A LEVEL DANCE

Introduction

AS and A2 Dance is now offered here and is also growing in popularity. Again the AQA syllabus is used and students may study the course for one or two years. It is not necessary to have studied GCSE Dance, however some previous experience of dance is recommended.

Aim of the course

The aim of the course is to provide pupils with an in depth understanding of dance, through choreography, performing, analysis and recording.

Assessment

Unit 1 Solo choreography and performance Choreograph and perform a solo dance in which you dance. An exam paper with a choice of different starting points is used. A paragraph of programme notes is also written.

Unit 2 Analysis and recording Reporting of work produced in Unit 1.

Unit 3 Understanding Dance (written exam) Is completed in the summer term looking at the dancer in training, the set work and notation.

Unit 4 Group choreography Choreograph a group dance in which the candidate may not perform. An exam paper with a choice of different starting points is used. A page of programme notes is also written.

Unit 5 Performance Two questions are answered. In question one the candidate must perform a set dance in a selected dance genre. In question two 32 bars of a notated score are presented to the candidate and the dance is then performed without the score.

Unit 6 Appreciation; Context and Content Three essay style questions are answered in relation to the set works and the overall content.

Recommended Enrichment Activities

Attend a weekly technique class in any style that interests you. Attend the schools extra-curricular club, or even better, run one of your own. See as many live dance performances as you can. Look out for dance programmes on Television and watch them!

Websites & Texts www.dancebooks.co.uk www.theplace.co.uk www.royalballet.org Rickett - Young, L. 2001, Essential Guide to Dance. Sanders - Lorna. 2002, Rush Creative Insights.