tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12415938187529616962012-01-25T15:19:56.881-07:00www.ufomt.orgSusan Amesnoreply@blogger.comBlogger311100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-36188525511055895872012-01-18T14:01:00.001-07:002012-01-25T10:30:39.731-07:00

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Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-40226209420939273042011-11-28T14:16:00.000-07:002011-11-28T14:16:29.733-07:00

@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Discover the Melodies micro bite: It may be that your class sings while they write the libretto!!  That is wonderful and it does happen!  I am sure you will find this to be the case in

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-35133188509153740642011-10-20T16:08:00.002-06:002011-10-25T14:10:53.498-06:00

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Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-52655634066901613882011-10-17T17:04:00.005-06:002011-10-20T14:04:08.379-06:00

@font-face { font-family: "Calibri"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 10pt; line-height: 115%; font-size: 11pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } It's fall time! Leaves are changing colors. The weather is starting to become crisp. Apples are ripe and ready for caramel. You can just smell fall in the air. How exciting and fun and

Nellie Horrockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15165784663357037255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-58253359927150648802011-01-18T15:34:00.003-07:002011-01-18T15:46:23.249-07:00

It's that time of year again! Time to start thinking about a performance date!!I am slowly getting a few dates trickling in here and there. As it gets closer to your performance date, I will be sending you Supertitles for your opera, as well as Program Covers. I do this usually about a month before. I find if I do it much sooner than that, they get lost or forgotten about. Here is an example

Nellie Horrockshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15165784663357037255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-75489045203070743442010-10-27T15:18:00.003-06:002012-01-25T15:19:56.908-07:00

Have you noticed the Utah Festival Conservatory?  If you have not, you really should look at it:  Utah Festival Conservatory of The Performing Arts Watching this fabulous new performing arts school go through its second season has been a real treat for all of us at Utah Festival Opera - especially for those of us who love seeing young people learn and excel in the arts!  I highly recommend it

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-45694172581670827022010-10-11T11:00:00.000-06:002010-10-11T11:00:47.779-06:00

TABLE OF CONTENTS FORWARD TRUST, RISK, AFFIRMATION AND GROWTH THE THREE RULES OR OBJECTIVES TEACHER AS FACILITATOR START WITH A SONG WHAT IS OPERA? THEATRE GAMES WRITING THE STORY CREATING THE LIBRETTO TEACHING CHILDREN TO CREATE MELODIES ARIA VERSUS RECITATIVE, SIMPLIFIED FOR CHILDREN EMPOWERING CHILDREN TO CREATE MELODY AUDITIONING: THE CHILDREN CHOOSE STAGING, THE POWER TO

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-56106737205743749572010-09-28T12:08:00.005-06:002010-10-11T12:57:56.177-06:00

If you want to be an Opera by Children teacher in 2011, download this request and return it by mail.  In the meantime, contact us by email so we will know you are out there.  We will put you on the waiting list.  If you are not able to join us in 2011, you will be first in line for the following year. Susan Ames ames@ufoc.org Request to Participate 2011-12

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-83652608003123932822010-09-28T10:18:00.002-06:002010-09-28T10:18:35.108-06:00

Susan Ames Education Director, Utah Festival Opera ames@ufoc.orgFestival Opera Education Brochure

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-23675417809773806672010-09-28T09:43:00.001-06:002010-09-28T19:47:46.894-06:00

Susan Ames Education Director, Utah Festival Opera ames@ufoc.orgThe Basis of Opera by Children

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-22828341000678259562010-09-27T06:35:00.001-06:002010-09-28T07:24:18.285-06:00

Today is the last workshop for 2010-11.  We are now filled to capacity for this school year:  170 classes are writing operas!!! Please continue to check here for updated training dates that will allow new teachers to queue up for 2011-12. If there is enough interest in a particular school or district that we do not currently serve, we will come to your "house" for the training.  That is a truly

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-19119001628762805442010-04-27T10:08:00.000-06:002010-04-27T10:08:53.975-06:00

Please have these supplies ready for paint day:               ·                 Cardboard for backdrops and smaller pieces of scenery. ·                 Brushes-small ones that you may already have at the school for detail work and larger ones (2-4 inches).These can be old house painting brushes that kids can bring from home or packs of sponge brushes from the dollar store.               ·

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-1899621374437304152009-11-30T13:04:00.002-07:002009-11-30T13:04:41.896-07:00

http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html Susan Ames Education Director, Utah Festival Opera www.operabychildren.org ames@ufoc.org

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-51603849857344305322009-10-01T11:36:00.007-06:002010-09-29T19:45:31.310-06:00

Dear Teachers,In anticipation of this Opera by Children season with you, I have been contemplating how I may be of assistance as you have your students write their story. Having written the piano accompaniments for well over one hundred children’s operas, I’m getting a good sense of what works well. I think about and visualize the children as they perform their opera and try to adapt their

Nancy Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000339746422037383noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-60539296709513280392008-12-05T15:46:00.003-07:002008-12-05T15:54:57.092-07:00

As the children are working on the opera - at any phase - allow them to have a copy of the libretto of their own to hold and to read. The challenge of reading their "own" words will increase their vocabulary, their reading and their spelling (be sure you have spelled everything correctly :) , and you will find that the synergism between music and reading is amazing!If your budget is limited, find

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-44060913644369305262008-12-05T15:29:00.004-07:002008-12-05T15:39:46.239-07:00

District personnel, state legislators, grantors and others are very interested and need to know that Opera by Children is not just a fun thing to do. It is not a waste of precious school time.It is very easy and very important for every teacher and mentor to continually refer to the Life Skills core objectives while engaged in any phase of the opera.Refer to the Life Skills Core frequently and

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-28051382122185609012008-10-09T16:51:00.002-06:002008-10-09T17:08:19.886-06:00

Here are the basic steps all teacher do to have a successful opera:1- The teacher determines what type of opera the class should create, i.e. completely original from new ideas, original: based on folktale and fairytale stories, or based on a core curriculum such as history, science, or math. (The first year a UTAH teacher will receive assistance from a UFO drama Mentor—so, communicate the

Pamela Geehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09190038541328033106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-38814087840612018262008-10-04T08:10:00.004-06:002008-10-04T08:14:35.954-06:00

This came today from a music mentor. Her inspired idea of how to teach children to sing tunes for the stories they have written was truly remarkable. It could be used by every teacher of young children before their music mentor arrives to help prepare the class for creating melodies of their own.Dear Susan, I had such a neat experience this week as I started doing my Music Visits! I was walking

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-23336160925252126992008-10-03T13:08:00.005-06:002008-10-06T09:57:54.421-06:00

Have you ever thought of how many ways there are to help children improve their language skills while writing the opera? For instance, you might have them help you to make a list of words that would be inventive and irresistable that they could use in place of so many common and over-used slang terms. Here is an example. Pamela Gee has compiled 101 words that could be used in place of "cool."

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-51629832883012865842008-10-03T11:41:00.005-06:002008-10-04T08:40:20.626-06:00

We have costumes in our basement that have been gathered, purchased, or donated for Opera by Children. You must make an appointment with the education department for the use of these costumes, not the opera company's costume department. Their costumes are for Utah Festival Opera's main stage performances only.But, we, the Opera by Children Education Department have a bit of everything that may

Pamela Geehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09190038541328033106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-60026412073292971952008-09-29T10:51:00.003-06:002008-09-29T11:11:45.219-06:00

Here is a nice Wikipedia definition of Surtitles:Surtitles, also known as supertitles, are translated or transcribed lyrics projected above a stage or displayed on a screen, commonly used in opera or other musical performances...Surtitles are used either to translate the meaning of the lyrics into the audience's language, or to transcribe lyrics that may be difficult to understand in the sung

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-6434281193878749252008-09-26T13:20:00.002-06:002008-09-26T13:41:57.736-06:00

Hello Teachers,My name is MarLyn McKinley. I am your Visual Arts Mentor.If I have been assigned to come to your class this year, we will start with a first visit - the objective of which will be to plan your scenery, make assignments for paint day, and talk about supplies. I will need approximately 45 minutes to discuss all of this with you and your class.It would be helpful for each of you

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-27130775178294495152008-09-26T11:23:00.003-06:002008-09-26T13:48:19.614-06:00

Susan,I want to share with you a brief window of our class today.I have a student who is displaying what the social worker calls "trauma play". Her mother is in rehab and her father, recently released from jail, is doing his best to put a life together for this girl and her two siblings. She is clearly intelligent, but due to the things she has witnessed and experienced, her language is delayed

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-58660917845270768812008-09-24T09:20:00.000-06:002008-09-24T09:29:06.771-06:00

When you know your performance date, please be certain to send that information to us so that Nellie may have your program covers to you on time! Also, if you would like to have it listed here or on our Opera by Children website - http://www.operabychildren.org/ let us know. We will create a calendar so that people interested in observing an actual children's opera may attend!Susan AmesEducation

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-84842324063827578302008-09-19T11:33:00.002-06:002008-09-19T11:42:27.334-06:00

If you are new to the program this year (and are in the state of Utah), you have been assigned a drama, music AND visual arts mentor. If you are not clear who they are, please e-mail me. You should have been contacted and be well on your way with the story at this point.If this is your 2nd or 3rd year, you will definitely have a music mentor and you MAY have drama and visual arts, depending

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-27211900446048425612008-09-19T11:33:00.001-06:002008-09-19T11:36:24.930-06:00

Don't forget to sign up for either University OR Utah State Office of Education credit for the opera you are writing this year.You may earn Two Workshop credits that will help you towards lane change!E-mail me for clarification.Susan AmesEducation Director, Utah Festival Operawww.operabychildren.orgames@ufoc.org

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-62791909250343416592008-09-19T07:07:00.000-06:002008-09-19T07:31:47.265-06:00

A word to the wise! Right now is an excellent time for your students to be planning their costumes, because as you know, they are everywhere. And I don't mean the pre-packaged ones. I learned a few years ago that the local thrift stores will set lots of interesting items back and bring them out before Halloween as "costume pieces." And since they are already sort of "on sale" they don't get any

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-41831499037902072202008-09-18T15:14:00.000-06:002008-09-19T07:39:39.458-06:00

It has come to my attention that many students are beginning to want to write their operas around themes of a violent, sexual or off-color nature due, I am sure, to their exposure to those topics on television, in video games, and movies, and even, sadly, in the news. Those themes are absolutely not appropriate for Opera by Children participants and the music mentors will be asked not to arrange

Susan Amesnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-25494691291304224372008-09-17T16:20:00.003-06:002008-09-29T11:33:33.925-06:00

1. Always begin with a group activity singing or acting. This encourages the class to work together and allows creativity to flow! It lets the students know right away that working on an opera is fun! It establishes a relationship with all participants quickly and effectively.2. There will always be a few who could write the opera themselves. These students are accustomed to being the only ones

Pamela Geehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09190038541328033106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-8447218707931321032008-09-17T13:47:00.000-06:002008-09-17T14:04:15.924-06:00

Howdy all,I thought I'd leave a few tips on how to integrate opera into the curriculum! Just imagine a classroom whose culture is creatively honed to look forward to performing an opera! So many things that this classroom does reminds them of their opera work, and even re-energizes the learners every day. Here are some things that you can do as a teacher!1. Talk about your opera a lot. Remind

dr. Davenoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1241593818752961696.post-26871785863796845862008-09-17T13:45:00.000-06:002008-09-17T13:47:33.617-06:00

I have visited two classrooms so far, and what great kids!  Super teachers, too. It's so great to work with these great folks. The stories are tight and simple, and I think they'll have fun all year long. Keep up the good work everybody! What fun to work with you all.

dr. Davenoreply@blogger.com0