TEACHERS & STUDENTS
Education through OPERAREACH
In 1996 Lyric Opera embarked on a comprehensive, long-term initiative called OPERAREACH 2000. A concerted expansion of Lyric's education and community outreach programs, OPERAREACH 2000 led to a dramatic increase in the number of students, adults, and seniors touched by opera—now over 80,000 each season. Lyric is constantly developing plans to make its education programming accessible to an even wider segment of the community and to create more opportunities for children to participate directly in opera and musical performance. In celebration of the tremendous growth and popularity of Lyric's education programs and their ongoing enhancement, OPERAREACH 2000 continues into the new millennium as OPERAREACH.
Student Backstage Tours for Grades 3-12 and College:
90-minute tours of the Civic Opera House offer students a chance to see what really goes on behind the scenes at Lyric Opera on a typical work day. Includes visits to the wardrobe, props, wigs & makeup, and armory departments, the dressing rooms and rehearsal areas, plus a ride in a scenery elevator and a walk across a six story–high catwalk. Students also get to try on costumes and armor!
Real operas specially adapted for elementary school kids and presented in your own neighborhood! Opera in the Neighborhoods features a touring production of a different popular opera every fall, condensed to just under an hour and performed in English with costumes, sets, live accompaniment, and everything else that makes opera, well, opera! Q & A session with the artists at the end of every performance. Teacher/student guide provided for pre– and post–performance arts education. Presented at a variety of locations in Chicago and the suburbs. No charge (Donations gratefully accepted.)
A trained Lyric volunteer brings a four-part hands-on opera education program to your classroom, the culmination of which is a scripted, costumed performance by your students of a well-known opera pantomimed to recorded excerpts. Youngsters learn about opera terminology and concepts, the basic history of opera, and the art of singing, plus they review the story of the opera in depth. Highly effective, and one of our most popular programs. No charge (Donations gratefully accepted.)
Opera: A Story that is Sung is designed to show regular classroom teachers (not necessarily music or arts specialists) how to present Lyric's Opera in the Classroom program themselves. This interactive workshop offers strategies for moving from lessons in storytelling and story–creating to other forms of art, namely theater and music, so that teachers can then tailor their curricula to incorporate arts knowledge and to foster teamwork, communication, problem solving, and making connections. Participating Chicago Public School teachers receive one lane credit; all participants are eligible for 15 CPDU credits. Covers state and CPS arts, language arts, and social studies goals.
Weekday matinee performances of a production from the regular season offered to students at vastly reduced prices provide thousands of young people with their first exposure to grand opera. Teacher/student guides are provided ahead of time, and docents from the Lyric Opera Lecture Corps are available to provide in-school lectures to participating classes. Teachers may also attend a free workshop worth three CPDU credits and receive priority seating at the matinee (see below).
Workshop for teachers who are bringing students to a Student Matinee. Topics will include highlights from the featured opera and insights into its historical and cultural significance, as well as strategies for incorporating these concepts into lessons across the curriculum. Attending teachers will be awarded priority seating for their students and receive three CPDU credits.
Students learn about opera and about life from a young professional singer in this inspiring school assembly program. Stereotypes are shattered and new interests are discovered when students experience different types of vocal music, get to know a real opera singer, and hear about his or her triumphs and disappointments on the road to success in this interactive, personal program. No charge (Donations gratefully accepted.)
Stone Soup is a 20-minute ensemble opera with one lead role based on the classic story. A great introductory opera for the younger set (most suitable for grades K-5). Program can be accomplished in an 8-week period. To learn more about Stone Soup and to listen to a complete recording sung by 4th graders, click here.
African Stories is a trilogy based on traditional African folk tales: The Neverending Day, The Daughter of the Sun and the Moon, and Two Ways to Count to Ten. Each story has solo and ensemble parts with a common theme throughout, and is a complete mini-opera in itself. Schools may opt to do one, two, or all three stories (15-20 minutes each). Drumming and traditional African dance may also be taught and included in the production by special request. To learn more about African Stories, click here.
A Noteworthy Tale is a 50-minute complete opera with numerous solo roles, supporting roles, and a chorus. Based on a charming story of a young man, Notso Profundo, who saves music in the land of Rhapsody from the evil Konrad Troubleclef. Just by participating in the opera, students learn much musical terminology and styles. This opera is ideal for mixing grade levels in performance. To learn more about A Noteworthy Tale, click here.
A program especially for Chicago Public School High School students. Schools are selected through the Chicago Public School's central administrative office, or by direct request from a teacher or Principal. Students have the opportunity to attend up to three dress rehearsals of designated operas and come to the student matinee as a group. Advanced study materials are provided to each participant and an in-school lecture is provided by a Lyric Opera Lecture Corps member by request. Provided free of charge to CPS students. To request membership in the Teen Opera Circle (Chicago Public High Schools only) please call 312-827-5910. Click here for a list of Teen Opera Circle offerings for 2007-2008.
OPERAREACH general support is generously sponsored by an Anonymous Donor, The Barker Welfare Foundation, Baxter International, Inc., Helen Brach Foundation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation, Kraft Foods, Macy's Gives, Mr. and Mrs. E. J. McCarthy, Mrs. Andrew B. Neely, Northern Trust, Charles and M. R. Shapiro Foundation, Inc., UBS, Citigroup Foundation, and The Lehman Brothers Foundation.
For more information, please contact the Lyric Opera of Chicago Education Department at (312) 827-5912.
