Bursting, beautiful voices recently echoed in Ridgefield’s View Ridge Middle School choir room, courtesy of performers from the Portland Opera Company.
A soprano, mezzo soprano, tenor, bass baritone and pianist displayed the power and beauty of opera for students on Thursday, March 27.
“A play that is sung,” Alexis Hamilton, manager of education and community engagement for the Portland Opera, had the students repeat after her.
Students learned about the technical aspects of an opera, picked the full song they would hear at the end, and shared laughs, smiles and amazement during the session.
“I love watching their faces,” said View Ridge Choir Director Bobbe Whetsell. “Especially when they’re hearing this projection. So they’re like, ‘whoa, like that’s what’s possible.’”
Whetsell also said that she believes a handful of her choir students have the potential to utilize their vocal talent for possible opera opportunities. That was one of the reasons why Whetsell, the Ridgefield School District’s Community Education program and the Ridgefield Art Association had the Portland Opera out for a visit.
“I think it’s important to expose them to different styles of music, and opera is not something that most middle schoolers hear,” Whetsell said. “So, I wanted to bring that to them and give them a little exposure.”
Hamilton opted to honor the View Ridge Middle School with the outreach concert a little out of season, Melody Kranz, with the Ridgefield Art Association, said. Usually, the Portland Opera outreach concerts occur in the fall, she added.
The View Ridge Middle School choir ends the year with the Pops Concert from 7 to 9 p.m. on June 6.
