If Opera Schools Programme | Workshops & performance projects
Since 2010, If Opera (formerly Iford Arts) has been inspiring school children across Wiltshire and Somerset, providing opportunities for children to work alongside outstanding professional vocal animateurs, singers and musicians. With a proven track record for the quality of its performances, young artists’ programme and schools’ projects, we want to introduce many more young people to the wonder of opera, and our schools projects are central to this mission.
Our 2025 schools workshop and performance project was based on The Comet Huntress, and celebrated the life and career of local scientist, Caroline Herschel.
In Georgian Bath, in an era of horses and carts and Bridgerton-style balls and concerts, Caroline Herschel worked as a singer along with her brother, the composer William Herschel. But as their musical careers blossomed, they both became increasingly interested in space, and in astronomical discoveries. They built a telescope together in their house in Bath and gradually became famous for their astronomical discoveries. Caroline Herschel became the first woman to receive a salary as a scientist and the first woman in England to hold a government position, earning her the nickname, The Comet Huntress.
The workshops were devised for Key Stage 2, age 7-11. Students worked through a series of school workshops and created their own shows with singing, movement, drama and songwriting, devising an in-schools performance, inspired by themes of science, space and female empowerment. We also introduced space-themed musical works, for example Holst’s The Planets and If Opera’s 2025 programmed Orpheus in the Underworld.
This school projects were devised and led by charismatic soprano and founder director of Celebrate Voice, Lynsey Docherty. Lynsey has sung professionally for 20 years, was Director of Education at Dorset Opera for six years and has created opera workshops and been Creative Director for arts organisations across the UK, including the Royal Opera House, The Grange Festival, and previous projects for If Opera. Lynsey was also joined by composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin, and tenor Anthony Flaum.
2025 | The Comet Huntress
Workshops
The workshops were carefully designed to foster a supportive and inclusive environment, incorporating warm-ups and creative games that helped build trust, confidence, and a sense of collaboration among participants. These activities encouraged pupils to engage fully, think imaginatively, and feel comfortable sharing their ideas. Working together in new and dynamic ways, the children explored different forms of self-expression and communication, developing both creative and interpersonal skills. The process allowed them to immerse themselves in unfamiliar musical styles while taking ownership of the work they helped shape and create, promoting a strong sense of pride, agency, and artistic engagement.
‘We thought it was really joyful. They told us that singing makes us happy, and it really did. It was great fun!’ – Millie and Monty
‘Lynsey and Tim helped us to understand what opera is, and that it is not just singing!’ – Freddie
‘It was extremely enjoyable and fun. We loved the performing and the people were very nice.’ – Lydia and Jacob
‘The children absolutely loved the project, and they very much looked forward to each workshop and the final show. All children were engaged, even those who didn’t think of themselves as performers/singers. It was wonderful to see children who are not often in the limelight (specifically those with SEND who find many elements of school challenging) shine so brightly. You brought a number of children out of their shell and helped them to find confidence they didn’t know they had. This moved our Head Teacher and a number of parents to tears!’
St Mary’s School, Class Teacher, Music Lead
The show
Devised by Lynsey and Tim, the project culminated in a 20-minute performance at each school, presented to the whole school community and the parents of the year group involved. The children performed their own mini operetta, featuring original songs, dialogue, choreography, and actions they had created during the workshops. The performances were brought to life with specially made props, adding a personal and imaginative touch. While the workshop participants were centre stage alongside professional performers, all pupils in the audience were invited to join in with songs and actions, creating an inclusive and celebratory atmosphere for everyone involved.
Seeing the children perform alongside professional artists and hearing operatic voices live, often for the very first time, brought a powerful sense of occasion and pride to the final performances. Sharing their work with teachers, peers, and families highlighted just how much they had achieved.
‘The children LOVED it! A child who never shows any emotion in class, returned from the first workshop smiling from ear to ear. She came straight up to me and said, “Mrs Martin I’ve just done opera! When I go home, I’m going to tell my mum that I did opera!” Her confidence grew as a direct result of this project, and she looked the happiest I’ve ever seen her.’
Widcombe School, Class Teacher, Arts Lead
Why this work is so important
Cuts to funding for music in schools, the impact of Covid, and the barriers to access for young people living in more rural areas, from lower socio-economic backgrounds, or with disabilities mean that the majority of children involved in our schools projects have never experienced anything like it before.
The benefits are so many—the pure wonder of attending a performance by professional opera singers in their school hall, working alongside the artists to develop their musicianship and celebrate their creativity, learning to focus and work in teams as they hone their singing skills and create their own new songs.
It is always a privilege to see first hand the young peoples’ engagement developing over the course of the project, their sense of achievement, and the growth in their self-confidence and self-esteem.
Funding
Without the generosity of the individuals and trusts who support If Opera our schools projects are not possible.
Special thanks go to:
Anonymous, Marcelle Speller OBE and The Arts Society North Wiltshire (TASNW).
The Comet Huntress
If Opera is excited to be working with multi award-winning, Bradford on Avon based composer/lyricist Tim Gilvin, to commission a new family opera based on the life of Caroline Herschel.
Get involved
If you would like to find out more about opportunities to participate in our schools programme,
please get in touch: debbieheyden@ifopera.com or 01225 868124