Culture Counts: Music for the Future

In conversation with Nicholas Shaw, Youth Chorus Manager, Opera North

Nicholas Shaw works with over 100 young singers, aged from 8 to 21 years in Opera North's three Youth Ensembles, helping them develop their musical and dramatic skills. A recent recipient of the 2022 Inspirational Educator Award from The Worshipful Company of Educators for his outstanding contribution to?music education, he is a passionate believer in providing opportunities for young people whether their ultimate destination is a career in music or not.

He told us why he thinks it's essential to give young people the opportunity to learn singing and engage with the arts.

Why do you think it's important for arts organisations to engage with young artists?

It seems a cliché to say that ‘young artists are the future’, but it remains a valid point and I feel that large arts organisations have an obligation to provide opportunities for all young people, whether they have aspirations to enter the profession or not.

For Opera North, bringing in as many young people as possible to experience what we have to offer also helps to show that opera isn't the preserve of a certain type of audience. Personally, I love the idea that being engaged with an arts organisation on a regular basis gives young people a unique viewpoint from which to challenge what is done and how it's done. In turn, that challenges us to adapt and change, which is vital for our future.

What opportunities does being a member of an Opera North Youth Ensemble offer?

I’d like to think we can provide a young person with a unique experience. There are several brilliant organisations that provide regular high quality training, but to be in one of our ensembles is to be a valued member of Opera North - and I think we have one of the most supportive teams working for us. We give young people the chance to work with top quality artists but also to experience the range of skills that make up an opera production be it on, or behind, the stage.??

What progression does the Opera North Youth Company offer to young vocalists?

It’s important to stress that the Youth Company is set up to cater for everyone who loves to sing, regardless of future aspirations. We have the benefit of a vocal coach to ensure vocal health, and we look after boys with changing voices. With this set up, we can provide a musical progression from the age of 8, singing simple songs and shows in the Children’s Chorus right up to young adults in the Youth Chorus singing complex music and staging challenging work.

Everyone has the chance to take part in a fully staged opera each year and also to audition for places in main stage productions as and when these opportunities arise. Some young singers leave us to go to a conservatoire to study singing, but this is by no means a majority. Many will leave to do something completely different, but hopefully with a love of singing and opera that will stay with them forever.

How do you think learning music, and singing in particular, benefits young people?

It’s easy to see that commitment, teamwork and discipline are vital in a sports setting, but they are just as valid when singing and acting with other people, and these are life skills that I think young people need to learn. The experience of being apart during Covid reinforced the fact that to sing in a chorus or play in an ensemble is a communal breathing activity that can really help improve wellbeing. I also think that the opportunity to work with like-minded people outside of the school setting is very attractive to young people and gives them a social outlet from which lifelong friendships can form.

What have you learned working with young people?

Never underestimate the passion and opinions of the group! As a conductor, you might have an idea of what you want to do with a piece of music, but there is every chance that the young people will have their own ideas which should definitely be heard. This is particularly true in opera when dealing with storytelling through music. From my own experience, I would also say that young people are very quick to see the true self of anyone they are working with, so to be anything but yourself is a rocky road!

If you could share one piece of advice with a young person hoping to sing in the Chorus of Opera North one day, what would it be?

First of all enjoy what you do. On top of that try to be as prepared as you can for anything, whether that's a lesson, rehearsal or audition, so you get the most out of it.

As a last thought, try to see as much live music with singing as you can, whether in person or online, always asking yourself what you do and don't like about the productions and singers. You’ll then start to understand the huge world that you’re keen to get involved in and you’ll bring these ideas to your own singing.?

Thank you to all those who support Opera North's Education work, including The Emerald Foundation, The Liz & Terry Bramall Foundation, The Whitaker Charitable Trust and Opera North Future Fund. The Opera North Youth Company and Youth Orchestral programme are supported by a grant from the Leverhulme Trust for Arts Scholarships.?