On Tuesday 14th March, Sutton Music Service welcomed 15 primary school teachers at All Saints Church, Carshalton, for a full day of training with a stage director and chorus master from the Royal Opera House. This practical day introduced teachers to the Royal Opera House’s ‘Create & Sing’ programme, which forms the basis of our KS2 Big Sing, ‘Magical Music’. ‘Create & Sing’ is a National Schools flagship programme which supports teachers to develop children’s skills in singing, drama and storytelling – and it is recommended in the new National Plan for Music Education.
During the training, teachers explored engaging vocal warm-ups and technique, how to create dramatic responses to music, as well as learning specially arranged repertoire from ‘The Magic Flute’. This engaging day provided teachers with a greater understanding of opera as well as ideas and inspiration to take back into the classroom and explore with their young singers. In addition to Sutton schools, we were delighted to be joined by several other schools who benefitted enormously from our CPD session.
“We are all here to prepare for the KS2 Big Sing in June, and it’s really exciting as we are working with the Royal Opera House! We have been learning songs from ‘The Magic Flute’ as well as lots of different warm-ups that I will certainly be trying with my choirs. We have also been adding some drama to our singing which is helping to bring the songs to life.”
“I lead the choir at my school, and the CPD session has given me lots of materials that I can use with my children during our choir club. It’s also given me lots of ideas for things to do with younger children too and made me think about putting on an opera in our school! I feel very inspired!”
“It’s been a wonderful introduction to using opera with my juniors and I think there are a lot of things that I can adapt for my Early Years and KS1 singers to get them actively involved in singing and music in my school. It’s been beneficial and a fantastic day!”
The culmination of our project with the Royal Opera House takes place on Tuesday, 13th June, when 13 Sutton primary school KS2 choirs will be taking to the stage at St. Andrew’s United Reformed Church. The choirs will come together to form a massed choir and perform a selection of specially arranged arias from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’, accompanied by members of the Royal Opera House orchestra. Our concerts will also feature performances by guest artists from the Royal Opera House, which is sure to provide great inspiration for our young singers!
Want to know more about the Royal Opera House’s ‘Create & Sing’ projects?
For more information, please visit the Royal Opera House’s website:
Royal Opera House National Schools Program (roh.org.uk)
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This project is offered partially subsidised as part of the Sutton Music Education Hub singing programme, supported using public funding from Arts Council England. In addition, free CPD, resources, and support from performing artists have been funded by the Royal Opera House.
