Drama & Theatre Studies A Level Music A Level
Performing arts
Dance A Level
Dance A Level When do I start studying for this qualification? September 2020. For how long will I study and are there subsidiary qualifications? For two years. (There are some circumstances in which the one year AS course will be available) What is this course about? The course is a highly enjoyable, creative exploration of a variety of genres of dance. It develops students’ skills, knowledge and understanding of a range of dance styles, and practitioners. Through the development of technical, expressive and choreographic skills students are able to develop their skills as both performers and choreographers. It also develops students’ resilience and confidence. Students will be able to learn and develop within the high spec dance studio, as well as having numerous opportunities to watch live productions and participate in workshops with professional companies and choreographers.
What topics will I study? Component 1: Performance and choreography. Practical exam. 50% of A Level. Solo performance linked to specific practitioner within an area of study. Performance in a quartet (in any style, relevant to the defined genres set by the exam board). Component 2: Critical engagement. Written exam of 2.5 hours. 50% of A Level. Knowledge, understanding and critical appreciation of one compulsory and one optional set dance work and the connections of these set works with their corresponding areas of dance. How will my work be assessed? Course assessment consists of practical and written examinations. The course will be assessed partly by the performance of dance pieces which will be externally assessed by a visiting examiner. You will also be assessed by written examination, also marked externally. What skills and knowledge do I need beforehand to succeed? A willingness to develop an independent approach to taking direction and developing both practical and academic skills is
highly beneficial. If you love dance and performing and are able to commit your time, energy and creativity to your work, you will have a wonderful time on this course. Are there any specific entry requirements? You need a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C. You do not need to have taken GCSE Dance, however some prior dance and/or performing experience is required. It would also be advantageous to be taking some form of dance class outside of college. What have I got to do to do well on the course? You need to be really enthusiastic about Dance: we would encourage you to watch it, participate in it, talk about it and write about it as much as you can. You can find links to some fantastic pieces on our blog (see further information at the end of this document). Teamwork is an essential element of the course. Students need to be very reliable when it comes to both attendance and punctuality, they need to like working creatively in teams and enjoy sharing and experimenting with ideas. What are the lessons like? A wide range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Formal lessons are
combined with discussion, group work, task- based learning and research activities. It is expected that you will work independently outside of lesson time, rehearsing and completing a range of tasks in an Independent Study Pack. 1:1 support is available to all students. What do students say about this course? “A fun and energetic course” “Gives you the opportunity not only to develop your own skills, but also teaches you to appreciate the styles, genres and techniques used by expert practitioners”. “Trips and visits widen your experience and understanding”. Is there a similar qualification to this one? How do I choose between Performing Arts Courses? RSL Performing Arts Qualification. Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one? Dance develops personal and presentation skills in a unique way which makes it an excellent subject to combine with a whole range of A levels. What do people do with A level Dance? Students could take a degree in Dance, Physical Theatre or Choreography, and can go on to
study higher education courses at either dance schools or university. Employment can be directly related to the skills developed in the course, leading to work as a performer, as a choreographer or in the wider creative industries. However, the confidence, creative thinking and presentation skills students develop through A Level Dance will also serve you well in a variety of other careers, for example: Arts Administration, Dance Therapy, Teaching/Workshop Coordination, Journalism, Business, Advertising & Marketing, Law, Marketing & Public Relations, Hospitality, Events Management, Sales, Physiotherapist, Personal Trainer, Dance Theatre Critic. Are there any additional costs? There is a studio fee payable at enrolment for all Performing Arts courses. The charge is ÂŁ40 per course, which covers all visiting companies, materials and workshops. All external trips are charged per show.
Drama & Theatre Studies A Level When do I start studying for this qualification? September 2020. For how long will I study and are there subsidiary qualifications? For two years. What is this course about? This exciting and varied course will require students to: • Explore plays through both practical and written responses. • Work on specific roles in contrasting plays and be assessed on their performances. • Work in a group to produce an original piece of devised theatre. • Examine how some plays were originally performed. We are always keen for you to learn theory through practice so your written work is relevant and informed. Our aim is to develop you as both an individual and team player throughout the course – skills which are valuable to a range of career paths. What topics will I study? In the first year, you study one set play ‘That Face’ by Polly Stenham
and devise a piece of original drama in a group after studying the physical theatre practitioner, Kneehigh Theatre Company. You also attend at least three performances, both local and London based. In the second year, you study your second set play, ‘The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare. You also perform in both a scripted group piece and either a monologue or a duologue. In the second year, you will also attend at least three performances, one of which you review for your written exam. How will my work be assessed? Course assessment consists of both practical and written examinations. 40% of the final grade is based on the Devising Project, 20% is based on the Scripted Performances and 40% on the written exam. What skills and knowledge do I need beforehand to succeed? It is not necessary to have studied Drama at school. The priority is to
have a willingness to develop an independent approach to taking direction and developing both practical and academic skills. If you love drama and theatre and are able to commit your time, energy and creativity to your work, you will have a wonderful time on this course! What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed? The ability to work independently, particularly in rehearsals. Good essay writing and research skills are also required for coursework and exam elements. Are there any specific entry requirements? You need a minimum of five GCSEs at 9-4 or A*-C. What have I got to do to do well? You need to be really enthusiastic about acting and theatre: we would encourage you to watch it, participate in it, talk about it and write about it as much as you can. You can find links to some fantastic pieces on our blog (see further information at the end of this document). Teamwork is an essential element of the course. Students need to be very reliable when it comes to both attendance and punctuality, they need to like working creatively in teams and enjoy sharing and experimenting with ideas.
What are the lessons like? A wide range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Formal lessons are combined with discussion, group work, task- based learning and research activities. Both years of the course include involvement in a theatrical production. It is expected that you will work independently outside, completing a range of tasks and activities in an Independent Study Pack. There is also a commitment to attending additional rehearsals in the weeks preceding performances. 1:1 support is available to all students. What do students say about this course? ‘The course introduced me to new techniques, interesting, challenging plays and we were taught by people who had worked in the industry, I loved my first year.� Is there a similar qualification to this one? If so how do I choose between them? The Academy of Performing Arts also runs A Level course in Dance and Music alongside our vocational courses in Creative Arts. The Performing Arts BTEC is the equivalent of two A Levels and can be combined with A Level Drama to create a full-time arts course.
Are there any other qualifications which combine particularly well with this one? A Levels in Music and Dance are related as is the RSL Diploma in Creative and Performing Arts. Any of these make a good combination. On the other hand you could include Drama and Theatre studies A-Level as a complete contrast to your other subjects to demonstrate your range of skills & interests. What do people do with A Level Drama? Students could take a degree in Drama, Theatre Studies or Performing Arts, and can go on to study either at drama school or university. Employment can be directly related to the skills developed in the course, leading to work as a performer, in theatre management or the broad range of production roles. However, the confidence, creative thinking and presentation skills students develop through A Level Drama will also serve you well in a variety of other careers, for example: Arts Administration, Drama Therapy, Teaching/Public Relations, Hospitality, Events Management.
Are there any additional costs? There is a studio fee payable at enrolment for all Performing Arts courses. The charge is ÂŁ40 per course, which covers all visiting companies, materials and workshops. All external trips are charged per show.
Music A Level When do I start studying for this qualification? September 2020. For how long will I study? For two years.
minutes. It will be assessed by an external examiner and can be a solo or ensemble performance. This will be worth 30% of the total mark.
What is this course about & which topics will I study? The A Level Music course focuses on three main skills:
Component 2: Composing Students will create two compositions lasting a total of at least 6 minutes, one of which is in response to a set brief. This will be worth 30% of the total mark.
Performance – students will be supported to enhance their performance skills, to enhance their technical control and to rehearse and refine performances on their chosen instrument or voice.
Component 3: Appraisal A two hour exam worth 40% of the total mark. This will cover 6 areas of study, each with 3 set works plus wider listening relevant to the era or genre.
Composition – students will develop the technical and expressive skills needed by a composer when creating music.
The areas of study are: vocal music, instrumental music, music for film, popular music and jazz, fusions, new directions.
Appraisal – students will develop their listening and appraising skills through the study of musical set texts across a variety of styles and genres.
Students will be assessed against the AS qualification in this course at the end of the first year as a measure of progress.
Students will work on each of these skills in both years of the course. How will my work be assessed? Component 1: Performing Students will perform at least one piece for a duration of at least 8
Are students expected to have instrument/voice lessons outside of the course? Yes. The College will subsidise students taking instrument lessons with a subsidy of £50 to be applied for retrospectively at the end of each term.
What performance work can I do through the College? There will be a range of events throughout the College year, including Autumn and Spring Concerts. All Music students are encouraged to participate in these events which are as much a part of the course as their programme of study as well as a variety of opportunities within the Performing Arts Academy as a whole. What are the lessons like? A wide range of teaching and learning styles is used during the course. Lessons include: discussion, group work, task-based learning and research activities. What do students say about this course? “I loved developing different areas of my musical understanding including composition, music analysis, and performance skills. The facilities that the Performing Arts department offer are modern and very well equipped with iMacs in the classroom with all the software you need, and practice rooms always available to use. There are endless performing opportunities in a variety of extra- curricular events such as being part of the Musical Theatre performances, Christmas Concerts, the Autumn Concert and Summer Celebration.�
What have I got to do to succeed on the course? You need to be capable of working independently as well as part of a group/team. Above all, you must be willing to practise regularly and balance study for performance, composition and appraising. You must respond well to feedback and encouragement to develop your theoretical, composition and performance skills and be willing to explore your skills within the context of the syllabus. You will also be expected to continuing to develop and prioritise your English and Maths skills. What skills and knowledge do I need beforehand to succeed? You obviously need musical skills (see entry requirements below). Due to group based work and individual study elements within the course, you must be capable of unsupervised work and display a high level of maturity. What skills will I need to develop during the course to succeed? You must be willing to commit to group work and have the desire to grow as a performer and be prepared to perform in public. Are there any specific entry requirements? You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at 4-9, including a grade 4 in Music GCSE or a grade 5 in Music Theory plus an audition. All styles of playing are acceptable and Rock
and Pop players are most welcome if they are willing to learn traditional music notation. Students without GCSE Music at Grade C or Grade 5 practical will be auditioned. Are there any other qualifications that combine particularly well with this one? The Academy of Performing Arts also offer A’ Levels in Drama & Theatre, Music and Dance which require some of the same skills but cover other specialisms within the courses. A’Level qualifications do include formal written exams in their assessment. What do people do with A level Music? Music is recognised as an academic subject and therefore provides a suitable foundation for the study of Music or related courses in higher education. It also develops personal and communication skills in a unique way which is recognised by many employers. Are there any additional costs? There is a studio fee payable at enrolment for all Performing Arts courses. The charge is £40 per course, which covers all visiting companies, materials and workshops. All external trips are charged per show.
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