PERFORMING ARTS REVIEW 2018-2019

The evenings are lighter and the weather is getting warmer, so it “ The arts make us feel must be time for the annual Performing Arts newsletter. This connected to one another year has been jam packed full of events, clubs, shows and and less isolated. recitals. There has been some fabulous talent on show from the Through the arts we share an emotion and A Level Music Recital to the KS3 Drama production proving that that sharing connects us the Performing Arts future is bright at Highdown! with each other and we Mrs Lake realise we all feel the Curriculum Leader Performing Arts same emotions. The arts are our last hope. We find our identity and make it easier and more pleasurable to live and they also give us wisdom. “

Arthur Miller (Playwright Theatre Trips & Director) this year GCSE Music Recital This event kicked off the year with performances from our KS4 GCSE Music Students. There were some stunning performance and a wonderful mix of instrumental and vocal talent.

Rock Concert October 2018 GCSE AND A LEVEL MUSIC WORKSHOP WITH COMPOSER JEREMY JAMES HUNT On 7 November, the first Big Learning Day of the year, a group of 25 GCSE and A Level Music students worked with film composer Jeremy James Hunt. He talked to them about how to make their compositions more interesting (and as a result gain higher grades) by employing various musical devices such as unusual time signatures, different textures and unusual instrumental techniques. He demonstrated these through audio examples of his own compositions and other well-known pieces. In the third session of the morning, Jeremy composed live with the students asking them for ideas they would like him to portray within the music. At the end of the morning Jeremy worked with our A level students and two of our GCSE Music students that are currently composing more film like/orchestral pieces. In this session he listened to their work and gave them feedback about how to improve their work. This is the second year running that Jeremy has travelled from London to work with our students and as a result our GCSE and A level candidates have been able to use his guidance and advice to improve their composition submissions; a wonderful opportunity for all those involved!

Brookfields School visiting performance of 42nd street review by Harriet Ranson Macbeth. On the 4th December we went to London to watch the well known musical 42nd street. It On Wednesday 28th November GCSE Drama is an outstanding musical and one that I have students in KS4 and KS5 had the pleasure of wanted to see for a while. watching Brookfield School’s performance of Macbeth. It was incredible! The way the students It was amazing! From the moment the music used the space, the physical theatre sequences, the started my eyes were glued to the stage. I way the lines were delivered and the way the story didn’t want to miss a single step. Every single was interpreted for a modern audience was dance was incredible - from group dances to outstanding. It was a pleasure to host this amazing solos and duets. I’m sure I say for everyone group of students led by their equally amazing and who was there that that performance truly inspirational teacher Karen Wallace. inspired us to either start or carry on dancing.

But it wasn’t just the amazing tap dancing that made it for me. It was the combination of dancing, acting, singing, the great sets and the live orchestra. All together it created a musical no one should miss.

We are all so grateful for this opportunity so a massive thanks from everyone for putting this trip together.

On Monday 27th January it was lovely to welcome back to Highdown an ex student and professional drummer, Mark Vincent who talked to a selection of our students about life beyond A Level Music. Mark left Highdown 12 years ago having studied both Music and Music Tech at A level. After leaving Highdown, Mark spent several years touring Europe with his band that later became known as the Arusha Accord. He then went on to Oxford Brookes University where he continued his studies in Music at degree level. Today Mark is a professional session drummer, he also teaches drums as well as being fully involved with writing music as part of his band. Mark talked to students about where his passion for Music has taken him. He talked about his days as a teenager at Highdown and played a selection of compositions demonstrating his ability to drum and compose in a variety of styles from country to metal. Students were mesmerised when Mark drummed live to ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder and ‘Papercut’ by Linkin Park amongst other tracks. I know that students would have liked to have heard some pieces by the Arusha Accord but Mark explained that he wasn’t able to play those pieces at half measure and was worried he would deafen us in the drama studio….we will just have to watch out for and attend some of his gigs instead!

Can you name the famous drummers?

Answers on pg 7

A LEVEL RECITAL

During the last week of term it was lovely to be able to enjoy the talent of our A level and GCSE Music students at the A Level Recital Evening. This event is one of the most important in the lives of our A Level Music students as it marks the culmination of two years of hard work as they perform a recital lasting more than 8 minutes. This is recorded and submitted to the exam board.

This year we were mesmerised by the beautiful performances of Chopin’s ‘Nocturne in C# minor’ and two movements from Debussy’s ‘Suite Bergamasque’ including ‘Clair de Lune’ played by Abby Asbury. These pieces are challenging for any pianist but Abby made the fast scale passages sound delicate and effortless. Her attention to detail and understanding of the genres of these pieces ensured that she gave idiomatic and characterful performances. Indeed, in the words of one of the audience members Abby ‘nailed it’!

Other performances were equally memorable including Tara Najafi’s lyrical performance of Elgar’s ‘Chanson de Matin’, Pippa Moore’s lovely rendition of the second movement of Brahm’s ‘Clarinet Sonata in Eb Major’ and Izzy Jackson both singing ‘Sebben Crudele’ and playing ‘Smoke Gets in Your Eyes’ on the flute.

Rachel Nelson, accompanied by Joseph Beeney sang Kodaline’s ‘All I Want’. She sang it with feeling and gave a beautiful performance. To end the evening we were treated to Jamie Penn and Joseph Beeney playing ‘Duelling Banjos’. It really was a brilliant way to end such a great evening and the first time we have had a banjo performance in school!

Most of the GCSE students who performed are hoping to study Music at A Level next year, we would be very lucky to have them as part of our A level group and wish them well in their examinations this summer.

Abby Asbury and Helen Boddy are hoping to further their studies in Music at University next year. We thank them for their contribution to the Music Department and wish them the best of luck for their forthcoming examinations.

Our A level music technology students were treated to a visit from music industry professionals from Access to Music in June. The students had workshops on their own compositions and a Q&A session on how to progress in the music industry. They had previously submitted an entry of original GCSE Performing Arts Showcase music with the winning entry going on to play in the final, On Thursday 23 May, Year 10 students the prize being the chance to record at the world- from GCSE Music and Drama renowned Metropolis studios. Congratulations go to Alex performed their coursework pieces in Mansfield, Toby Masters and Maisie Palmer whose band front of their friends and families. We Worm Immortality Team have been selected to represent had a selection of musicians and Highdown in the final on the 3rd July. singers in the foyer followed by a performance in the Drama studio of a devised piece of work around an abduction. This was a great opportunity for students to get audience experience and their friends and family to see what they have been getting up to on their course! Excellent talent on display.

KS3 PRODUCTION

Thank you to everyone who came to see the KS3 production this year. It was a collection of scripted work and original pieces written by year 7 students Scarlett Mendham and Lara Burton. Their writing was inspired by Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes, a scheme of learning students studied in term 5.

FUN FACT: WORLD THEATRE DAY WAS CELEBRATED ON WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2019. NEXT YEAR IT IS ON FRIDAY 27 MARCH 2020! The Year 12 Music Technology students recently took a trip to Southampton to visit the Solent University for a day. The students were offered the wonderful opportunity to look at and use On Thursday 4th July the audience at the the high-tech recording Summer Showcase were treated to an equipment, with one of the bands evening of exceptional performances from even getting the chance to record our talented students. The evening was their cover of Supersonic by used to promote mental health and Oasis. They recorded two guitars, students selected a wide variety songs and bass, drums and vocals with styles to highlight this. Money was raised professional equipment and got for local mental health charity No. 5 who spoke eloquently about the mental health to witness the processes that issues facing young people today. Not only would be taken in a real did students from all years perform but recording. Overall, the trip was a students ran the sound, lighting and huge success, with the students compered the evening too. Special feeling very excited to get mention should go to students Natasha recording again! Parker and Ella Buckley for their exemplary work in organising and hosting the event. Mollie Jane Campbell - ‘I improved my dancing overall having to learn new skills and choreograph my own dance.’

Byrony Hayes – ‘I have improved on my choreography skills and learning group dances.’

Freya Chettle – ‘Improved my dance skills by learning from others, and developed leadership skills from Bianca ZINZANI – ‘I really liked the experience.’ helping younger dancers.’

HOUSE DRAMA

House Drama The Drama Department held it’s first ever House Drama competition. Students in year 7, 8 and 9 devised their own performances based on a specific theme. They were taught the skills of devising and how to create a performance and then they began creating. The best performances were selected through their mentor groups and then competed against the rest of the mentor groups in their year to win 1000 house points and a certificate and a chance to hold the coveted House Drama trophy. This years winners were Year 7: 7L - Guilia, Thea, Martha, Imogen, Ruby, Florence for GROVE 8G - Clemmie, Lucy, Lola & Elina for GROVE

WELL DONE GROVE HOUSE!! ‘I went to see Aladdin and I really enjoyed it. It was a really beautiful show and we all enjoyed it. Thanks for allowing us to come.’ Adam R

Aladdin theatre review by Sophie Chandler The Aladdin trip to London on the 11th July was spectacular. After we arrived we queued at the backstage door to go in. We had a great view at the back of the dress circle and could see everything. The curtains drew back and then the show began. The special effects were incredible, with flying carpets that looked real and seamless set changes. The genie was my favourite character – he was so funny and upbeat.

Year 12 Student Oliva Lee talks about her experience at being a Stage manager for the whole school productions.

Stage Managers. They are an integral part of any show or production because without them, there would be no staging, set or actors (as they wouldn’t know when to come onstage!). So, what does a stage manager actually do? Quite a lot actually: from arranging the building of sets, to meeting with the director to work out staging. The stage manager also looks after all of the props and runs the backstage area/s on show nights. This involves making sure the audience are seated before the performance, organising the stage mics for each actor, coordinating with the sound technicians and musicians during the show and making sure all of the props are onstage at the right time. Things don’t always run smoothly, of course, but as the saying goes: the show must go on! Whilst being stage manager can be slightly stressful at times (mainly when props get misplaced five minutes before show time…) and is a big responsibility, you are part of one big stage family, and everyone will always get together and help out. What I love the most about being a stage manager is seeing each show come together, from the very first drawing of the set to the final rehearsal- it is just magical. There is something really special about being able to say you were part of a production and I love the responsibility that comes with stage management: making sure the actors have everything they need, solving any major costume dramas, repairing mics and being part of a big team. Its not all serious behind the scenes, we have lots of fun and enjoy the show too. Next time you come to watch a production, listen really carefully and you might hear us singing along on the other side of the backstage blue screens! Olivia Lee A collaborative success

On Saturday 13th July our wonderful Highdown singers collaborated with Southern Chiltern Choral Society to sing Alexander L'Estrange's Zimbe!. This was a wonderful community event with a high standard of music that showed off the best of Highdown. Young Highdowners shared a BBQ with SCCS and did the school proud by mingling with the community and brightening up their day in the process.

We'd like to thank SCCS for choosing our school to collaborate with; it is a testament to the talent we have at Highdown and we as a Performing Arts Department are incredibly proud of our young people.

We'd also like to thank Dr. Capaldi for all her fantastic work in organising the event. As well as Mr Chitham-Mosley who worked tirelessly with our fantastic students to make the students feel confident in their abilities to shine.

Long may similar events continue as our school continues to outreach to the community. The future looks bright.

Highdown Friends of Performing Arts

From September 2019 we are very excited to announce the founding of "Highdown Friends of Performing Arts". As a department we are determined to be a centre of excellence for the community and we want to outreach further. There are so many parents, former students and those living in Emma Green and Caversham who have such a passion for the arts and already do wonderful things for our school. We want to expand even further and allow like-minded people to meet, play an active role in the life and future of the department and learn more about what we provide and value as a department.

Whilst we do not plan to start until September, if you have any suggestions, questions or thoughts on the scheme please do contact Mrs Lake ([email protected]) and together we can build something great. More news to follow in the new school year. Thank you to South Chiltern Choral Society for their generous donation towards our Music provision.

The PA department would like to thank the PTA for buying us the brand new head mics for our productions and events. We are incredibly grateful for the support.

A massive thank you to Helen Wood and the team at Peppard Building Supplies who gave us paint, wooden batons and painting supplies for School of Rock.

Coming up…

Orchestra, Senior Singers, Funk & Soul Group, Barbershop, Ukulele Group

Dance Workshop – Azure Theatre Company 23rd January 2020 – 3pm- 5pm Available to Dance Company only £10 per student. Letters to go out in September