Opera by Children

Opera by Children is a program sponsored by the Utah Festival Opera Company in which children  write and create an original operetta, a 5-10 minute opera, by themselves!

Students write the story together, also called a "libretto." In the story they choose 3 settings and then design a set around those places, which comes to life, and full size, on "paint day!"

Students also set their story to music with the help of a musician, who asks them how each part of the story might sound, and sets the students' notes to a musical score. Lastly, the students practice their libretto for each part of the story, design their own costumes, and then practice their staging/performance.

Early in West Point Elementary's 100-year history, operettas were performed regularly, and they were re-introduced in the 2016-17 school year. Students start in the winter and perform them each spring. 

More about how to start operettas at your school here:  https://operabychildren.org