Music academy students scrapbook their perfomance in Minnesota

Taking a trip is only half the fun.

Some musicians have found that scrapbooking your memories can be just as exciting.

In the spring, a group of young performers from Southeast Music Academy at Southeast Missouri State University participated in their first opera, "Noye's Fludde." Following the biblical story of Noah's ark, "Fludde" is an adaptation of an old English morality play.

"'Noye's Fludde' is the only opera that includes kids with everyone having a meaningful part," said Hayes Hendrick, academy director.

The 150 performers and crew debuted the show in Cape Girardeau at First Baptist and Grace United Methodist churches, before taking their act on the road to the National Suzuki Conference in Minneapolis, Minn. It was there that rolls and roll of film were taken to immortalize their show at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral.

Making it lastWhen the pictures were developed and while the memories were still fresh, participants gathered at Scraps and More in Cape Girardeau to catalog their impressions.

Voice instructor Lori Shaffer, who shared the role of God with her husband, Chris Goecke, said "the cathedral acoustics gave [the play] reality ... it just resonated."

Tessa McNally, 12, played the part of a gossip who drowns because she won't get into the ark.

"I grew into the part," McNally said. "I hope we do it again next year."

Her mother, Lynn McNally, said the experience from training to traveling with the show was great for Tessa.

"At first Tessa said 'Opera? What?'" Lynn McNally said, but "the whole experience made her enjoy it even more. I love the thought of her being involved in music."

The music academy follows the Suzuki method of instruction for students.

The program advocates teaching children to play instruments as early as age three.

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133