“Hansel and Gretel’s Journey to Find the Rosin” at Union School

The Union School Fairytale Theater presented “Hansel and Gretel’s Journey to Find the Rosin,” an original Suzuki Drama, on Thursday, November 3, 2016 at 1:45 PM and 7:00 PM in the Union School Gym. The performers are the fourth grade string players. The drama is based on the classic Brothers Grimm story “Hansel and Gretel,” but the Union School version has unusual twists and turns that are very particular to Suzuki strings players. Included in the drama is the teaching of musical concepts and the parts of the instruments.

All fourth grade string players are assigned a part, and the name of their character includes the name of a famous composer. Students wear beautiful costumes. Joining them on stage are a group of Union School Teachers As Musicians. All students will play two songs from the Opera Hansel and Gretel by Engelbert Humperdinck, “Brother Come and Dance With Me” and “Lullaby,” as well as traditional Suzuki pieces.

In Union School’s production of Hansel and Gretel, brother and sister Hansel and Gretel are in charge of keeping the local orchestras supplied with rosin. Rosin is the white powder that string players put on their bows to make a good tone. They are sent into the Unionville Forest to find the Rosinbush which is being guarded by Berlioz Bear. While on their quest, they meet The Horse Hair Violin Orchestra, Aunt and Uncle Rhody and the Rhody children, the Wire Choir and the Cello Hunters. Hansel and Gretel drop notes and rests so they will be able to find their way home again. Sibelius Sandman puts them to sleep and Schubert Sunrise wakes them up. They meet the Forest Philharmonic, the Maestro Witch, and the three Magical Ladies. The Teacher As Musicians help resolve the drama by ensuring that rosin is shared by all and all can enjoy good tone.

Janet Fantozzi, who has been teaching strings at Union School since 1992, wrote the drama. She has written a fourth grade Suzuki drama every year for twenty years as a gift to her fourth grade students to showcase what they have been learning for the last three years and to engage the entire Union School community in the love of operetta and music.

“I write these plays because I like ‘fracturing’ a fairy-tale, adding humor, funny lines and situations, and musical information, and everyone loves a happy ending,” said Mrs. Fantozzi. “Children love being a part of something fun, enchanting, exciting and musical, so the Suzuki drama becomes a great recruiting and retention tool. It is a joy to see the string students’ progress in their music, learn their lines, dress up, act, dance and sing. This is a wonderful venue for confidence building, wherein students have support from their peers, motivation to practice, and a deeper interest in string playing.”

Union School in Farmington is a kindergarten through fourth grade elementary school, recognized as a National Exemplary School by the U.S. Department of Education. Last year Union School celebrated its 75th anniversary on School Street in Unionville. Union School, beloved by its community for generations, has maintained its traditional charm while meeting the standards and demands of a 21st century education.