Music, Drama & Performing Arts - Edenham High School

Music, Drama & Performing ArtsDepartment StaffMs B. Williams – Acting Head of Music & Co-ordinator for Performing Artsbwilliams@edenham.netMs M. Goldsmith – Teacher of Music mgoldsmith@edenham.netMr D. Poupin – Teacher in Charge of Drama dpoupin@edenham.netMrs F. Baker – Teacher of Dance fbaker@edenham.netAims (Music, Drama & Dance)• To enable each pupil to achieve their full potential through learning opportunitiesrelevant to the needs of the individual• To develop the necessary skills to be able to perform to others• To build confidence by promoting creativity & expression• To develop communication skills through collaborative group projects &evaluation work• To promote enjoyment & understanding of the performing arts, through study ofdance, drama & music from different genres, styles, times and places.

The KS3 Music CurriculumFor Years 7, 8 & 9 the following activities are covered :- Performing (solo & ensemble),Composing & Improvising, Listening & Appraising.Year 71) Rhythm, Meter & Tempo – Notation, listening & percussion work2) Melody – Notation, singing & keyboard work3) Gamelan – Indonesian music, melodic improvisation, pentatonic melody4) The Elements – Dynamics, timbres, tempo. Graphic Score & Sound Story.5) Timbre & Texture – Instruments (Orchestral, World, Pop)6) African Music – Vocal chants, Gospel, African drummingYear 81) Samba – Polyrhythms, improvisation, percussion work2) Basslines & Chord sequences – Well-known pieces such as ‘Stand By Me’.3) Jazz – Improvisation, riffs, ‘Moondance’4) Structure – Binary, Ground Bass, Ternary, Rondo & Variation5) Western Art Music – Baroque, Classical, Romantic & Contemporary European Music6) Music from India – Drone, Tala, Raga & improvisationYear 91) Song Writing – Composing vocal melody & chord sequences2) Music from the Caribbean – Reggae & Calypso3) Popular Music Genres – Club-dance, Rock & Soul4) Film Music – Horror, Sci-Fi & Action Music. Well-known Film Theme tunes.5) 12 Bar Blues – Bassline, chord sequence, blues scale & improvisation6) Musicals & Shows – Music from Oliver, Joseph and GreaseMusic EquipmentStudents need - 2 ballpoint pens, 2 pencils, pencil eraser, pencil sharpener, ruler,colouring pencils.Class settingAt KS3, Music classes are in Mixed Ability groups.

Assessment for KS3 Drama & MusicAt KS3, assessment takes place every lesson in order to inform students & teacher ofprogress. Students are assessed in performance, creative tasks & appraisal work. It is ourduty to monitor, recognize & reward achievement. Targets for progress are clearly andregularly communicated to students.A more formal assessment takes place every half term, at the end of each unit of workwhen music levels are reported & recorded. Each student’s work is graded according tothe National Curriculum Level DescriptorsDramaDrama is part of young people’s core entitlement in the National Curriculum and in theFramework for teaching English: Years 7, 8 and 9. In our school exists as an academicsubject in its own right from KS3 and beyond.From 2006 drama has been growing in our school. It has been allocated one lesson perweek in the school timetable in year 7 and 8 and once in a fortnight in year 9. At GCSElevel we have had successful exams results and we are proud to introduce the BTECPerforming Arts in collaboration with the Music department.Because of the growth of drama in our school, our team has also grown and we welcomenew member of staff Mr. Brad Cibidino, who is also a drama specialist.During 2007 we have improved our facilities by installing in our drama hall the latesttechnology in terms of theatre lighting, which we had the opportunity to use for theopening of our school theatre production ‘The Chalk Circle’ on February 2007. A cast of18 students took part in this activity that had a great reception from the schoolcommunity including parents.PIC 1During Easter holidays2008 we are having installed our new audiovisual unit, thatincludes a series of cutting edge devices such us screen, projector and sound system.Forthcoming events include the GCSE Drama exam that will be open to public in May.This event includes 5 performances devised by students. Also rehearsals are taking placeat the moment for our new school theatre production entitled ALICE in theUNDERGROUD, based on the classic by Lewis Carroll.THE DRAMA CURRICULUM

Key Stage 3The four central concepts of the Key Stage 3 Strategy are: expectations, engagement,progression and transformation. This includesEnglish and DramaCollaborate on scriptsExtend spoken repertoireExploratory dramaEvaluate presentationsEvaluate own drama skillsDramatic techniquesWork in roleCollaborative presentationDrama techniquesCompare interpretationsConvey character and atmosphereCritical evaluationResponse to a playExperiment with conventions Different cultural contextsHoles by Louis SacharGlossary of subject-specific termsYar 7Unit I: Responding, devising and evaluating DramaUnit II: Devised PerformanceUnit III: Drama TextsYear 8Unit I :Physical TheatreUnit II :Drama and MediaUnit III :Scripted PerformancesYear 9Unit I :Performing Scripted PlaysUnit II :Actions and WordsUnit III :Solo performanceGCSE DRAMAPAPER I DRAMA COURSEWORKUnit One: Drama texts from different times and CulturesUnit Two: Exploring a complete substantial play

PAPER II DRAMA PERFORMANCEUnit ONE: Drama ExamASSESSMENTKS3 Assessment takes place once every half term according to the school policy. Studentand parents are aware of learners’ progress through our school tracking and reportingsystem. The Drama National Curriculum levels and students friendly descriptor areavailable on this website.GCSE Drama: Paper one is internally assessed and externally moderated.Paper two is externally assessed. A visiting examiner comes to schoolapproximately in may every year to assess candidates live performance.EQUIPMENTBringing the drama equipment is compulsory to every lesson. Failing to do so three timeswithin a term will result in a 40 minutes detention. Students are expected to have a sparepair of tracksuit or shorts for drama apart from PE. Excuses such us ‘my tracksuit ismoldy because of PE’ will not be accepted. (not sure about adding this)Boys and girlsTracksuit Bottoms or ShortsT-shirt or school shirt.GCSE Music (AQA syllabus)Areas of Study1) Music for Film 2) Music for Special events 3) The Popular Song since 19604) Music for Dance 5) Orchestral LandmarksCoursework Requirements1) One solo & one ensemble performance recording2) One composition for a Special Event and one composition completed in response toan assignment brief set by the exam board in the second half of year 11.All students will sit a listening examination which consists of a written paper relating torecorded extracts of music covering all areas of study.

Each component of the course contributes to the overall GCSE grade which is determinedby the following weightings:-• Coursework performing 25%• Coursework composing 25%• Composition in response to assignment brief 25%• Listening Exam 25%BTEC 1 st Diploma in Performing Arts (Performance)This course is the ideal stepping stone to any job related to the performing arts industry.All tasks are based on a vocational scenario and the emphasis is on developing workrelatedskills such as team work, demonstrating initiative and contributing creative ideas.Learners need to achieve at least a Pass in each of the six units of work in order to beawarded the Diploma which is equivalent to 4 GCSEs (Pass = C, Merit = B, Distinction =A).Units of Work1) Working as a Musical Ensemble2) Understanding Dance3) Performing Scripted Plays4) Performing Arts Production Process5) The Performing Arts Business6) Musical TheatreAssessmentFor each Unit, learners are given Assignment Briefs. These briefs clearly explain thetasks that need to be completed, what evidence needs to be produced for assessmentpurposes & how a pass, merit, or distinction can be achieved. Although some writtenwork will be required, most of the assessments will be video recordings of practical work.

Extra Curricular Performing Arts ActivitiesWe are keen to build on the enthusiasms of Edenham students, therefore anyone thatwishes to become involved in an extra-curricular activity or event simply needs toinform a member a member of staff and we will do our best to cater for your needs.Music ClubsExtra – curricular music activities currently running are Jazz Band, Year 7, 8 & 9Singers, Wind Ensemble, Rap Club & Year 9 Rock band.Peripatetic Instrumental LessonsAll students are encouraged to learn an instrument at Edenham and any instrument(including voice) can be studied provided there are enough applicants. Instrumentalteachers are employed by Croydon Music Services and visit during the school day to giveweekly lessons. Applications for instrumental study can be obtained from any member ofthe Music department.DanceOpportunities for dancers include workshops, dance club & performance events.Performance events at EdenhamAt least one performance event is held every term. Instrumental students and members ofthe music clubs are encouraged to perform. This is also an opportunity for any dancers toshow their work. The concert usually takes place in the school Drama Hall and isadvertised to students and parents via the Newsletter.At Edenham, there is a school theatre production each year. All students are invited toparticipate. These productions, devised & directed by Mr. Poupin, combine drama withmusic & dance.