From Cathy

Absolutely wonderful session today with the Grade 7/8 class of Michael Ryan at Our Lady Of Lourdes. The students were attentive and participated wonderfully throughout the session. They had attended FIDELIO last night, so be began the session with a discuss of their observations and feelings about the performance. After a vocal warm-up, we reviewed five story ideas created by the students. Next we discussed sustained sounds and rhythm, and as I started to set up a drum loop keyboard one of the students improvised a vocal motif and text. From that motif we worked collaboratively to create a chorus and descant idea that will be part of our opera. After the class I had a brief visit with their string teacher to get an idea of their level of playing ability, as the students have expressed an interest in playing as well as singing in our piece.