Buy The Academy of Barmy Composers – Baroque Book Today
Janet Hayward – Headteacher – Cadoxton Primary School, Barry
“ABC builds a relationship with the children that supports and educates them in a remarkable way. It is the scaffolding for education.”
BBC Cardiff Singer of the World
“BBC Cardiff Singer of the World represent classical singing at the very highest international level, and it’s no exaggeration to say that ABC of Opera lives up to that standard”
ABC of Opera opened the doors to THE ACADEMY OF BARMY COMPOSERS in 2016. Creative Director and Founder Mark Llewelyn Evans wanted to use his vast experience of performing and teaching to create a unique way to engage children in the story of opera.
Three years on and ABC has delivered over 260+ exciting and engaging workshops to primary schools across the Principality that’s 12,000 children and over 150 Sing me a story – Cana gân i mi to pre school centres across Wales since 2018. Working through the medium of music, lyrics, visual arts and story telling; thereby linking world history, geography, literacy and social development ABC has created a fun, friendly and fully interactive educational programme that is having remarkable results with our young learners as they develop confidence, stagecraft, concentration and imagination.
The approach employed in delivering the key messages transcends the anticipated six areas of learning and experience in the new transformative curriculum.
Turn the key and open the Trunk of treasures to discover the 500 – year old story, then spin the globe and meet Professor Peri, the inventor, Maestro Monte, the Papa, Perfect Purcell, Too Hot to Handel, Windy Wolfie, Viva Verdi, Fantastica Francesca and a host of other barmy composers.
Bryan Jeffreys, Director Education Workforce Development Wales Ltd
“Providing powerful historical messages, easily identifiable imagery, and a sense of place in the context of worldwide social and political change is genius.”
The content and approach demands and delivers exceptional pupil participation, this is led by 3 inspirational professional performers from our National opera companies. The skills stretched ABC include listening and performing, pupils engage as individuals and as groups, quickly adapting to the pace and challenge of the program. Classroom teachers are surprised at the energy and enthusiasm the program releases in pupils of all abilities.
Headteacher – Ysgol Ty Coch, Tonteg
“I was blown away at the level of learning and concentration from our ASD pupils thanks to ABC of Opera.”
Purpose and Aims | ABC of Opera
- To deliver aspects of the four purposes of the curriculum in Wales as laid out in Professor Donaldson Report “Successful futures.”
- To create ambitious, capable learners ready to learn throughout their lives.
- Ethical informed citizens ready to be citizens of Wales and the world.
- Healthy, confident individuals ready to lead fulling lives as a valued member of society.
- Enterprising, creative contributors ready to play a part in life and work.
- Offer the means to introduce opera to a much wider audience.
- Bring the power of classical music to young people.
- Offer the thought-provoking morals within each of the stories within a modern context.
- Give some insight into the historical and cultural significance of the stories.
- Make learning fun, build personal skills, build confidence, nurture imagination and creativity
We would be delighted to discuss how we can bring ABC of Opera to your school, group or organisation.
To receive a PDF containing further information about this project, please get in touch using the form below. We are more than happy to answer any queries you might have about this project.
What they think about ABC.
Sarah Cottle Headmistress Sark Primary School
The views of pupils and teachers are universally positive. Perhaps the most valuable impact of a day full of fun, learning and laughter is that pupils want to learn more. This is an exciting initiative and a powerful learning experience for pupils and teaching staff.
“I’m so pleased ABC came to our school, I just hope that the UK government can see the impact ABC is having and the importance of the arts in education”
Paul Adams, Headmaster – St Nicolas’ C of E Primary School
“An inspirational project that engaged even the most reluctant child and brought out the best in each pupil. We have achieved more than we could have imagined thanks to ABC of Opera.”
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
“ABC of Opera has a unique way to deliver an art form that is often seen as elite. Their strength is engendering a love of music in children through participating”
Bryan Jeffreys, Director Education Workforce Development Wales Ltd
“Providing powerful historical messages, easily identifiable imagery, and a sense of place in the context of worldwide social and political change. This is a most remarkable education day.”
Steven Richards-Downes, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Pembrokeshire
“Whilst working as lead strategic adviser in the Central South Consortium Joint Education Service I discovered ABC of opera. ABC is like no other project in the United Kingdom. It really does engage children with opera”
Boris Year 5 Pupil Albert Primary School, Penarth
“Awesome day…. I love opera”
Please get in touch for more information
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