Performing Arts | Monkton Combe

Enabling Every Child To Achieve More Than They First Thought Possible

This ethos underpins everything in Performing Arts, whether our pupils are trying their hand at ukuleles in Music, learning about theatrical language in a Drama class, discovering dance moves they didn’t know they had or engaging in one of our many ensembles, with endless opportunities to perform in large and small performance spaces.

growing in PERFORMANCE

Using Drama to build confidence

Every pupil in Year 3-8 has the opportunity to be on stage in a musical production each year. The team work tirelessly with each child, building their confidence to perform and equipping them with the skills they need, through a spiral of learning. 

And it shows. Over 60% of our pupils opt to take individual Music or LAMDA lessons. At a recent audition, every child chose to sing a solo, because they feel supported, free and confident to perform.

Making music together

Ensembles for every level

Part of the joy of music is performing with others, rather than just practising on your own. So we have a range of ensembles.

Some ensembles, such as the percussion ensemble, Remix choir, and orchestra (with bespoke parts written for each child) are open to any pupil who plays an instrument. Everyone is welcome, but the standard they attain is high.

Other ensembles, such as Monkton Harmony, our choir for Years 6-8, are aimed at pupils for whom music is a serious passion and who are pursuing it at a high level. We have now reached the finals of the Choir of the Year competition for the past two years performing at Symphony Hall in Birmingham.

We have regular concerts, sometimes joining forces with Monkton Senior, which is an amazing opportunity for our pupils to see role models and stretch their aspirations.

DANCE

Dance is a rapidly expanding area at Monkton. We now have Junior and Senior Dance Troupes, national finalists in the Great Big Dance Off.  And for those who continue to Monkton Senior, the Year 9s have the opportunity to choose Dance as part of the enrichment programme, and to pursue Dance  as a GCSE.

MUSIC & SPEAKING Competitions

We look for ways to develop the confidence and creativity of our pupils, both internally and further afield. Every pupil from Year 5-8 participates in our "Poetry Slam!", writing and reciting their own original poem to their class, with finalists then performing to the school.

We are fortunate to be in Bath and many of our pupils compete in  a huge variety of individual and ensemble classes at the Midsomerset Festival in Music and Drama every year.