News Article - 12/04/2010
Music and Performance Studies Students Inspired by Visit to Royal Opera House
On Tuesday 9th March, students studying Music and Performance Studies at Sir George Monoux College attended a performance of Frederick Ashton's ballet, “La Fille Mal Gardée” at the Royal Opera House to see how professional performers put their performance skills into practise.
Louisa Kennedy, Music Course leader at Sir George Monoux College said, "Inspiring experiences like this are vital for aspiring performers. It allows our students to see where all their talent and hard work can take them. Seeing live performances brings their studies to life and shows our students that, with hard work and perseverance, their ambitions really can be achieved."
[The Music and Performance Studies Students of Sir George Monoux College attending the ballet, "La Fille Mal Gardée" at the Royal Opera House.]
Music student Cerise Hau, who plays the saxophone said, "It was so impressive to see the orchestra play live throughout and the music fitted the choreography beautifully. Watching "La Fille Mal Gardée" I felt much more connected to the music hearing it live. It gave us an insight into how music works alongside performances to give them meaning. As there is no dialogue in the ballet, the music had to express all the moods and emotions. Watching the ballet and listening to the orchestra helped me realise how important it is to control your performance- you have to feel the emotion of the piece and portray that in your performance."
Pianist Max Praquin, who plans to study at Guildhall School of Music said, "I want to go into film composing so it was very useful to see how music can play a pivotal part in the story-telling in the ballet and it was really inspiring to see where a career in music could take us. It showed me how much you have to practise so that you can perform perfectly. I love the Music course. It’s great to know that you can come together as group to do something you love with other musicians."
The Music students from Sir George Monoux College also recently performed at the College’s Dedication Ceremony for Sir John Dankworth attended by his daughter, Jacqui Dankworth.
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