Press Releases
Contact:
Colleen Flanigan
Director of Marketing and Public Relations
312-704-8420 ext. 25
cflanigan@chicagooperatheater.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO OPERA THEATER ANNOUNCES COMMUNITY OUTREACH
PARTNERSHIP AND 5th PARTNERSHIP WITH
CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOL
(Chicago, Ill.) In a renaissance of the truest sense, Chicago Opera Theater will launch a pilot music program at the Victor Herbert Elementary School and establish its first community partnership with the People’s School of Music. Victor Herbert, which is currently without a music program will enter under the auspices of COT’s Opera For All Program, which is operating in its 5th season. With seemingly similar visions of classical music in Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater will actively begin supplemental programming to enhance the student experience at the People’s Music School.
“In these times of slashing school budgets and inadequate cultural arts funding, these new partnerships will ensure that generations to come will continue to understand and enjoy opera,” says Deborah Oberschelp, Director of Operations and Education at COT.
The Victor Herbert Elementary School located on Chicago’s west side serves students from pre-K to eighth grade. Adopted as a James Jordan Foundation school and a Chicago Public School Math and Science Initiative (CMSI) member, Victor Herbert will receive a much-needed boost in arts education through COT’s Opera For All Program.
The partnership with Herbert will include establishing several recorder and elementary music classes, organizing a string program, and enabling hands-on production and artistic workshops with COT artists.
Chicago Opera Theater’s partnership with the People’s Music School marks the first community outreach partnership in COT’s thirty years as an opera company. Founded in 1976, the People’s Music School is a tuition-free school based in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood that caters to all ages without residency and income requirements.
Members of the COT’s Young Artists program will conduct master classes for the students of the People’s Music School. Complimentary tickets for all COT dress rehearsals will be provided for the School and its greater family.
In March, the engagement among Chicago Opera Theater, Herbert Elementary, and People’s Music will be showcased when selected students perform in the chorus of Finding Yolanda at the Vittum Theater, alongside COT artists under the direction of Andrew Eggert and conducted by COT Resident Conductor Alexander Platt.
“Facilitating an environment of ownership and pride through Finding Yolanda will motivate students to excel in their musical development and education,” adds Oberschelp.
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For Immediate Release
COT Announces new partnership with local schools
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Established in 2000, Chicago Opera Theater’s Opera For All program has been assisting musically underserved schools and meeting the cultural needs of children and young adults from pre-K to high school. Through the appointment of a COT fellow, COT builds awareness of opera and music with the principals, teachers, parents, and students of our partner schools.
With an innovative and relevant curriculum, COT offers many opportunities in personal musical development as well as on-stage collaboration with COT artists. COT’s recorder program, teaches young students musical fundamentals as well as performance skills and etiquette. In 2000, Roosevelt High School, a COT partner school, was able to perform its first musical, Oliver, in fifty years with the help of COT-donated sets, costumes, and assistance. This past year, COT’s Opera For All Program presented a touring workshop of W.A. Mozart’s The Impresario that was performed for ten Chicago-area schools. Before the performance, students in the audience participated in the production by making decisions about lighting, costuming, and set design.
Since the inception of the Opera For All program in 2000, COT has brought opera education to the students of Suder and Audobon Elementary and Curie and Roosevelt High Schools.
Founded in 1974, Chicago Opera Theater has carved a significant place for itself in the operatic life of Chicago. Under the leadership of General Director Brian Dickie, COT has become the company to watch with its wide range of operatic repertoire that includes the greatest works of the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries. The 2005 season will be no exception, featuring the operas La Resurrezione, Le nozze di Figaro, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
COT opened the 2004 season in its new home, the Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. This modern, state-of-the-art theater is conveniently located at 205 E. Randolph. For more information, call (312) 704-8420 x10 or visit our website at www.chicagooperatheater.org.
For more information on Victor Herbert Elementary and People’s Music School, visit their websites:
www.herbert.cps.k12.il.us
www.peoplesmusicschool.org
