Performing Arts

Performing Arts

WELCOME TO THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

We have high expectations of all of our Performing Arts students and aim to challenge you to achieve outstanding results. Excellent facilities and a team of highly dedicated and committed teachers will ensure that you are provided with every chance of succeeding during your time at College. At QMC professional equipment and facilities have been carefully chosen to enhance your learning and help you acquire the skills you will need to work in the performing arts and music industries.

The world needs creativity. As well as preparing you for a career in performing arts, we also help prepare you for a range of alternative courses and professions. By studying our courses, you can gain transferable and employability skills that are valued by a whole range of employers and universities. You can go on to study and have successful careers in a wide range of job roles from law to paramedicine.

The course provides a holistic learning experience of the Performing Arts, which balances the development of skills with personal growth and intentions. You will develop into an independent, vocationally aware performing arts student.

Excellent facilities and a team of highly dedicated and committed teachers will ensure that you are provided with every chance of succeeding during your time at College. At QMC we are fully equipped with professional equipment and facilities which have been carefully chosen to enhance your learning and help you acquire the skills you will need to work in the performing arts and music industry.

Performing Arts

Course Summary

The course provides a holistic learning experience of the Performing Arts, which balances the development of skills with personal growth and intentions. You will develop into an independent, vocationally aware performing arts student.

Throughout the course you will continually revisit your approaches to making and understanding performing arts. You will have access to teaching and learning approaches that challenge you to deepen and refine your skills, adding complexity and exploring new contexts. You will be provided with opportunities to put your learning into practice as you progress through contemporary, musical and classical theatre productions.

The structure of the qualifications is in keeping with current industry practice and university teaching and assessment methodology. The completion of an extensive portfolio showcasing your skills and knowledge will prepare you for progression.

Specific Entry Requirements

You will be required to attend an audition. Previous acting, singing and dancing experience is desirable. You will also be required to secure 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

Progression Skills and Opportunities

You will study a broad range of performance skills and techniques (acting, singing and dancing) that explore a range of genres and practitioners, gaining valuable skills such as:

  • creative development: development of performing arts skills
  • management: planning and overseeing projects
  • analytical skills: self-analysis and reflection
  • teamwork: appreciation of the performing arts industry and your future role in it
  • presentation: the ability to present yourself and your achievements effectively.
  • The Foundation Diploma, equivalent in size to 1.5 A Levels, the Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A Levels.

How is the course assessed?

The overall qualification grading for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Production Arts Practice is P to D* and for the Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Production Arts Practice is PPP to D*D*D*. This is in line with the rest of the BTEC National suite. There are opportunities during the teaching and learning phase to give learners practice in developing:

Employability skills:

  • cognitive and problem-solving skills: using critical thinking, approaching non-routine problems applying expert and creative solutions, using systems and technology
  • interpersonal skills: communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation
  • intrapersonal skills: self-management, adaptability and resilience, self-monitoring and development.

Transferable skills that universities value include:

  • the ability to learn independently
  • the ability to research actively and methodically
  • being able to give presentations and being active group members.

Over the period of the course, you will be given assignments to do by your teachers. These assignments are one way in which you can provide evidence that you have studied and understood a topic.

At the end of the course you will be given a grade for your work. For BTEC courses, the highest grade is Distinction*, the next highest is Distinction, followed by a Merit, then a Pass or Not Yet Achieved. Your lowest grade for a unit will be your final grade for that particular unit. If for example you were awarded a Pass and three Distinctions for a unit, your final grade will be Pass.

Whilst you will get a chance to practice the skills and knowledge needed to successfully complete a unit, you will only be able to be formally assessed on the Assessment Criteria in a unit ONCE. When you have started a formal assignment for a unit, your teacher will not be able to give you any specific Assessment Criteria guidance: they will only be able to provide general guidance.

What topics will I be studying?

Learners taking this qualification will study four mandatory learning and teaching modules which will be assessed as part of your performing and putting on productions, in addition to helping you plan your future career:

  • Performing Arts Skills Development
  • The Performing Arts Industry
  • Personal Performing Arts Profile
  • Collaborative Performing Arts Project.

Will I need specialist materials or equipment?

You need to commit yourself fully to the demands of academic study both in and out of College. There are also production weekends organised immediately prior to each show, so that you learn about contributing to the work undertaken backstage as we prepare costumes, set and props. Production weekends will also involve rehearsals. There are a number of trips and workshops that are organised as part of the course. You will be expected to provide suitable clothing for dance and drama assessments which will be confirmed at enrolment.

Reasons to...

Join Performing Arts

1. The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.

2. The arts are stretching drama, music, and art require long hours of hard work and dedication. Students have to pay great attention to detail, to perfect and re-do. Putting on a play, exhibition or concert takes strong organisational skills.

3. Arts students are highly sought-after by employers. Many employers now actively seek those who have studied the arts. Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, was fond of saying his success was due to his hiring artists and musicians fascinated by technology rather than computer geeks. Top talent management agency, The Curve Group, specialising in financial and business services, concurs: “Employees with an arts degree have developed more quickly in their roles from the start. They have discipline, confidence and can accept criticism.”

4. Arts ‘reach the parts other subjects can’t reach.’ The arts develop the broader dimensions of the human being – mind, body and soul. The arts can express the inexpressible and make sense of things that otherwise do not seem to. This can be very fulfilling and helps us function as human beings – which can only be good for society as a whole.

5. Arts ‘reach the students other subjects can’t reach.’ Teachers find arts subjects particularly beneficial for two groups: those who struggle with traditional subjects and those who are high achieving. Less academic students can become defeatist if they feel they can’t achieve: drama, music or art can be the place they blossom. With studious students, the arts can bring them out of themselves and be a release.

Alex Williams

Alex is currently studying on the Professional Dance and Musical theatre Degree at the Urdang Academy.
“My growth between being a teenager to an adult has been amazing at QMC. I was given the opportunity to grow, not just as a performer but as a person. My teachers have always shown commitment and passion in my goals, helping me achieve my goal of going to my dream drama school.”

Max Harwood imagery from The Sun , The movie my life, Amazon Poster  
Vogue Article,  @ GettyImages

Our Performing Arts mission is to develop Creativity and Academic Excellence for your future:

  • Strive for excellence and innovation
  • Be authentic
  • Be exciting, inspiring and engaging
  • Ensure a positive and inclusive experience
  • Enable personal progression

PERFORMING ARTS

NEW YORK TRIP 2019

The arts create independent learners and develop students emotional intelligence. They require the students to set their own agenda from within themselves, rather than follow set topics as in other subjects. They have to make independent decisions all the way, and be self-critical. They also need to be brave in exposing their creations, and accept criticism. Working in teams makes students into effective communicators.

Any Questions?

The Head of Department, Anne Higgins will be happy to help.

Send an Email