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Performing Arts
I have not
a l w a y s
been
so
inspired by
music as I
am today.
Practising
the
flute
used to be a
chore and,
b e c a u s e
of that, I
never really
got better.
I found it upsetting and challenging and
nearly gave it all up completely.
I've been playing flute since I was 8, but it
was when I was about 14 that I learned that
music is only fun if you enjoy what you're
doing. My amazing teacher, Kate Graham,
encouraged me to try jazz flute, which
involved improvisation and generally a
different approach to music. I loved it and,
because I loved it, I practised it, and because
I willingly practised, I got so much better in
a short time. I am so glad that I continued
with the flute, and have now taken my
grade 6, which I passed with distinction.
I'm now on track to do my grade 8 flute
next year, which I am so excited about as
it's such a wonderful skill to have. I am also
hoping to take my grade 7 singing soon and
have recently started working on my grade
2 piano; I believe it's important in music
to learn, or at least experience, as many
instruments as possible! I am part of the
KEVICC Jazz Band and Orchestra, and have
played for a couple of the school musicals,
including this year's
Addams Family
. I am
also part of the Devon Youth Symphony
Orchestra. Playing in groups is my favourite
way to play because listening to all the
sounds working together is an amazing
experience to be immersed in. I also help
my flute and singing teacher, Kate Graham,
with her after-school Soundcheck Music
Club where years 7, 8&9can come to enjoy
singing, song-writing and performing.
Next year, I will be taking Music and Music
Technology at Kennicott, which I am so
excited about, and then I hope to enrol in
a university specializing in music, such
as Guildhall in London. I'm so grateful to
the KEVICC music department for helping
me to fall back in love with music; the
opportunities are endless and I can't wait to
see where music will take me.
Tilly Coulton
year 11
Drama
Jo Crook and Derek
Davies took a group of
year 10dramastudents
to see
The Woman in
White
by Susan Hill in
Plymouth. The play is a
‘two-hander’ with both
actors performing all
of the different roles within the story. I wondered how the students would respond
in light of the recent Daniel Radcliffe film and the cinematic special effects that is
unachievable in live performance.
The students all came away absolutely buzzing and re-telling one another the
moments they found most scary. Once again, our students were a credit to the
department and the College.
Jo Crook, Head of Performing Arts
Y
ear 11 Drama students have just completed
their GCSE performances. There was a real range
in all performances throughout, with hard work,
long rehearsal hours and fantastic work from all
groups – an experience they will remember for
the rest of their lives.
Alex Harris and Kathy Rablah led year 12 in
putting on two plays –
The Skriker
and
The
Bacchae
– both challenging pieces that really
required students to stretch themselves, both
at an individual performance level, and working
as an ensemble. They were both excellent
performances and a huge thanks goes to
members of the department for their extra
hours in the lead-up to the exam.
Jo Crook
SPRUNG just seems to go from strength to strength.
I wanted this year's SPRUNG to be a real eclectic range
of styles from different year groups, representing the
dance department at its best, and this is certainlywhat
was delivered on the night. We had funky dancemoves
to Kylian style technique, and an array of different
stimuli expressed – illustrating the intellectual process
that is integral to choreography and performance.
Dance really is the ‘hidden language of the soul’.
This performance platform is so important to the
students and they thrive on having a live audience,
and receiving feedback. The introductory film – put
together by Tom Greig, our Theatre technician – truly
highlighted how important dance is to some of these
students and proved a good opener to this year’s show.
Every single student was supportive of one another throughout all the rehearsals
and lead up to the final showcase. It felt like a big family throughout the process.
I am truly inspired, moved and proud of every single student who performed. The
professionalism was first class and the
energy was immense! What has been one
of the main highlights for me is seeing the
students grow from their younger years
towards being adults, and how the top end
students inspire others to achieve high
quality outcomes. I am so privileged to be
teaching these talented young students at
KEVICC and they fill me with the greatest
sense of joy. Sarah McInally
, Team Leader
SPRUNG:
KEVICC Dance
