House Dance - UPDATE!

This is an annual dance event led by selected Year 9 and 10 students as Captains to devise and perform a 6 minute dance piece in their Houses. This year the theme for House Dance is ‘1980’s Britain’. 

The House Dance show will take place over 2 evening performances in October 2014.

The auditions are open to anyone interested in performing in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. 

If you are interested in taking part you will need to sign up on the audition sheets on the ‘What’s On?’ noticeboard outside the Dance Studio. Please note the dates of the auditions:

·         Monday 12 May 3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio – for NEWTON HOUSE

·         Tuesday 13 May 3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio – for ARNOLD HOUSE

·         Wednesday 14 May 3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio – for LISTER HOUSE

Students do not need to prepare a dance for the audition; you must wear their dance kit.

The House Captains will lead the auditions and the Dance Department will be selecting the teams. The team lists will be displayed on Friday 16 May at lunch time on the notice board.

The House Dance Teams will rehearse once a week from the week commencing 19 May until the end of the Summer Term. Please note the rehearsal days for each House:

·         Mondays (3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio) – NEWTON HOUSE

·         Tuesdays (3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio) – ARNOLD HOUSE

·         Wednesdays (3.10-4.30pm, Dance Studio) – LISTER HOUSE

In September, each House may have the option of rehearsing twice a week, but this is dependent on the space available.

We will also be inviting students to audition their own work after June half term. (Date to be confirmed). Please note we will be looking for a variety of groupings e.g. soloists, duets and small groups. We are keen to include a variety of dance styles and themes. The dance piece does not need to be about ‘1980’s Britain’.  If your child would like to audition their own work, this piece must be no longer than 3 minutes and be fully rehearsed with their music on CD by the audition.

For any further questions, please contact Mrs Wearing/Joint Head of Dance.

House Dance 2014 - About the Competition

What is the House Dance Competition?
House Dance is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for students who enjoy dancing to make new friends and help create a dance performance to perform live to an audience.

How can I get involved?
Year 10 House Dance Captains will hold open auditions for students in Years 7 to 10 in the week commencing Monday 12th May in the Dance Studio. You must wear your dance kit to audition.

What happens in the audition?
Year 10 House Dance Captains will do a warm-up and then teach you a short phrase. You will then perform it in small groups to the Captains. The Dance Teacher and the Captains will be looking for students who show lots of effort, look like they are enjoy performing and are willing to work hard!

How will I know if I have been selected for the House Dance Team?
Team lists for Arnold, Lister and Newton will be displayed on the notice board on Friday 16th May by lunch time!

When do rehearsals take place?
Each House will rehearse once a week from 3.15-4.30pm in the Dance Studio. There will be six weeks of rehearsals between May and July and then another 5/6 between September and the performance date. You will receive more details on this if you are selected for the team.

When will the rehearsals start?
Rehearsals start on Monday 19th May. It is essential that you look at the Team List and rehearsal schedule for your House on Friday 16th May.

Does it cost anything to be involved?
All students are asked to donate £3.00 towards the cost of buying costumes for the dance. This will need to  be paid at the first rehearsal. Please bring cash and hand it to your Dance Captains.

When is the House Dance Competition?
You will perform your Dance Show in October 2014 in Drama Studio One over two evenings. The date for this will be confirmed asap.

What awards are there in the competition?
The following awards are available: 'Winner of House Dance', 'Best Soundtrack', 'Best Costume', 'Best Performance Skill' and 'Most Committed Dancers'.

Am I a good enough dancer?
You will never know unless you try! We are looking for motivated male and female dancers!


This year the House Dance auditions are on the following dates: 

Monday 12th May

Tuesday 13th May

Wednesday 14th May

from 3.10-4.30pm in the dance studio. They are open to all students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Specific house dates to follow, sign up sheets will be up after Easter! If you have any questions please pop in to see Mrs Wearing in the Dance Studio!

Boys' Dance Opportunity for students aged 11-18

Aged 11-18 years old? A male dancer wanting to work alongside a professional company? ZoieLogic needs you...

This summer ZoiLogic are offering you the chance to take part in a brand new co-commission dance piece between the Mayflower Theatre and The Point. As a small company of young male dancers you will work alongside professional dancers and choreographer Zoie Golding to create an exciting new piece called 'Stolen Wishes'.

You will then perform the piece on 9th and 11th August as part of an outdoor festival in the centre of Southampton.

Interested?

Go along to the open auditions which will be held on 24th April at 6-7.45pm. Just visit www.mayflower.org.uk to register - take a look HERE to see what you would be involved in! 

You must be available for all 5 rehearsal dates on 26-30 May (Half Term) at The Point in Eastleigh and be available for both the performance dates. The project is very high profile and would require your full commitment. 

If you have any additional questions please email engage@mayflower.org.uk

GCSE Dance Show

House Dance Audition Dates 2014!

This year the House Dance auditions are on the following dates: 

Monday 12th May

Tuesday 13th May

Wednesday 14th May

from 3.10-4.30pm in the dance studio. They are open to all students in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Specific house dates to follow, sign up sheets will be up after Easter! If you have any questions please pop in to see Mrs Wearing in the Dance Studio!

Year 10 Students - Apply to be a House Dance Captain - here's how...

Are you in Year 10?

Do you have a keen interest in Dance and want to gain new skills/responsibilities?

Are you interested in applying to be a House Dance captain?

Here's a note from mrs Wearing telling you how...

Dear student,

I am delighted that you are interested in applying for the role of ‘House Dance Captain’ this year.  It is a challenging, demanding and very rewarding job.  It will look impressive in your Record of Achievement in Year 11 and offers the opportunity for your leadership skills to shine.

This year students will need to apply for the role. You will need to write one side of A4 paper explaining why you would make a good House Dance Captain.  We are looking for students who can demonstrate strong organisational skills, have the ability to motivate a young team of dancers and are highly reliable. You will also need to show you can work successfully with other Year 10 Captains to create a safe, positive environment at all times. The Dance Department will consider all applications and select the most suitable students for the role. The deadline for the application is Tuesday 22 April (first day back after Easter Holidays).

Selected House Dance Captains will be expected to attend two after school meetings on Tuesday 29 April & 6 May until 4.30pm to plan audition material, create audition posters, share concepts and music suggestions for their pieces.  Auditions will be held on the 12, 13 and 14 May in the Dance Studio.  On Friday 16 May, all House Dance Captains will meet with a member of dance staff at lunch time and give their chosen team lists to her.

House Dance rehearsals will officially begin the week commencing Monday 19^th May (this will give you 8 weeks until the end of the term). In the Autumn Term, you will have 5-6 weeks to finalise and complete the dance ready for the Competition.

House Dance Captains are organised, friendly and positive role models for younger students at Yateley School. The most important part about House Dance is that it is fun and challenging. Each House will rehearse once a week after school in the Dance Studio. These rehearsals will be led by the House Dance Captains and supervised by a member of the Dance Department. The rehearsal nights will be Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 4.30pm.

There are many ways that you can be involved in House Dance as a Captain. Many students enjoy choreographing the dance. You may wish to consider other roles that are equally important such as Costume Designer, Make up and Hair Designer, Warm up Coach or Lighting Designer.

If you would like to be considered, please hand in your letter of application to the Dance Office by Tuesday 22 April.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Mrs Wearing

Joint Head of Dance and Teacher responsible for the House Dance Competition

Gremlin Dance Show

On Thursday 20th March a small group of Year 9 students performed in the Gremlin Dance Challenge at The Princess Hall in Aldershot, There piece was a retelling of Aesop's old fable of 'The North Wind and The Sun'. It explored the battle of the two weathers and focused on the moral that gentle persuasion is more powerful than using aggression or force.

The dancers looked fantastic in the costumes on stage, and the judges obviously agreed as we won 'Best Costume'. I believe the Dancers did a lovely performance and the feedback from members of the crowd were amazing, I hope the girls enjoyed themselves, and thank you to the parental support we received during the event.

Well Done Ladies.

Mrs Evans