MCPS EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION, INC. → SMALL GRANTS → CREATING AN ORIGINAL OPERA
Creating an Original Opera
Beverly Farms Elementary School
2006-07 Small Grant
A small grant was awarded to the Beverly Farms Elementary School for 2006-2007 for the “Creating Original Opera” program. 
Throughout the program, thirty-two fifth grade students of various racial and ethnic backgrounds as well as varied abilities and skill levels were responsible for developing a theme, thesis, and characters for their own original opera. For three hours each week, students participated in writing, composing music, constructing sets, building lights, designing costumes, acting, applying makeup, blocking and movement, and managing the student company. In May, the opera was performed twice for the student body and twice for the community. Through the “Creating Original Opera” process, the students learned several different life skills such as taking responsibility, solving problems, organizational techniques, and ways to communicate effectively.