Sheila as musician

As a musician, Sheila has worked for the United Church since the age of fifteen, sometimes in small country churches, and other times in bigger city churches with a large choir and a pipe organ. She has also played dinner music in dining lounges and for banquets. She describes herself as a "no-frills all purpose musician", with no specific expertise, but able to do most anything, from sight reading to arranging, to conducting and teaching a choir.

Even the Best of Friends

(an original musical for classroom use)

Sheila's published work has never included a play but Pioneer Drama in the States seriously considered this one, a musical meant for classroom production. In the end they pronounced it "charming and meaningful" but not for the mass market they cover. Truly, she wrote it for schools, so if you are a teacher, or even a parent, wanting to produce a musical play, get in touch with Sheila.

The strongest features of Even the Best of Friends are the original songs and sections of creative "on-the-spot" drama. Sheila's grade five-six class produced this play and it worked well in a school setting, offering a chance to involve a primary class (many teachers use a reading buddy program with younger pupils).

The main roles can be assumed by either sex. Stage sets and costumes are minimal to make it easier for teachers to present. The songs, all on environmental themes, have catchy singable tunes. Children are excited these days about talent contests like American Idol, so the talent show fomat works (we found in presenting the play, that the performers loved planning dance routines and the audience responded with laughter frequently). Because a class play tends to "take over" a classroom while being produced, Sheila would be happy to design a sheet of activities which teachers can use to build a variety of related skills.