Kindergarten Opera

Oldest Cowboy Brother, Spikes, being silly

Each year as the crowning project, the Kindergarten class at our charter school puts on an opera based on a fairy tale. This year the production was "Puss in Crazy Socks."  The kids create the entire story, their own costumes, characters and scenery. Their amazing teacher, Ms Sheila, has them say their part and then sing it how they think it should go. She then goes home and writes the accompaniment to the part on the piano. It was awesome to watch. Alex was so excited to be "The Oldest Cowboy Brother, Spikes."  He sang his part wonderfully.  He was presented with a donkey from the Cowboy Father and then sang out very clearly and well, "Yeah, a donkey is good. Yeah, a donkey is good!"  The entire production was full of fun--a cheetah that makes rainbows, the youngest cowboy brother was named Officer Coca Cola, a magical carriage piloted by R2-D2, and a host of other fascinating characters.  At graduation each kid got a copy of the opera and we've watched it a number of times. If we can't tell what another child is singing, we ask Alex. He has everyone else's parts memorized. It's pretty amazing!

Alex is second from the right, standing next to his donkey, and Middle Cowboy Brother-Fluffy, Youngest Cowboy Brother-Officer Coca Cola, the fairy cat, Puss, and Fluffy's cow.

A close up of the "family" and their gifts. Ms. Sheila, Alex's teacher, is in the background at the piano.

Officer Coca-Cola in front of the Magical Carriage piloted by R2-D2.