that has been the object of such a cherished dream?

Based on a folktale from India, The Drum presents a meaningful story about generosity, compassion, and the rewards of giving.

Why Teachers Choose The Drum

1. A Meaningful Character Education Musical

Looking for a musical that teaches more than singing and stage presence? The Drum introduces students to generosity through a story they can understand and remember.

The musical creates opportunities to discuss helping others, identifying needs, sharing resources, and recognizing that meaningful rewards are not always material possessions.

2. A Complete Musical in Approximately 20 Minutes

At just 20 minutes, The Drum works well for elementary school assemblies, family performance nights, and concerts that need a short theatrical presentation.

The manageable running time also makes it appealing to schools that want a storytelling experience without staging a full-length musical.

3. Unison and Two-Part Vocal Arrangements

The published score uses unison and two-part voicing, offering opportunities for ensemble singing and developing vocal independence.

Teachers can use the musical to reinforce listening, phrasing, diction, rhythmic accuracy, and expressive singing.

4. Reproducible Student Materials

The Teacher's Handbook includes reproducible student pages, while the Enhanced SoundTrax CD provides digital PDF versions of student materials and cover artwork.

These resources help simplify rehearsal preparation and classroom organization. Reproduction should follow the publisher's included permissions.

5. Connects Music with World Literature

Because the story is based on an Indian folktale, teachers can introduce traditional storytelling, cultural context, and the way folktales communicate values across generations.

This provides useful connections between music, reading, social studies, and classroom discussions about empathy and kindness.

The Drum Cast and Character Opportunities

The central character is Jordan, a child whose dream of owning a drum drives the story.

The storyline also includes encounters with people in need and a wedding party of musicians.

These moments give teachers opportunities to explore characterization, dramatic expression, and ensemble storytelling.

Teacher planning note: Consult the included script for the official speaking roles, exact character assignments, and any casting recommendations. The publisher's general product description does not specify a complete role-by-role cast list.

Classroom Lessons and Curriculum Connections

Character Education: Kindness and Generosity

After reading or performing the story, invite students to discuss why Jordan chooses to help others and how one generous action can lead to another.

Consider asking students to describe a time when helping someone else made a difference.

Reading and Language Arts

• Retell the story in chronological order.
• Identify the beginning, middle, and ending.
• Discuss character motivations and decisions.
• Explore cause and effect through Jordan's exchanges.
• Compare the musical adaptation with other folktales about generosity.

Social Studies and World Cultures

• Locate India on a world map.
• Introduce students to the tradition of folktales.
• Discuss the values shared through storytelling.
• Compare generosity-themed stories from different cultures.

Music Education

• Practice accurate unison ensemble singing.
• Develop confidence with two-part vocal music.
• Explore musical expression and storytelling.
• Practice clear diction and character interpretation.
• Discuss how music helps communicate emotion.

These are suggested classroom enrichment activities, not additional materials promised as part of the kit.

Easy Staging Ideas for The Drum

One advantage of this mini-musical is its story-driven structure. The central journey can be supported with simple props and clear visual storytelling.

1. Follow Jordan's Journey with Props

Consider using lightweight representations of the objects Jordan receives throughout the story: a stick, bread, a pot, a coat, and a horse prop or illustration.

Each item can help the audience follow the progression of the story.

2. Create a Simple Village Setting

Use movable scenery, fabric, or a painted backdrop to suggest the locations of Jordan's encounters.

Teachers can adapt the setting to their available performance space without attempting an elaborate theatrical production.

3. Highlight the Wedding Party

The wedding party of musicians provides an opportunity for festive colors, movement, and creative presentation.

4. Keep the Message at the Center

The emotional strength of The Drum comes from its story. Encourage expressive performances that emphasize generosity and meaningful interactions between characters.

These staging suggestions are optional ideas. The publication also includes its own staging notes.

What's Included in The Drum Book & CD Kit?

This edition is Alfred Music item 00-31108, the Book & Enhanced SoundTrax CD Kit.

• Teacher's Handbook: The musical's printed instructional and performance materials.
• Reproducible Student Pages: Student materials provided in the Teacher's Handbook.
• Staging Notes: Publisher guidance for preparing the production.
• Enhanced SoundTrax CD: Full-performance and accompaniment recordings.
• Digital PDF Resources: Reproducible student pages and cover artwork included on the enhanced CD.

The printed book contains 52 pages.

Important: This listing is for the combined Book & CD Kit. The Teacher's Handbook and Enhanced SoundTrax CD are also identified by Alfred as separate editions.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Drum Musical

How long is The Drum musical?

The published running time is approximately 20 minutes, making it a practical choice for elementary school concerts and character education assemblies.

What grade levels is The Drum recommended for?

Alfred Music recommends grades 2-7. The musical can be considered for elementary and younger middle school students.

What is the message of The Drum?

The musical explores generosity, kindness, and helping others. Jordan's journey shows how one act of giving can lead to additional opportunities to make a difference.

Is The Drum based on a folktale?

Yes. The musical is based on a traditional folktale from India.

Does The Drum have two-part singing?

Yes. The score includes music for unison and two-part voices.

Are accompaniment tracks included?

Yes. The Book & CD Kit includes an Enhanced SoundTrax CD with accompaniment and full-performance recordings.

Can student pages be reproduced?

The Teacher's Handbook includes reproducible student pages, and the Enhanced SoundTrax CD includes PDF versions. Follow the reproduction permissions included with the publication.

Product Specifications

• Title: The Drum
• Subtitle: A Mini-Musical Based on a Tale of Generosity
• Authors: Sally K. Albrecht and Jay Althouse
• Orchestration: Tim Hayden
• Publisher: Alfred Music
• Recommended Grades: 2-7
• Duration: Approximately 20 Minutes
• Voicing: Unison and 2-Part
• Format: Book & Enhanced SoundTrax CD Kit
• Pages: 52
• Item Number: 00-31108
• ISBN: 9780739058428
• UPC: 038081338804

Order The Drum Musical from Teton Music

Give your students a school performance that combines music, storytelling, and a meaningful message about generosity.

With its 20-minute runtime, unison and two-part singing, reproducible student materials, and included accompaniment recordings, The Drum is an engaging option for schools seeking a short musical with lasting educational value.

Order The Drum Book & CD Kit from Teton Music today and bring this heartwarming tale of kindness to your school stage!