St Cuthbert’s pupils perform with Kenyan opera

Children became magical rainmakers, when St Cuthbert’s Catholic Primary in North Shields hosted a touring opera group from Kenya.

Pupils from Nursery to Year 6 at the school enjoyed the interactive performance from Baraka Opera, which was organised through the North Tyneside Music Hub service.

The school’s Music Coordinator, Rosie Brown, supported the event.

“Baraka Opera Kenya is an ensemble of four professional Kenyan singer-musicians,” she said. “They performed the Rain Show, which blends African musical traditions with Western classical music.

“Rooted in an environmental narrative set in Kenyan folk stories, the performance engaged our children through diverse storytelling and music.

“One of the highlights was a participatory song where our children helped ‘make’ the rain using body percussion, rhythm, and vocal effects.”

The performance introduced the pupils to a range of different cultural traditions, musical styles, rhythms and languages, as well as supporting their musical development and creativity.

Mrs Brown continued: “These visits are important for celebrating diversity through interacting with storytelling and exposing our children to different cultural traditions. The children also had the opportunity to engage with different rhythms, melodies, and languages.”

The visitors left a lasting legacy, as the performance marked a new partnership between St Cuthbert’s and a fellow primary school in Kenya.

Mrs Brown added: “The visit ended when the children and members of the opera group planted a hawthorn tree on the school grounds together. The planting of a tree also took place at Ubuntu Junior Academy in Kenya, who St Cuthbert’s are now partnered with through the Baraka Opera.

“This event reflects St Cuthbert’s ongoing commitment to providing rich, memorable, learning experiences that go beyond the classroom, ensuring every child has the chance to learn, achieve, and succeed.”