Barkerend Pupils Perform At The Grand Theatre

Wednesday, 6 July 2016 14:09

Pupils from Barkerend Academy saw their hard work come to fruition as they appeared at the Howard Assembly Rooms at the Grand Theatre in Leeds, alongside the professional chorus of Opera North.

All 30 pupils from Year 5 had worked extremely hard to master the repertoire prior to the event last week.

In addition, Barkerend's entire Year 5 participated in making their own movie of their opera story which was shown in the Emerald Grand Hall after the performance!

Julie Parker-Wade, teacher at the school, said: "Our pupils joined pupils from Windmill and Low Road primary schools in Leeds and the amazing Opera North Chorus for a 40 minute performance of Opera North's Big Sing, ‘Myths and Legends.’

" ‘Myths and Legends’ is a brilliant cycle of songs during which the children told the story of the creation of the world according to Icelandic folk tales using Scandinavian folk music specially arranged for professional chorus and school choirs by Justin Doyle.

"The children threw themselves wholeheartedly into this challenging musical and creative experience. We are incredibly proud of the commitment, focus and sheer hard work they put into achieving such a magical, moving performance and movie.

"The songs guided us through hot and cold worlds, fights between giants and Nordic gods, the giant golden halls of Asgard and horse-drawn chariots pulling the moon and sun into their places in the sky!”

Councillor Imran Khan, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Education, Employment and Skills, said: "This performance was an excellent opportunity for the Barkerend Year 5 pupils.

"This is an occasion which they will not forget in such a beautiful theatre, and which gave them the amazing life experience of performing alongside Opera North, England’s national opera company in the North and one of Europe’s leading arts organisations.”

Year 5 expressed their gratitude to the Conductor Matt Beckingham and all the incredible staff at Opera North for this wonderful musical opportunity.

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