Term 1 Senior Arts Review 2024/25 by Tanglin Trust School

Senior Arts Review

TERM 1, 2024/25

THE ARTS AT TANGLIN

"It starts with a spark of curiosity that is fuelled by passion. A desire to be creative while persevering through the challenges. Discovering your artistic identity through personal expression. Developing an appreciation and mutual respect for the work of others. Encouraging inclusion and diversity so everyone can participate, succeed and achieve their personal best."

At Tanglin, we have a thriving Arts community with over 800 students participating in approximately 50 CCAs weekly, culminating in over 50 events yearly. We also achieve outstanding results in the classroom and have been awarded ‘best in the world’ for A-level 6 times in the last 4 years for individual Arts Subjects. Our talented teaching staff and Arts technicians work tirelessly with our students daily to offer memorable opportunities to be creative, collaborate and express themselves in the Arts, inside and outside the classroom.

This is the first edition of the Senior Arts Review this academic year. It has been another busy term with so many fantastic events being showcased across the Arts in the Senior School. I hope you enjoy reading about all our endeavours and we will hopefully see you at our events in Term 2.

Richie Baxter Head of the Arts Faculty

DRAMA & DANCE

The Metamorphosis cast (Years 9-13) made themselves and the staff proud as they maturely presented Franz Kafka’s novella to a small audience from the Tanglin community. This tailor-made performance was embraced by the students at the start of Term 1, even though the vision was a little ambitious!

The staging was quite unique, putting the audience very much in the middle of the action as we followed the dramatic downfall of Gregor Samsa, a young man trying to keep his family afloat financially through excessive work as a fabric salesman. Thanks to some Year 13 students and staff members, the audience tracked this character by being physically moved around on a platform, following the action across four stages representing Gregor’s home and work until we finally see his decline into a grotesque beetle and then relinquishing himself to give peace to his family. Video and editing to produce a nightmare-like experience were designed by Rick Smith alongside the awesome talent and skill of our Senior Tech Team, who brought the piece to life with an amazingly detailed set (including a suspended projection screen over the audience), atmospheric lighting and sound to create a truly immersive experience for all. Special thanks to Andrea and his team of videographers for capturing a beautifully complex show!

Dawn Smith Senior Drama Specialist

“The 2024 Dance Show was a fantastic opportunity for all Senior School students to showcase their talent and passion for dance whilst also paying tribute to Tanglin's centenary year through the theme of Dancing Through Decades. It was incredible to see the many dance and music styles being performed by Years 7-13, as well as the enjoyment and rewarding aspects of the time and effort spent on the show. After many weeks of choreography, rehearsals and planning, the show was presented beautifully, with parents, teachers and friends enjoying many dance styles, such as tap, jazz and disco, whilst also learning more about the decades in which Tanglin was first established.

My favourite number was Livin' la Vida Loca by Ricky Martin, performed by a group of Year 7 girls. This song and dance style were very familiar to everyone in the audience, and it was amazing to see the younger students choreograph their dance and capture the enjoyment and fun of the performance hall. Overall, the 2024 Dance Show was a fun-filled evening enjoyed by everyone from all age groups.”

Nuria W.R. (Year 13 Student)

Tanglin was treated to the Year 7 & 8 production of The Secret Lives of Teachers, which proved to be a delightful showcase of young talent, humour and creativity. From start to finish, the Middle School cast brought energy and charm to this hilarious portrayal of what teachers might really get up to when the students aren’t looking.

Special thanks must go to the technical and design maestros. The impressive set, designed by Tom Edwards, transformed the stage into a busy school staff room, classroom and cafe, complete with coffee-stained desks and lockers brimming with quirky props. This, coupled with lighting designed by our very own Year 11 student, Nicole Leung, and mentored by the ever creative, Claudia Lim, created a space that was truly vibrant and exciting. Equally impressive was the opening song and dance number choreographed by Maya Nix. Performed to the classic Madness hit Baggy Trousers, the routine was a burst of coordinated chaos, capturing the spirit of the 1980s track while giving it a playful twist. The performers’ energy was infectious, and their enthusiasm had the audience clapping along. The actors themselves took to the challenge with gusto! Their hard work during rehearsals paid off as they confidently encouraged audience participation, screamed down megaphones and marched and danced their way through the play. The combination of the witty dialogue and their dynamic performances made this Middle School Production a joy to watch. It’s clear that a lot of heart went into every detail, resulting in an evening of pure entertainment. Thank you to all who supported it, and bravo to everyone involved!

James Russel Senior Drama Specialist

FILM

This term marked the start of the new Media Tech Crew CCA, which focuses on students who intend to study Film and Media Production at university. Working with our technician, Andrea, students from the CCA have had skillsbased workshops on various real-world industry scenarios. They have also participated in numerous school-based filming projects, including filming centenary guest speakers for The Institute, filming for department initiatives (Drama, Languages), and filming for the Upper School Counselling Team.

The Film and Media Department has continued its now-established Film Genre Society for Middle School students. The students examined some of the most iconic moments in cinema history and then took on the challenge of filming their own genre sequences. Many memorable sequences included the original lightsaber duel between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader, the famous Mexican standoff in The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, and the hilarious newsreader scene from Bruce Almighty.

Term 1 kicked off with the highly valued Year 13 Production Day when both our IB and A Level students were able to experiment with production techniques, work on technical skills and shoot footage for their portfolios and music video projects. This was soon followed by the more structured Year 12 Hitchcock Day. IB and A Level students attempted to recreate some of the most iconic sequences from the great director while at the same time starting to master the art of film production collaboration and get to grips with the key equipment that they will need to use over the remainder of the course. Scenes from the films Rear Window, Psycho and Frenzy were all reimagined throughout the day.

Ben Astley Head of Film and Media

“The Hitchcock Production Day was an exciting opportunity for the Year 12 students to learn about the famous director Alfred Hitchcock.

Taking inspiration from his most popular films, the students used the equipment provided by the Film Department to recreate shots and themes from Hitchcock’s films. From using high-tech cameras to shoulder mounts and coloured light rigs, we learned much about experimenting with film production. The four assignments (Judy’s Room, Show Don’t Tell, You’re My Type, and Montage) opened up different experiences for the students to enjoy. In Judy’s Room, we experimented with varying patterns of light and colours, whereas in Show Don’t Tell, we experimented with how props can convey a character's personality.

For You’re My Type, we experimented with one of Hitchcock's famous techniques, tracking away from the action onscreen. For Montage, we experimented with makeup and very short takes to set up a Psychoinspired montage. Overall, Hitchcock Production Day benefited both the A Level and IB students tremendously, and it was a day that all the year 12 Film and Media students will remember.”

Aahana R. (Year 12 Student)

ART & DESIGN

Term 1 set the scene for the bustling atmosphere within Senior Art. Both inside and outside the classroom, students were busy with inspiring opportunities. The term started with our Year 8 trip to The National Gallery in Singapore.

This was in preparation for our Interpretations event in May. Inspired by the gallery’s collection, Year 8 students have been busy composing their own paintings. Our Year IB and A Level students had a jam-packed few days soaking up the culture and visiting local artists in Ubud, Bali. In October, we held our second Drawing by the Bus Bay event. Seeing the school community gather to collaborate on our Happy 100th Birthday Tanglin banners was fantastic. The banners are now being displayed in the Centenary building. The term concluded with our visiting artist workshop involving Chen Shitong. During these sessions, our Year 12 students learnt the process of collagraph printing.

Elizabeth Anstiss Head of Senior Art and Design

”The Bali trip was very rewarding. I liked how immersed we became in the culture and how that was reflected in the art we produced. The variety of experiences on offer developed us as artists and individuals.”

James G. (Year 12 Student)

MUSIC

The Senior Music Department has had a busy and fulfilling term. Our students took advantage of the many opportunities in and out of the classroom. Over 20 formal and informal performances took place, including Drawing by the Bus Bay, Open Mornings, and the Tanglin Christmas Fair. Additionally, our students performed at prestigious venues, including the SOTA Concert Hall, where we hosted our Senior Ensembles Concert and provided music for other events.

A standout moment this term was the Jazz Band's performance at the EduTech Asia conference held at Marina Bay Sands, which was attended by former Singapore President Halimah Yacob. The Music Scholars also had the privilege of performing at the Tanglin Club in front of British High Commissioner Nikesh Mehta. The Chamber Choir also spread holiday cheer with Carol Singing at the Hilton Hotel and the British Club Ball. We also took 50 students and staff on an unforgettable tour of Salamanca and Madrid in Spain, where we performed at four incredible venues.

Our students have also had the opportunity to attend professional concerts by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. They were further treated to a trip to see the outstanding musical Six, which featured one of our alumni. Following the show, the band from Six visited our Music Department, giving many of our students a wonderful opportunity to perform some songs with them.

In the classroom, all Middle School students have gained experience playing in bands. This has inspired many of them to form their own bands in preparation for our upcoming Battle of the Bands in Term 2. We can’t wait to see them perform!

“The Spain trip was truly magical! We performed at cathedrals and recital halls for hundreds of spectators, which was a great experience for us to showcase our passion for music. We also had the chance to explore some of Spain’s most stunning sights, including Avila, the Casa Lis Art Museum, and Bernabeu Stadium. Experiencing this beautiful country and performing in different venues was very special. Combining these two elements created the perfect music tour!

Thank you to the amazing staff who gave us these incredible opportunities. The Spain trip was unforgettable, and I highly recommend experiences like this to all musicians!”

Ashwin S. (Year 8 Student)

COLLABORATION IN THE ARTS

We promote collaboration across the Arts in the Senior School, inside and outside the classroom. These projects foster creativity and encourage teamwork and interdisciplinary learning, enriching the educational experience for all involved. Here are some of the creative projects that have happened this term.