The King Alfred School Performing Arts Info & Calendar 2026-27
STAFF LIST Drama Lucy Hall, Director of Drama lucyh@kingalfred.org.uk Rob Messik, Director of Phoenix Theatre robertm@kingalfred.org.uk Lynne Sasson lynnes@kingalfred.org.uk Tammy Cornish tammyc@kingalfred.org.uk Jacquelynn Poole jacquelynnp@kingalfred.org.uk Sarah O’Keefe saraho@kingalfred.org.uk Matt Cargill matthewc@kingalfred.org.uk Frances Smith francess@kingalfred.org.uk Amy Ratcliffe amyr@kingalfred.org.uk
Key Stages 4 & 5, A level, UAL Level 2 & Level 3 Key Stage 5, A level, UAL Level 2 & Level 3 Key Stages 3 & 4, UAL Level 2 & Level 3 Key Stage 3, LAMDA LAMDA LAMDA Theatre Technician Dance Performing Arts Administrator
Music Neven Vangelov, Director of Music nevenv@kingalfred.org.uk Dan Aarons daniela@kingalfred.org.uk Nell Buckingham nellb@kingalfred.org.uk Camilla Ovenden camillao@kingalfred.org.uk Richard Wade richardw@kingalfred.org.uk
Key Stage 3, GCSE & A level, UAL Level 3 Key Stage 3, GCSE, UAL Level 3 Key Stages 3 & 5, GCSE & A level, UAL Level 3 Lower School Music Specialist A level
2
INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS Visiting Music Teachers (VMTs) offer lessons to students in Year 2/3 and above (instrumentdependent). Our VMTs and the lessones they offer are listed below. SINGING Daniel Broad Sarah Carter Christina Gill Nell Buckingham
PIANO Lydia Aoki Sophia Russell-Belgrave Joe McGrail Rick Simpson
CLARINET & SAX Leo Richardson
GUITAR Robert Greenfield David Quirke Maciek Pysz
DRUM KIT Nick Marangoni Jack Baker Darren Beckett
VIOLIN, VIOLA & MUSIC THEORY Richard Wade
FLUTE, RECORDER & MUSIC THEORY Hannah Lang
CELLO Helena Švigelj
Lessons are typically 35 minutes long and charged in advance (fees below). With the agreement of parents or guardians and availability of suitable lesson times within the VMT's timetable, lessons can be of a shorter or longer duration to suit the student’s needs. The VMTs aim to deliver a minimum of 30 lessons spread evenly over the academic year. Students in public examination years are taught off timetable (e.g. before/after school, during break/lunch or during a study period); all other lessons rotate weekly. To sign up for instrumental lessons, please complete a registration form at the online link below. Students are then added to our waiting list, and we will reach out to share availability (please keep in mind that demand is often high and waiting lists can be long). Please note, Lower School students with two or more co-curricular lessons a week may need to liaise with their class teachers and/or Lower School Head Karen before committing to additional lessons. After students are allocated from the waiting list, the VMTs operate their own timetables and make arrangements for lessons directly with parents and students using Involve Education, a music management software for teachers, students and parents that collates all information, such as scheduling, timetables, lesson feedback and practice notes. Involve Education also sends reminders for upcoming lessons, as well as lesson feedback and practice notes via email. Registration form: kingalfred.org.uk/instrumental-lamda-lessons/ All other enquiries: instrumentallessons@kingalfred.org.uk INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS
MUSIC THEORY (30-MIN CLASSES)
Hourly rate
£65.73
Grades 1 & 2
£7.03
35-minute lesson
£38.34
Grades 3 & 4
£7.60
35-minute lesson in pairs
£25.66
Grades 5 & above
£8.80
35-minute lesson in threes
£18.70
Small group (4+ students)
£13.20
3
LAMDA Our LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) teachers, Tammy Cornish, Jacquelynn Poole and Sarah O’Keefe, offer lessons in both the Performance and Communications LAMDA syllabi, including Acting, Verse and Prose, Speaking in Public, Devising, Mime, and Musical Theatre. Students from Reception to Year 13 can take exams from Introductory to PCert. LAMDA grades 6-8 are also accredited with UCAS points. Lessons are taught in 35-minute, fixed weekly sessions, either individually, in pairs, or in groups of up to four students. The aim is to spread sessions evenly throughout the academic year, and students in public examination years (11 & 13) are taught off-timetable. Instrumental lesson fees apply (see page 3). To sign up for LAMDA, please complete a registration form at the online link below. Students are then added to our waiting list, and we will reach out to share availability (please keep in mind that demand is often high and waiting lists can be long). After students are allocated from the waiting list, Tammy, Jacquelynn and Sarah operate their own timetables and arrange lessons directly with parents and students. Registration form: kingalfred.org.uk/instrumental-lamda-lessons/ All other enquiries: instrumentallessons@kingalfred.org.uk
CO-CURRICULAR CLUBS We offer a wide range of activities to suit performers of all ages and abilities. Below is a timetable of the weekly Drama & Music co-curricular activities offered at KAS. Please note: students involved in these activities can pick up a lunch pass from the Music/Drama office during break time so they do not have to wait in line for lunch.
MON
CLUB
TIME
TEACHER
ROOM
KAS Bellas (Singing)
Break: 11 - 11:25am
Nell
Music Room
Orchestra
Lunch: 1:30 - 2.10pm
Richard & Neven
Drama Studio
Rock Band
Lunch: 1:30 - 2:10pm
David & Jack
Music Room
Chamber Ensemble
Break: 11 - 11:25am
Richard
Seminar Room
Music Tech Club
Lunch: 1:30 - 2:10pm
Dan
Music Room
Baby Bellas (Singing)
Break: 11 - 11:25am
Nell
Music Room
Jazz Band
Lunch: 1:30 - 2:10pm
Leo, Sam & Neven
Music Room
Jazz Choir
Lunch: 1:30 - 2:10pm
Nell
Drama Studio
Middle School Choir
Lunch: 1:30 - 2:10pm
Neven
Music Room
Rock Bands
After School: 4pm
Rob
Music Room
TUES
WED
THURS
4
OPPORTUNITIES TO PERFORM Upper School The Middle School and Senior School Shows are highlights of the year. Last year, we staged Sister Act Jr and The Ballad of Raggedy Alice, a new musical created by KAS staff. Two annual concerts – Axe Monsters for school bands and Unplugged for electro-accoustic music – showcase Upper School musicians. Both events provide the ideal preparation for students to perform at KAStonbury, the school's summer music festival. The Christmas and Spring Concerts showcase selected soloists and Upper School choirs and ensembles, and are arranged by the Director of Music. KAStonbury is a festival-style, whole-school celebration organised by KASparents. Information about this event will be published during the Spring Term. Termly Soloist Concerts showcase musicians who are experienced performers with repertoire prepared to a high standard. Students must be nominated by either a VMT (for students who learn at KAS) or a parent/guardian (for those who take lessons externally). Workshops are available for selected students in Lower and Upper Schools. ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association) Drama Residential Trips for Middle School and GCSE years.
Lower School Summer Term’s Hammerhead concert for budding Lower School bands is typically held the day before KAStonbury. The Lower School Spring Concert showcases Lower School musicians. Seasonal Songs Concerts for the whole of Lower School in combined year groups. Watford Festival offers Year 6 Choir a unique opportunity to sing in a competition with other North London schools. Peripatetic Concerts are organised by students’ instrumental and singing teachers. Big Sings, an event for infants. Lower School Callovers provide a weekly platform for children to practice performing in an informal and encouraging setting. 5
GRADED MUSIC EXAMS KAS students can be entered for graded music exams, with the fees (detailed below) charged in arrears to the student's termly bill. For students who take lessons at the school, the VMT is responsible for consulting with parents or guardians and making the exam entry.
ABRSM Practical graded music exams are offered to students from Grades 1 to 8, as well as a pre-Grade 1 Initial Grade for some instruments. These take place in person on the school site. There is usually one exam day each term (dependent on interest). Music Theory exams at Grades 1 to 5 are delivered online and at Grades 6 to 8 as paper-based exams. Online exams are booked through the school and are sat externally, usually at home, outside of school hours. Online performance grade exams are recorded exams, which are equivalent to practical grade exams. These can be recorded remotely and submitted at any time via the school. For students taking lessons at school, VMTs are responsible for rehearsing, recording and submitting performance grade exam recordings. Please liaise with your child's VMT regarding specific exam arrangements. For general exam enquiries or support, email instrumentallessons@kingalfred.org.uk. Please also get in touch for information regarding Rockschool exams.
GRADE
Practical Exam Fee
Performance Exam Fee
Music Theory Exam Fee
Initial Grade
£53
£48
––
Grade 1
£59
£53
£41
Grade 2
£67
£61
£44
Grade 3
£78
£69
£48
Grade 4
£85
£76
£53
Grade 5
£92
£83
£57
Grade 6
£107
£96
£62
Grade 7
£116
£103
£66
Grade 8
£137
£122
£68
UCAS Students with ABRSM qualifications at Grades 6 to 8 benefit from UCAS (University and Colleges Admission Service) points as set out below, which can be used as part of a UK university or college application. Rockschool's exams in Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Piano and Keyboard, and Music Production also equate to UCAS points.
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
PASS
MERIT
DIST.
PASS
MERIT
DIST.
PASS
MERIT
DIST.
Practical
8
10
12
12
14
16
18
24
30
Theory
4
5
6
6
7
8
8
9
10
6
DIARY DATES Upper School Autumn Term WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
Upper School Show Auditions
Fri 4 Sept
Drama Studio
Upper School Show Rehearsals Start
Mon 7 Sept
Drama Studio
Y11 UAL (PAPA) Devising
Tues 13 Oct
Phoenix Theatre
Axe Monsters Concert
Thurs 15 Oct
Phoenix Theatre
Upper School Show Rehearsals
Thurs 29 & Fri 30 Oct
Phoenix Theatre
Y13 UAL (PAPA) Shakespeare & Song
Weds 4 Nov
Drama Studio
Soloist Concert
Thurs 5 Nov
Phoenix Theatre
SitzProbe
Sun 15 Nov
Phoenix Theatre
Upper School Show Rehearsals
Sat 21 & Sun 22 Nov
Phoenix Theatre
Upper School Show Dress Rehearsal
Mon 23 Nov
Phoenix Theatre
Upper School Show: Big Fish
Tues 24 – Thurs 26 Nov
Phoenix Theatre
Jazz Concert
Weds 2 Dec
Phoenix Theatre
ABRSM exams
Fri 4 Dec
Drama Studio
Christmas Concert
Weds 9 Dec
Phoenix Theatre
7
DIARY DATES Upper School Spring Term WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
Y12 UAL (PAPA) Clowning
Weds 20 Jan
Phoenix Theatre
Year 11 GCSE Music Recording Sessions
Weds 27 & Thurs 28 Jan
Phoenix Theatre
Y13 UAL (PAPA) Devising
Weds 3 Feb
Phoenix Theatre
Unplugged Concert
Weds 10 Feb
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 & Y13 UAL Musical Showcase Rehearsals
Mon 22 Feb
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 & Y13 UAL Musical Showcase
Tues 23 & Weds 24 Feb
Phoenix Theatre
Classical Concert
Weds 3 Mar
Phoenix Theatre
Y13 Theatre Studies Exam
Weds 9 & Thurs 10 Mar
Phoenix Theatre
Y11 UAL (PAPA) Final Major Project (FMP)
Tues 16 - Thurs 18 Mar
Phoenix Theatre
Y9 LAMDA Public Speaking Exam
Tues 23 & Weds 24 Mar
Drama Studio / Black Box
Spring Concert
Weds 24 Mar
Phoenix Theatre
8
DIARY DATES Upper School Summer Term WHAT
WHEN
WHERE
Y12 UAL (PAPA) Contemporary Play Rehearsals
Mon 12 Apr
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 UAL (PAPA) Contemporary Play
Weds 14 Apr
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 Theatre Studies Devised Exam
Weds 21 Apr
Phoenix Theatre
Y13 UAL Musical Performance
Weds 28 & Thurs 29 Apr
Phoenix Theatre
Y10 UAL (Performing Arts) Plays
Weds 5 & Thurs 6 May
Phoenix Theatre
Soloist Concert
Weds 12 May
Phoenix Theatre
Middle School Show Rehearsals
Mon 17 & Fri 21 – Sun 23 May
Phoenix Theatre
Middle School Show Dress Rehearsal
Mon 24 May
Phoenix Theatre
Middle School Show (title TBC)
Tues 25 & Weds 26 May
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 & Y13 UAL (PAPA) Project Week
Mon 14 – Fri 18 Jun
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 & Y13 UAL (PAPA) Final Major Project (FMP) Dress Rehearsal
Mon 21 June
Phoenix Theatre
Y12 & Y13 UAL (PAPA) FMP Show
Tues 22 & Weds 23 June
Phoenix Theatre
KAStonbury
Sat 3 Jul
School Field
UAL PAPA moderation
Weds 30 Jun – Fri 2 Jul
Phoenix Theatre
9