St Clare's College Performing Arts Department incorporates Dance, Drama, Media and Music, and pursues the principle that Arts education develops the whole person; spiritually, intellectually, aesthetically, cognitively, physically, socially and personally.

Courses

Dance

Year 8

Dance is a compulsory course that runs for one semester. Students are introduced to Dance in Year 8. This course is designed to give students a basic introduction to movement skills and to promote self-confidence and a positive self-image through movement and group interaction.

Years 9 & 10

Dance is an elective subject in Year 9 and 10. In these years students may choose from a selection of units that aim to build skills in coordination, composition and an awareness of historical and social contexts of the chosen unit of study.

Years 11 & 12

Dance is an elective subject in Years 11 and 12. Students who are involved in Senior Dance studies learn to further develop technique, a broader movement vocabulary and a wide view of dance and have opportunities to use these skills in choreography and performance.

Drama

Years 7 & 8

Drama is studied in Year 7 only for one term. This course is an introductory course and is compulsory for all students. Students receive a basic introduction to drama skills, which promotes confidence and a positive self-image through creative use of the mind and body.

Years 9 & 10

In Years 9 and 10 students can elect to study drama. This intermediate course is designed to extend on the preliminary skills and positive self values learned in Year 7. Students are exposed to a wide range of acting styles and techniques. Practical content is balanced with written and research based tasks.

Years 11 & 12

Students entering a senior course in Drama should generally have studied Drama in Years 9 and 10. The senior course provides a wide range of experience in drama theory, theatre history, theatrical form, technical and performance skills.

Music

Years 7 & 8

Music is studied in Year 7 only for one term. This introductory course aims to develop written and practical skills, music appreciation and positive group interaction. Students are engaged in a variety of activities including performance on keyboard and percussion instruments.

Years 9 & 10

Students explore the concepts of music, composition, aural, theory and performance skills. They will be able to rehearse and perform as a member of a group as well as a soloist; compose and arrange music for performance; aurally identify musical characteristics; critically appraise a musical performance; and display knowledge of the social and historical contexts surrounding compositions.

Years 11 & 12

Music is offered at the College as an Accredited, Tertiary and Extended Tertiary subject. This course allows students to develop their skills as a musician in the areas of performing, creating, and musicology.

Media

Media is offered to all students as an elective in Years 11 and 12. Media can be studied at an accredited or tertiary level, as a minor or major course of study. Students develop production and technical skills, enhancing their understanding of how media products produce meaning and illustrate conceptual notions. Studies in Media at St Clare's College cover a wide range of subjects with, for example, units ranging from Print Media through to Animation and Film Making.

Extra-Curricular Activities

Dance

Using the College's excellent new Dance facilities, the students can develop the skills to perform at a high level and to work collaboratively. St Clare's dance talents are regularly showcased at the annual Ausdance Dance Festival.

Drama

The College's new Drama theatre provides a wonderful setting for those interested in Drama. Students have opportunities to perform on stage as well as to learn some of the technical skills involved behind the scenes. Senior students in particular are often involved in end of semester performances that are open to the public to attend.

Music

There are a number of opportunities at St Clare's College in Music. The Chorale is a very successful choir in Canberra, interstate and overseas. The Chorale has competed in many Eisteddfods in Canberra and NSW. Each year the Chorale release a CD that represents their choral works for the year. The Chorale rehearses after school once a week.

The Chamber Ensemble is a group of string instrumentalists who provide classical music for various occasions. The Chamber Ensemble rehearses before school once a week.

The Percussion Ensemble consists of a group of students who rehearse each week performing a variety of percussion pieces.

The Combined St Clare's and St Edmund's Band cater for a wide variety of instrumentalists. The Bands play for a variety of events as well as competing in the National Eisteddfod each year where they have had numerous successes. The Intermediate Band rehearses before school once a week and the Senior Band and Jazz Band after school once a week.

An as well as regular Music class, the College provides the opportunity for private or small-group tuition by visiting music teachers. Tuition is available for piano, clarinet, strings, flute, brass, classical guitar, electric guitar, saxophone, percussion and voice. Arrangements for lessons in these instruments are made through the Performing Arts Coordinator.