During an emotional discussion following a challenge attempted three times by Harness the Stars Kids Opera Company, Rayn stated, “We didn’t fail, we just didn’t finish.” If we could all adopt this philosophy concerning failure and making mistakes, our world would be different.

In determining the theme for the opera, we must ascertain what students care about deeply, what really matters to them. What worries you? What makes you angry? What frustrates you? What makes you sad? What scares you? What brings you great joy? By asking these questions, we got a closer look into the deep thoughts and feelings of individual children. As students shared their personal stories, a common theme emerged. Failure. [Read more…] about We Didn’t Fail, We Just Didn’t Finish

The sign Help Wanted . . . Apply Within hung on the classroom door the day students made their final selections for opera jobs. Harness the Stars Kids Opera Company labored through the arduous application and interview process. Now, each company member has been hired in a job for which he or she is well suited. Upon signing a contract stating terms and conditions for the jobs, students made their commitment to company and self with this binding agreement.

[Read more…] about You Got the Job! (Video)

In preparation for our student led conferences, I asked my 3^rd graders to respond to the following question.

“What are you learning in class with your company that is not reflected on the report card?”

The responses were overwhelming and indeed gratifying.

Share our emotions

Be resilient

Work through things

Include others

Stand up and speak out

Defend my thoughts

Yield to others [Read more…] about Not on the Report Card

The way we begin every day . . . in song, of course. With profound lyrics and melody, You’ve Gotta Want It by Roberta Gold, is a hit with Harness the Stars Kids Opera Company. In fact, it inspired our company name. At 9:20 a.m., if you happen to walk down the hall, you’ll hear us preparing ourselves to meet the challenges of a new day.

Flame is the fire that fuels the dream
That powers the engine that turns the world.
Passion is lightning that creates a spark
That lives in the heart of a boy and girl.

Everyone tries in his own way
Everyone lives for a dream.
The stars in the heavens can tell you
To believe is a powerful thing. [Read more…] about You’ve Gotta Want It From the Bottom of Your Heart

Understanding the difference between character traits and emotions can be confusing for students. Being aware that emotions constantly change is helpful. Throughout a story, emotions change between characters and within individuals and situations. In class, reading groups had the task of identifying and charting the specific emotions displayed in their books. Each student drew a line representing the changing emotions. Upon completion, all went to the piano, studied their lines as musical scores and played their pieces as original compositions. For many, it was their first experience as composers.

Emotional Scores

 

The Musical Composition

 

We are Harness the Stars Kids Opera Company. Our name and logo represent who we are and what we do as members of a unified group working collaboratively to create an original opera.