Knowing the Score: Score Reading for Technical Production Students at the Lir
Irish National Opera is thrilled to have commenced a new two-week course for the second-year technical production students at the Lir. Following on from INO’s successful online course Knowing the Score, which was geared to arts practitioners during Covid, we finally had the opportunity to present the course in person to students who would soon be venturing out into the professional world.
“The instruction that Elaine and Paula gave has revealed that I shouldn’t have been so intimidated by music. They have made scores so accessible and opened a new world for me! I definitely feel I would have confidence to call to music now. Couldn’t recommend this course more highly. Thank you INO!!” - Course Participant
Irish National Opera is thrilled to have commenced a new two-week course for the second-year technical production students at the Lir. Following on from INO’s successful online course Knowing the Score, which was geared to arts practitioners during Covid, we finally had the opportunity to present the course in person to students who would soon be venturing out into the professional world.
Associate Conductor Elaine Kelly and Company Stage Manager Paula Tierney spent the last two weeks teaching the students everything they need to know about following a score during a production, from what to expect during the rehearsal period to how to call an opera production in performance.
“Loved this course, found it so helpful in demystifying musical scores. Both Elaine and Paula were extremely helpful and patient. Don't feel as daunted by the prospect of calling to a score. I highly recommend this course.” - Course Participant
“This course gave me the confidence to pick up a score and be able to follow it along. I will no longer be afraid of a score in a rehearsal. I learned so much and had lots of fun. I am no longer intimidated by little black dots on a page. I now know how to approach a score and how I can use it best to do my job.” - Course Participant
Over two weeks students covered all types of music, from early Handel through to Mozart and Rossini, right up to Bernstein and Sondheim.
“A good stage manager who can follow a score is worth their weight in gold”, Resident Conductor Elaine Kelly, who led the course says. “This is a great opportunity to work with the next generation of theatre professionals and hopefully give them the skills and the confidence they need to allow them to excel in their chosen careers”.
This marks the first collaboration between Irish National Opera and the Lir. Director of Technical Training and Facilities Management at the Lir, Eve D’Alton says: “Score reading has become an essential skill for almost every working theatre professional today and a key to unlocking multiple careers across a range of different areas of the industry. Having Irish National Opera come into The Lir Academy and work so closely with our students is an absolute privilege. Not only are the students engaging with the course to develop their abilities, but also getting a unique experience of mentorship by some of Ireland's finest Opera practitioners which is an opportunity unlike any other in this country.”
