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Andrew Searson, Subject Leader in Music, says: “When we recently performed Les Miserables it became apparent that the technical kit just wasn’t up to scratch – we had struggled on but were being held back, so the Head made the decision to invest in a new sound and lighting system.”
A core reason for choosing OpusSystem was its huge potential for presentation and assembly use across all departments – whilst having obvious benefits for Music, Dance and Drama curriculum needs. It has certainly enhanced their teaching and stage productions but delivers wide-ranging value for the whole school.
Andrew Searson comments: “We try to do three main events a year, including a big musical production every July. In Year 9 we also operate a Performing Arts programme where students sign up to do music, dance and drama. They have been using Opus for lighting and effects, with hands-on help from students.”
He continues: “We have very quickly got used to the system but feel we have only scratched the surface of its capabilities, so we are now keen to explore its full potential. The support and training, during and after the installation, has been fantastic and we feel very confident in moving forward.”
OpusSystem has exceeded all the initial expectations of the school.
Most major events, and much of the Performing Arts teaching, take place in the School Hall. Staff and students like the expandable design of the system, with the lectern at the front used on a day-to-day basis for the daily assembly or year group meetings and the more sophisticated sound and lighting desks ideally situated at the back of the hall for larger scale productions and concerts.
In the Performing Arts, the school runs exams requiring visiting examiners. The school is convinced the examiners will be more impressed with the sound and lighting aspects, especially as they are integral to the courses. Up until the arrival of Opus the school felt considerably restrained in dance or drama finding it difficult to fully implement that part of the course.
Drama teacher, Sharon Niblett, uses the system extensively for dance. She explains: “The lighting is great, which along with the microphones, works like a dream. Unlike our old system, it saves a lot of time. We are big on using the students to operate the system, and one of our Year 12s went along for Opus training – he has drip fed his knowledge down to younger students and who are really inspired by the system. This alone is drawing in greater numbers of students.”