Over 400 children from across Tendring came together on Monday 8 July 2024 to celebrate their creativity through singing and dancing with the Royal Opera House.
This special Create Day Celebration gave Tendring students the chance to learn ballet and opera with artists from the Royal Opera House, Essex Music Services, and Funnelwick Limb. It was also a special day for students to showcase their own creativity through singing and dancing, inspired by themes of identity and community.
Alongside their own performances and activities, the students were treated to a breathtaking performance by two soprano singers from the Royal Opera House. Performing classic pieces including ‘Summertime’ from Porgy and Bess and ‘Dich, teure Halle’ from Tannhäuser, this incredible moment was the first time many of these students had experienced live opera.
Deputy Head at Wix & Wrabness Primary School, said:
‘The Create Day Celebration was an absolute triumph. It was such a special and memorable day!’
The day culminated in a group performance by all 400 students, which included a song and a choreographed dance inspired Crystal Pite’s Light of Passage – a ballet which explores children’s rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Ivan Henderson, Tendring District Council’s (TDC) Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Growth, Regeneration and Tourism, said:
‘Create Day was an outstanding success in Tendring, with eight primary schools from across the district joining in with the fun at Clacton’s Princes Theatre on Monday, 8 July. There was a great atmosphere for the celebration day for this Royal Opera House initiative, which saw amazing talent and creativity on show. TDC and the Tendring Cultural Education Partnership worked in partnership with the ROH to offer this unique opportunity, helping to raise aspirations and creative opportunities for young people in our district.’
Amy McGann, Head of National School’s Programme at the Royal Opera House, said:
‘We would like to say a huge thank you to all the Tendring teachers and students who made the day so special. The creativity and passion shown across Essex has always been a huge inspiration for our National School’s Programme, and it’s one of the reasons why we have partnered with schools and communities in the area for over a decade. We would also like to thank Essex Music Services and Funnelwick Limb for working with us to help to teach and ignite creativity for the next generation in Essex.’
