Arts & Entertainment
Up With School Arts Makes Little Compton Sing [VIDEO]
The non-profit organization is dedicated to keeping arts programs in Newport County schools.
Classic operatic pieces with a modern flare could be heard at the Friday night as guests enjoyed performances by the Rhode Island College Opera Workshop. About 20 Rhode Island College students entertained locals with popular, light operas fit for all ages. The scenes depicted various humorous situations, including two sisters looking for fun before their weddings, a scheming wife who kills her husband and an ode to everyone’s favorite summer treat: Ice cream.
The program is the courtesy of Up With School Arts, a non-profit organization dedicated to the in the public and private schools in Newport County and Southwestern Massachusetts. This marks their fifth year in operation.
“Our children learn how to make their own instruments,” said Lillian "Birdie" Edwards, president of the Up With School Arts Board. “They learn how to listen to the music they create.”
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Edwards said she looks through the newspapers looking for local, young talent to volunteer for her programs. In the instance of these particular performers, she ran into some of them at one of their past performances and approached them about doing the local opera show. This is their second performance in Little Compton.
Up With School Arts’ main goal is to enhance curriculum in schools in Newport County. With so many academic departments, including math and science, feeling the strain of budget cuts, USA works to ensure music and art programs stand their ground.
Find out what's happening in Tiverton-Little Comptonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
“If you can catch a child in some other way besides their ABC's, you can help them learn,” said Edwards.
The organization has provided the with their entire percussion inventory. Each year, the organiations hosts a music mentoring program where they pair a student with a younger student. They meet throughout the school year and put on a group performance at the end of the school year.
This year, two students were chosen to participate in the Rhode Island All-State Band.
“One of my goals is to introduce art in addition to music," Edwards added. "I always the kids to draw what they sing."
Next month, Up With School Arts is hosting a free summer camp at the in Tiverton. The camp is for middle school first year string students entering their second year of study. The camp runs Aug. 9, 10 and 11, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cello, violin, viola and bass players are welcome.
”It’s all worth it when you see the kids’ faces," she noted. "It’s that ‘aha’ moment,”
