First Mock Audition Workshop a Triumph!

Our first Mock Audition Workshop, held at Plumcroft Primary Annexe in Woolwich on 16th May, was a resounding success. The Panel, consisting of conductor Peter Robinson, Mezzo Soprano Catherine Carby and our founder Jeremy Silver, were so impressed with the standard of singers.

Feedback from the participants included:

After a long break without live auditions, it was an extremely helpful experience - S

I thought everything was great – loved the venue, very high calibre of panel, useful and actionable feedback, wonderful pianist in Paul, good room to sing in – don’t change a thing! - G

It pinpointed areas I need to work on, both in terms of singing and presentation - P

The next workshop will take place on Sunday 18th July with longer time slots for singers to allow for a formal ‘audition’ part and a relaxed feedback part to maximise the helpful experience.
It will be held at Plumcroft Primary again, with the amazing space to sing in and the Steinway Grand Piano!

Premier concert for 2020 WOW Season!

Dear Friends & Supporters,

Welcome to the Woolwich Opera Works Season for 2020.

As 2019 was one of our most successful years to date, we thank you most sincerely for your generous applause, your infectious enthusiasm and your crisp bank notes!

We are bringing two extra concerts to you in 2020 as well as a joint venture with the Vanbrugh Ensemble and the Plumstead Chamber Choir. Details to follow so come along and to hear the latest!

We would like to request one favour, which is feedback! In a world of reviews from toilet paper to trust funds, we ask that you send us your thoughts on last years’ concerts.

What did you enjoy the most? What was your greatest surprise? What would you like to see more of?

Please let us know - wowartisticcoordinator@gmail.com

Looking forward to seeing you at our first concert for 2020, WOW - Winter Warmers, at 4pm on Sunday, 2nd February at All Saints Church, Shooters Hill.

All the very best,

Team WOW

Gala Postponed - But Concert going ahead!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Woolwich Opera Works has decided to postpone the Gala Night Performance until 2020 but it will prove to be an even bigger event than we had hoped.

We are in discussions with the Vanbrugh Ensemble and the Woolwich Community Choir to join us in a truly spectacular concert of operatic choruses, overtures and arias!

In the meantime, our WOW - It’s Christmas concert at 4pm on December 1st, will be a magnificent display of vocal colours, Wintry moods and Christmas crackers!

We look forward to seeing you there and to announce further details of the 2020 Season!

Thank you for your continued support and enthusiasm,

Dominic

Artistic Coordinator

Third Concert for 2019 Season - WOW Songs of September!

Dear Friends,

At 4pm on Sunday 15th Sep at All Saints Shooters Hill, we will welcome Tanya Hurst, Maciek O’Shea, Angela Yang, Paul Plummer and yours truly, to share with you some opera, musical tunes and especially art song.

Music of Verdi, Puccini, Schubert, Finzi, Vaughan Williams and many more will warm your heart, caress your soul and win you over - absolutely.

It’s a perfect opportunity to introduce someone to music. Everyone is welcome and music is for everyone. Spread the word, bring your friends, invite your family, inspire your nieces and nephews and blow the minds of your children and grandchildren.

We are friendly, enthusiastic, wonderfully talented and we cannot wait to perform just for you!

Looking forward to seeing you there and welcoming your guests,

Sincerely,

Dominic J. Walsh (yes, I’m doing a concert myself)

Artistic Coordinator - Woolwich Opera Works

Second Concert for 2019 WOW Season.

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Less than a week to go until we welcome back Jeremy to accompany our incredible performers for the second concert of 2019.

Jeremy is taking a break from conducting Anna Bolena at the Longborough Festival to return to All Saints Shooters Hill. He will accompany Royal Opera House regulars Grant Doyle and Amar Muchhala, Mezzo-soprano Hollie-anne Bangham and our student performer, Clémence Gleizes.

The programme includes soothing classics by Mozart, Bizet, Puccini and Britten as well as a rousing sing-a-long version of the Toreador’s Song from Carmen by Bizet.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Premier concert for the 2019 Season!

Hello all lovers of classical music.

My name is Dominic J. Walsh, and I have been appointed the Artistic Coordinator for Woolwich Opera Works for 2019.

Sunday, April 28th, will be the Premier Concert of the 2019 Season and WOW will bring you three more scheduled concerts later in the year; Jun 30th, Sep 15th & Nov 23rd. Hopefully more will sit themselves nicely into the calendar as the months progress.

This first concert will see professional singers Lucy Hall, Emma Stannard and Jamie Rock joined with RCM student Samuel Stopford accompanied by WOW regular, Janet Haney.

The music will feature operatic arias, art songs, some classics and some new favourites. We will also have a audience sing-along to end the concert.

Woolwich Opera Works is committed to bringing classical music to the local community. We strive to open the world of classical singing to the public and guide them through the power, the mystery and the incredible drama of opera, art song and classical music.

We very much look forward to meeting newcomers and welcoming our regular supporters.

Everyone is welcome so if you know people, and they like music, or they are curious about classical singing, or they want to sit and listen, or if they want to enjoy a cup of tea with some wonderful friendly people, or they want to sing along, or if they want to experience live music, then come along!

See you there!

FREE CONCERT SERIES

We were thrilled to start the year with a FREE Concert series in All Saints Shooters Hill. The concert was a Spanish themed event and featured opera excerpts and Spanish songs with international soloists. It was an absolute triumph  and we were touched and thrilled by the feedback from our local community - many whom had never heard opera before. We managed to just about cover our costs and then received a couple of unexpected donations which helped us to break even.  Based on the success of it we have planned two further concerts on 30 April and 25 June. We are inspired to continue sharing our gifts and building an opera audience within this community. 

ArtsPR Workshops

In January and May we held two ArtsPR workshops where we had more than 20 participants. Glasgow based company ArtspR directors Jane Nicolson and Vicky Pitchers introduced the concepts of PR, Marketing campaigns, Professional profiling and Social media from singers to orchestra managers and opera company start ups. Both days were brimming with enthusiasm, ideas and a sense of positivity and understanding  about managing one's own PR. 

“I’m glad it’s not just me who struggled with PR”
“I can’t wait for the next one!”
“What a confidence booster!”