Chicago Comes To College
Thursday, October 08, 2009

Students from the Performing Arts area had been working with international opera singer Graeme Danby and were keen to show off what they had learned.

Dozens of students broke into songs from the hit musical ‘Chicago’ in the College’s main entrance foyer. They complemented the songs with a few dance numbers before an appreciative audience. One minute people were settling down to lunch or meeting up with friends between classes. Next minute they were enjoying a musical feast. The students belted out classics such as “All That Jazz” to the delight of everyone.

The performance was the culmination of a master-class led by the opera star for Middlesbrough College and Teesside University students.

Graeme, who is Principal Bass with English National Opera, is keen to spread the word about the pleasure of singing and is enjoying working with Performing Arts students.

He said: “This is the second time that I have visited the College and it’s really great to work with such enthusiastic students. It is not easy for even seasoned professionals to perform away from the safety-net of a theatre. The students have done really well today.”

Having performed at major opera houses around the world, as well raising the roof at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park with his rendition of the Blaydon Races, Graeme has plenty of experience of how to make a performance have a big impact.

And he, like everyone else, enjoyed what he saw and heard.

Watch the video article below:-