References for "The Music Man"

Our all-school musical this year is the old favorite, "The Music Man".  Like the majority of musicals available and acceptable for performance by school groups, the show is set in the past.  It is filled with references to things unknown to the high school student of today, and also many references were unknown to me as well.
Did you know that a "noggin" is another name for a cup?  Is it good or bad for a man to be referred to as a "masher"?
I set out to collect information on the references by looking for each in an online dictionary, and then copying and pasting definitions for a information sheet to post at rehearsals.  Luckily, after filling two pages tediously in this way, I found "De-FUN-itions for The Music Man"!!!  The site even has the references divided into each act and scene...what a terrific tool! 

Stretching My Boundaries

Always, I've considered myself an elementary teacher, and never desired to expand my teaching horizons further than sixth grade.  Especially in the music teaching realm, I like that I get to be the fun special class, and that I don't have overwhelming pressure to have the perfect concert.  Enjoying the process of making music is more important to me than picking and choosing who the best musicians are at this age.  My goal is to allow everyone to enjoy music and expand their own musical knowledge.

However, at the end of the summer, when I was offered a supplemental activity that would include grades 7-12, I was excited at the new prospect.  Soon, my days are going to get even busier than usual, because I am the new vocal director for our high school musical!  As someone who grew up performing in musical theater, (actually I would love to still be doing community theater if I wasn't so busy with teaching and family) this was an offer and opportunity that would have been very difficult to pass by.