SNAPPY Magic Flute (Stockton) BBC Look North

Teesside Children Perform Landmark Opera Performance With Royal Opera House
In June, Tees Valley Music Service (TVMS) worked with the Royal Opera House on an extraordinary collaboration, bringing together over 1500 children from across Teesside to workshop and perform Mozart's The Magic Flute. This week-long tour marked the Royal Opera House's biggest outreach project to date and showcased the exceptional talents of local children and teachers.
Following an extensive programme of teacher training and workshops, this monumental initiative culminated in five performances at key locations across the Tees Valley:
Thornaby Pavilion: 17th June 2024
Thornaby Pavilion: 18th June 2024
Middlesbrough Sports Village: 19th June 2024
St Hilda's Church, Hartlepool: 20th June 2024
Dolphin Centre, Darlington: 21st June 2024
This unprecedented project follows the comprehensive free training of around 100 primary school teachers in October 2023, a series of free storytelling workshops held in November 2023 and February 2024 with over 1000 children. These sessions covered various aspects of operatic performance, including vocal technique, stagecraft, and ensemble work. It finally came together in these five grand performances featuring around 1500 children from Tees Valley schools.
The initiative aims to inspire, educate, and cultivate a passion for the arts in young people, whilst removing barriers wherever possible.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Royal Opera House for this landmark project," said Susan Robertson, Manager of Tees Valley Music Service. "The collaboration aims to inspire and nurture the next generation of musicians, providing them with the invaluable experience of working with world-class artists. It not only provides an exceptional educational experience but also enriches our community by bringing a world leading institution such as the Royal Opera House to Teesside to perform Opera with young people, for their families."
Amy McGann, Head of the Royal Opera House National Schools Programme, says: "The Royal Opera House National Schools Programme continues to flourish across the UK thanks to our incredible partnerships with schools, teachers and organisations such as Tees Valley Music Service. We are passionate about working with likeminded people to ensure that the Royal Opera House can deliver curriculum-led training, resources and experiences that enhance the creative confidence of teachers and students in the classroom. We are thrilled that our work with Tees Valley Music Service continues to thrive, and that thousands of children in the Tees Valley are able to learn, sing, and connect with the arts together."
Mozart's The Magic Flute, known for its enchanting music and imaginative story, is the perfect medium to inspire creativity and teamwork among the young participants. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for children to work with professional musicians and singers, gaining invaluable experience and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the arts.