The Green Man: Creating, Performing and Educating through Medieval music.

Introduction to the Thesis and Show

In this thesis I argue the merits of an educational show serving as an introduction to medieval music. By placing differing forms of music in a given context e.g. ceremonial, military, sacred, song, mime and dance, the show helps to clarify the diversity of medieval music making. It is aimed at a general audience rather than early music specialists, and younger people in particular. I envisage the show either being performed entirely by a professional company, or through workshops by a student based ensemble. To this end I have devised a show entitled 'The Green Man'. The story unfolds against a score of arranged medieval music and new interpolations composed in period style.

I outline the practical need for such a show by reference to developments in the early music movement, practical experience of teaching situations and general concerns. I then justify the arrangement of medieval music for theatrical purposes through historical precedence. Drawing on liturgical drama, court entertainments and early plays I show that my medieval predecessors reused music and used it for dramatic purposes. A section on the visual arts describes how this material can be used as a source for show design and a reference to notions of performance practice. The arrangement of the score and scenario are examined with regard to medieval compositional practices and literary sources. The score is included with an accompanying demonstration recording in CD format. The final section contains reports of the work in progress including the sound recording, drama workshops based upon sections of the show, and a music workshop utilising some of the work. A DVD supplement should be viewed in association with these.