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What is opera? A Team!

January 24th Engineers Club

2:00-3:00pm

Opera is a team sport. A blockbuster in real time. Music, words, acting, dance, and visual art happening all at once, with no second takes.

In this public performance of Opera Baltimore's acclaimed educational program, a professional opera singer leads you through the full picture: how a production gets built, who does what, and why it all comes together the way it does. You'll hear about set design, costumes, lighting, and the different voice types that make an opera company run. You'll "meet" soprano Anne Wiggins Brown, a Baltimore singer who stood up for what was right and changed operatic history, and hear her signature song performed live.

Then things get interesting. The performer needs a team. That means you. Audience members come onstage to help sing, and the room becomes the cast.

This program is made for everyone. First-timers, families, longtime fans, curious neighbors. No prior knowledge required. No dress code. Just a willingness to listen and, if you're brave enough, sing.

The message you'll leave with: whatever you love to do, find your team. Do it together.

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Opera Baltimore’s Education Program designs and delivers deeply interactive programming to the youth of Baltimore City and beyond, particularly historically underserved populations. Our work encourages emotional regulation and sparks creativity, collaboration, and joy.

We believe opera is not just about viewing, but doing.

Program #1: VOICE YOUR STORY

A one-hour Mindfulness and Mini-Opera creation class, led by operatic Teaching Artists

"Voice your Story" is Opera Baltimore's small-group interactive programming for children and youth, offering wellness-oriented opera-based storytelling activities . This programming includes breathing/warm-up/team building exercises that encourage mindful engagement, and group story-telling through the creation of "mini-operas" based on children’s books and call-and-response singing. The creation of the "Voice your Story" program was supported in part by a generous grant from Opera America. Reach out to us at Education@OperaBaltimore.org for more information. The program furnishes all supplies and can accommodate between 8-20 students; cost is $500; some funding may be available.

PrograM #2: “What Is Opera? A Team!”

A high-energy , Large Group School Assembly Program

“I can't believe how much they loved it. The kids were laughing and cheering!"

BOOK NOW FOR YOUR SCHOOL

Opera Baltimore’s "What is Opera? A Team!" presentation is an interactive, engaging 35-50 minute program that can be tailored to grades PK-12. Facilitated by an experienced real-life opera performer, students learn about the imagination and teamwork that creates an opera – people who work together to tell a story all at once – like blockbuster movie, but with no second takes! They learn about the courage and creativity it sometimes takes to tell stories.

Through energetic narrative and a projected presentation, students discover that opera is the ultimate mash up:

music + words + acting + dance + visual art!

Students learn what opera is and look behind the curtain at opera productions: learning about the scenic, costume, and lighting components of opera. They also hear about different voice types (soprano, mezzo, tenor and baritone) and how opera singers train their voices to make them louder, stronger and faster – just like an athlete. Students hear about a groundbreaking Baltimore opera singer that stood up for what was right, soprano Anne Wiggins Brown, even hearing her signature song. Throughout the show, the opera-singing presenter performs selections of operatic classics – but they always need help to perform the songs! Students join our artist onstage to become a part of the 'opera team' right then and there. The message is clear:

Whatever you love to do, find your team…
and do it together!

Details: The assembly costs $500 for the entire event. Minimal onsite requirements include a sound system that can play from a laptop computer, and a projector & or TV screen (or we can bring our own, with notice). Some schools may qualify for discounted assemblies. If you would like to schedule or sponsor a school assembly please contact us for details at 443-445-0226 or Education@OperaBaltimore.org.

More QUESTIONS?

Email our Education Team at Education@OperaBaltimore.org

A group of young children are standing indoors, some with their hands raised, appearing excited and engaged.

A group of children and adults sitting and kneeling in a circle, engaging in a storytime or group activity in a room with yellow walls.

A woman in a blue shirt is instructing a group of children in front of a colorful background with clouds. The children appear to be engaged in a storytelling or theatrical activity.

An adult man with long dreadlocks and a plaid shirt appears to be reading or speaking to a group of children seated on the floor in a school gymnasium, with some children wearing masks.

A child's drawing on blue paper showing a person singing with lines representing sound, a yellow star, and musical notes, alongside a handwritten note praising opera voices.

A woman in a pink dress is speaking to a group of children sitting on the floor in a school gymnasium, with a stage and a projector screen in the background.

Group of people outdoors presenting information about American opera singers on a large poster, with children sitting on the grass watching.

Three children and an adult woman assembling a blue fabric tent on a grassy lawn during daytime.

A handwritten note in blue ink on white paper that reads, "Thank you for coming! Your very glad at signing!" There is a simple hand-drawn illustration of a woman in a blue dress on the left side of the paper.

Group of women and children outdoors, holding a sign that says 'Opera has Visual Art!' during a performance or presentation. The kids sit on blankets on the grass, and the women are standing.

Group of children and adults on a small stage, engaging in a group activity or performance, with a colorful backdrop and a poster on the side.

Group of smiling children and adults sitting and clapping at an indoor event.

Woman reading a children’s book to an audience, seated on a stage with a colorful backdrop.

A young girl with braided hair and a blue headband sits on the floor listening to a woman read a colorful picture book. The girl appears engaged and curious.

Woman reading a children's book titled 'The Magical Yeti' to a group of young girls seated on the floor in a circle.

Our programming aligns with and supports Anchor Standards 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 in the Maryland State Music Standards, namely:
Anchor Standard 7: Demonstrate, describe, and compare the structure, use of musical elements, and context (social, cultural, and historical) in a variety of musical pieces. Clearly communicate personal preferences when selecting music for listening or performing and describe how the use of musical elements and context influence the choice.
Anchor Standard 8: When listening to music, communicate clearly how the use of musical elements and performance choices might create the intended effect.
Anchor Standard 9: Describe personal evaluation of musical works or performances based on criteria, using appropriate musical vocabulary. Engage appropriately as an active listener in formal and informal settings, paying attention to audience etiquette appropriate to the genre of music.
Anchor Standard 10: Identify personal and cultural influences as well as creative preferences in creating, performing, and responding to music.
Anchor Standard 11: With limited guidance, make connections between music and other common core subjects, including the arts, through creating, performing, or responding to music.