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The English National Opera’s FREE and inclusive music making programme for schools
'A high-quality teaching resource that brings wonder and imagination to the music curriculum in an inclusive and accessible way'
Finish This… invites students to step into the role of an ENO Composer and respond to, and resolve, a purposefully unfinished operatic piece titled ‘Blue, Red, Yellow…’. Immersing themselves into the Composer role, they will embrace their imaginations and experiment with music, colours and text, to create their own bespoke response ending – all through the lens of opera.
We support teachers to explore and deliver a creative student-led approach to music making in the classroom. The programme is closely aligned with the KS2 national curriculum and develops students’ composition and performance skills, introducing them to opera and new cultural experiences, whilst promoting creativity, collaboration and self-expression.
How it works…
When? The project can be delivered across the Autumn and/or Spring term 2023-24.
Where? Delivered by teachers in school
What? Finish This… consists of 7 sessions, each lasting approximately 60 minutes. They can be delivered weekly, fortnightly, or more intensively across 1-2 ‘project days’. Whatever works for you and your school timetable.
Cost? Free!
Who’s it created by? All lesson plans and resources have been co-designed in collaboration with Primary teachers, creative learning consultants and ENO artists.
Who’s it for? KS2 learners and their classroom teacher. The scheme of work is suitable for non-music specialists; teachers are supported with training and digital films to play in the classroom.
What’s unique about it? We use film and animation to present an Opera piece, providing a surprising and inspiring entry-point to composition work. Plus, teachers have been part of the planning and creation of this project, ensuring the lessons and resources are practical and meaningful for schools, supporting your delivery of the curriculum.
What will I receive?
● A short film, especially commissioned for young audiences, presenting the operatic piece
● Music making films to play in the classroom
● Online Teacher CPD
● Lesson plans and supporting CPD films
● ENO Composer badges and certificates, posted directly to your school
● A toolkit of printed resources, posted directly to your school
● Access to an online hub where all resources are downloadable
● An opportunity to have your pupils’ work showcased on the ENO website and turned into a short animation film
To get a flavour of what your class will experience, watch our Project Film or head to our celebration page to explore the creative work from last year’s participating schools.
Pupils will:
● Develop their musical listening and appraisal skills
● Develop self-confidence, independent thinking, and skills such as resilience and compromise
● Be supported to express their personalities and creative ideas – there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’
● Record their end musical product, celebrating their achievements through collaborative work
Teachers will:
● Develop confidence in delivering composition work
● Be supported to explore child-led approaches to music learning
● Access opera-inspired digital resources and training materials, co-designed by primary specialists and teachers and artists
● Have flexibility in how they choose to deliver the programme, and when
‘It has been fantastic! The children had so much fun – every step was accessible to them and allowed them to show their own personalities through their creativity.’
‘Finish This… is genuinely the best resource produced by a professional music setting that I have ever used (in 20 years…). It is rare to find a resource that successfully caters for both non music specialists and music specialists and keeps them both very happy whilst also delivering a very meaningful experience for the children.’
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Get Involved
Booking is now open for Autumn and Spring 2023-24.
Available to schools nationwide and FREE for state schools. Booking closes on 19 June - early booking recommended, as places are limited. If you have any questions email finishthis@eno.org
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