WELCOME
WELCOME TO PROJECT PRIMA VOLTA (PPV) Introduction The Prima Volta Charitable Trust and Festival Opera were founded in 2013. The goal of the founders was to develop the musical skills and wellbeing of student singers, namely Project Prima Volta, to stage opera. Students are drawn from Years 11-13, with an annual membership and the possibility of renewal on audition. Rehearsals are held weekly, with additional rehearsals scheduled for dedicated events. Project Prima Volta (PPV) is supported and run by the Prima Volta Charitable Trust. Festival Opera (FO) is a limited liability company which enables PVCT to achieve the trust objectives, undertaking the commercial risk of ensuring the Opera is successfully staged, with a commitment to enabling PPV students to participate fully in the opera. The Trust, PPV and FO are primarily voluntary organisations. Funding for the Trust is obtained from donations and grants. The PPV has working relationships with Hawkes Bay secondary schools and local youth support agencies. Two student representatives are voted to sit on the Trust Board and to communicate any student concerns to the directors. The annual maximum number of students is 30, though graduates often participate in events and in the opera, or in a support staff capacity eg Student mentoring, liaison, stage management, production assistants or performers at events. Respect Honesty Openness Commitment Teamwork Our Values
What is the PPV Pathway: 1. Awareness of PPV: Student identifies PPV as a possibility (eg brochures, notices at school, Facebook advertising, attendance at previous year s opera receiving opera programme with advertisement, discussion with HOD of music etc) 2. Access: All students have equal access via audition 3. Entry: All students who pass the audition now have entry into the PPV programme. Parents and students are required to sign in agreement with PPV when students accept their place. 4. Assessment: Assessments are ongoing. Motivational discussions, interviews etc may elicit students who wish for musical education at a higher level. A personal plan is developed. A decision may be made as to whether PVCT supports further tuition for PPV students such as theory lessons. 5. Delivery of Programme Tuition and rehearsals are led and predominantly undertaken by the Musical Director. The Head of Development may undertake to guide rehearsals, and manages tuition and rehearsals. Individual students or small groups are invited to perform at events throughout the year based on availability and aptitude. All students must be present at all rehearsals. The Trust supports all rehearsals including the hireage of the hall, the accompanist and transport if necessary. Repertoire is selected and prepared by the musical director. Public and private performances are planned to support trust fundraising or in acknowledgement of supporters. The finale of the PPV membership year, is an operatic performance in February, staged for the Art Deco Festival. Soloists engaged to sing leading artistic roles in the presentation are expected to offer one to one support and guidance to PPV students during their contract period. * see Policy Guidelines for FO artists and team. 6. Moving out and moving on Students leaving secondary school marks the end of their PPV experience. During their final year, PVCT will work closely with these students and their families to identify future goals and directions and support them to make the transition. Remaining students in Years 11 & 12 are invited to re-audition, alongside new applicants. Rehearsals begin again immediately following the operatic performances, with auditions held in March/April.
Who pays for PPV? The Prima Volta Trust supports PPV students by doing the following: 1. Funding the rehearsals: the musical director, accompanist and hall hireage 2. Funding transport where necessary 3. Funding costumes for performances 4. Funding some tuition where necessary 5. Fund raising: Grant applications, sponsorship, marketing. 6. Funding the set design and build as well as properties, 7. Funding the student performance of the opera season under the #operaclass scheme 8. Funding profile raising events for PPV 9. Funding marketing and profile management of PPV 10. Funding Head of Development who manages all the above. All funds come from dedicated grants from private individuals, philanthropic organisations, donations from the community, central government, local council, community sponsorship and performances throughout the year. The Musical Director and Head of Development offer a supportive and sympathetic environment to enhance participation and skill development. Understanding, mentoring and encouragement are components of this support. What is expected of me? Students are expected to meet the code of conduct and adhering to this code is a condition of membership in PPV: 1. No alcohol, cigarettes or illegal substances are permitted 2. Respect all persons and their property 3. Respect the tutors, the director and the work. 4. Take personal responsibility to communicate with your family 5. Take responsibility to communicate your needs to us in a timely way so that we can successfully manage the support we endeavor to offer 6. Take personal responsibility to eat and sleep well to stay healthy 7. Acknowledge any Health and Safety issues by reporting hazards 8. Ask for support and help if you need it Any student who fails to maintain a high standard of conduct may be asked to exit PPV.
Who can I talk to? PPV Advisor Vicki Vaughan is the PPV student consultant. Vicki is a professional senior advisor to the Ministry of Education. She is a reference person who can be relied upon for advice as necessary when managing the welfare of students. Ingrid Squire (Partner, Gifford Devine Lawyers, Hastings) provides the Prima Volta Charitable Trust with advice around youth and youth safety, with additional support undertaken by trust representation, Sainsbury, Logan & Williams. Wellbeing and Personal Safety Where there are concerns expressed by any person then these concerns are noted and a discussion with the student to ascertain the issue. An assessment or brief intervention may occur. Information may be passed onto parents if student wishes this. Health and Safety The Trust takes every effort to ensure the environment is free from hazards. While most environments are hired and there is responsibility of the owners to attend to and advise any hazards, all people involved in the production must observe and report any hazards to the adult in charge. Incidents Incidents are events which happened or which nearly happened which have the potential to harm other people. Please advise the adult in charge if an incident has occurred or almost occurred. A record of incidents is kept Accidents Accidents are best avoided. If a serious accident occurs involving a person being unconscious or seriously harmed then call 111 Ambulance. A less serious accident may need attention by a medical professional and an ACC report. First aid kits are kept by the adult in charge. A record of Accidents is kept Concerns and feedback Any person can raise any concern. These are best mentioned to the directors who will ensure that all concerns are taken seriously and feedback is given. All attempts will be made to resolve all issues raised with consideration and respect. Transport Provided for those students as required. Please ensure that you are on time and waiting for transport. THANK YOU FOR LEARNING MORE ABOUT US