Due to the nature and timing of this project, the final number of children involved in this event is yet to be determined, meaning final costings cannot be defined. Contingency has been built in, but pledges will only be collected once these final details are confirmed. An exciting and unique concert will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on 30 April 2020 which will showcase the enormous creativity of Barnet's young people. These will include ~15% of young people on free school meals from financially disadvantaged backgrounds as well as students with severe learning disabilities. The artistic aim is to commission and perform new pieces of opera, written by and for children in Barnet schools. EPOC will deliver this through workshops to these schools, and the workshops will culminate in a 45 minute, 1000 piece, choral performance at the Royal Albert Hall. The concert will contain original specially commissioned choral & orchestral music and performances of well-known works.

What we'll deliver:

• A concert at the Royal Albert Hall in April 2020
• New commissioned works of World Music performed by Barnet's young musicians
• English Pocket Opera (EPOC) will deliver workshops to children in 30 Barnet schools
• A spectacular choral performance by over 1,000 young musicians at the Royal Albert Hall
• Eighteen solo and ensemble performance from some of Barnet's finest young musical talent
• Special needs orchestra

Why it's a great idea:

This project will enthuse and give all Barnet's music students a one-off unforgettable experience performing at a world-class venue. It will increase students' understanding of classical music through opera. Much music-making with primary aged children is upbeat pop: it is more difficult to access classical music. Opera is an ideal way to achieve this. It is surprisingly accessible and straightforward, and frequently complements the history and literacy syllabus. The English Pocket Opera (EPOC) workshops also emphasise creativity in music. The new commission will sample over 20 interpretations of the opera and will redefine opera's traditional boundaries. It will be played with and added to by children. The outcome will reinterpret opera for a new generation and instil children with an understanding of music as a creative process. The project will also develop BEAT staff's understanding of opera, as well as help BEAT develop new talented young musicians in Barnet schools.

Steps to get it done:

• Initial workshops delivered by EPOC to every child in 30 Barnet schools, around 10,000 students in all.
• EPOC and students devise and develop over 20 interpretations of opera pieces which will then be adapted by the students
• As a result, 900 classroom teachers will engage with opera and learn to deliver creative sessions
• The Royal Albert Hall concert will take place in April 2020
• Over 14,000 community members will engage with the performances through a live stream on BEAT's website