Projects of Special Merit

Opera Volunteers International members are invited to submit projects that have been entirely created, implemented and successfully accomplished by their volunteer organizations for opera companies. Entries describe successful endeavors in areas such as education, audience development, fundraising, membership, volunteer training and artist services, to name a few.

Entries are vetted, then judged blindly. Accepted projects are honored, awarded and invited to participate at OVI Focus Meetings and/or Conferences. Some of them are included in the “Good Ideas” publications.

Projects of Special Merit for 2010

YouTube Opera Preview

A project of the Kansas City Lyric Opera Guild

The goal of this project was to encourage audience development, education and communication.  The Guild has offered live opera previews in the opera house prior to each performance.  While these previews have been very successful, they are only accessible to those who are physically are able to attend and who can come early.

The guild developed the idea of videotaping previews of a much shorter nature, using one or more volunteer Guild speakers, that could be accessed through the opera company’s web site at any time by anyone interested in attending the opera or just learning about it.

The results have far exceeded the Guild’s expectations:  the previews have received over 1500 hits.

A Child’s Spring Fantasy

A project of the Nashville Opera Guild

The goal of this project was to involve 30- to 50-year olds in opera, encouraging them to become members of the Guild in order to develop a younger base to carry on with volunteer commitment and also to create a new fundraising event.

Young children handed out programs for the Young Artists program which was “The Three Little Pigs,” a children’s opera.  The short opera was followed by the mothers’ fashion show.  Following this event food was served:  cup cakes, pigs in a blanket, etc.  The silent auction netted over $10,000.

The Guild Adopts a School

A project of the Vancouver Opera Guild

The Guild selected one school, grades K-5, and agreed to finance the production of a commissioned opera, “Jack Pine.”  The Guild then invited two teachers from the school to attend a workshop put on by the parent company’s education program.

Finally the Guild set up a program so that the school could create a performance of an opera written by students.  The school was given supplies for art work and professional help for their own opera presentation.

The Guild was motivated to do this program for a variety of reasons; primarily they are concerned about the cutback of arts and arts teachers, especially in rural and inner city schools.  While this project began as a way for the Guild to support the 50th anniversary of Vancouver Opera; it was so successful that the Guild now seeks to make this a permanent project.  They are pleased with the success of the program and the fact that it made a small amount of money go a long way.

The Opera “Daisy”

A project of the Young Patronesses of the Opera, Florida Grand Opera

The goal of this support group is to foster the appreciation of opera in young school children, (1st through 8th grade).

In April 2010, YPO expanded their already established education programs to bring the community the one-act opera “Daisy”. This opera by Julia Smith, is based on the life of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of America. This opera gave the audience a glimpse into U. S. history through costumes, props and music. The concept of a woman in power in the early 1900’s was revolutionary and still inspiring today. Over 600 Girl Scouts and 5,500 junior high students attended one of the free opera performances at the MiamiDade County Auditorium. Each child received an “Opera Patch”, and a “Opera Funtime” booklet which gives the storyline and music as well as opera etiquette and a learning guide though games and puzzles.