Opera Works is the new name for Opera Queensland's 2011 Education Program. Incorporating shows and initiatives directed at children, young people and teachers, Opera Works has a variety of workshops fit for almost anyone.
FOR CHILDREN
Space Encounters is a chamber opera composed by Sean O'Boyle and written by Ian McFadyen specifically for a primary school-aged audience and will tour throughout Queensland in Terms 3 and 4.
The in-school workshop The Wombat Story, designed for students in year 3 to 5, explores strategies to integrate arts activities into the day-to-day program of the classroom and works accross the artforms of music and drama, incorporating storytelling, characterisation, improvisation, role playing and singing. This workshop will be availalbe in Term 1 and 2 in selected regions only.
Sing Story is an in-school workshop suitable for Years 4 to 7 focusing on the fact that opera is a narrative told through drama and song. The workshop will help students deconstruct the stories of popular operas and discuss the elements of setting, characters, relationships, complications, solutions and themes.
FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Moving Opera! is a unique in-school workshop program designed for secondary students to learn the creative process of making opera and music theatre. Over a week, a team of five professional artists will work closely with performing arts students in Years 8 to 12 to explore music theatre and opera repertoire, developing vocal and ensemble techniques and aspects of stagecraft, improvisation and characterisation. Moving Opera! is availalbe in Term 1 and 2.
Vocal Threads, availalbe in Term 1 and 2, is a secondary in-school workshop directed at largley Indigenous-populated schools and communities. Students are introduced to musical theatre and opera traditions and encouraged to explore their heritage through music, visual arts and dance.
Opera Air is a distance education program for years 5 to 10 launching in 2011. The program will deliver virtual schooling sessions in music, drama and creative thinking into the homes of students in regional and remote Queensland.
Opera At Your Place is a recital performance by Opera Queensland artists who visit schools and give students the oppportunity to hear the power and emotive capacity of live opera.
Young Ambassadors is an Opera Queensland initiative where six people from accross Queensland are chosen as ambassadors for 2011/2012. The chosen six will be given exclusive access to a range of company events and will meet regularly to provide feedback from a young persons perspective.
Work Experience will be available to students in Year 11 and 12, up to six placements for one week at a time. To apply, students must outline areas of interest, date preferences and any work experience they may already have, along with a letter of support from their school and send it to the company.
Exploring Opera! is a special radio broadcast on 4MBS classic FM every first Thursday of each month at 8pm. The show includes music, interviews and artist information.
FOR TEACHERS
The Teachers’ Forum is open to eight professionals from State, Independent and Catholic systems representing early years, primary and secondary education across Queensland. Teachers who join the forum will come together to provide feedback and discuss Opera Works to ensure that the company continues to meet the ever-changing needs of education and the curriculum.
Arts Infused and OperaInsights are professional development programs for teachers at all levels and are designed to allow them to present innovative arts learning experiences in their classroom.
To find out more about Opera Works, visit their website www.operaqueensland.com.au