Constellations

Throughout the year our Constellations class will work on several different songs that they will ultimately present at our Musical Theatre End of Year Showcase performances towards the end of this term, on Saturday 22 November 2025 (scroll down for more information about our 2025 Musical Theatre Showcase). 
 

SONG 1: Alexander Hamilton
From Hamilton: An American Musical 
With music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda

Hamilton is a sung-and-rapped-through biographical musical which covers the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton and his involvement in the American Revolution and the political history of the early United States. Miranda described Hamilton as about "America then, as told by America now".
Our song "Alexander Hamilton" is the opening number of the show. 
It is expository, setting up who the main character is and summarizing the first two decades of his life in a "bracingly economical synopsis of Hamilton's early years". It also introduces the other lead and supporting actors in the musical (Aaron Burr, John Laurens, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, George Washington, Hercules Mulligan, Marquis de Lafayette, Angelica Schuyler Church, Peggy Schuyler, and Maria Reynolds), who briefly describe their characters’ relationships to Hamilton. This "prologue" to the story, according to Patheos, "doesn't just bring Hamilton to life, but all of his contemporaries as well".

SONG 2: Thoroughly Modern Millie
From Thoroughly Modern Millie
With music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Dick Scanlan

Thoroughly Modern Millie is based on the 1967 film of the same name, which itself was based on the British musical Chrysanthemum, which opened in London in 1956. Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love – a thoroughly modern aim in 1922, when women were just entering the workforce. Millie soon begins to take delight in the flapper lifestyle as she sings our song “Thoroughly Modern Millie

SONG 3: Come Alive
From The Greatest Showman
With music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

'Come Alive' comes from The Greatest Showman - a 2017 American musical period drama film depicting a heavily fictionalized retelling of the life of P. T. Barnum, a showman and entertainer who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus, and its star attractions. Originally Barnam opened the American Museum in downtown Manhattan, which featured various wax figures. Ticket sales were slow, so the decision is made to showcasing something "alive". Our song appears in the movie when Barnum adds curiosity performers to his offering, such as bearded lady Lettie Lutz and little person Charles Stratton.

SONG 4: Great Expectations
From Thoroughly Modern Millie
With music and lyrics by Jonathan Clay and Zach Chance

The Outsiders is a 2023 coming of age musical based on the novel by S. E. Hinton of the same name which was first published in 1967. The musical, told from the perspective of 14-year-old Ponyboy Curtis, is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma during the 1960s and follows the conflict between two rival gangs divided by their socioeconomic status: the working-class "Greasers" and the upper-middle-class "Socs". Ponyboy considers his place in the world and dreams of a bright future in this powerful ballad.

SONG 5: Hunger Games Medley
Featuring songs from The Hunger Games

In Term Four our Constellations class students are taking on the challenge of lots of harmony work as we sing four beautiful songs from the Hungers Games Movie Franchise: 

• Hanging Tree
• Eyes Open
• Safe and Sound
• We Remain
   

SONG 6: SHOWCASE FINALE SONG: Happy 
Written and performed by Pharrell Williams

Although it was released well over 10 years ago, most of our students, even including the  youngest of them are familiar with this song, due to its inclusion on the  Despicable Me 2 animated movie sound track.
'Happy' is about choosing happiness and resilience in the face of adversity, encouraging us find joy within ourselves and not let negativity define our mood, even when faced with bad news.
It's a a fun, upbeat song and a reminder of the power of positivity and the potential for joy in everyday life.

Song lyrics and practice tracks for all Constellations songs can be downloaded from this webpage for practicing at home. Click on the song title listed on the right hand side of the page, under Resources (above the tutor pics) to access these.