Young stars shine on stage

Young performers shone on stage when they took part in Rosehill Theatre's 2019 Summer Sing!

A group of children enjoyed a five-day summer school, working with professional musicians, a director and a designer, and taking part in singing workshops, stage rehearsals and design workshops.

It all culminated in a performance of a Snappy Opera, The Magical Music Tree, for family and friends at the end of the week. Created by Mahogany Opera, Snappy Operas are 10-minute pieces of works for 7 to 11-year-olds aimed at introducing and demystifying the essential elements of opera – singing, acting and making – in fun, colourful and bite-size chunks.

The Magical Music Tree tells the story of a dodo, a flying fish and a unicorn, who live in the heart of the woods in a tree that makes music. A band of hunters want to destroy the tree, but the mythical creatures hatch a cunning plan that has everyone singing in harmony.

The children also worked with award-winning composer Stephen Deazley to write their own song, The Tree’s Dream, which was premiered at the concert.

Rosehill and Mahogany have worked together with local primary schools on several successful projects but this was the first time they’d hosted a week-long Snappy Opera themed summer school at the Moresby theatre.

Anne Timpson, Rosehill’s Taking Part manager, said: "Having seen the benefits of participating in a Snappy Opera first hand in primary schools, we were keen to offer this outside of term-time to more young people and our annual Summer Sing! seemed the perfect opportunity.

“It was a great way for children to explore their passion for singing, increase their confidence and make new friends.”

Among the young people taking part were members of Rosehill Children’s Choir for 7 to 11-year-olds, which meets every Wednesday during term-time from 4.15pm to 5.45pm. Sessions begin again on Wednesday 18 September, working towards a concert on 4 December, and new members are welcome. Call 01946 692422 for details.

We are grateful for the support of Cumbria Music Hub and the Lottery-funded Youth Music, supported using public funding by Arts Council England.