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Performing Arts News

Well done to everyone who has sent in work, you really are brightening our days. We have started to send out some postcards to students who have gone above and beyond and completed all their home learning.

If you have learnt something new on your instrument, created a piece of music, written a song or have done any music, drama or dance during lockdown we’d love to see what you have been up to. Please send photos or videos to Mrs Woods bwoods@manorhigh.leics.sch.uk (don’t worry, these will not be shared without the permission of you and your parents).

Ciaran playing cornetHopefully everyone has been joining in with clapping the NHS and key workers on Thursday evenings. Well done to Ciaran, who took it a step further and played his cornet to the neighbours.

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for regular updates - @CAManorHigh

Mrs B Woods, Head of Performing Arts

Mrs Woods on the pianoThe Intro Challenge

Can you play any well-known song intros on your instrument? Staff and students have been sending in their videos. Follow the link to hear Mrs Woods on the piano.  It’s not too late to get involved. Why not give it a go?

Music Technology

If you enjoyed using Garageband to create your own music at school, there are some great ways of doing this online. Year 9 and 10 have been asked to use BandLab to create music for a workout video, combining and layering loops and samples. We have had some brilliant tracks sent from students. Check Show My Homework for a video tutorial.

Our top music tech site recommendations are:

  1. www.bandlab.com
  2. www.buttonbass.com
  3. www.incredibox.com/demo
  4. intro.novationmusic.com/harry-coade?overlay=intro

Accessing Theatre, Music and Dance

Now is a great time for our students to access high quality theatre and music without the price tag that usually comes with it. We have been asking students to take advantage of this at home, particularly if they are studying GCSE as half of their exam paper is on Live Theatre.

Culture in Quarantine

Culture in Quarantine is a BBC initiative to give the public access to quality arts and theatre. There are some fantastic productions currently available on iPlayer from renowned companies including Shakespeare’s Globe and the RSC.

Year 9 and 10 have been checking out Emma Rice’s hilarious and modernised production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream on iPlayer.

The National Theatre at Home

The National Theatre at Home are streaming some of the productions they filmed to go out into cinemas. They release a different one every week. So far we have seen One Man, Two Guvnors (starring James Corden), Jane Eyre, Treasure Island, Twelfth Night (starring Tamsin Grieg) and Frankenstein (starring Benedict Cumberbatch). Check out the National Theatre Youtube channel for future releases.

GCSE Drama

Year 10 students have been looking at Theatre design and in particular the use of costume. John Bale, Head of Wardrobe at the Little Theatre, kindly got involved with this, and (remotely) talked the students through the most important considerations when costuming a theatrical production. He also shared some of his creations:

John Bale wardrobe creations

Joe chose this iconic costume and considered its effectiveness in bringing across Jon Snow’s character.

John Bale wardrobe task answer

Keep sending us your work

We love receiving your work and being able to see your amazing creativity. For example, Year 7 have researched drama rehearsal processes and made us some fabulous posters to display.

Ishaan made us smile, Nailah caught our eye with her brilliant drawings, Alfie came up with a hilarious way of helping us to remember all the steps and Patrick did a fantastic job of explaining each step.

Examples of Year 7 work