Activities – The Arts

A magnificent new Performing Arts Centre was opened in October 2003. This contains a 600-seat auditorium, a studio theatre and a small performance space as well as all the necessary front-of-house and back stage areas. This wonderful facility is available for use by the local community and outside organisations as well as the school, although school use takes priority.

Music

The School enjoys a fine reputation for the excellence and variety of its music. A staff of 5 full-time specialists and 35 visiting teachers delivers a comprehensive musical curriculum and offers tuition in all the main instruments. The Music School is well equipped with rehearsal and teaching rooms and includes a Music Technology area with computers and electronic keyboards.

Around 500 individual weekly music lessons are taken by over 75% of our pupils, and the School provides opportunities for them to play and sing in ensembles. These range from the Symphony Orchestra, through Senior and Lower School String Ensembles to the Clarinet Choirs, Flute Choirs, Jazz Band, two Wind Bands and numerous chamber groups.

The Swithun Choir sings regularly in Winchester Cathedral and undertakes foreign concert tours. The Lower School Choir also sings a lively and challenging repertoire and staged musicals are a regular feature of the school performing arts calendar. Performance is seen as an integral part of learning an instrument or singing and as well as an annual round of major concerts there are regular recitals in the Winchester area.

Art

Art is taught throughout the lower school. Pupils are offered a range of art making activities, whilst the core of the curriculum is a grounding in the essential skills. It is expected that pupils will study ceramics, painting, printmaking, sculpture and photography and develop a broad approach to the creative process. This diverse use of media and technique continues at GCSE and Advanced level and pupils are also offered the opportunity to study History of Art at A level. Sixth formers have their own dedicated studio and are not only freer to work whenever they wish to, but it is an accepted part of the course that much of their work and time will be spent in their own space, pursuing their own ideas. Life drawing takes place regularly and there are plenty of opportunities for other extra curricular activities, including workshops by practising artists and gallery visits.

Drama

Drama is a compulsory part of the curriculum in the lower school, dealing with appropriate elements of theatre and performance skills. A-level Theatre Studies and GCSE Drama courses require girls to direct a production as part of their assessment. There are, in addition, a number of regular Drama clubs for girls in different age groups and a variety of productions, directed in some cases by staff and in others by the pupils themselves, are staged throughout the years. Many girls have individual or group Communication and Performance lessons preparing for LAMDA and New Era examinations. These lessons are taught by four visiting teachers. Theatre trips and workshops with visiting professionals are also a regular part of the programme.