Performing at the Sydney Opera House

Am I Really Performing at the Opera House?


Pinch Me Please!

Dear Elementary Friends,

I am writing the majority of this blog post on Wednesday Evening (26 October).  Tomorrow evening (27th) I will be accompanying the Beaumont Road Public School Honor Choir to the Sydney Opera House to perform in the 25th Annual Ryde Schools Spectacular.  My plan is to complete this blog upon my return home tomorrow night so that I can include photos and perhaps a video of portions of our performance!

The "Ryde" area of Sydney consists of about 22 primary and high schools located in various suburbs northwest of the city center.  Each of these primary schools is sending 20-30 students to make up the Ryde Schools Spectacular Choir - around 600 students!  The theme this year is "From Broadway to Hollywood."  So, the songs are near and dear to my heart.  We will also have dance troupes, individual dancers, and instrumental music presentations.  An extravaganza would be an understatement!  We have been working on the music for this performance since March with weekly school practices and periodic opportunities to gather with all of the schools for combined rehearsals.

Here is a photo and some snippets of the program for tomorrow night's performance:






Here is a short video of our practice this past Friday at the Opera House - "Turn the Lights On" is our opening number.


Here is a photo of the concert hall where we are performing:


Here are some photos of my choir students, the co-director, Miss Hatfield, and me just before our all day practice last Friday:



A Bit of Education on the History of the Sydney Opera House


The Sydney Opera House is a multi-venue performing arts center in Sydney, Australia. It is one of the 20th century's most famous and distinctive buildings.

Designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, the building was formally opened on 20 October 1973 after a gestation beginning with Utzon's 1957 selection as winner of an international design competition. The government of New South Wales, led by the premier, Joseph Cahill, authorized work to begin in 1958 with Utzon directing construction. The government's decision to build Utzon's design is often overshadowed by circumstances that followed, including cost and scheduling overruns as well as the architect's ultimate resignation.

The building and its surrounds occupy the whole of Bennelong Point in Sydney Harbour, between Sydney Cove and Farm Cove, adjacent to the Sydney central business district and the Royal Botanic Gardens, and close by the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Though its name suggests a single venue, the building comprises multiple performance venues which together are among the busiest performing arts centers – hosting well over 1,500 performances annually, attended by more than 1.2 million people. Performances are presented by numerous performing artists, including four resident companies: Opera Australia, The Australian Ballet, the Sydney Theatre Company and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. As one of the most popular visitor attractions in Australia, more than eight million people visit the site annually, and approximately 350,000 visitors take a guided tour of the building each year. The building is managed by the Sydney Opera House Trust, an agency of the New South Wales State Government.

On 28 June 2007, the Sydney Opera House became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

And now - I better get to bed to prepare for a big day and night tomorrow!

27 Thursday 2016 - The Day is Finally Here!

From Broadway to Hollywood - 25th Annual Ryde Schools' Spectacular

Sydney Opera House


Well - the performance went off beautifully!  I am very tired, so just one video from the evening - this is Charlotte's Web - sung by over 600 students and ballet danced by one very brave little 8 year old.

Enjoy!


Friends - Over the next two weeks the blogs might be late or on different days due to school commitments and KATIE is coming!  WooHoo!

Stay Tuned!

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