St Mary's CollegePERFORMING ARTS FACULTY

A-Levels:Dance

Drama & Theatre StudiesMusic

Music TechnologyPerformance Studies

Enhancements:Dance Academy

Rock BandTotal Music

Total Theatre

St Mary’s is now the leading college for Performing Arts in East Lancashire.

Opened in 2008, this magnificent building has been designed with a 200-seat theatre at its centre. Industry standard lighting and sound equipment mean that students benefit from the very best in professional facilities. The O’Neill Theatre is surrounded by spacious drama studios, theory classrooms and a sprung-floor dance studio complete with mirrors and ballet-bar. Music and Music Technology students can now enjoy their own dedicated

facilities in the centre, including large classrooms with Apple Mac computers for sound recording and editing, two live studios and additional practice rooms.

This centre is the perfect setting for the five AS/A Levels offered in Performing Arts: Dance, Drama and Theatre, Music, Music Technology, Performance Studies and the Theatre Arts option in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

The O’Neill Academy for Performing Arts Centre

This is an enhancement course which is open to all students who want to be involved in theatre performance and preparation for auditions at Drama colleges or for Drama courses in Higher Education.

Students devise a community project in the first term that is toured around schools. In the second term students then prepare for auditions if they have chosen to pursue a Drama course after St. Mary’s. The third term culminates in the performance of a College Production, directed and performed to a professional level.Visits to regional theatres and a residential trip to London are also part of this exciting

and dynamic enhancement opportunity.Many students decide to pursue their interests and abilities in these areas and each year several progress to professional performance training, stage management and production design.

Entry RequirementsThere are no formal qualifications needed for this course. Total Theatre is an enhancement course which is open to all year 12 students with an interest in performance and theatre.The course runs throughout the year and takes six sessions per week.

About the Course

New TOTAL THEATRE Production for 2010

Attempts on her life by Martin Crimp

‘Attempts on her life’ tries to define a character, Anne, who never appears on stage. Following on from the success of ‘The Piano Project’, the Total Theatre Company are employing a range of multi-media techniques in an attempt to solve the riddle of ‘Anne’.

Attempts to describe her?Attempts to destroy her? Or attempts to destroy herself? Is Anne the object of violence?Or its terrifying practitioner?

Shocking and hilarious by turn, Martin Crimp’s play is a rollercoaster of late 20th-century obsessions, its strange array of nameless characters attempt to invent the perfect story to encapsulate our time.Since its premiere 10 years ago, Attempts on her Life has been translated into more than 20 languages.

It’s official! ‘The Piano Project’ is hitting the Edinburgh Fringe Festival summer 2010!

Devised in the summer of 2009 and first performed here at the College, ‘The Piano Project’ is a piece of multimedia theatre inspired by the tabloid coverage of the story of Andreas Grassl - dubbed ‘the piano man’ by the British Press.

From 6th to the 17th August 2010, ‘The Piano Project’ will be performed daily at 2.30pm at The Bongo Club, 37 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8BA.

SMC YOUTH THEATREAre you interested in Contemporary Theatre Practice?

Have you ever wanted to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival?

If your 16th birthday falls before the May of your year 11, you are eligible to apply for the Youth Theatre Company.

The selection process will be via audition and there will be a nominal subscription fee.

SMC Youth Theatre Starts September 2010

APPLICATION FORMS RELEASED EARLY MAY 2010

Outstanding SMC drama students have been accepted at top theatre schools, SEvEN students from St Mary’s College will be attending top drama colleges from September.

Two have gone to the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama. James Dryden is taking a BA in Acting for Musical Theatre and is joined by Joe Brown who is studying a BA in Drama and Applied Theatre.

Meg Astin-Kilgallon is taking a BA in Drama and Applied Theatre at the highly respected Bird College.

Both Bethan Rigby and Jessica Tomlinson have places at East 15, one of the UK’s most innovative acting schools.

Daniel Hunt has gone to RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Art) which has educated dozen of stars including Alan Rickman, Jane Horrocks, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Ralph Fiennes, John Hurt and Imelda Staunton, to name but a few.

Laurence Giltrow-Shaw is studying BA(Hons) in Professional Acting at the highly prestigious Bristol Old vic Theatre School. He is an exceptional actor and has been awarded a place at the school which was opened by Laurence Olivier and boasts Pete Postlethwaite and Brian Blessed as former students.

Pictured: left to right, front row; Laurence Giltrow-Shaw, Meg Astin-Kilgallon, Bethan Rigby. Middle row; Daniel Hunt, Joe Brown. Back row; James Dryden, Jessica Tomlinson

Destinations - A-Level Theatre Studies

This years group of Performance Studies students are applying to some of the top performance institutions

Emily Williamson is applying to study Drama and Physical Theatre at Rose Bru, Central School of Speech and Drama, LIPA and Edge Hill Universities.

Morgan Anderson has received an unconditional offer to study Drama and Physical Theatre at Edge Hill University.Daniel Allen is applying for a Drama and

Teaching Course at Salford, Liverpool Hope and Liverpool Metropolitan.

Carolyne Hurlstone has been accepted to Liverpool Hope University to study Drama and Theatre Studies, combined with English. Emily Lahouel has applied to study Physical and Dance Theatre at East 15, Salford and Edge Hill.

Pictured: left to right; Emily Williamson, Morgan Anderson, Daniel Allen, Carolyne Hurlstone and Emily Lahouel.

Destinations - A-Level Performance Studies

Performance StudiesPerformance Studies offers an opportunity to study dance, drama and music in one subject. Although it is not necessary that you are experienced in all three artforms, this course allows you to develop skills in each area. During your studies you will take part in theatre visits, work with professionals in college, and perform to a range of audiences. Through practical performance work you will study and apply the work of a broad range of performance practitioners. Group practical work allows students to develop skills in working with others to create performance pieces.

The first year allows for development of technical performance skills and language of performing arts through skills workshops, devising and performing original short pieces in dance, drama and music, and devising and performing a longer community piece that combines all three artforms. You will be assessed on your performance in the community piece, as well as written work in which you will discuss your performance and its development. Throughout the first year you will study the work of two practitioners.

Currently the practitioner for dance is Lloyd Newson and for drama Caryl Churchill. You will study and apply in practice the specific performance techniques adopted by each practitioner, and the cultural, artistic and social influences on their work.

In the second year you will study and apply in practice the work of three practitioners. A more advanced study than at AS, you will compare and contrast the works according to their influence and style. There is also a large practical element in which you will devise an original group performance based on a given theme or subject.

Students enjoy Performance Studies because they develop a broad understanding of the performing arts which is mainly taught through practical work. Many students go on to study performance at higher level. However, the course improves self-confidence, flexible thinking, working closely with others, as well as a sound understanding of political and cultural events through a study of the arts, providing them with skills necessary in other subjects.

An Academy student will receive professional training from Ludas Dance Company; the inspirational contemporary dance company, Ludas will train the Academy dancer to an elite level of performance that is beyond A level expectation.

The coaching will consist of the following exciting components on a weekly basis:• A professional level technique class• A choreography workshop creating work for professional performance.The pieces of choreography will then be toured to perform at a range of showcase events in Lancashire. The Academy dancer will also have an outstanding opportunity to take part in a two day choreographic residency that will involve a series of workshops with a leading UK choreographer. The workshops will

introduce the dancer to work with innovative choreographic methods, exploring creative boundaries to produce a performance piece. The choreography will then be performed to an external audience.

Entry RequirementsThere are no formal qualifications for entry although all applicants will need to have applied to be on a programme of study that includes AS level or A2 level Dance. Applicants for the Dance Academy will need to be talented dancers that will be selected through an audition process that identifies a high performance standard.

All dancers showing interest in the Academy should be blocked in E as an enhancement package. However, this is subject to audition.

About the Course

Billie Ryan and Sion Wells, two students from AS Dance and members of the Dance Academy, have been selected through audition to partake in the centre for advanced training scheme. Hundreds of dancers from the North West region auditioned for only eighteen places.

The centre for advanced training scheme at The Lowry provides access to high quality training in dance to young people

who have a passion for dance. The scheme provides intensive training from professional practitioners on a weekly basis in studios at The Lowry.

The residencies with professional choreographers are held during college holidays. During the residencies the dancers create works to be performed at The Lowry and at Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

A Centre for Advanced Training

100% A - C grades for AS and A Level Dance.In AS Level Dance all FOURTEEN students achieved grade A for the practical unit that incorporates both solo choreography and group dance.

Two students gained FULL MARKS for AS Dance including both the practical and theory units. They are Jennifer Smith and Samantha Storey.

Joanna Butcher, achieved full marks for FOUR units in dance. These included the written paper, the course work analysis, group choreography and performance from a notated score.

01. Jennifer Smith02. Samantha Storey03. Joanna Butcher

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Young Creatives ProjectTWO of our Dance students have been awarded a place on The Young Creatives Project, an initiative lead by Youth Dance England.

Jen Smith and Samantha Storey A’level Dance students and members of The Dance Academy have been awarded a place on the Young Creatives project. Only 24 places are available with entries from across the whole of the UK. On January 10th 2010, Jen and Sammie performed their duet, at The Royal Opera House in London to a panel of 10 professional choreographers.

Jen and Sammie will then be assigned a one of the choreographers as a professional mentor. The mentor will attend a rehearsal of the piece in the studio at St Mary’s College to explore ideas, help polish the piece and make any final changes. The two dancers will then be invited to take part in the Young Creative residential that will take place between 6th – 9th of April in London. This will include 2 days of sessions of choreographic and performance workshops with professional artists and teachers. The dancers will conclude the event with a final performance of their piece at The Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House.

St Mary’s College Dance Academy participated in a highly successful event “Jump Start” in December held in the O’Neill Theatre.

The programme celebrated Youth Dance and dance companies from across the North West performed in this outstanding sell out!

The Dance Academy is now working with the professional choreographer Samantha Allen on a new piece that will be performed at King Georges Hall during the Celebration of Dance Festival. The Dance Academy will then have the opportunity of performing in the Youth Dance England festival held at The Lowry. If the Academy is successful in this event, Youth Dance England will invite the company to perform in London. As part of The Dance Academy Tour, the dancers will also perform in the North West Youth Dance Festival at The Dukes Theatre, in Lancaster in May.

About the CourseRehearsals take place at the following times:

SMC Brass Group: Monday from 11.30- »12.30

Rock Music Workshop: Tuesday from »1.00 -2.30 (and after college from 4.00)

SMC Choir: Wednesday from 2.30 until »3.30

SMC Orchestra: Thursday from 1.30 until »2.30 (after college) Open to All Schools across Lancashire

SMC Recorder Group: Please enquire »with the Head of Music

Rehearsals take place on a weekly basis and are held in the Music Room (1025) in the O’Neill Performing Arts building.

Students will need to ensure that the relevant enhancement course appears on their individual timetable.

For the Rock Music Workshop students will need to bring in their own instruments and any additional leads/amps etc.

Entry RequirementsTotal Music is open to all students (and staff) across the college regardless of whether or not you are taking Music or Music Technology at AS Level. For the SMC Choir and SMC Rock Music Workshops there are no formal qualifications needed to gain entry. For the SMC Orchestra we are looking for musicians no lower than Grade 4 ABRSM or equivalent qualification or, if no formal qualifications are held, by audition with the Head of Music. For the ‘Pennine Youth Orchestra’ - this is an after college activity, open to all schools around Lancashire. There is no restriction on age or ability limits.

MusicWhatever your taste in music you will have the opportunity to take it further with the SMC Music Department.

There are a number of Total Music Enhancements offered throughout the College day which include the SMC Choir, SMC Orchestra, SMC Ensembles, as well as our SMC Rock Music Workshops.

Our recent performances have included Handel’s Messiah at Stonyhurst, and the Faure and Rutter Requiems at Clitheroe Parish Church. Every year we perform a wide variety of music in the Christmas and Spring Concerts, Community Carol Concert and College Prize Night.

The SMC Music Department Choir produced two professional CD’s of famous choral works - Handel’s Messiah and the Faure/utter Requiems.

The SMC Rock Bands are also encouraged throughout the year to secure local gigs and have recently supported a well known local band at the Pendle Witch in Sabden. Our Brass Group recently performed in the Trafford Centre playing Christmas Carols.

In addition there are a number of opportunities to get involved in after college enhancements. The Blackburn with Darwen ‘Gospel and Pop’ Choir rehearse at SMC on a Wednesday evening and

there is additional supervised rehearsal and recording time for the Rock Bands.Our AS and A level Music students are supported financially with the cost of their lessons and are assigned a ‘recital coach’ to prepare them for their end of year recitals. In addition to support in their practical work students can access Grade 5 Theory support. All our students are encouraged to use the Music Department’s facilities, which include five practice rooms for rehearsal and composition as well a take part in regular external trips to King George’s Hall to see the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Halle Concert series.

Instrumental Lesson SupportThe College subsidises the cost of instrumental lessons for Music students.

We also provide lessons in;

Grade 5 Theory »Singing »Piano »Brass »Saxophone/Clarinet »Guitar »Jazz Piano »

You can choose to keep your current teacher or take on lessons with a teacher from the Blackburn School of Music and college can subsidies that.

Elizabeth Robinson, current Year 13 Music student is in the enviable position of having received two unconditional offers of study from both The Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, with the possibility of a scholarship. Elizabeth is the principal French horn of the Halle Youth Orchestra and rehearses with them each Sunday. She is also auditioning for 7 of the British conservatoires for entry in September 2010. Clearly Elizabeth will have a difficult choice ahead of her, and has several auditions yet to come, but she is extremely pleased with the RNCM offer as the RNCM is one of her top choices.

Paul Townsend has studied Design Technology, Music Technology and I.T. at St. Mary’s. He plays guitar and is the lead singer in his band The Moog. During his Design Technology A Level he made two guitars.

The one pictured is a fully working twin necked lead and base which he made in his A Level year.

He plans to carry on singing, playing and building guitars and if he does not make it as a ‘rock god’ playing his own custom built guitars on stage, he plans to develop a career building and maintaining guitars.

SMC Music Dept consistently exceeds the National Benchmarks for High Grades (these are A’s and B’s) and in 2009

A2 Music SMC achieved 75% against the National Benchmark of 41% AS Music SMC achieved 80% against the National Benchmark of 37%AS Music Tech SMC achieved 73% against the National Benchmark of 29%A2 Music Tech SMC achieved 45% against the National Benchmark of 28%

Other former St. Mary’s Music students have gone on to study at prestigious Colleges including the following;

Jacob Lakeland has gone to the University of York to study Music Technology Systems.

Joshua Goodey has left St. Mary’s with a superb grade A in Music A Level and a grade B in Music Technology A Level. Joshua has been offered a fiercely competitive scholarship to study for a BMus (Hons) at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Victoria Gunn went on to Kings College London to study Music.

Daniel Holden went on to Leeds University to study for a BSc joint honours in Music and Mathematics.

Jamie Turner successfully secured a much sought after place at LIPA (Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts) to study for a degree in Popular Music, after gaining a grade B in his Music A Level and a grade A in Music Technology A Level.

Euan Palmer is studying BMus (Hons) in Jazz Studies at the Birmingham Conservatoire.

Kimberly Shepherd who left us in 2006 has just graduated with a 2:1 Music/Music Technology from Bangor University.

Current A Level Music student Nathan Wood has just achieved his ABRSM Grade 8 Distinction on Trumpet.

01. Daniel Holden02. Victoria Gunn

03. Jacob Lakeland04. Jamie Turner

05. Joshua Goodey06. Euan Palmer

07. Kimberly Shepherd08. Nathan Wood

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