On 7 November 2017 we invited five schools to Liverpool Empire for a special screening of opera and film. But these school pupils were not only viewers they had also contributed to the making of the film. For weeks they worked as a part of our Digital Teach project with our Youth and Community team creating on the theme of our main scale Autumn 2017 Season, Uprising and Revolution.
The Liverpool Digital Teach project was the sixth of its kind, having previously delivered this type of project across Wales and in Birmingham. The purpose is to provide accessibility to music and opera to young people which is very important for us at WNO as we try to reach out to the community. Each time we have conducted a Digital Teach project we have worked with pupils from four to five primary schools and explored the themes surrounding either a specific opera or a season. The outcome is a short animation with musical underscore.
The Process
Pupils worked closely with the composer Paul Mitchell-Davidson and the Composition Producer Amaan Khan to create motifs inspired by the themes drawn from our Russian Revolution Season to then filter through to the music that they wrote. In addition to the music they composed they also worked with an animation team. In this instance they worked with Twin Vision to create storyboards, character and scenery using different animation techniques and equipment.
The professional composer and animation team then worked together to compile all work from across the schools into one film. The project culminated in an epic collaboration of work and celebrated when we brought pupils, school staff and the creative teams together to watch the final showing at a film screening with saxophonist Andy Scott performing live. As well as having a fantastic day seeing their name on screen they also got treated to some WNO activities and a further chance to experience the power of music.
The final product
Here is an example of what the skilled pupils in North Wales completed earlier in 2017 based upon the theme Summer Classics called Gardd o Gerdd (Garden of Song).
Animation was created by Hywel Griffith from The Gas and the composer was Manon Llwyd.
WNO work
We work across the board to try to reach out to different communities of all age groups through various activities and offer something for everyone. From our Community Chorus to nurturing young talent we are here to entertain, create and inspire you all.
Notes
Digital Teach Project is supported by:
The Elizabeth L Rathbone Charitable Trust
The Kirby Laing Foundation
Thank you to the following schools for taking part in the Digital Teach project.
St Michael’s Primary School
St Anne’s Primary School
Mab Lane Primary School
Queen’s Park Primary School
Ranworth Square Primary School