Above:
all 12 schools performing together to Rhapsody
in Blue
Teachers
were invited to a day of workshops held at either
the Royal Albert Hall or the studios of English
National Ballet. School teachers (not all dance
trained) worked alongside their Dance Artist and
members of English National Ballet. The response
from schools was fantastic – teachers were
excited, overwhelmed (and nervous) about their
students performing at the Royal Albert Hall and
especially dancing the finale, Rhapsody in Blue,
to a live orchestra.
Gershwin
music was sourced and rearranged specifically
for each genre and a reduced version of Rhapsody
in Blue was arranged and re-orchestrated by Gavin
Sutherland. Jenna Lee, who is a First Artist at
English National Ballet, choreographed the finale
to be taught to Dance Artists who then taught
it to their schools. A Dance Buddy, who is a member
of the Strictly Gershwin cast, was assigned to
each school and encouraged them throughout the
rehearsal process. All Summertime performers will
watch their Dance Buddy in action when they attend
a performance of Strictly Gershwin later this
week.
On
my visits to all 12 schools, it has been wonderful
to see the support and enthusiasm offered to dance
groups by other departments in schools: textile
departments have made costumes and art departments
have created props. The commitment of students
who have attended rehearsals after school, on
Saturdays and even during school holidays has
been magnificent. Teachers, with hectic timetables
as it is, have risen to the enormous challenges
that come with staging a show at an international
venue with an audience capacity of over 5000.
All have been incredible in their dedication to
Summertime.
What
you see is the end result of a very long production
process in which students, teachers and Dance
Artists have worked hard and at times been disappointed
or frustrated, but also determined and constantly
enthused by the task ahead. It is their night
and hopefully it will be one that they will remember
for a long time to come.
Debra
Cougill
Education Projects Co-ordinator, Royal Albert
Hall |
