Getting started on my first musical

I thought I would catch up with the rest of the world and start a blog. I am just starting to work on a musical for the school I teach at which is already proving an interesting experience since I am keen to write “tunes”; tunes that younger performers can actually sing. The first song ‘Try Harder’ has inspired some march like music. I am really keen to avoid ‘tonality’ mainly because I probably feel less secure about writing convincingly in this way. I think I have all the material for the this song – which includes solo and chorus parts – and just need to get the dots down. Starting work on it led me to discover the MMD website –  http://www.mercurymusicals.com – and made me think it might be worth getting some further advice on writing for young performers in this genre. Will see how it goes…