Introducing area youth to opera
During the weeks proceeding an opera performance the guest artists, chorus, orchestra, stage crew, props crew, costume, hair, and make-up designers are all busy coordinating their efforts to bring the show together. One morning during this whirlwind, area 5th and 7th graders are bussed to the Willson to see first hand the work that goes on behind the scenes of an opera production. These classes have been studying the opera prior to their field trip thanks to a curriculum guide developed by the public school music department head. This knowledge enhances the experience and understanding of the process. Students are then offered discount tickets to a performance to see and hear the final results.
We are working on setting up some year-round classroom presentations featuring local singers so that we can share the joy of opera with area students on a year-round basis.
