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Students in kindergarten through eighth grade learned about opera during the assembly on Jan. 13 at The Chapel School. Music faculty member George Heath put together the interactive program for students that featured four opera singers and a pianist performing arias.
The assembly started when Heath asked, “What do Bugs Bunny and pasta commercials have in common?” The answer, Heath said, was that both featured opera music. Students at the school learned about the history and origin of opera, as well as the roles of the various voice parts.
Baritone Jason Thom, mezzo-soprano Stephanie McGuire, tenor Chad Cygan, soprano Alexis Cregger and Heath, a bass preformed for the students. The singers explained how stories, music, costumes and sets all contribute to the experience. The singers performed selections from Bizet’s “Carmen,” Mozart’s “The Magic Flute,” and Humperdinck’s “Hansel and Gretel.”
"The students were amazed at the range of their voices and enjoyed acting out 'Ah Mes Amis' from Donizetti's La Fille du Regiment which was sung by Chad Cygan," school officials said. "The younger kids were riveted, especially during the scary Father's aria from Hansel and Gretel performed by Jason Thoms."
The Chapel School is located at 172 White Plains Road in Bronxville. The next open house for The Chapel School is Saturday, Feb. 7. For more information, residents can call 914-337-3202 or visit the Chapel School website.
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