Story courtesy of LMPS
Photo courtesy of Regina Robertson
LMPS has an Opera Club this year.
According to Paula Turner, orchestra director at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School), the students meet after school to listen to music and learn the stories of the great operas that have captured people’s imagination for generations and sometimes even centuries.
There are seven Club members who are in fifth and sixth grades. LMPS serves students in grades 5-8.
The Opera Club went to the Malco Paradiso Theater in Memphis Oct. 6 to view a Live in HD broadcast of Aida, streamed directly from the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
They also gathered at the Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC) Wednesday (10.24.18) to attend a live dress rehearsal of Madama Butterfly presented by Opera Memphis. While at GPAC, the students heard a short pre-performance talk from Director Ned Canty and took a brief backstage tour during intermission.
On becoming opera fans, students had these things to say: “Opera changes your life because of how incredible and dramatic it is. It is very mind-moving. Four hours is worth it! The orchestra was fantastic.”
Next semester the Opera Club hopes to expand its fine arts tour to include operetta, chamber music and symphony orchestra music.
The Opera Club is always accepting new members. Learn more about this group by contacting the Club sponsor, Mrs. Turner.
Prior to retirement from Shelby County Schools, Mrs. Turner served as coordinator of the Met Opera HD Live in Schools six years. She is also trained by the Met in opera outreach to students.
