Look Out, Rossini - Grayshott primary pupils are composing their own opera

**news 9th mar 2007**
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Look Out, Rossini - Grayshott primary pupils are composing their own opera Children from Grayshott Primary School with Head Teacher Jon Hills prepare to 'Create an Opera from Scratch' after winning a National Lottery "Awards for All" Grant. Parent Sarah Evans is holding the Award Certificate Grayshott Primary School has won national funding for one of the most unusual musical projects ever attempted in the village. The National Lottery's "Awards for All" team were so impressed with the school's creative application that they awarded the full amount of the bid without question. The project was inspired by the opera "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini, which Grayshott Concerts is staging in the grounds of the school on 7th July 2007 (07/07/07). Recognising that the children are too young to sit through a full opera, Head Teacher Jon Hills had a brainwave. "If the pupils can"t go to the Opera, then we"ll help them to write one themselves!" he thought. So Jon invited parent (and singer) Sarah Evans to find a composer, used to working with children, who could help the youngsters to do the impossible: Create a complete new mini-opera 'from scratch' which could be performed for the rest of the school, together with children from other schools, parents and members of the community. Fortunately, Sarah knows Lynne Plowman, a composer and flute player with the ideal CV and an international reputation. Lynne not only works regularly with children, but also writes operas for them to perform. In 2003, she was awarded the British Composers Award for Stage Works for her opera "Gwyneth and the Green Knight", described as "a most brilliantly accomplished new opera" (The Times), "most entertainingly theatrical of all recent British operas" (Opera Now) and "a perfect new opera" (The Independent). In addition to her work as a composer and flautist, Lynne is an experienced facilitator of creative music projects in schools and colleges. She frequently works with the London Mozart Players as composer in residence. "Both the School and the PTA are delighted that Lynne Plowman and her fellow musicians have agreed to work with us in June" said Jon. "Lynne is the perfect choice. Now that we have the funding, we can start putting together the details. It"s all very exciting!" he added. The professional musicians will work with the top four classes in the school to help them to create, rehearse and perform their own composition based on themes from the Barber of Seville, accompanied by their own musical instruments. Parent Teacher Association Chairman, Lindsay Morrison said: "It's wonderful news that our Head has found a way to involve all our children in such an imaginative project. It will enable them to play their full part in the community-wide opera project in Grayshott this Summer. It's something our children will remember all their lives." More information from Jon Hills, Head Teacher, 01428 605596 or Peter Harrison, 01428 606666. Submitted by: Peter Harrison PTA/Buy In Grayshott Campaign 28A Headley Road Grayshott Hindhead GU26 6LD Tel: 01428 606666 Fax: 01428 607799

Grayshott Primary School has won national funding for one of the most unusual musical projects ever attempted in the village.

The National Lottery's "Awards for All" team were so impressed with the school's creative application that they awarded the full amount of the bid without question.

The project was inspired by the opera "The Barber of Seville" by Rossini, which Grayshott Concerts is staging in the grounds of the school on 7th July 2007 (07/07/07).

Recognising that the children are too young to sit through a full opera, Head Teacher Jon Hills had a brainwave. "If the pupils can"t go to the Opera, then we"ll help them to write one themselves!" he thought. So Jon invited parent (and singer) Sarah Evans to find a composer, used to working with children, who could help the youngsters to do the impossible: Create a complete new mini-opera 'from scratch' which could be performed for the rest of the school, together with children from other schools, parents and members of the community.

Fortunately, Sarah knows Lynne Plowman, a composer and flute player with the ideal CV and an international reputation. Lynne not only works regularly with children, but also writes operas for them to perform. In 2003, she was awarded the British Composers Award for Stage Works for her opera "Gwyneth and the Green Knight", described as "a most brilliantly accomplished new opera" (The Times), "most entertainingly theatrical of all recent British operas" (Opera Now) and "a perfect new opera" (The Independent). In addition to her work as a composer and flautist, Lynne is an experienced facilitator of creative music projects in schools and colleges. She frequently works with the London Mozart Players as composer in residence.

"Both the School and the PTA are delighted that Lynne Plowman and her fellow musicians have agreed to work with us in June" said Jon. "Lynne is the perfect choice. Now that we have the funding, we can start putting together the details. It"s all very exciting!" he added.

The professional musicians will work with the top four classes in the school to help them to create, rehearse and perform their own composition based on themes from the Barber of Seville, accompanied by their own musical instruments.

Parent Teacher Association Chairman, Lindsay Morrison said: "It's wonderful news that our Head has found a way to involve all our children in such an imaginative project. It will enable them to play their full part in the community-wide opera project in Grayshott this Summer. It's something our children will remember all their lives."

More information from Jon Hills, Head Teacher, 01428 605596 or Peter Harrison, 01428 606666.