Let’s Create an Opera
Calgary Opera education program introduces the craft to young students
Students from Panorama Hills School Photo: Christina Dawn Photography
The music room at Panorama Hills School is buzzing as elementary students talk excitedly about opera. For these 10- and 11-year-olds, it’s been a hot topic all year. In fact, they’ve been singing opera songs on the bus, in the hallways and outside during recess. “I never really liked opera before because I didn’t understand it,” says Kaiyal, one of the students. “Now I think I’d like to go see one.”
During the 2023-24 school year, the grade 4 and 5 classes at Panorama Hills School — almost 200 students in total — took part in Let’s Create an Opera, an education program offered by Calgary Opera. Along with school music specialist Cheryl Grunsell, the students worked with a librettist, composer, director and other professionals to write and perform their own opera: Prepare for Impact. The theme touched on topics such as the environment and Indigenous culture. The students collaborated on the story, memorized the songs, created sets and props, and then put it all together. Finally, they performed for their parents and the entire school.
At the same time the students were learning hands-on about opera, they were also figuring out how to work together and support each other, and that success takes practice and persistence. “There was so much important learning that went on through each of those steps of creating an opera,” says Grunsell. “They had to cooperate on a huge scale.”
PROVIDING ACCESS AND BELONGING
School principal Allison Paull says it was incredible to be able to provide students with access to such a high-quality arts experience especially given the diversity of the school with about 50 per cent of students speaking a language other than English. “Due to generous funding that has been given to us, it did not cost the school anything, but it also involved every single grade 4 and 5 student — they all found a role in this,” Paull says. “And so there’s that equity piece that I think was amazing, that we were able to break down those barriers.”
Grunsell says whether students chose to sing in the chorus or play in the percussion ensemble, music itself is an inclusive activity. “If a student is struggling academically, socially or has limited English, music provides multiple entry points and allows all students to be successful,” she says. “Music spans all countries, languages and cultures so, in many ways, it is a universal language that connects us. Most importantly, when performed with others, music provides a sense of belonging. In my opinion, this was the most important benefit of this residency.”
Calgary Opera launched the program in 1997 with the intent to make opera accessible and understandable to all members of the school community. The late Bob McPhee, who was general director and CEO at the time, said “Not only does Let’s Create an Opera help us build our audiences for the future, but as children take ownership in the creative process, they learn at a much deeper level.”
EARLY EXPOSURE BUILDS AWARENESS AND EMPATHY
Students from Panorama Hills School Photo: Christina Dawn Photography
So far, 76 school operas have been created through the program. Schools apply and are selected based on need. Patricia Kesler, Calgary Opera’s former education and community engagement manager, says she looked for schools that haven’t had as much access to the arts. “The main point is just introducing people to opera, letting kids know it exists,” she says. “My hope for them is that they will come to love it.”
In the past, an average of three schools were chosen each year, but for 2024-25, there will only be one. The program lost its corporate donor a few years ago, and last year, the Calgary Foundation provided funding while efforts to find a new sponsor continued, but the search has, so far, been unsuccessful.
Still, Calgary Opera provides other ways for young people to discover and explore the artform as well, such as free Serious Family Fun events where kids of all ages can enjoy music, stories, visual arts, dress up and more at the Mamdani Opera Centre; in-person school tours (this year’s performance is The Witty Squirrel); and discount tickets to full dress rehearsals for all students and members of some community organizations.
Participation in the arts has been shown to have many benefits for young people, but in Kesler’s experience, the greatest is its ability to build empathy. “We need people to understand each other more,” she says. “Opera has the capacity to tell so many different stories. It’s a doorway into a world of experiences and emotions that they wouldn’t have access to otherwise.”
Back at Panorama Hills School, the buzz of the performances will wear off, and the songs will be sung less often on the playground, but for the 200 students who created an opera together, the experience will have a lasting impact.
WHAT THE KIDS ARE SAYING
Students from Panorama Hills School Photo: Christina Dawn Photography
“I learned to face my fears. And I also learned a lot about, like, centre stage and left stage and stuff like that.” — Lillian
“I felt so sad when it was all over. I wish I could do it again.” — Maya
“I felt like it was a huge accomplishment that I’ve made in my life, like my first real, actual, big show that I’ve done, and I felt really confident for the next time I do something like this.” — Chase
“I believe it sprouts the seeds for people to come and experience the arts.” — Josh
Thank you to students Nicolette, Lilian, Maya, Kylie, Josh, Chase, Kaiyal and Claire for sharing what they learned from being part of Let’s Create an Opera.
Learn more at calgaryopera.com.
This article was originally published in the 2024 edition of Create Calgary, an annual magazine launched by Calgary Arts Development to celebrate the work of artists who call Mohkinsstsis/Calgary home.
You can pick up a free copy at public libraries, community recreation centres and other places where you find your favourite magazines. You can also read the digital version online here.