Random Act of Culture at Northwest School of the Arts - Opera Carolina

On Monday, October 10, three performers from Opera Carolina surprised students at Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. during their lunch break.
The performance is one of 1,000 Random Acts of Culture taking place nationally over the next three years, funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and implemented locally by the Arts & Science Council. Knight Foundation's Random Acts of Culture bring artists out of the performance halls and into the streets and our everyday lives. For more videos and information, visit RandomActsofCulture.org.

[@farmwife7944]

These kids were actually responding to opera in the way folks responded when they were first composed. They were totally involved, accepting that the artists were singing in very real ways to covey their meaning. Listen to the applause they give, notice the girls fanning themselves when near the male vocalist, notice the kids leaning out of their chairs towards the singers. They missed nothing. They responded in ways more real than so called polite audiences who never really engage with the artists. Bravo to the artists and the lucky students.

[@susanssongs101]

this was amazing! i was in the 6th grade and my friends and i were talking and then all of the sudden there is opera music playing and people standing on the tables! loved this!

[@ASCCharlotte]

It was definitely a raucous group - which was expected in that setting - but it was an enjoyable experience for the singers and all involved. We've actually done them in normal high school settings and the reaction is very different. This was a great opportunity to expose students to opera and not surprisingly there was a lot of interest and questions after each performance throughout the lunch periods.

[@icarusAB]

thank you ASCcharlotte for your reply... I love this program, and I am a teacher, love kids...Good to know the presentation it not went too bad. Please keep doing what you do. Thank you.

[@FashionDancergirl]

I see myself!! I remember this day!!!

[@NoteAndroid]

Out of these very noisy, confused, yet surprised high school kids, one of them may just turned out to be the next upcoming soprano. What a great way to introduce opera in their young lives. Bravo~!

[@afflygal]

I saw that the kids really enjoyed it once they figured out what was going on. After all, it was in the school lunchroom, not on a stage. I glad to see this kind of culture brought to schools. I would bet that these kids have a different view of opera now.

[@afuller1999]

I love this school i saw my sister and her friend running around looking for something but i missed it cuz i was in 7th grade:(

[@ryanhill8886]

Unbelievable that students at a school for the arts would not pay attention to how a professional does it....

[@roxasvensilversong99]

omg i remember that day i was so confused

[@fuckoff7305]

If you go to this school in 2015 to 2016 school year, do you guys see Mr.Nagel in the backround walking around?

[@rockyroadorange101]

Most of us were laughing at the beggining cuz we didnt know wat was going on at first. Then my friend got up cuz he was trying to figure out if she was really singing or not but actually everyone was smiling and impressed and we were talking about it the rest of the day

[@MyLittleVoicee]

Rich, spoiled brats? This is a public art school, and I went there. This was not scheduled performance that students were notified of. They were confused about why someone was singing opera in their cafeteria! None of the kids at this school are rich, most of them are quite the opposite and MOST of them are wonderful kids. Love my school.

[@ASCCharlotte]

@Slyclawdor So glad you enjoyed it!

[@atk2597]

0:50 Omg look at Dr. Bowe in the background 😔

[@dijauneaiymuan9834]

Awww I know! Rip!

[@rockyroadorange101]

i

[@Zoracks]

awesome act of culture, how id like to have one of those where I live, this is magic. 2:53 snorlax just eating 0 fucks given

[@ASCCharlotte]

@icarusAB It was definitely a raucous group - which was expected in that setting - but it was an enjoyable experience for the singers and all involved. This was a great opportunity to expose students to opera and not surprisingly there was a lot of interest and questions after each performance throughout the lunch periods.

[@617Savanna]

I am totally amazed at how disrespectful these students were! Are you sure this is a school for the arts???? Almost all artistic students have respect for their fellow student artists. I think this was just a normal high school not one for the arts.

[@icarusAB]

people on streets behave more respectful. keep the acts out there. kids are kids. and I am surprised that was an art school.

[@LivinginBlissSince83]

Brilliant.

[@miriambertram2448]

excellent. surprise the young in a cafeteria

[@afuller1999]

was this an A-day or a B-day? because i dont have 2nd lunch on A-days and i am so upset i missed it:(

[@BatchelderPatrick]

Tell me again, are these children in elementary school or were they just not listening when their parents taught them how to behave?

[@briciola.bixiofabrizio5935]

Bravi 🥀

[@ginigang]

The first thing the students needed to learn was how to be a respectable - even a random - audience

[@iancaldeian4860]

It's unsolicited music in a lunchroom during recess - different experience with this audience and just as enjoyable.

[@octavus]

yo estudie en una escula de arte y por experiencia digo q son los lugares donde mas irrespeto se muestra por otros tipos de arte q ahy se enseñaban no me sorprende

[@tricklessmagic]

try being a teacher

[@phuckyourlife]

Makennah !! (:

[@atk2597]

So, to everyone talking sh*t about how hype the crowd is... would y’all rather us be dry and boring?? Would y’all rather us just sit there in silence and look at them like they’re stupid? At least they knew they were appreciated. The more hype the better. And spoiled rich kids is not the definition of NWSA.

[@honda200twinstar3]

Not exactly a captive audience ..

[@jtalbot34]

I so agree Greek Goddess! And for an arts school.. Shameful..

[@MrDrewboggess]

A drinking song in a college cafeteria. Seems irresponsible...

[@1ginner1]

+MrDrewboggess It might have been if any of the, and I use this word in the loosest possible term, students, realised, what the song was about I am a bit queasy about a school for the performing arts, where the students disrespect the artists, not showing a degree of self control, no matter what the ART is. Too many Fame watchers I think. lol

[@1ginner1]

+MrDrewboggess It might have been if any of the, and I use this word in the loosest possible term, students, realised, what the song was about I am a bit queasy about a school for the performing arts, where the students disrespect the artists, not showing a degree of self control, no matter what the ART is. Too many Fame watchers I think. lol

[@meisloltehe]

+MrDrewboggess It isn't a college :)

[@itbelailsyadig8347]

it's a high school

[@felice994]

Totale confusione.

[@gdurling1]

They are definetly not gifted students.