Hi All!

So here's the update from my end...

Yesterday's classes were busy and productive. The first class was Amanda and Mubeen's class, and we started by enquiring where the kids were at with the project, since it has been two weeks since we saw them last. They have evidently made some cool costumes and props, and they had worked on learning the script. They were broken up into 'posses' to go along with each god/goddess, and the roles were cast for Zeus, Aries, Athena, etc. Sedina and I then ran through the songs with the kids...they didn't have the chance to really listen to the music I sent them, but both teachers should have the cd by tomorrow via Sedina (since she lives close by). If they can listen lots over the next week, they'll be able to get those songs in their heads. Once we had reviewed the songs, Sedina started to run through with blocking, and with the incoporation of music. I have been taking the themes of each god/goddess's song and weaving this out into incidental music on the piano. We didn't make it through the whole piece, but they got a substantial part of the opera blocked.

Sona's class was a little different; they already had assigned a girl the role of Anansi, and she proved to be quite the talent both in acting and singing. We went through the songs first and then Sedina took the actors/dancers for blocking and I took the drummers for work on the accompanying drumming. We talked about drumming at different dynamics to accomodate/accompany the singers. Near the end of the class, we joined forces and ran through the whole thing. It was a bit haphazard, but for a first run-through all together, it went very well.

I'm looking forward to continuing to develop the pieces now that they are all coming together as a whole.

Adam