Djanogly City Academy scholars have taken to the stage to perform an opera as part of an innovative project involving professional performers.

A group of 41 young people at the Ofsted graded ‘good’ secondary school have received singing and performance tuition from the Nottingham-based opera company VoiceChoice.

During the project, the young people created their own songs and staging based around Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute.

Since October 2023, 30 students in Year 7 (11 to 12-year-olds) and 11 students in Year 10 (14 to 15-year-olds) have attended VoiceChoice’s Opera Start workshops at the school.

VoiceChoice’s purpose is to provide young people from all backgrounds with the opportunity to develop singing, mentoring, and performance skills, and to try things they would not normally attempt.

The workshops introduce young people to vocal and performance techniques, enabling them to create their own pieces which they perform in staged operatic excerpts alongside professional singers and musicians.

The programme aims to engage and motivate young people from all backgrounds to express their creativity and self-expression, encourage an appreciation and understanding of music and singing, and increase confidence and self esteem

As part of the project, the Year 10s trained as music leaders and guided the Year 7s in the project. For example, each workshop began with a series of warm-ups and ice-breakers, many of which were led by the Year 10s assisted by the Voice Choice workshop team.

The project culminated in a final performance that scholars created and which was staged in the Djanogly Theatre on Sherwood Rise, on 29th February 2024. The scholars were joined by international professional singers and musicians.

Andy Smith, Principal of Djanogly City Academy, said: “Our scholars have been incredibly enthusiastic about this project and it was a very proud moment for staff to see them perform alongside professionals at our Djanogly Theatre.

“It has been fantastic to see all of our young people grow in self confidence and benefit from an amazing opportunity to express themselves through music and drama guided by leading experts at VoiceChoice.”

Tim Lole, Workshop Director of VoiceChoice, said: “VoiceChoice were delighted to work with Djanogly City Academy on our recent Opera Start project.

“The project was designed to help kickstart music participation within the school and we were most impressed with the commitment of the staff and the senior management to the project.

“Despite it being a new project for the school, the students were really engaged and we saw some real transformations in confidence in many students across the project.”