Three graduate students in the University of Delaware’s music education program worked with students and faculty at a local middle school this year to produce the school’s first musical show in several years.

The project culminated with the performance of Shrek Jr. at Shue-Medill Middle School in March, an event the school’s principal said participants “will never forget.”

The project began last fall when Suzanne Burton, professor of music education and director of graduate studies in the Department of Music, asked for UD student volunteers, and Maddy Gondek, Dylan Edwards and Leslie Bailey stepped forward. Although each student took on a particular role — Gondek as stage director, Bailey as music director and choreographer and Edwards as stage manager — they also worked collaboratively and shared responsibilities.

“So we were all really a team of directors,” Gondek said.

When the students first visited the school, they found that no specific plan or budget was in place for producing a musical, giving them the opportunity to create the groundwork for a program that could continue in the future. Shue-Medill faculty members were a key part of that process, they said.

“Since we’re not always going to be there to direct their musicals, they need to understand the process and be able to take over” in future years, Edwards said.

Deborah McCann, one of the teachers who helped with the preparations, was pleased with the level of professionalism the University students brought to the production.

“They approached their tasks with enthusiasm and expertise,” she said. “They worked seamlessly together and communicated effectively with the students.”

The youngsters at Shue-Medill were involved from the beginning as well, said Michele Savage, the school’s principal.

The UD students worked with teachers McCann, Kim Brendle and Danna Principati to select which musical to perform and set up a tryout schedule. Starting around January, they began holding two rehearsals a week, in addition to spending time organizing music, making casting decisions and dealing with other issues that arose.

Some students dropped out of the project, but Gondek said the remaining participants’ flexibility and involvement made the process much easier.

“The good thing was that the kids rolled with it,” she said.

A week before the show, McCann said, it seemed that there were still many loose ends. “But with only 48 hours to go, things fell into place,” she added.

The day of the performance, the kids fought through stage fright, got up there, and did their best, Edwards said. “The first half of the show was just so fantastic. They were doing better than they ever had before,” he said.

Seeing the final production come together was very rewarding, Gondek said, and reminded her why she loves working with youngsters.

“I’m really happy that we did it, because as much as it was stressful at the time, I think the challenges made it more worth it,” she said.

Edwards also called the experience rewarding as well as challenging.

“We’re hoping that the program will continue even when we’re not there,” he said. “Our hope is that the groundwork has been laid so that they can continue in the future.”

Savage praised everyone involved in Shrek Jr.

“The students truly shined that evening, and I could not believe the talent they brought to the stage,” she said. “I am so thankful for all the work of the University students as well as our teachers and students at Shue. This is an experience the students will never forget.”