In the Spotlight

 

Fort Worth Opera Singers Serenade UP Elementary Students

On March 8th,  bloodthirsty pirates invaded the auditorium at University Park Elementary School.    No one called 9-1-1.   These pirates were imaginary beings dreamed up by performers of the Fort Worth Opera's Children's Opera Theatre, who musically brought to life the old folk tale The Bremer Town Musicians for UP's second- and third-grade students.

Although the production was kid-friendly and sung in beautifully articulated English, it was by no means condescending.  Set to familiar music by such great composers as Rossini, Offenbach, Donizettie and Verdi, with a little Arthur Sullivan thrown in for comic relief, the show gently delivered themes of friendship, teamwork and respect for others.  

Baritone Joel Herold, as General Boom, played the operatic straight man while wearing a large donkey's head.   He guided the feckless (and very funny) rooster Eddie Pensier (sung by tenor Logan Rucker) toward the realization that it's cool to be smart.   Soprano Corrie Donovan and mezzo Amanda Robie, in the roles of Dorabella the Cat and Barcarolle the Dog, fought like - well - cats and dogs, but were soon convinced that it is more important to work together as friends than to constantly debate our differences.

The UP students loved every minute of it, shouting Bravo, Brava or Bravi, as appropriate (and as directed by a helpful sign held up by nimble piano accompanist Eduardo Rojas).   Herold, minus his donkey head, moderated a Q&A session with the audience at the end of the performance. 

UP Music Teacher Jan Baker arranged the event, which was made possible by HP Arts, proudly supporting arts education in HPISD since 1987.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highland Park Literary Festival - 2012 Calendar of Events


  • MONDAY February 13TH 7:00 PM - Highland Park Library, 4700 Drexel Drive, HPHS Parent Book Club - bring your favorite Naomi Shihab Nye's poem to share with others, led by HPHS English teacher, Darcy Young - open to the public, free
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  • WEDNESDAY February 15th 6:00-8:00 PM at Elevation Burger (8611 Hillcrest Rd)- Student poetry reading and discussion, 15% of sales goes to support the Student committee - public is invited to come for dinner and endorse Lit Fest!
  • THURSDAY February 16th 9:00 AM - Student Assemblies, Upperclassmen with Naomi Shihab Nye in the HPHS Large Auditorium, Underclassmen with Eddie Coker in the HPHS Large Gym - HPHS students only
  • THURSDAY February 16th 7:00 PM, HPHS Large Auditorium, Naomi Shihab Nye's keynote address and book signing - open to the public, free
  • FRIDAY February 17th 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM various student writing workshops during regularly scheduled English classes - HPHS students only
  • FRIDAY February 17th 7:30 PM, Half Price Books, HPHS Open Mic Night - HPHS STUDENTS only
  • Online submissions from now to March 2nd at 4:30 PM- Student Writing Contest, HPHS Students only
  • Tuesday, April 10th 7:00 AM, HPHS Orchestra Room, Student Awards Breakfast, HPHS Students and families