Pupils enjoy chance to be warriors with Scottish Opera
23 September 2015
A special performance of 'Warriors! The Emperor's Incredible Army' by more than 100 primary school children, representing nine schools from across the North-east of Scotland, has taken place at Aberdeen Beach Ballroom.
During one-day workshops held across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire pupils worked with Scottish Opera and the Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen, to learn about the links between culture, education and business. The day culminated with a performance for parents and fellow pupils.
The Confucius Institute of the University of Aberdeen, established in 2013, aims to provide Chinese language teaching and culture classes and cultural events to the North-east of Scotland community, including university staff and students, schools, business and industry, and community organisations and individuals. It acts as a linguistic and cultural bridge, promoting knowledge exchange between China and the people of the North-east Scotland and serves as the first port of call for information on China.
The pupils' performance showcased their talent and the rich cultural and educational experience the children had enjoyed with Confucius hubs in partnership with Scottish Opera. It also highlighted the access to different styles of learning on offer including alternative ways to problem-solving, group working and lateral thinking.
Aberdeen City Council's Convener of Education and Children's Services Committee Councillor Angela Taylor said: "This initiative highlights the quality of work that is taking place in schools in Aberdeen and demonstrates the breadth of partnership working. By working with Scottish Opera and the Confucius Institute we have been able to provide pupils with a fabulous experience and their performance highlighted how much they had enjoyed learning and their dedication to the project. It showed the positive impact the arts can have to their learning and life skills."
The schools taking part in the gala performance are Hazelhead Primary School, Fraserburgh South Park School, Albyn School, Rosehearty School, Forehill School, Middleton Park School, Greenbrae School, St Peter's RC Primary School and Danestone School.
The children's performance was followed by a puppetry performance by Wuhan People's Theatre and a reception for invited guests from the creative and cultural sector so they could share how the work of the Confucius Institute has helped to deliver workshops in partnership with schools and Scottish Opera.