Since December the performing arts department has been working hard to present new music events along with the usual RSM and LAMDA exams, not forgetting all of the practical GCSE and A Level exams.

The 16+ exhibitions were held in January: congratulations to Becky Cleary for gaining the Drama exhibition.

A String Showcase was held in March, led by Mrs Miranda Walton. Girls from Junior and Senior School performed for parents and it was a delightful evening. Two of the highlights were the staff performance by Mrs Walton, Mrs Knott and Mr Cook and the hoe down piece performed by Lucy French and Emily Wilson, to which the audience could not resist clapping along.  

RSM results have been excellent: 100% rate, with a very healthy range of distinctions and merits. LAMDA continues to achieve high standards, also gaining 100% pass rate. 

Year 11 drama students

Drama GCSE and A Level performances were held at the beginning of the summer term. The students enthralled the audience with performances from a range of plays including Lysistrata, Playhouse Creatures and Too Much Punch for Judy. Music students worked hard on their performance and composition pieces and dance students were moderated on the highly unusual set study piece this year as well as choreographing their own work.

A new musical theatre group called Broadway Babies, led by Mrs Walton and Miss Shurvinton, started in February. The ‘Babies’ are rehearsing three items including I like to be in America from West Side Story, which they will perform in the Summer Revue in July.

Several girls in Year 8 and Year 10 are taking part in the new National Arts Council Arts Award scheme and are working towards either the Bronze or Silver level. The scheme encourages pupils to take part in a range of creative arts activities; it is a lovely way to engage with and learn about the huge spectrum of creative arts from photography to textiles, while reinforcing their skills in music, drama and dance. Participants must produce a portfolio as evidence; our girls hope to complete their tasks by the end of the year.

Year 9 dancers

Individual girls have achieved success in many ways outside school and we would like to congratulate the following: Victoria Oxley in Year 8 for winning her class in the Chipping Norton Festival in April. Vicky sang unaccompanied and the adjudicator marked her as outstanding for her level. Hannah Williams, Year 9, performed in Armonico Consort’s production of The Magic Flute in Manchester and Dublin in April. Charlotte Davey Year 9, will perform as one of the fox cubs in a professional production of Janacek’s production The Cunning Little Vixen at the Longborough Festival in June and July.

Year 6 girls are currently working very hard on the Junior School production Fiddler on the Roof, which will be performed at the end of June.

Junior School musicians

We are also looking forward to the return of highly talented old girl Christina McMaster, who will perform for parents and invited guests on Friday 4 July.

Dance Express teacher Nikki Shurvinton has raised £30,000 over the last ten years for the renal unit at Walsgrave Hospital, following an operation in which she received one of her father’s kidneys.  Now, in memory of her mother and in aid of the Eve Appeal - a research fund into ovarian cancer - she is putting on another charity revue at the end of July and hopes that some of her pupils will take part or come and support the event.

Exciting news from clarinet and saxophone teacher Miss Caroline Robinson - not only is she getting married this summer but she will perform with Celine Dion during the half term break. One of Miss Robinson’s regular engagements is with opera group Il Divo who are supporting Celine on her European tour and naturally Miss Robinson will be there. Recent tours with Il Divo have seen Miss Robinson jetting off to glamorous spots such as Croatia, Slovenia and Cardiff….

Advance notice: the next Senior School show is Me and My Girl, a delightful 1920s pastiche involving many senior girls; it will be performed at the end of November 2008.

I should like to thank all the peripatetic teachers, performing arts staff and pupils for their hard work and dedication this year. 

J Walton