Live Animals at the Met!

Here is another job opportunity involving the arts for my agriculture friends and animal lovers.  Do you have the gift of the horse whisperer? Today I got to meet Hunter and her handlers.  Hunter and several of her animal friends are employed by the Metropolitan Opera. There is even a true story of one of the dogs who decided to steal the show and sing with Renée Fleming.  The dog was quickly rushed off stage by a handler who was dressed in costume.

Today we met with Nancy and Paul Novograd of All Tame Animals which is essentially a talent agency for animals from elephants to insects.  They train and handle animals for television, movies, print work and the Metropolitan Opera! This includes preparation, desensitization, handling and safety.  

Some animals seen on the met stage include: sheep, horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, dogs and even a unicorn!

http://www.metopera.org/video/live-in-hd/watch/the-animals-of-manon-lescaut/2540409932001

The animals go through intensive training sessions outside of the met as do the actors who may have never had contact with the animals before.  Animals even go through a police preparation course including loud noises and sirens so they will not be spooked on stage.  This is essential to the final performance so the actors look natural and the animals are comfortable.

The horse stalls at the riding school have yellow and black stripes mimcing the human doors back stage.  The stalls are also mocked up in bright colors of the stage as part of the horses training.  Part of each horse's costume includes rubber horse shoes to muffle the sound of their feet on the stage. One opera had FIVE horses on the stage at the same time! 

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

The Metropolitan Opera’s expansive production of “War and Peace,” at nearly four hours, recreates Napoleon’s failed Russian campaign of 1812, from ballrooms to battlefields.

Although they do not own all of the animals a business might need, If you have the time and the money, Nancy and Paul claim to have the contacts to find and train the animals required for most any project.

Can you think of some specific ways to incorporate trained animals into the world of fine arts?

Head Pieces on Display

These head pieces from past operas are on display at the Metropolitan Opera. 

What stories do you think fit with each headpiece?

Which one would you choose to wear and what character would you transform into?

What would the setting be for your character?

How can costuming transform how we view text we read or music we sing?

I'm singing at the MET!

I finally arrived at the New York Metropolitan Opera! 

The Met's HD Live program involves 37 schools in 26 states. I feel so lucky to be a part of it!

The theme for the conference I am participating in is "Opera and Beyond". What does this mean?

-finding rich curricular connections

-moving beyond the score (written music)

-UNIVERSAL THEMES

-personal relationships (in context of self and with the story)

-relevance to today's society

-timelessness 

-Historical Context

-stereotypes

-interpretation

-creating audience

Tonight I had the pleasure of singing at the Metropolitan Opera (in the basement not on stage) No Pressure!  There are teachers of many different subjects here and with a variety of skill levels in music, just like the classroom.  "We just want all of the hairs to stand up on the back of our necks when you sing.  What ever happens when you sing, let it happen, and let it be authentic" We ended with some teachers who were NOT musicians soloing on the song "This Little Light of Mine". Most did not match the tune or the pitch but they put their whole heart into it and it was amazing. 

So be brave, try new things, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE! 

You don't have to be an "artist" or "musician" to appreciate opera.  Where are the OPERA-tunities you notice to collaborate with other teachers and community members?

A note to my fifth graders . . .

I got up early this morning to go on my first ever trip to New York!  I was so excited I woke up before the alarm and was in the car before 5:00 AM. While in transistion, I debated the following question:  What is your life passion?  When I taught middle and high school several years ago, this question was quite important to my students as they turned into adults.  I would always tell my students, I am not sure what I will be when I grow up.  I would say this half joking.  After all, you never know what options life might present.  Today, I can hardly contain my excitement and anticipation as I head to The Metropolitan Opera to learn about the rich history and lessons the world of opera has to offer for students like yourself.  My passion has become music education.  I adore the many ways music can weave itself through our lives and how we can learn from that.  I am in awe of the fact that even if I continue studying music for my entire career, I won't know every facet it has to offer.  I love that each of us will make music our own.  So, now my passion is to continue learning and sharing.

My other passion includes food.  I love cooking and tasting new things.  Don't be surprised if you see me working at a local bakery when I retire so I can continue to indulge my sweet tooth! 

What is your passion?

The Metropolitan Opera and Lee Expressive Arts team up!

I am very excited!  Tomorrow I will be boarding a plane for my first trip ever to New York.  This is part of a grant to bring opera into our schools!  Last year our students were invited to see La Cenerentola by Rossini in HD at the Forum 8 theaters after many lessons and participating in a google hangout with Joyce DiDonato http://joycedidonato.com/ This year we have the wonderful opportunity to see The Merry Widow featuring Renée Fleming.  For those of you who do not recognize that name, she sang the National Anthem for the Super Bowl this past winter!  I look forward to learning more and sharing with you! I also feel so blessed to be a part of this education OPERA-tunity!  Now, I must pack!  What would you make sure to pack if you were going to the Opera in New York this week?

http://www.metopera.org/opera/the-merry-widow-lehar-tickets

About Mrs. Elizabeth Tummons . . .

I am a wife, a mother, and a music educator. When I see the successes of the learner it feeds into the desire to accomplish more. When I teach a subject, I learn more about it. Students make me look at life in many different ways. Because music touches people from infancy to adulthood, I believe children should be involved in creating music. I want to show students the beauty of music and courage inside them, even if they don't always see it in themselves. I want my classroom to be an exciting adventure but also a safe place. I want children to leave my class with more confidence, compassion, and enthusiasm for life and learning.

I currently teach Kindergarten - Fifth Grade General Music at Lee Expressive Arts School in Columbia, Missouri and I enjoy directing the Primo Choir for the Columbia Youth Choirs.

Elizabeth Tummons, a native of Columbia, Missouri, received her undergraduate degree in Music Education and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Missouri, Columbia, Kodaly Levels I, II, and III Certification from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and Orff Level I Certification for the University of Missouri - Saint Louis.  She participated in World Drumming Level I with Will Schmid and Patty Bourne in Kansas City, Missouri in the summer of 2016.  She has enjoyed teaching K-12 Music and Band Classes in Missouri for the past 17 years and currently teaches at Lee Expressive Arts Elementary School in Columbia, Missouri.  On the weekends, she is pleased to be on the conducting roster with Columbia Youth Choirs, the youth extension of Choral Arts Alliance of Missouri.  Mrs. Tummons has also been honored to be invited as a guest Clinician / Conductor for the 2016 East Central Elementary Honor Choir and the 2017 Kodaly of the Ozarks Honor Choir.