The North Star Musical Journey Website
Hello, North Star friends!
I’ve heard that some of you are planning to produce a North Star Musical Journey performance at your school this year, so I want to make sure you’re aware of FableVision’s little “North Star Musical Journey” website, which you can find at http://www.fablevision.com/northstar/musical .
If you go to that website, click on the “Performances” button, and you’ll find an interactive map of many North Star Musical Performances that have taken place across the country, and even around the world. There’s a little write-up about each performance (including two performances that took place at my school in Falmouth, Maine!). I find it helpful to read about other peformances because it illustrates how simple, or how elaborate, a North Star Musical production can be, not to mention you might find some helpful ideas. However, you’ll also see that each performance, from school to school, and from state to state, is very different and unique too - which is, of course, very “North Star!”
One final note: the map and list of performances you find on the “Performances” page doesn’t include ALL the North Star Musical Journey performances that have taken place to date. If your school or community has performed a production of The North Star Musical Journey performance and it’s not listed on the NSMJ website, please post about it here in the “comments”, and FableVision will add it to the map! I think the more we share, the more we inspire others… and it really is a wonderfully inspiring musical, regardless of how big or small your production.
Maribeth
October 23rd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Thanks Maribeth. Of all the North Star extensions, I think the Musical is one of my favorites.
We owe a lot to Debby Reum Merrill, the school libarian at the Christa McAuliffe Elementary School in Greeley, Colorado who introduced The North Star to the entire school - including the school’s music teacher Tim Beckman. This was many years ago now. Tim went on to create the musical and Peter went out (with hsi daughter Sarah) to see the original performance - and was blown away by the eleven original songs and the students’ performance. It’s been performed all around the world now - and touched countless lives. All because one creative educator connected with the North Star message - shared it with passion - and helped ripple it across the community - and beyond.
Unfortunately, Debby passed away this spring after a struggle with cancer. We were all devastated to lose such a special, enlightened and progressive educator. The school picked out several songs from the Musical for her funeral service and “Journey On” was played by Tim Beckman and sung by three former McAuliffe students.
If you haven’t heard the musical, give it listen. It is transformational. Share it with others - and you’ll continue the good work that Debby started many years ago. And the North Star will shine even more brightly for ALL students, especially those who are lost or struggling on the journey.
Journey on,
Paul