robert smyth academy

Issue 14

May 2017

Robert Smyth Academy

Performing Arts Newsletter

ROBERT SMYTH

ACADEMY

Burnmill Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7JG

T: 01858 440770 F: 01858 440771 E: [email protected]

Contributors Keith Allot

Mr Hughes

Mrs Petersen

Miss Syngajewski

Layout Mr Hughes

Cameron Parker

Editors Miss Syngajewski Cameron Parker

Hello and welcome to the 14th edition of the Performing Arts Newsletter! This issue includes details of all the activities that have been happening in the faculty both inside curriculum lessons

and extra-curricular groups.

It has been a very busy term with staff and students rehearsing, directing, choreographing,

composing and devising pieces of controlled assessment work for GCSE, AS and A level

submission. We’re so proud of the time, effort, and determination that all of our students’ have shown in completing their work to the highest standard that is possible. It’s

always humbling for staff when they can see the pride on students faces upon completion

of a long piece of creative work. It is also incredible that students are able to

acknowledge that sense of pride and accomplishment knowing that they have created

something that is completely unique. Creativity is what employers are after and our

students’ will have it in spades! Well done to all involved.

Once again, we’ve had a very busy term filled with many concerts, competitions and

performances. We’ve had the very last GCSE concert of the year, the Spring Concert, and the GCSE drama performance evening. As well as the Dance Company

performing at the ‘Momentum’ show at Curve Theatre. We had some year 7 musicians

going out for the first time to regional competitions such as ‘Music For Youth’.

There was also an individual success with Jess O’Brien having the premiere of her new

film ‘Girl A’ at Phoneix cinema in Leicester. Another student, Adam Pugh went down to

London with the Leicester Music Hub on a ‘Les Miserables’ workshop at the West End.

The music department were also featured in the May edition of ‘Music Teacher magazine’.

The article, written by Marian Blaikley, focussed on the pioneering ‘turntablism’ project

that we hosted during the spring term which also featured in last terms newsletter. We will also be featuring in the August edition in regards to the ‘Bassoon Initiative’ that

we’ve been involved with in conjunction with the Leicester-shire Music Hub.

As you will have heard, there is lots of change happening within the academy over the

coming months, but I would like to re-assure any of you that have any concerns about the

changes, it really is “business as usual” here, as we focus on maximising examination

results during the exam season.

We are looking forward to the summer term, revision sessions and ensuring that all

of year 7’s continue to work hard and create new things.

This newsletter is intended to be informative both with details of any of the past and the

future events, and as a celebration of the achievements of RSA students that are in the

performing arts disciplines.

If you have any comments or suggestions, or any items you would like to be considered

for inclusion, we would like to hear from you; please email: [email protected]

SUMMER TERM 2017

ROBERT SMYTH ACADEMY PERFORMING ARTS NEWSLETTER FOURTEENTH EDITION 2017

“Girl A” looks at the sensitive subject of violence in young people and its possible causes, showing a

teenage girl reprimanded by the head teacher of her school following a violent incident with another

student. As we follow a section of her life over three days—the reasons for her violent behaviour are

revealed. The film was written and directed by our year 11 student, Jess O’Brien and filmed over two

days at the Robert Smyth Academy and locations in Oadby. The cast consists of four young lead ac-

tors aged 13-15 from the Pauline Quirke Academy in Leicester as well as thirty extras and voiceover

artists.

“GIRL A” FILM PREMIERE

The premiere was held on Wednesday 5th April at the Phoenix

Cinema in Leicester, it had the full “red carpet” treatment. After

the screening Jess addressed the audience of over 100 people very

clearly and seemed very relaxed and comfortable when doing so.

Jess and the cast also took part in a Q&A at the end of the evening

which was informative yet fun.

Sara Bennett, the Oscar winning visual effects co-ordinator on the film ‘Ex Machina’ described the film

as “very powerful” with “a good perspective on bullying”. Girl A will also be appearing at the Young

Independent People, Seattle Film Festival in June


A2 DRAMA EXAM A2 Drama and Theatre studies students have devised a performance called ‘Perspective’ which was

40% of their A2 grade. The students’ devised in a documentary style based on the sensitive topic of

‘Paedophilia’.

In documentary theatre, photographs and/or film project actualities; placards and/or slides project

quotations from source documents; actors and/or loudspeakers address the audience directly with

facts and information; voices of participants in historical evens are used on tape/ film.

The students’ decided to tackle the difficult topic by researching why the recent influx of celebrity

child sex offenders seemed to have all the headlines in the public eye and they decided to investigate

why the victims were always left behind.

This performance, alongside written evidence received very high results including 5 A*’s and 1 C.

Chief examiner of the board stated it was very professionally put together and it was clear to see care

was taken with the topic which added to the authentication of the piece.

GCSE DRAMA PERFORMANCE SHOWCASE

The GCSE drama students’ have just completed their final exam.

They had to create a performance based on stimuli of the word ‘Change’. The students only had 10

hours total in order to complete their performances and the students presented them as a showcase

of their final work to an invited audience.

This received a lot of positive feedback which gave the students the well-deserved praised they

needed for all their hard work and effort over the course of the year.


Tuesday 7th February saw the return of the GCSE Music Concert! It was the last GCSE concert of the

academic year. It gave GCSE students a chance to perform their solo and ensemble performances to their

parents and peers. We had the usual array of different performances and styles; Lucy Shardlow and Holly

Barnett performed beautiful saxophone solos, Rebecca Alder produced a great performance playing one of

her grade 6 piano pieces. Lydia Smith and Millie Gamble produced very emotive vocal performances.

Amaja Chapman became the only Year 10 soloist on the night and really rose to the occasion playing her

violin really well. The evening was rounded off with two bands who brought the evening to a suitable cre-

scendo of energy. Well done to all!

GCSE CONCERT X

AWARDS FOR YOUNG MUSCIANS

Applications are now invited for awards of up to £2000. AYM believe that all talented young people

deserve the chance to progress in their music making.

That’s why they’re awarding up to £100,00 in grants each year to exceptional young instrumentalists

aged 5—17 in need of support. As well as receiving flexible funding towards the cost of their musical

development. Award winners will benefit from individually tailored support, which may comprise

mentoring, workshops and master classes with professional musicians, the chance to observe

rehearsals with professional orchestras and other music partners, as well as performance

opportunities.

SPONSORSHIP SOUGHT FOR MUSIC TOUR TO DENMARK

The Senior Jazz Band and Soul Band are going on a concert tour to from 1st – 7th July where they will be

performing four concerts in Copenhagen, Ribe and at Fredericia Jazz Festival.

We are looking for a company to sponsor the tour polo shirts that the bands will wear during their

performances. In return for sponsorship we can offer to put the sponsor logo on the polo shirts, along

with advertising in our concert programmes. Alongside free tickets for concerts held this academy year and next.

If anyone works for a company (or knows of one) that might be able to help sponsor the tour shirts, please

email Helle Petersen, Head of Music, at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


SPRING CONCERT On Thursday 23rd March we staged our annual RSA Spring Concert in the Main Hall to a full house of around

300 audience members.

The concert featured a total of 75 performers from all year groups which includes: the year 7 jazz orchestra, the

year 7 ‘Viva Voce’ choir, the piano trio, string ensemble, saxophone ensemble, brass ensemble, percussion

ensemble, flute choir, flute quartet, senior choir ‘Versatile Voices’, senior jazz band, and Soul Patrol.

There were several outstanding solo performances including a highly original “mash-up” of Ed Sheeran’s “Shape

of You” by Year 10 GCSE Music student, Taylor-George Ellis who included his own impressive rapping into this

arrangement.

The saxophone ensemble always deserves full marks for entertainment value as they appeared in the most

fantastic 1970s outfits to accompany their performance of ABBA’s “Money, Money, Money”. Other highlights of

the evening included the performances by six of the Year 7 bassoonists, who only started learning the bassoon

back in October but who have all clearly made superb progress; there was also a bassoon trio consisting of Lucy

Allsopp, Iris Singleton and Tabitha Tooms, a bassoon duet featuring Martha Burton and Emma Martin, as well as a

bassoon solo by Ned Connors who very bravely stood on the large stage completely on his own performing

‘Love Me Tender’ unaccompanied. Another highlight of the evening was the DJ’ing performances by the Year 7

turntablists Sophie Barney and Tom O’Brien.

If you came to the concert, thank you for your support. If you missed it, we hope to see you at the next RSA

concert.

Three A level students’ also produced fantastic solo performances: Year 12 vocalist, Lola Pap gave a stunning

and highly moving performance of the musical theatre song ‘Burn’ accompanied by, Andrew Martin on the piano

and five string players in a lush string arrangement by A level violinist, Maddie Oakland, leader of the string

ensemble. Year 13 trumpeter, Molly Sykes produced a very convincing and highly musical performance of her

own arrangement of two well-known jazz standards, accompanied by three Year 11 GCSE musicians: Charlie

Hilton on guitar, Elliot Baker on bass and Lyle Burton on drums. The Year 13 pianist, Andrew Martin who has

secured a place to study the piano at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in September, gave an

excellent performance of the second movement from Beethoven’s “Pathetique” Sonata.

GRANTS FOR MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PURCHASE

The EMI Music Sound Foundation offer grants to students in full time education to fund their musical

instrument/equipment purchase. In the past several of RSA’s students have been successful in applying

for funding. The foundation accept applications twice a year and the deadline for the next round is the

beginning of February 2017. For full details of the scheme and to download an application form please

visit: www.emimusicsoundfoundation.com

http://www.emimusicsoundfoundation.com./


Want to learn an instrument?

The music department has 14 visiting peripatetic music teachers who give singing and instrumental lessons to

beginners and advanced students in all years.  You can learn the flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet,

French horn, tenor horn, baritone, Euphonium, trombone, tuba, violin, viola, cello, double bass, piano, keyboard,

acoustic/electric guitar, bass guitar, tuned percussion, and drum kit.  We also have a specialist jazz piano and jazz

saxophone teacher. On most instruments beginner lessons can be shared in pairs or sometimes in groups of three

to cut the cost and it’s possible to hire instruments cheaply.

Contact Mrs Petersen, Head of Music, for more details [email protected].

PRACTICAL & THEORY GRADE EXAM PASSSES

NAME INSTRUMENT PASS Madeleine Oakland Violin Grade 8 Distinction

Melissa English Violin Grade 7 Distinction

Lachlan Lindsay Cello Grade 8 Distinction

Will Rodger Singing Grade 8 Distinction

Sebastian Chaffin Baritone Horn Grade 2 Merit

Andrew Martin Flute Grade 8 Distinction

Emilee Moore Flute Grade 7 Pass

Hope Haynes-Coote Flute Grade 6 Merit

Zoe Bates Flute Grade 5 Pass

Hannah Heilbuth Oboe Grade 7 Merit

Abi Wright Piano Grade 8 Pass

Rebecca Alder Piano Grade 6

Molly Sykes Piano Grade 6 Distinction

Alice Riches Piano Grade 4

Nataliya Karapchanska Piano Grade 2 Merit

Holly Banett Saxophone Grade 5 Distinction

Rebecca Iliffe Clarinet Grade 6 Merit

George Martin Drum Kit Grade 8 Merit

Lyle Burton Drum Kit Grade 6

James West Keyboard Grade 5 Distinction

Congratulations to the following students who passed their grade exams last term in music and dance. This

information has been provided by peripatetic teachers, parents and students.

For inclusion in future newsletters details of exam passes can be emailed to [email protected].

VAT-Off Instruments

Students who wish to purchase a new musical instrument for use with their musical studies in the academy can

take advantage of the scheme offered where the cost of purchasing the instrument will not include VAT. Students

have to purchase the instrument through the academy and a form must be completed and signed by authorised

academy staff before purchasing the instrument.

No VAT refunds can be given retrospectively. Further details and as well as the form for applications can be downloaded on the academy website under the

section “Parents” ‘Letters home’ or contact Mrs Petersen for more details.




PERFORMING ARTS CLUBS

MONDAY RSA DANCE COMPANY 1.00—1.30 The MAX Mrs Routledge

GRADE 5 MUSIC

THEORY 1.00—1.30 Room MU02

Emily Newlyn and Mrs

Petersen

STRING

ENSEMBLE 1.00—1.30 Band Room Mike Shaw

TUESDAY SAX ENSEMBLE 10.50—11.00 Band Room Francine

Warner

VERSATILE

VOCALS (Y10-Y13) 1.00—1.30 MU02 Debbie Smith

BRONZE

ARTS AWARD (Y7) 1.00—1.30 CP05 Mrs Routledge

SENIOR

ORCHESTRA*

(YR 10-13) 1.00—1.30 Band Room Mrs Petersen

WEDNESDAY FLUTE ENSEMBLE 10.30—11.00 Band Room Jo Conquest

VIVA VOCE 1.00—1.30 Band Room Debbie Smith

FLUTE QUARTET 1.00—1.30 Room MU02 Jo Conquest

THURSDAY PERCUSSION

ENSEMBLE 10.30—11.00 Band Room Darron McHarg

KS3 YOUTH

THEATRE 1.00—1.30 The Max 6th Form Led

MUSIC DROP-IN 1.00—1.30 Room MU01 Mr Hughes

JUNIOR JAZZ

ORCHESTRA (Y7) 1.00—1.30 Band Room Mrs Petersen

SENIOR JAZZ BAND

(Y10 –13) 3.30—4.30 Band Room Mrs Petersen

FRIDAY BRASS ENSEMBLE 10.30—11.00 Band Room Ben George

JUNIOR JAZZ

ORCHESTRA (Y7) 1.00—1.30 Band Room Mrs Petersen

SOUL PATROL 3.15—5.00 Band Room Mrs Petersen

Audition/selection is only for Soul Patrol, and The Dance Company. To join any of the other groups simply turn up at the next rehearsal.

* - Starts after March 2017

Issue 14

May 2017

ROBERT SMYTH

ACADEMY

Burnmill Road Market Harborough Leicestershire LE16 7JG

T: 01858 440770 F: 01858 440771 E: [email protected]

W: www.rsaacdemy.co.uk

PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS CALENDAR 2017

SUMMER TERM

Saturday 1st to Friday 7th July Music Tour to Denmark for the Senior Jazz Band & Soul Patrol. Concerts

Sunday 2nd July, 3 pm: Ribe Cathedral Square

Monday 3rd July, 3 pm: Copenhagen Municipal House Square

Tuesday 4th July, 6.30 pm: Copenhagen Bakken Theme Park

Wednesday 5th July: Fredericia Jazz Festival

Viva Voce Year 7 Choir Piece #1: Wade in the Water “Lovely tone. Your enjoyment comes across, this matters to you. Your clicking was tight and well-rehearsed. This is

gorgeous singing. You have captured the spirited quality of the music, the history and ethos of this style of song.

Good part singing, well done.”

Piece #2: Rule the World

Bravo soloist! [Emily Goddard]: Your melody was beautifully judged. Well done. The words were clear through the whole choir,

well done for this. You told the story well and your harmony line was well placed. You captured the spirit and gave

us a lovely performance. Well done.

Music for Youth Regional Festival

On Sunday 19th March 30 students’ from three Robert Smyth ensembles took part in the Music for Youth

Regional Festival in Bedford: Year 7 Viva Voce Choir, Year 7 Jazz Orchestra and Senior Jazz Band.

Two weekends prior to this Soul Patrol had been in action at the Rock, Pop and Urban MFY Festival in

Birmingham.

As this is our first year of having Year 7’s at RSA, this was also the first time ever that we had brought any

junior groups to the Music for Youth Festival Series. The Year 7 Choir and Jazz Orchestra both performed

to a very high standard and impressed the music mentors, as did the Senior Jazz Band. Attached below are

copies of the certificates and feedback. Well done to all 30 students’ who represented RSA and the four

parents who came on the coach to supervise the trip: Mrs Barnett, Mrs Connors, Mrs Fellows and Ms Bell.

Year 7 Jazz Orchestra

Sam Benson – violin

Ramy Mohamed – flute

Felicity Bohannon – saxophone

Sebastian Chaffin – baritone horn

Ned Connors – bassoon

Martha Burton – bassoon

Iris Singleton – bassoon

Alex Herdman – piano

Natalia Karapchanska - piano

Cam Marlow – bass guitar

Sam White – drum kit/bongos

Jamie Pyle – drum kit/bongos

Senior Jazz Band

Rebecca Alder – clarinet

Esme Butler-Davies – alto sax

Alice Riches – alto sax

Kim Jeffs – tenor sax

Holly Barnett – baritone sax

Josh Watson – trumpet

Anna Fraser – trumpet

David Shuttleworth - trombone

Charlie Hilton –guitar

Andrew Martin – piano

Elliot Baker – bass guitar

Lyle Burton – drum kit

Year 7 Viva Voce Choir

Felicity Bohannon

Paige Fellows

Emily Goddard

Hattie Smith

Hattie Kenyon

Amelia Wilson

Rebecca Gore

Year 7 Jazz Orchestra Excellent intro! Bravo. [Ned Connors who introduced the band to the audience].

Piece #1: Tequila Fantastic groove! Bravo everyone for this. It was rhythmic, tight and exciting. (Can it go a little faster?) Nice bass

and bassoon playing keeping us going. Melody was good and strong, well done! Drums and percussion really

funky, well done the band!

Piece #2: La Bamba Another fantastic groove! (bravo cowbell!). Solid piano playing here, supporting your sax, horn, flute and violin who

played with style and heart. Well done!

Senior Jazz Band

Piece #1: Grooved Pavement A strong groove from the beginning. Ms Sax [Esme Butler Davies] – cool playing! (But please look at us!). This rolls

along with confidence and has a powerful presence. (All solos are played with confidence but please consider us; we

need to be brought into your worlds. Percussion – always take great care not to out-do the band.) Ensemble is very

tight and syncopation is spot on. What joy towards the end when you drop the dynamic! More contrasts like this,

please!

Piece #2: Flip, Flop & Fly Your tutti sound is rich and warm and fills the hall and you constantly please with detail. Very relaxed and competent

musicianship from the lead guitar [Charlie Hilton]. Excellent intonation from the band. Terrific performance from a

school!

robert smyth academy

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