All the pupils are looking forward to the trip which involves pupils from Year 7 to 12.

• Unit 1 – Coursework
• Unit 2 – Coursework
• Unit 3 – Exam
• Unit 4 – Coursework
• Unit 5 – Coursework
• Unit 6 – Exam

What does the course involve?

The AS/A2 level course builds upon the three strands covered at GCSE:

• Listening (40%), Performing (30%) and Composing (30%). The course is flexible enough to suit a variety of musical tastes and it is possible to create your own path though composition and performance work. In terms of performance there are no limits and you may perform in any style on any instrument. However, a minimum of Grade 4 or equivalent is expected at this level. Performances must include solo work, an ensemble piece and the performance of a composition.
• The Composition unit involves two main strands: Compositional techniques exercises and a composition. Techniques exercises are chosen by the teacher from a selection of topics including Serialism, Bach Chorale and many others. The composition is chosen by the student, similarly from a variety of topics, amongst which are Variations, Popular Song, Romantic Miniatures, Club Dance and Hip Hop, Music Theatre and Film and Television.
• The Listening and understanding of music is achieved through the in depth study of two musical areas. Once again, these are chosen by the teacher and may, for example, involve set works in both Secular Vocal Music and Popular Music and Jazz (there are nine different options). Extensive listening work also forms a significant part of this unit.

What qualifications do I need?

It is highly desirable for you to have studied music at GCSE, although it is not absolutely essential. As long as you are a competent musician, with a sound grasp of music theory and various musical forms and styles, the AS/A2 level course could also be suitable for you. A very important quality for all those wishing to embark on this course, however, is a genuine interest in ALL musical styles, forms and periods. It is expected that you will engage in listening to music on a regular basis and that you will be involved in a number of extra-curricular musical opportunities. A minimum of Grade 4 or equivalent has already been mentioned in terms of performance work.

Equipment

The facilities of the School music centre will be available to you, including practice rooms, acoustic and electronic instruments, recording facilities and computer-based composing, sequencing and notation software.

Assessment

40% Listening, 30% Composing, 30% Performing – Internal and External.

Future Prospects

Approximately half of students who study music at AS/A2 continue their music studies at University. Other music students have used their talents for recreation rather than employment. Musical qualifications are highly regarded by prospective employers and further education establishments as evidence of commitment and ability.

What does the course involve?

• How does an actor play and breathe life into his role?
• How does a director give life to the ideas in the play?
• How do you interpret an ordinary script into a stunning visual performance?

On this course, we will learn to do all of the above and more. You will be shown the wonderful diversity in theatre and will learn to analyse, interpret and create imaginative, stylish and effective theatre, whilst increasingly becoming a competent theatre practitioner. While this A level is rigorously academic, it is essentially practical and offers a unique approach to learning.

What qualifications do I need?

You need to be really enthusiastic about acting and theatre: watching it, doing it, talking about it and writing about it. Team-work is an essential element to the course. Students need to be very reliable in their attendance and punctuality, they need to like working creatively in teams and enjoy sharing and experimenting with ideas. There needs to be a willingness and independence in taking direction and developing both practical and academic skills. If you love drama and theatre and are able to commit your time and energy to your work, you will have a wonderful time on this course!

Assessment

AS Units

• Unit 1 - Exploration of drama and theatre Internally assessed evaluation & performance
• Unit 2 - Theatre text in performance Externally assessed performance

A2 Units

• Unit 3 – Exploration of dramatic performance Internally assessed research and performance
• Unit 4 – Theatre text in context Written examination

General Comments

The AS year is essentially about taking a play from the page to performance. You will begin by exploring two contrasting plays and learning about one recognised theatre practitioner. The approach is mostly practical with a high level of analysis. Through written and practical coursework assessment, you will demonstrate your understanding, practical skills and ideas. We will also visit the theatre to review plays and here you will learn to critique all aspects of the production with skill.

At the beginning of the A2 year, you will embark on an exciting project where you will draw on all of your experience, research and ideas to develop an original piece of theatre. You will be assessed on your rehearsal process, your performance and on a detailed written evaluation you will write. For your written exam, you have the wonderful opportunity to explore a play from the point of view of a Director. You will develop your own production ideas. Within the bounds of relevance, you are free to be as imaginative and daring as you wish. You will also write a critique of a historic play you have seen, drawing comparisons with the plays original performance context.

Future Prospects

Drama & Theatre Studies is accepted by universities. It is excellent preparation for a degree in Drama or Drama School training, however, the skills developed through this course are relevant to many different academic and professional areas. It combines very well with other Arts, Humanities and English.

Staff

• Miss Hunter and Mrs Clarke for organising the backstage crew into such a slick team.
• Mr Hopkins and Mr Jones for their design and artistic skills in creating a wonderful set.
• Mrs Caines and Mrs Bilton for the magnificent costumes.
• Mr Coates for his excellent trumpet and saxophone playing, and for helping pupils in the orchestra.
• And finally to Mr Lewis, Mrs Gentry, Mr Williamson and Mr Martin for all their creative and technical expertise in making the whole thing so successful.

Parents

Thank you for your continued support. We rehearse for a long period of time, and I appreciate all the picking up after school that you have all done. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I hope that you are. The entire cast, crew and orchestra need parental support to encourage them and give them the confidence and self-belief that they will cope with the pressure. Thank you.

Pupils

There are so many superlatives that I could use to describe you all, but there are three things that sum up how successful you have been. Firstly, I didn’t once have to nag anyone about learning lines or song words. You all realised that in order to improve your performance it needed doing, and you went away and did it. Secondly, I barely had to get cross at all (not that I’m very good at doing it), and the one time I tried it the piano came off worse than you from my attempted tongue-lashing! Thirdly, and most importantly, the quality of each night’s performance was the same. This might seem like a small thing, but it isn’t. So many school performances get better each night, which is really an admission that there is gradual room for improvement, and that it’s ‘right’ by the final show. However, I think that every single night was as good as each other, and that is testament to the consistent high quality of each night.

I had a brilliant time working with you all, on what I think (with the greatest respect to previous casts) has been Ryedale School’s best show, and you deserve all the congratulations you receive.  I’ll post all the photos that we’ve got from the dress rehearsal (but unfortunately because of the license agreement we sign, we can’t post any video or audio).

[One final aside... some pupils and parents have asked what we do with with the proceeds from ticket sales... This is a good question! Firstly, we sign a license agreement with the license holders to receive permission to perform the show, for which there is an up-front charge, and they take a cut of 15% of everything we take in ticket sales. We then have to hire the scripts and orchestral music from them too. Other costs include costumes (although Mrs Bilton and Mrs Caines do a great job of making many from scratch, and there isn't a local charity shop that hasn't been scoured for suitable outfits!) and make-up, materials to build the set and then paint it. There are also a few other costs, such as producing the programme and posters, for instance. We have made a small profit on Guys and Dolls, which will be used to pay for the hire or costumes for the Year 11 GCSE Drama performance to the exam board moderator, and then what's left will go towards the upfront license fee for the next show. The bar and raffle profits go to the PTA.]

Pupils find out if they have managed to secure a role in this years production of Guys and Dolls. Pupils are working hard to learn lines intime for the opening night which is Thurdsay 31st March.
Click on each image to enlarge the view