News & Blog
An opera performance with a lesson about bullies
Date: 11/9/2010 By Mary Senter, Waco ISD
"Hundreds of Waco ISD elementary students were exposed to opera and learned strategies for dealing with bullies thanks to a recent visit by the Fort Worth Children's Opera. For the sixth straight year, the FWCO came to town thanks to funding from the Waco ISD Department of Fine Arts.
"I think it's important that our children are exposed to all forms of the fine arts at an early age," said Troy Tinney, Waco ISD Director of Fine Arts. "Even though a large percentage of our students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, we want them to have the same opportunities as children from surrounding districts."
This year's opera featured John Davies version of The Billy Goats Gruff with the music of Donizetti, Rossini, and Mozart. Davies took the traditional tale of three happy little goats and expanded it so that young students are able to experience the concept of opera while also exploring the theme of bullying in a theatrical way.
During the course of the opera, the students saw how strength of character and determination prevails. The three goats learned to stand up to a bully and teach him about friendship.
Studies have shown that a positive experience with arts education encourages a lifelong relationship with the arts and can often open the window of curiosity that leads to a new enthusiasm and discipline for learning in general.
The Fort Worth Children's Opera is dedicated to expanding the horizons of young people across the state of Texas. Since 1972, Fort Worth Opera has opened millions of young minds to the colorful and exciting world of opera."
Watch video and see photos from the performance here.
Date: 11/9/2010 By Mary Senter, Waco ISD
"Hundreds of Waco ISD elementary students were exposed to opera and learned strategies for dealing with bullies thanks to a recent visit by the Fort Worth Children's Opera. For the sixth straight year, the FWCO came to town thanks to funding from the Waco ISD Department of Fine Arts.
"I think it's important that our children are exposed to all forms of the fine arts at an early age," said Troy Tinney, Waco ISD Director of Fine Arts. "Even though a large percentage of our students come from lower socio-economic backgrounds, we want them to have the same opportunities as children from surrounding districts."
This year's opera featured John Davies version of The Billy Goats Gruff with the music of Donizetti, Rossini, and Mozart. Davies took the traditional tale of three happy little goats and expanded it so that young students are able to experience the concept of opera while also exploring the theme of bullying in a theatrical way.
During the course of the opera, the students saw how strength of character and determination prevails. The three goats learned to stand up to a bully and teach him about friendship.
Studies have shown that a positive experience with arts education encourages a lifelong relationship with the arts and can often open the window of curiosity that leads to a new enthusiasm and discipline for learning in general.
The Fort Worth Children's Opera is dedicated to expanding the horizons of young people across the state of Texas. Since 1972, Fort Worth Opera has opened millions of young minds to the colorful and exciting world of opera."
Watch video and see photos from the performance here.
