Performing Arts

Head of Department: Miss E Colebrook ecolebrook@prsbucks.com

The Performing Arts Department at Princes Risborough School focuses on developing the students' appreciation across Music, Drama and Dance. Through Key Stage 3 the focus is exploring a variety of genres and styles in each discipline to prepare the students for their options at Key Stage 4 and develop their confidence through the power of performance.

Each department at PRS is taught by passionate and experienced teachers to ensure that the students get the most from the Performing Arts Experience.

Our Vision at PRS:

In the Performing Arts Department, we believe that creativity is not an exclusive talent reserved for a few, but a core human skill that belongs to every student. Our mission is to deliver an inclusive, high-energy curriculum where every lesson provides a safe space for students to explore, express, and excel, regardless of their prior experience or background developing the ‘transferable creativity’ at the core of our curriculum.

Dance

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject that encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional, and intellectual capacities, whatever their previous experience in the subject.

PRS specialises in a range of styles all taught throughout the school from Year 7 up to Year 11. The teachers are passionate about the subject and encourage everyone to participate in dance events and performances.

We have a state of the art Dance studio, which opened in 2014, equipped with a sprung Harlequin® dance floor, sound system, air conditioning, touch screen TV, Ballet Barres and full length mirrors.

The Dance Curriculum Map below describes the journey our students take from Year 7 - 11.

dance curriculum map.pdf

KS3

In Years 7, 8 and 9 all students have dance lessons once a week throughout the year. In KS3 the fundamental components of dance are explored as well as a range of different styles from around the world, this is a good grounding for study at Key Stage 4 level.

KS4

The BTEC Tech award in Performing Arts & Dance helps students develop technical and expressive skills as well as a greater knowledge and understanding of dance through performance, choreography and critical appreciation of dance.

Dance is a powerful and expressive subject which encourages students to develop their creative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacity, whatever their previous experience in the subject.

This specification recognises the role of dance in young people's lives and students will study a range of dance styles and style fusions. They can choose any style in which to perform and choreograph, providing it meets the assessment criteria, students also learn a set piece of repertoire from a professional work to perform, whilst analysing the skills it took to achieve this.

The study of professional works develops their ability to critically appraise professional dance and provides a springboard for engaging in practical tasks. This course provides a solid foundation for a career in dance or performing arts and the students studying his dance specification have many performance opportunities throughout the year.

KS5

BTEC Extended Certificate is designed to provide students with a wide variety of performance and appreciation skills that can be taken into higher education and is an excellent progression from the BTEC TECH award.

This course is the equivalent of 1 A-level so it can be combined with other complementary subjects within sixth form study. It allows you to develop your style as an individual performer and develop your skills ready for vocational courses or degree level study.

This course has a practical focus with 2 of the 3 units being coursework based. The technique classes will focus on developing posture, alignment, flexibility and control.

Opportunities

This course can lead to Degree courses in dance, performing arts and arts administration. This qualification is also a good grounding for dance teaching qualifications with the ISTD or RAD.

This could also lead to full-time vocational training at places such as Urdang Academy, London Studio Centre, Millennium Performing Arts and Stella Mann.

Learning Resources

KS3

KS4 and 5

Other Links/Information

Watch as many different types of dance styles as you can. Use YouTube and search GCSE Dance choreography, or use the style that you are studying to see performances.

Drama

Our Drama Curriculum Map below describes the journey our students take from Year 7-11.

drama curriculum map.pdf

KS3

In Years 7,8 and 9 our students complete a versatile Drama programme that allows them to build and develop basic drama skills. With modules that include Comedy, Pantomime, Melodrama, Greek Theatre, Shakespeare, Physical Theatre and Script work. Our approach to Drama encourages students with all levels of experience to explore their natural talent. There is an additional focus on transferable skills such as confidence, teamwork, communication and original thinking. All students can benefit deeply from this two-year introduction to Drama and Performing Arts skills, regardless of whether or not they continue to study Performing Arts in KS4.

KS4

BTEC Performing Arts Level 2 - A three-part qualification, the BTEC in Performing Arts at Princes Risborough allows KS4 Students three years to practically explore, create, rehearse and perform a wide variety of theatre styles and genres. This flexible and adaptable BTEC allows students to explore their inner artist with freedom and allows them to grow organically whilst honing their skills. With ample opportunities for students to explore their talents as designers (lighting, sound, etc.) as well as performers, our department endeavours to engage student’s creativity through all elements of the Arts.

Component 1- Exploring the Performing Arts Industry (30%) Internally Assessed

Component 2- Developing Skills and Techniques in the Performing Arts (30%) Internally Assessed

Component 3- Responding to a Brief (40%) Externally Assessed

KS5

BTEC Performing Arts Level 3 - BTEC Extended Certificate is designed to provide students with a wide variety of performance and appreciation skills that can be taken into higher education and is an excellent progression from the BTEC TECH award.

This course has a practical focus with 2 of the 3 units being coursework based. The technique classes will focus on developing skills relating to various practitioners and their respective styles.

Opportunities

This course can lead to Degree courses in Drama, performing arts and arts administration.

This could also lead to full-time vocational training at places such as LAMDA, RADA, East 15, The Royal Welsh, LIPA, The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Italia Conti, Mountview, Guildford, Rose Bruford, and The Bristol Old Victoria.

Learning Resources

Year 7

Greek Theatre - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOXUySKf1gM

Pantomime - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE_vWb1PUoU

Year 8

Frantic Assembly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVrOsXhG61Q&t=4s

DV8 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIDxSGyO_TQ

Characterisation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOGw90mAF48

Devising - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G9fwO4RgpU

Year 9

Theatre of Cruelty - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DK_vZuLYHcw&t=2s

Physical Theatre - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnKwTAmSNs

Naturalism - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0A4ywwYkAWk

Year 10

DNA - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHilOJDigCQ

Hamilton - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSCKfXpAGHc

Year 11

Devised Theatre - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mJ02mSvbEM

National Theatre- RashDash/Devising Masterclass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47QhuLMLDL8

National Theatre - Masterclass: Building Blocks for Devising by Frantic Assembly - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUqZPfGIX6U&t=316s

Music

Head of Music: Harriet Faith hfaith@prsbucks.com

The Music Curriculum Map describes the journey our students take from Year 7.

Further information regarding the Music Development Plan can be found in the 'PRS Music Development Plan Summary'.

Our Music Curriculum Map below describes the journey our students take from Year 7 - 11.

music curriculum map.pdf

KS3

Every child has classroom music in Years 7, 8 and 9 and has the opportunity to opt for Music at KS4 which is structured to prepare students for the Level 2 BTEC Tech Award in Music Practice. The BTEC course is now offered from Year 10 through to Year 11 as the School’s choice of Music exam.

The Music Department believes that there should be opportunity for pupils of all abilities and aspirations to participate in musical activities at an appropriate level as well as recognising and nurturing individual talent so that the musical pupil may be challenged and enabled to realise their potential.

To achieve these aims there are performance and composition projects which are delivered through topics based in the classroom to year 7, 8 and 9. All students learn keyboard in class, plus have the opportunity to use IT software to develop composition and performance work. Additionally, we have plenty of guitars and ukuleles to give students a chance to begin or develop skills on string instruments.

We give students performance opportunities at all levels ranging from the annual Christmas concert to other performing arts projects combining Music, Dance and Drama in school productions.

KS4

The BTEC Tech award in Music Practice allows students to study a wide range of genres of music as well as developing their composing and performing skills.

Component 1 (30%) - Internal assessment -Exploring Music Products and Styles

Component 2 (30%) - Internal assessment - Music Skill Development

Component 3 (40%) - External assessment - Responding to a Commercial Music Brief

Music Lessons

Information from Bucks Music Trust (BMT) regarding the Instrumental and Vocal Tuition they provide on our behalf can be found on their website www.bucksmusic.org/secondary-school-offer/.

We are also pleased to inform you that you can now apply online for Instrumental and Vocal Tuition via their website https://www.bucksmusic.org/bltm/book-lessons/ and information about all the musical opportunities on offer can be viewed here too. Once you have completed an online form, a member of the BMT Music team will be in touch with you to organise your lessons here at school.

Learning Resources

Books

Cole, B (1996). The Composer's Handbook: A Do-it Yourself Approach. 2nd ed. London: Schott Music. ISBN 0946535809

Cole, B (2006). The Pop Composer's Handbook - A Step-by-step Guide to the Composition of Melody, Harmony, Rhythm and Structure. London: Schott Music. ISBN 1902455606

J. Hutchinson, How to Compose Music: A Guide to Composing Music for a Musician (or an eager Beginner) who wants to become a Composer - (How to Write Music) (2014) ISBN – 1522929525 (Also available free on Kindle)

Websites

Ableton.com - learningmusic.ableton.com – a browser based guide to music composition and sequencing

BBC Bitesize - www.bbc.co.uk/education/topics/zxsv9j6 - BBC Bitesize GCSE music has 2 learner guides and 21 video clips on music creation.

Music Theory For Musicians & Normal People - http://tobyrush.com/theorypages/index.html - a series of visually appealing free pdfs on Music Theory which cover all the essentials

Point Blank Music School - www.youtube.com/user/pointblankonline/ - has video tutorials, masterclasses and production technique videos

Future Music Magazine - www.youtube.com/user/FutureMusicMagazine - contains videos on the techniques & technology behind the hits.

Produce Like A Pro - www.youtube.com/user/WarrenHuartRecording - contains videos on mixing & recording techniques

Thinkspace Education - www.youtube.com/user/thinkspaceeducation/ - has various videos on scoring, soundtracking and sound design for films and computer games

BBC Documentaries - www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/music/- contains a list of all currently available BBC documentaries about music history, styles & techniques.

Skills

https://www.classicfm.com/lifestyle/wellbeing/musician-practice-tips/

Communication

http://blog.sonicbids.com/the-top-10-digital-platforms-to-upload-share-and-promote-your-music

https://www.howtogeek.com/227211/how-to-put-your-music-collection-online-and-access-it-from-any-device/

Music Creators

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEIk3bJtTNw

Performers

Various study books and videos specific to the individual instrument.

Producers/Music Technologists

http://www.practical-music-production.com/becoming-a-music-producer.html

A guide to how to start out with music technology