Music, Art, Drama

Music

The core of the Music Department is a strong curriculum where pupils learn to sing, play keyboards, compose with music processing software, improvise and to listen analytically and evaluatively. Yet music is not an elite activity at Plymouth College - the emphasis is on enjoyment and involvement for all.

We have three school choirs, a school orchestra, individual harmony clubs for girls’ and boys’ voices, a string ensemble and a classical guitar ensemble - supplemented by one-to-one and small group theory tuition classes. The Live Lounge for rock, pop and jazz is very popular and our broad, concert series enables pupils to hear, support and learn from each other. There are also Music Scholars’ Evenings, where the pupils who have committed to leading the musical life of the school share their work in progress.

Art

The Art Department gives pupils the opportunity to practise or study a deeply rewarding subject – a subject which will take them far beyond the narrow confines of any exam specification, and that will in time become an interest for life.

We teach, from entry level, a traditional approach to art and pupils are given a strong grounding in the basic skills of observational drawing. As pupils develop as creative individuals they will be exposed to a wide range of art from the beginnings of recorded history through to the present day.

Drama

Plymouth College prides itself on the inclusive nature and professional quality of its productions. Whether academic or extra-curricular, pupils are encouraged to explore a wide range of theatrical styles; from the spectacular whole school musical to performance evenings and participation in local drama festivals.

We are very lucky to have easy access to the Theatre Royal, in particular, the Drum, and pupils regularly experience cutting-edge live theatre. Trips further afield have included Bristol, Cheltenham, London and The Minack. Pupils partake in practical workshops with well-respected theatre practitioners including Frantic Assembly, The Paper Birds and Told by An Idiot. Encouraging pupils to see the study of drama and theatre as a valuable tool, whose worth extends beyond the classroom walls.