Dear Readers, I am pleased to announce the creation of my latest musical work, a new opera called “The Classroom.” I offer this description: During the course of the 40 minute, one-act opera “The Classroom,” students sing about the joys of soccer, the fears of taking a test, the disappointment over lunches the parents had packed, and their anticipation over meeting a new classmate. What the children of “The Classroom” do not sing about are their differences. The classroom is divided equally between two different ethnic groups. It is also divided equally between boys and girls. Throughout the course of the opera, the students interact with one another unknowing or uncaring about any differences among them. And while the teacher (a soprano and the only adult on stage) sings about math, the real lesson is that of tolerance and coexistence. It is a lesson taught by omission. “The Classroom” for one adult soprano, 16 or 20 students and piano accompaniment is a tuneful work easily performable by students from elementary through middle school grades. The length of the work makes it appropriate for day use during a class period, as well as after school performances. In addition to the singing and dancing that happens on stage, what makes “The Classroom” an interesting project are the lessons learned leading up to the performance. There are opportunities for set and costume design, opportunities to learn about other cultures and about conflicts and conflict resolution. Additionally, having a professional soprano working with the students offers a wonderful mentoring opportunity for young singers. The underlying lesson of peace in “The Classroom” is simple and universal, as simple and universal as the geography questions the teacher poses during the test in scene three. Although it is simple, it is a lesson worth delivering over and over again to as wide an audience as possible. The Classroom, with words and music by Bruce Craig Roter, is scheduled for its world premiere in January 2011. BM
