UNCG's Opera Education Program
The UNCG Opera Theatre believes that the cultural education of our young children is of utmost importance. To this end, many activities throughout each year are dedicated to exposing school children to quality operatic experiences. These activities include an annual tour to the elementary schools (the annual "Tour to the Schools" takes a 40-45 minute children's opera into the schools), on-campus matinee performances, and an exciting partnership with the Greensboro Opera: presenting opera to every fifth grader in Guilford County (over 6,000) at the historic Carolina Theatre in downtown Greensboro. Annually, the UNCG Opera Theatre performs for over 10,000 school children!
In January of 2003, the National Opera Association invited the UNCG Opera Theatre to present a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk at its National Convention in Washington, D.C. The student matinee performances we offer are complete performances of our mainstage opera productions, with orchestra, scenery and costumes. The matinee for our biennial performances of Amahl and the Night Visitors has grown so that we must offer performances on two mornings, with a total audience of over 2500.
One of the primary missions of the UNCG Opera Theatre is outreach to our community. Partnerships forged with Triad organizations include collaborations with The Philharmonia of Greensboro and the North State Chorale (Cavalleria Rusticana), The English Speaking Union of Greensboro (Trial by Jury), The Greensboro Youth Chorus (Hansel and Gretel and La Bohème), West Market United Methodist Church (The Wise Women), and The Music Academy of North Carolina and Westover Church (Amahl and the Night Visitors).
For further information on our tours or matinees, or any other aspect of attending the UNCG School of Music, please write to David Holley, Director of Opera at: d_holley@uncg.edu
