Opera North Schools Activity 2016/17

Unique opportunities for key stages 2, 3 & 4

Schools’ Brochure 2016 – 2017

operanorth.co.uk

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‘The benefits of a rich music curriculum have been well documented, however by offering our children frequent performance opportunities...we have been able to increase the children’s levels of confidence and self-worth’ Head teacher, Opera North residency programme Hull

Opera North Singing SchoolA year round primary school residency

The Opera North Singing School model is an immersive programme of musical activity which runs in school throughout the year. It consists of:

• Weekly singing provision for the whole school, delivered by the Opera North Education Vocal Team

• A chamber choir for advanced students

• A Young Opera Explorers package (year 6). Incorporating 5 x 2 hour sessions with a professional creative team, this package allows participating schools to discover the music and story of a selected opera, attend an Opera North School’s Matinee performance, and devise, compose and perform their own mini opera

• An Introduction to the Orchestra package (year 5)

• Termly performance events; on occasion with the Chorus and / or Orchestra of Opera North

• CPD sessions for school teaching staff

The Opera North Singing School can support the delivery of Arts Award EXPLORE for all year 6 pupils, and will support schools to deliver the national curriculum (music).

If you are interested in becoming an Opera North Singing School, please contact [email protected] or call 0113 223 3520.

Introduction to Opera North Education

Enrich, Excite, Engage...

Supported byOpera North Future Fund The Whitaker Charitable Trust The Foyle Foundation

Front cover: Photo by Jonny WaltonLeft: Photo by Darren CaseyAbove: Photo by Brian Slater

Opera North is England’s national opera company in the North and one of Europe’s leading arts organisations. The Company is committed to producing work of the highest quality that excites, challenges and entertains. It tours not only throughout the North of England and to London, but also to opera houses on the continent in cities such as Prague and Barcelona, and it performs at major international festivals including Edinburgh and Ravenna.

Through its Education department the company seeks to encourage people to explore the art form of opera and the work of Opera North; to enrich lives, excite a new generation and engage communities.

Children and young people are central to the Company’s ambition and purpose, and our schools offer sits at the heart of the Education programme. This brochure outlines some of the key activities, projects and events taking place over the coming year, which are designed specifically for both Primary and Secondary schools.

Please email [email protected] or call 0113 223 3520 for further information, and to book your place on any of the featured activities. Please note, places are allocated on a first come first served basis.

‘It made such a difference to [our students] to have been to the workshop first... It was on a totally different level to a typical pre-show talk: it instilled a deep and full understanding of the characters and their relationships’ Teacher

Introduction to Billy BuddInteractive performances for key stages 3 and 4

Join a storyteller and musician on an incredible exploration of Benjamin Britten’s powerful opera Billy Budd. Billy Budd tells the story of a youthful and charismatic sailor who is wrongly accused of a conspiracy to mutiny by a jealous crewmate. Key themes include; the individual versus society, innocence versus guilt, the law and conscience.

In this one hour, interactive workshop, participants are invited to question and advise the characters before watching a live performance of the opera.

Where: Venues in Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Manchester and Edinburgh

When: November – December 2016

Cost: £10 per head - includes workshop ticket and ticket to a performance of Billy Budd. Please note, there is a limited capacity for this event. Please book early to avoid disappointment.

How to book: Contact [email protected] or call 0113 223 3520 for more information.

‘Nearly every one of the children told me at some point during the project that they were enjoying singing, they loved Benjamin Britten’ Teacher, previous Britten schools project

Singing Sea ShantiesAn immersive singing project for key stage 2

Inspired by Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd. Singing Sea Shanties will guide your pupils through songs inspired by famous sea stories. Pupils will have the opportunity to perform these pieces alongside other local schools as well as musicians from Opera North’s critically acclaimed Chorus and / or Orchestra.

As part of this project, schools will access:

• Teacher training sessions led by Opera North staff

• Professionally led in-school singing sessions for pupils

• Teaching resources and recordings

• A performance opportunity alongside professional musicians or singers from Opera North’s Chorus or Orchestra

Where: Venues in Newcastle, Nottingham, Salford, and Bridlington

When: September - December 2016

Cost: £300 per class (up to 30 pupils)


Above: Photo by Alan FletcherRight: Photo by Jonny Walton Artwork by Opera North

‘I like opera. Opera is much more than people singing, they are telling a story’ Year 5 pupil, following a visit to the opera

Schools matinee – Hansel and GretelSpecially programmed schools’ performances for young people aged 10 +

Seeing a world-class opera company in performance is an incredible experience. It is a great way to engage young people with classical music and introduce them to the vibrant, dramatic world of opera. These matinees have been specially programmed for schools’ audiences, and will provide a truly unique experience for your pupils.

Written by German composer, Engelbert Humperdinck between 1891 and 1892, this version of the tale by the Brothers Grimm is perhaps the best-loved operatic fairy-tale of all.

The music magically evokes the contrasting worlds of the story, from the daily struggle for survival of an impoverished family, to the world of the forest, both idyllic and full of danger, to the supernatural realm of the Sandman, the Dew Fairy and, of course, the Witch.

Opera North’s new production is a dark and haunting take on this classic coming of age story.

We would recommend this opera for anyone over the age of 10. It runs at approximately 2 hours 10 minutes (including one interval).

When & where: Wednesday 22 February, 2.00pm (Leeds Grand Theatre) Thursday 2 March, 11.00am (Newcastle Theatre Royal) Thursday 9 March, 11.00am (The Lowry, Salford Quays) Thursday 16 March, 11.00am (Grand Opera House, Belfast) Thursday 23 March, 11.00am (Nottingham Theatre Royal)

Cost: £6 per person

How to book: Contact [email protected] or call 0844 848 2720 For more information email [email protected] or call 0113 223 3520.

‘Fantastic people, activities and structure – best ever workshop we’ve had.’ Teacher

‘I liked it because they taught you about opera and did it in a fun way.’ Yr 10 student

Introduction to opera: Hansel and GretelPreparatory workshops for upper key stage 2 and key stages 3 and 4

In preparation for a visit to our brand new production of Hansel and Gretel, Opera North is offering schools the opportunity to book an in-school workshop designed to introduce pupils to the plot, characters, music and themes of the opera. Choose between a half day or full day workshop, led by a professional director, singer and pianist.

As part of this offer, you will also be able to access online resources to use in the classroom, as well as tickets to the schools’ matinee performance.

When & where: Workshops available to book between February and March 2017 (in line with the schools’ matinee touring weeks)

Cost: £550 (full day workshop – 4 hours) fee includes up to 35 tickets to the schools’ matinee £400 (half day workshop – 2 hours) fee includes up to 35 tickets to the schools’ matinee


Over the Summer term 2017, Opera North are intending to repeat the successful Opera North Big Sing programme. Following a teacher training session led by professional leaders from Opera North Education, schools will learn repertoire based on Opera North’s fairy tales season. At the end of the project, schools will join Opera North’s prestigious Orchestra for a performance in selected venues.

Where: Venues in Leeds, Darlington, Doncaster, Hexham, Huddersfield, and Hull

How to book: Bookings are not currently open, but we are taking expressions of interest. Please contact [email protected] or call 0113 223 3520 for more info.

The Big Sing – Fairy tales (early announcement)

Singing project for key stages 2 and 3

Above: Photo by Tom Arber Right: Photo by Jonny Walton

Opera North Schools Activity 2016/17

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