Examining Board - OCR
Subject Content
In opting for Practical Based Performance Studies you must have a passion for theatre, dance or the world of music.You will wish to work in these areas following your A level studies.You will enjoy a ‘hands on’ approach and will be very highly self motivated and able to analyse your own development.
You will be expected to make connections with professional bodies and embark upon extensive research. You will also write a personal commentary making detailed observations of your work. You will be filmed, photographed, taped and you must love performing in front of an audience.
Methods of Study
There will be a variety of teaching strategies and learning methods used throughout the course including the undertaking of research projects, completion of a personal log book, personal commentary, workshops and performing arts assignments. As well as involvement in role play, dance, drama and music workshops, students also need to commit to understanding practitioners and professionals, rehearsing, reading, composing and devising.
Methods of Assessment
AS Level
Unit 1: Creating Performance
4 elements of practical work in dance, drama and music.
- Skills based workshops in dance, drama and music.
- A short performance in each individual art form (dance, drama and music) approximately 3 minutes per art form.
- A longer performance that combines dance and drama and music and has a community focus.
- A written commentary on the practical work.
Unit 2: Performance Contexts 1
- Written Paper - The study of two practitioners; John Godber and The Beatles
- You will study two practitioners for this unit and your research will result in a written paper at the end of the first year.
A2 Level
Unit 1: Professional Contexts 2
Written Paper - The study of a choice of 4 different topics. Students will study a number of extracts to support their study of one topic. This will result in a 2 hour written paper at the end of the second year.
Unit 2: Performance Project
2 performance assessments
- (a) A performance realisation
- (b) A student–devised performance
- Students will study a number of extracts to support their study of one topic.
- This will result in a written paper at the end of the second year.
2 performance assessments
- A performance realisation of one of the Assessments works from the repertoire studied for either Performance Context 1 or 2. (10%)
- This can be drama or music or dance; it could also be a combination of music, art and dance.
- A student devised performance in response to a commission set by OCR. (25%)
Entry Requirements
Usually GCSE in Drama, Dance, Music, but most certainly a passion for this subject and maybe extra curricular evidence. An ability to perform. An abundance of energy and good interpersonal skills and team work.