Involving artists in education programmes Introductions Cormac Simms Administrative Director, Royal Opera, Covent Garden SF, HR Manager, Covent Garden A brief outline of some of the ways in which we at Covent Garden engage artists in education (learning and participation) projects.

Deloitte Festival SF Festivals The Learning and Participation team programmed the Deloitte Ignite Festival for the first time this year. Key to the programming of this free festival was the public getting close or participating with our artists. JPYA Emily Edmonds (Mezzo) and Greg Eldridge (Director) took part in the event ‘Make a Scene’ where members of the public learned a section of the Haberera and staged it.

Community singing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3krrLc4Oc8 CS Two major singing projects: the Thurrock chorus and ‘Big Sings.’ (involving members of the public in a fun enjoyable group signing experience in a public space - Although more difficult to find the opportunities for members of the chorus to be involved in L&P work because of their schedule, there is a core group of the chorus who are interested in working with young people, families and community groups. We currently involved them in the following ways:  Short performances –Small ensembles will perform at key events such as our Family Sundays, All Together Opera mornings for over 65s.  Meet the artist – members of the chorus will come out to meet groups in their costumes during the interval of schools matinees.  Training – there has been training in the past for members of the chorus to feel more confident in supporting workshop leaders and vocal animateurs. The difficulty in the past has been fitting this training around schedules. This is something we aim to do more of in the future.  One off events – the chorus sang in a joint concert with the ROH Thurrock Community Chorus – pic attached and video - link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3krrLc4Oc8

Involving workshop artists in school based projects SF Crafts people and back stage artists    We engage our make up artists, costume staff, scenic painters, staff from the armoury in our activities – this might be to demonstrate their work or lead workshops at festivals, family events, or our Inspiration Days in Thurrock. (Thurrock is a region to the east of London, area of social deprivation. Local council are working hard to redevelop the area. The ROH have been a for front of that – investing in our new scenic construction workshop, costume centre, and contributing to the development of the new backstage training centre). We have a very active education programme supporting our engagement with the local community in this area

Family Sundays and workshops SF Opening up the building, usually on a Sunday, to put on events, activities, or small performances, which involve the public being able to interact with artists and performers ‘Fight workshop’ (No weapons!!) Wig and Make up demonstration

‘Insight’ Programme CS Active and very successful programme of ‘insight’ events Talks, presentations, opportunities to sit in on rehearsals, participation events, We do over 90 insight events each year.

Fanfare project http://www.roh.org.uk/learning/schools-and-colleges/fanfare CS Fanfare project Tony P and the orchestra are involved in this. A competition for 11 – 16 year olds to compose a 10 – 15 second short fanfare. The winning entries are picked by a team including Tony P, and workshopped by a composer and members of the orchestra. The final pieces are then recorded by the orchestra under the baton of Tony P, and played to signal the start of every performance at the ROH. Putting L&P work at the centre of the audience experience.   Link takes you to the fanfare website

Teacher training SF CPD to support Schools’ Matinees To support our Schools' Matinees, we have introduced a series of free teacher CPD sessions led by artists of the Royal Opera House. These engaging two-hour sessions focus on specific ballet and opera skills and works, and equip teachers with practical material to take back to the classroom. The sessions are available to all teachers who register to bring their students to a schools' matinee performance. Schools who are unsuccessful in securing seats at one of our matinees are still welcome to book staff onto these event.

Promoting careers in the arts SF We also run an annual event promoting careers in the arts – Theatrecraft. We involve a range of artists and backstage staff in this event – providing demonstrations, giving careers talks and 1:1 careers advice to young people who are interested in a career in the arts. (This years event is actually today, expecting 1,200 young people aged 16 – 25 to attend)

SF Difficult to engage all of our staff in L&P events. One group we are able to involve in a wider range Learning and Participation programmes are our Jette Parker Young Artists in . For the JPYAPs this is a key part of their development on the scheme to take part on L&P activity.  Includes singing at our Big Sing Fridays which are a mass participatory singing event for the public in the Paul Hamlyn Hall and give members of the public the chase to learn a piece of opera chorus repertoire in their lunch hour.  The JPYA are often involved in our Insight Programme which is a busy adult learning programme that includes open rehearsals, in conversations with artists, pre-performance talks, beginners guides to productions, behind the scenes demonstrations and participatory workshops. The Insight Programme includes around 90 events a season, as well as online content and live streaming.  

Issues and barriers Time Resources Space Contractual issues Cost ‘Safeguarding’ Performers skills and aptitude – selecting the right person SF/CS