STROUD High School teacher Lisa Mayo has been involved in an exciting music outreach project for the last six to eight weeks. Stroud High School commissioned its composer in residence Lynne Burr to write a new children’s opera which would be challenging yet engaging for KS2/3 students. The opera is based around the Welsh legend of The Wreckers of Dunraven and the school has been working with Year 5 and 6 students at Bussage Primary School and Year 6 students at Pentrepoeth Primary in Bassaleg, Newport. The project has therefore linked into some of the school’s specialist areas, including work as a language college, Artsmark Gold accreditation and the International Schools Award status.

Year 12 and 13 students who have worked closely with Miss Mayo also found that their involvement in this project was highly valued in the schools Triple ‘A’ Award scheme. Stroud High School held a rehearsal day when all 120 primary school students from both schools joined together. Our sixth form music leaders were excellent ambassadors for the school and showed promising leadership skills. As part of this project, the music leaders have also had the opportunity to work alongside Angharad Morgan, a professional soprano and singing teacher at SHS, and Lynne Burr, composer, to see how one can work as a professional in these practical areas. Jon Trim did a superb job leading the wonderful Stroud Chamber Orchestra. Mr Trim worked his magic providing a sensational interpretation of Lynne’s scores and it made the event so special, as the students certainly hadn’t sung with an orchestra like this before. It was also lovely to see one of our past students Kerry McDougall back with us for the project.

The premiere performance was staged at The Coal Exchange in Cardiff Bay on Wednesday, December 1. This was a truly fantastic evening and all the students involved performed to an audience of over 300 people.

The project was conducted entirely free of charge by all professionals involved and the proceeds will be donated to the BBC Children in Need charity fund, as donations were taken on the door.

Congratulations to Frederika Bridgeman-Perrins, Year 12, Megan Griffiths, Year 12, Roanna Castle, Amy Spencer, James Whittard, Madeline Tovey and Jane Beynon ,all Year 13, who all work exceptionally hard to make this a performance to remember.