Opera-Go-Round

You can download the
Opera-Go-Round Brochure
here.

Touring Educational Program

2010-2011
Now in its 36th season

OPERA-GO-ROUND, Tri-Cities Opera’s Touring Educational Program, continues to bring live musical performances to schools throughout New York and northeastern Pennsylvania.  Annually, Opera-Go-Round performs for over 20,000 students!

Something for all age groups!

Pre-K through Grade 6

Middle & High School Offerings

Student Performances

Offerings for Pre-K through Grade 6

The Billy Goats Gruff
by John Davies

Featuring opera excerpts by Mozart, Rossini and Donizetti, this classic tale springs to life with colorful sets and costumes. This production has socially relevant issues of conflict avoidance and anti-bullying woven onto the framework. A MINI RESIDENCY, where selected students are staged into an optional children’s chorus, is available. Materials include a study guide and children’s chorus music (if requested).
45-50 minutes with Q&A. Study materials provided.

Grades: K-5/6
Dates: September, November-December, February-March, May
Cost: $540 + $1.00/mile round-trip from Binghamton.
With Mini Residency: $840 + $1.00/mile

A Musical Voyage

This program offers an introduction to classical music, music styles and music history, strengthening communication and leadership skills. Classes are designed for up to twelve students divided into two age-appropriate groups, 4-6 and 7-9. Activities are tailored to the interests and needs of the child and provide new experiences through music: rhythm, motion, singing, chorus, and more. Classes are taught by graduate and current resident artists Melisse Weber and Ian Bentley. Contact Melisse at 607.727.2709.

Ages: 4-6 and 7-9
Dates: After school on Wednesdays, September - May
Location: 315 Clinton St., Binghamton, NY
Cost: $12 per session

Children's Movie (and Musical) Favorites

This program features favorite songs from children’s movies and shows, including The Lion King, Seussical the Musical, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and others. Study materials will include music for audience participation. 45 minutes with Q & A.

Grades: K-5/6
Dates: September, November, February-March, May
Cost: $430 + 52.5 cents/mile

“We...enjoyed your talents and expertise. The great voices, the costumes and the clever scene changes all made a hit with our youngsters”

— Pre-K teacher, Unadilla Valley Central School, on a 2007 touring performance of Seymour Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood

Middle & High School Offerings

Best of Broadway

This popular show highlights past and current Broadway hits. A master class, in which students sing solos and are critiqued, is also available before or after the show. Perfect for students of music and theater. Includes songs from Annie Get Your Gun, Sweeney Todd, Les Miserables, Songs for a New World, and other shows. Study materials are provided. 45 minutes with Q&A.

Grades: 6-12
Dates: September, November, February-March, May
Cost: $430 + 52.5 cents/mile
Cost with Master Class: $555 + 52.5 cents/mile

“It provided students in a high poverty area the chance to hear opera live and see wonderful costumes and sets.”
-Music Teacher, Elmira, NY, on TCO’s touring production of The Three Little Pigs, March, 2009

Opera in a Nutshell

Students learn about the composers and various styles of opera, different voice types, and are introduced to all the elements that go into an opera production. This program also provides insight into what it takes to have a career in this unique and exciting field. Minimal costumes will be used. Study materials will be provided. 45 minutes with Q&A.

Grades: 6-12
Dates: November-December, February-March, May
Cost: $455 + 52.5 cents/mile


Artist in Residency

This interdisciplinary program ties in with a variety of curricula including language, history and art. Residencies can be as general as “What is Opera?” or as specific as preparing students to get the most from a TCO main stage performance. Presentations can also be tailored to focus on certain composers, periods, or languages in opera. TCO staff work closely with teachers to design a unique program.

Grades: K-12
Dates: November-December, February-March, May
Cost: $155 per singer, per day + 52.5 cents/mile


Opera concerts/preview presentations

Our talented resident artists can put on concerts of pieces from the standard Opera/Operetta/ art song repertoire for any occasion: in the schools, for private parties, in community theater settings, and retirement communities.

For groups who plan on attending our main stage performances, or for those who want to learn more about a particular work, we can also put together “preview” presentations of The Marriage of Figaro, Tosca, or The Elixir of Love, complete with singing and explanations of the plot.

Grades: 7-12 and all ages
Dates: Call us to book a date
Cost: $430 + 52.5 cents/mile round trip from Binghamton

“I was personally thrilled with the quality of the performances and the production.”

—Music teacher, Laurens district, on TCO’s Roméo et Juliette, May 2007

Student Performances

TCO’s Main Stage Productions at the Forum Theatre

Così fan tutte
by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Friday, October 15, 2010 at 8PM
Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 3PM
In Italian with English OPERATITLES

La Traviata
by Giuseppe Verdi

Friday, February 1, 2011 at 8 PM
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 3 PM
In Italian with English OPERATITLES

The Tales of Hoffmann
by Jacques Offenbach

Friday, April 29, 2011 at 8PM
Sunday, May 1, 2011 at 3PM
In Italian with English OPERATITLES

Students are offered a special rate for all of our main stage productions at the Forum Theatre in Binghamton, NY. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the complete opera experience including beautiful singing, colorful sets and costumes, and a professional orchestra. Excellent for students of foreign languages, literature, history, and music. Study materials are provided. Call John Isenberg at 729.3444 or the TCO box office at 772.0400 for tickets and additional information

Grades: 5-12
Cost: $7.00 per student. Seating will be in designated areas

What People Are Saying

Students were engaged and enjoyed opera without being hit over the head with it.—Principal

Students found out that opera singers are regular people and that opera can be fun! —Principal

Wonderful! The troupe is...well prepared, easy to work with...They speak well with our teens!—Program Director

The students thoroughly enjoyed the artists’ classes at our school; culminating with attending the actual performance was perfect!—Italian teacher

On a scale of 1-10, the performance was an 11! Students and faculty alike gave it rave reviews. —Elementary principal

The timing of the event and the energy of the performers was great. The opera group was flexible and professional. —Music teacher

I really enjoyed the opera. I really was amazed at how good the singers could speak Italian!...I hope to come see another opera soon. —Student

The diversity is good for children. This may be the only exposure some children get for theater and music shows. —PTA Program Director

The children no longer think of opera as stiff and no fun. —Music teacher

I wanted to thank you for coming to our school to perform. I really enjoyed your performance and I could tell that others enjoyed it as well. —Student

My sixth grade boys who were whining about "opera" in the morning initiated a standing ovation at the end of the performance. —Music teacher

The students were very excited about the performance. It was the talk of the school the next day. —Elementary principal

For more information:

John Isenberg, Education Outreach Coordinator
Phone: (607) 729-3444
E-mail: ogroutreach@tricitiesopera.com