Debbie Campbell

Debbie Campbell has composed a range of fantastic musical productions covering a range of subjects, including traditional festival periods, science, nature and literature. Enjoyable and educational, children will love getting involved. Debbie Campbell is a leading composer of children's musicals. She uses her many years of experience as a teacher to write great musicals that are a delight to put on - even for a non-music specialist. They are educational, cross-curricular, but above all great fun to participate in. All her works come with lesson and performance ideas, suggestions for costumes and sets. They also have accompanying CDs/tapes with both instrumental and vocal versions. The music is stimulating, memorable and varied. Debbie's musicals can be easily adapted according to the ability and resources of the school and contain clear key stage guidelines.
Read more about Debbie Campbell

“Singing, dancing and drama played vital roles in my childhood, and still do so today. My second great passion is working with children, whose often astounding ability and talent continue to amaze and move me. I hope I have been able to pass on to them some of the enthusiasm and encouragement I received from my own parents and teachers. Written over the last twenty years and spanning most of the curriculum, my musicals cover a wide variety of themes, from ancient history to some of the most urgent environmental issues of our days. Seven of my twenty-one musicals are dedicated to them.

I begin each new work by immersing myself in researching the subject. Next, as I am writing and composing, I try out the songs and script on my pupils, making changes until they and I are happy with the work. Then, with much help and even luck, the costumes and scenery are made and we take the plunge to stage the musical. It is only in the light of this hands-and-ears-on experience that final adjustments can be made to prepare for publication. Many children are highly capable of appreciating complex music and lyrics, and so I believe that it is very important for them to experience a great diversity of musical styles, rhythms and melodies. Music that is too simplistic – Jingle Pop, I call it – does them no or little justice. Dance and movement too can help with the learning process and play important parts in their education.

Children have a keen instinct for the serious as well as a love of humour – aspects that I strive to incorporate in my work.

I write for primary and lower secondary schools, with large flexible casts of evenly distributed solo and chorus parts. Performances vary in duration from about thirty minutes to one hour. My musicals have been staged in schools and theatres in the UK and abroad, and featured on television and radio. Each comes with a wide range of products designed for use by music and non-music specialists.”
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