Workshops
Students aged 10 - 18, taking part in a 'Gwyneth and the Green Knight' workshop
in 1997.
In addition to her work as a composer and flautist, Lynne Plowman is an experienced facilitator of composition projects and music-theatre workshops internationally for schools, colleges, teacher-training and music professionals. In this capacity she has worked for over ten years, often in collaboration with writers, singers and theatre practitioners, for distinguished companies including Opera North, Welsh National Opera and Music Theatre Wales.
Whether on a small or large scale, the focus of these workshops is on creating original compositions, songs, or music-theatre, using the imaginations of the participants and working methods which are practical and collaborative. These include dramatic and musical improvisation, song-writing, acting, singing, composing and performing, and will often culminate in a performance. The workshops are fully participatory, energetic, challenging and lots of fun. Every workshop is different, depending on the skills, experience and personalities of the participants involved.
Lynne has worked with all sorts of people, ranging in age and ability from 9 and 10 year old children, to professional musicians and teachers. The maximum number of participants per group should be about 25.
me for enquiries about workshops
Comments from participants on a Welsh National Opera "teachers professional development" project with Martin Riley and Lynne Plowman in 2003:
"The three days were wonderful - very informative, hands-on, fabulous experiences. So good to be part of an enthusiastic team - this has given me fresh ideas, more confidence, especially for the purpose of composing, performing, etc. Thank-you so much for a truly unforgettable experience!"
Helen Howells, teacher
"It was really useful, being given and working through a process for developing an 'operatic' work, which can be transferred to the classroom - an excellent course"
Bethan Christopher, teacher
"A fantastic experience. Particularly for personal development!"
Kath Davies, music co-ordinator
"The experience of working with such talented people has given me a huge range of experiences to use in school"
David Morgan, teacher
"I will now be more confident in introducing opera to pupils. The course has enhanced my own confidence in drama. This was a truly wonderful course. The organisation and delivery was great - thanks!"
Ros Hall, teacher
"It was all I'd hoped for and more! Magic!!"
Susan Martin, teacher
Recent Workshops:
June 2007: Lower Machen Festival. A primary school project in South Wales, working with a year 6 class of children each from Machen Primary School and Pentrepoeth Primary School, to create an original musical performance for the 2007 Lower Machen Festival. With mezzo soprano, Philippa Reeves and cellist Vicki Norman.
June 2007: The 'Only' Barber of Seville. A week-long project working with the junior pupils of Grayshott Primary School, Hampshire to create an original 'mini-opera' taking inspiration from Rossini's 'The Barber of Seville'. With mezzo soprano, Philippa Reeves and cellist Vicki Norman.
May 2007: WNO Max Songwriting Workshop. A one-day workshop at the Wales Millenium Centre for young people to improve their song-writing skills. With poet and lyricist, Patrick Jones.
March 2007: Music Theatre Wales Writers Day. A presentation to writers about the process of writing opera. In Cardiff wiith librettist Martin Riley.
October-November 2006: House of the Gods. One-day workshops with music and drama students, devising music-theatre co-inciding with Music Theatre Wales 'performances of House of the Gods. With librettist Martin Riley.
October 2006: Portsmouth Grammar School. A one-day workshop with musicians from the London Mozart Players, playing pupils' compositions.
June 2006: Lower Machen Festival. A primary school project in South Wales, working with a year 6 class of children from Machen Primary School, over five days, to create an original musical performance to open the 2006 Lower Machen Festival. With mezzo soprano, Philippa Reeves and cellist Vicki Norman.
February 2006: WNO Max "Songlines" in Merthyr Tydfil. Working with a professional team of singers, musicians and a writer from Welsh National Opera, "Songlines" was a week-long project involving 35 performing arts students from Merthyr College to create an original song-cycle based on "The Marriage of Figaro". The resulting piece, "I rise" was performed in the Wales Millenium Centre in Cardiff as a prelude to the opening night of WNO's 2006 operatic season.
December 2005: WNO Max "MacMillan Live", in secondary schools across Wales. An introduction to contemporary music composition, through the orchestral works of James MacMillan.
July-August 2003: Vadstena Academy, Sweden. A week-long project for professional singers and instrumentalists to learn some of the skills involved in leading opera education workshops. With director Thomas de Mallet Burgess.
May-July 2003: 'Gwyneth and the Green Knight'. One-day workshops with primary and secondary school pupils across England, exploring the process of creating opera. With librettist Martin Riley.
March 2003: String teachers workshop. A one-day workshop for string teachers to explore ways of approaching new music and composition with their students. With PM music ensemble.
March 2003: Calling All Composers. A one-day workshop for composers from Lincolnshire to hear their works rehearsed and discussed by the London Mozart Players.
March 2003: 'The Urkything'. Two weeks of workshops with year 6 pupils from ten primary schools in Brecon, creating a book and CD containing an original story, songs and music. With Martin Riley.
February 2003: Welsh National Opera teachers project. Three days of workshops with fifteen primary school teachers (music specialists) from across South Wales, to explore the process of creating opera. With Martin Riley.
January-February 2003: 'House of the Gods'. Two weekends of workshops with members of Welsh National Youth Opera, to explore themes and develop material for the new opera. With librettist Martin Riley.
June-July 2002: California State University Summer Arts Festival, USA. A ten-day project for students of musical theatre to devise, rehearse and perform an original music-theatre piece based on Medea. With director, Thomas de Mallet Burgess and singer/ writer, Fiona McAndrew.