Putting local state school children centre stage in ENO productions! 

Since the 2021-2022 ENO opera season, the ENO Engage team has worked in collaboration with ENO’s Music Department to cast children from state schools in the local area to perform in ENO productions with a suitable Youth Chorus. With guidance from our partners music hubs, our team identifies schools with strong music departments with exceptional music teachers and undertakes a selection process to engage a suitable school. 

Pupils then take part in workshops before deciding whether or not to enter a supportive casting process in which a group of pupils are selected to take part and ultimately perform in the production. This group then enters a rehearsal period which starts in the familiar environment of their own school, before transitioning into the ENO rehearsal rooms where they rehearse alongside our professional cast for the first time. Each pupil is buddied up with a member of the ENO chorus to support their journey from rehearsal room to stage. The Engage team works closely with the school and pupils to ensure they are properly briefed and supported throughout the process as entering this professional working environment can be daunting for even the most confident of pupils.  

”This is a life-changing opportunity for our children, which we hope will inspire future success as well as exposing the whole school to opera and that genre of music.” From Head of School – Sally Keck, Marlborough Primary School

The experience also presents a unique professional development opportunity for the lead teachers from the schools involved.

“This project is taking me to a whole new level of singing skill and techniques. There’s so much I will be able to take back to school and introduce into my practice, it’s very exciting.” From Music Teacher – Joanna Fyvie, Marlborough Primary School

We are always thrilled to be able to use ENO Engage pathways to champion non-traditional casting routes; providing a unique opportunity to work with professionals on the world-famous Coliseum stage, and enabling us as a company to reach performers from different backgrounds across the local community, particularly those who might never have come across opera before. 

Click on the below articles to hear more about the Youth Chorus involved in past ENO Productions….