John Brown Essay Contest
"In time of immoral laws, patriotism looks like treason." -John Brown
John Brown, a pre-Civil War abolitionist, was a fierce supporter of the rights of all humankind, both white and black. Although his methods to abolish slavery could be viewed as either tyrannical or benevolent, he opposed injustice of all kinds, and some historians argue that his influence was the spark that ignited the Civil War.
Lyric Opera of Kansas City is pleased to announce the upcoming world premiere of the opera John Brown by Kirke Mechem as part of its 2007-2008 season. To commemorate the legendary impact of John Brown, Lyric Opera invites you to participate in the John Brown Essay Contest and examine the life, ideas, and myth surrounding John Brown through research and a two-part essay composed using the following prompt:
Essay Part I
Verismo, a style of operatic composition, is based on real, believable characters placed in difficult moral situations. Kirke Mechem, the composer of John Brown, has said that in its combination of drama and music, opera is the best art form to present the action and passion of the national struggle over slavery as symbolized in the larger-than-life figure of John Brown. In your opinion, could the opera John Brown by Kirke Mechem be considered a verismo opera?Essay Part II
If you were to create an opera in the verismo style, what political, social, or personal situation of the present day would you use? Give an example of your creative work (i.e., a synopsis of the plot, parts of the libretto, and/or character descriptions.)
Lyric Opera encourages you to use its Web site funded by the Sprint Foundation for the John Brown Essay Contest www.kcopera.org/About/johnbrowneducation as well as other academic resources, but strongly advises that you use caution in gathering excessive material from the Internet.
DIVISIONS AND PRIZES
- 3 Divisions (7-8 grade, 9-10 grade, 11-12 grade)
- A first-place winner and two runners-up will be chosen from each division. The first-place winner of each division receives $200, second-place in each division receives $100, and third-place in each division receives $50.
- The sponsoring teachers of the three first-place division winners will receive $200 each for professional development or purchase of opera tickets.
CRITERIA
- Essay must contain 1,000-1,200 words.
- Essay must address both Part I and Part II.
- Essay must be printed on 8 ½ X 11, white paper.
- Essay must be printed double-spaced using size 12 Times New Roman font.
- Please send the entry form and 5 copies of the essay to create a complete essay packet. Download the Entry form on the top left column of this page.
Packets must be postmarked by FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 2008.
(Packets must be received on or before 5 o'clock p.m. on March 14, 2008. NO LATE PACKETS WILL BE ACCEPTED.)
If you choose to enter the Lyric Opera's John Brown Essay contest, please have your teacher send an e-mail by January 31, 2008 to Paula Winans, Director of Education, at pwinans@kcopera.org stating your intent to enter the contest.
Good luck!