Senior Arts Review
TERM 2, 2025/26
THE ARTS AT TANGLIN
"It starts with a spark of curiosity that is fuelled by passion. A desire to be creative while persevering through the challenges. Discovering your artistic identity through personal expression. Developing an appreciation and mutual respect for the work of others. Encouraging inclusion and diversity so everyone can participate, succeed and achieve their personal best."
At Tanglin, we have a thriving Arts community with over 800 students participating in approximately 50 CCAs weekly, culminating in over 50 events yearly. We also achieve outstanding results in the classroom and have been awarded ‘best in the world’ for A Level 8 times in the last 5 years for individual Arts Subjects. Our talented teaching staff and Arts technicians work tirelessly with our students daily to offer memorable opportunities to be creative, collaborate and express themselves in the Arts, inside and outside the classroom.
This is the second edition of the Senior Arts Review this academic year. It has been another busy term, with many fantastic events showcased across the Arts in the Senior School, catering to a wide range of interests and abilities. I hope you enjoy reading about all our endeavours this year, and we will hopefully see you next term at some of our events.
Richie Baxter Head of the Arts Faculty
DRAMA
The Drama Department kicked off Term 2 in spectacular style, filling the Berrick Performance Hall with disco beats, sequins, and a glittering atmosphere as the cast of Sister Act took to the stage. Their energy and commitment brought a vibrant 70s flair to the Tanglin community, lifting spirits and chasing away the January blues.
Below is a summary from Alannah K., one of our new Year 12 students.
“In January, the cast of this year’s senior musical brought to the stage the divine musical comedy - Sister Act. Based on the 1992 film featuring Whoopi Goldberg and Maggie Smith, the dazzling musical adaptation explores themes of self-discovery and unexpected friendship, while bringing together gospel-inspired music and witty characters to create an unforgettable, hilarious show. Such a marvellous show requires an equally marvellous team! I was lucky enough to play the beloved Mother Superior in my first Tanglin production, and being part of the cast was a truly special experience. I was able to see firsthand the cooperation and determination within this community here at Tanglin, and being part of it was an honour. Our talented senior dance team worked with our choreographers to lead the ensemble dancers through the piece, really bringing the fire and energy to our numbers. The show could not have been what it was without our skilled band to set the mood for every scene. The lively nature of the whole show was achieved with the upbeat music brought to us by our senior band members, who never missed a beat!”
"Sister Act was my first production here at Tanglin Trust, and it was an experience that I will never forget. Being part of productions teaches you things about the performing arts that you simply cannot learn in a classroom, and I certainly ended those shows not only having learnt more about the production process, but also about myself as a performer. Having been passionate about drama from the beginning of my schooling, I have always jumped at the opportunity to be on stage and loved every minute of it. But it was never just about being on stage; it is the community formed backstage that sticks with you forever. The friendships I have formed, and the lessons I learned, make working hard at those long rehearsals forever worth it.”
Alannah K. (Year 12 Student)
“Being a part of the musical for the first time was an immensely rewarding experience for me. I made many friends and especially enjoyed the experience of being a part of this fantastic production. I walked away wondering why I had not done it in previous years.”
Kieran F. (Year 13 Student)
What followed Sister Act was a dynamic and demanding term, with examination groups showcasing their work across a range of performances. IB students presented their Collaborative Projects and World Theatre presentations, while Year 12 students impressed with devised performances. Year 13 students delivered powerful monologues and IB Solo pieces, demonstrating both creativity and technical skill as they followed the intentions of a chosen theorist. Meanwhile, our Year 10 cohort made an excellent start to their upper school Drama journey with their first Scripted coursework performances.
At Key Stage 3, students explored a rich variety of theatrical experiences, from experimenting with comedy to designing for Shakespeare’s The Tempest and devising work inspired by the unique style of Splendid Theatre.
As the term draws to a close, the Drama Department would like to wish our exceptional Year 13 students a heartfelt goodbye and the very best of luck. Their dedication to both academic study and CCAs/ productions has been outstanding, and we are confident they will thrive as they take their next steps—whether in theatre and the arts or beyond.
Dawn Smith Head of Drama
The Year 12 production of Nora, held at the end of Term 1, was a class-based project, the objective of which was to work together as an ensemble towards a common goal. IB Theatre asks our students to take on the roles of Creators, Directors, Designers and Performers, and the intention of the project was to provide opportunities for the entire class to practice these core skills. The group cut the script, provided all of the creative ideas and directed each other in the scenes. In addition, they designed the set, costumes, lighting and sound. This was a demanding and rewarding project that both developed the ensemble and interpersonal skills of the group, as well as providing them with an opportunity to showcase their Performance talent and skills.
Anita Spriage Drama teacher
FILM
The term kicked off with the incredible opportunity for our Year 10 students to work with a team from Aardman Animation. In a workshop designed to improve stop-motion animation skills in preparation for their coursework, our Year 10 film students practised making and manipulating plasticine ‘Morph’ figures and learning about how to create realistic ‘walk-cycles’ to improve the smoothness of animation.
Likewise, early in the term, students took part in the highly valued Year 10 and Year 12 Production Days with Ian Pike (Director, Writer, and Lecturer). The Year 10 students took advantage of Ian’s understanding of script writing conventions to help them plan an important piece of coursework – the Camera and Editing task for Competency 2. Ian helped them to unpack the script as well as think about how to visualise the action from a cinematography point of view.
Both our IB and A Level students were able to work with Ian and experiment with production techniques, work on technical skills, and shoot valuable footage for their portfolios and music video projects. The Year 12 IB students spend time unpacking the role of the Director and practising hands-on directing skills, such as coaching performance, choreographing camera movements, and developing blocking plans. The Year 12 A Level students had a deep dive into music video production, looking at the conventions of the genre and analysing the elements that make successful music videos. In the afternoon, this led to the creation of a music video utilising elements from the morning session.
This term also saw the continuation of the department's CCAs. Notably, the ‘Media Tech Crew’ CCA focuses on students who intend to study Film and Media production at university. Working with our technician, Andrea, students from the CCA have had skills-based workshops on a variety of realworld industry scenarios, as well as taking part in numerous school-based filming projects, including filming Sister Act, Battle of the Bands, centenary guest speakers for The Institute, and filming for Leavers' Week.
Ben Astley Head of Film and Media
“I, alongside the rest of the AS Media Studies class, had the privilege of being given a Music Video workshop by Ian Pike in preparation for the next year’s coursework. We were divided into groups of three, given the song ‘A Letter to My 21-Year-Old Self’ by Reverend and the Makers, and tasked with creating a music video for it. It was a great opportunity to develop our collaborative skills and see how much we could film and edit in about three hours. The final projects came out vastly different across all the groups and served as a display of creativity and diverse ideas within our class. I am incredibly grateful for the experience and can’t wait to make music videos again next year!”
Liz M. (Year 12 Student)
“Attending Ian Pike’s directing workshop was quite eyeopening as I realised the real meaning of directing. Before attending the workshop, my perception of directing was quite limited to staging and managing the film as a whole. However, Mr. Pike managed to open my mind to the real meaning of directing. The most important lesson I learned is that a director has the freedom to control the emotional aspects of performance and apply them during the shoot. I learnt that the last decision to be made on the acting of an individual lies with the director. It means that a director not only advises the actor on how to act but also manages their feelings. For example, the director may advise the actor to act at 70% of anger or reduce an actor's emotional level. The director takes charge of shaping their performance rather than leaving it to the actor. Overall, the workshop was really useful for guidance for my upcoming Film Portfolio tasks.”
Arki L. (Year 12 Student)
ART & DESIGN
A highlight for our Year 7 students was their trip to Bright Hill Temple, where they engaged in observational drawing and explored the rich visual language of cultural architecture. The visit encouraged students to think about patterns, symbolism, and learn about Buddhist belief systems. The rich visual information collected has been brought back into the studios, and students are working collaboratively on creating large-scale paintings.
Across the school, students also benefited from a series of dynamic workshops led by visiting artist Ian Murphy. Known for his expressive drawing and painting techniques, his sessions emphasised mark-making, layering, and working with texture, leaving students energised and eager to experiment further in their own practice.
We are also proud to celebrate this year’s Articulation Prize participants. Following a competitive internal selection and semi-final round, one of our Year 11 students, Anusha P., was chosen to represent the school at the finals held at the National Gallery Singapore. This achievement reflects a fabulous research project in the arts.
“Drawing by the Bus Bay: Chinese New Year Edition” brought together students, staff, and the wider school community in a joyful celebration of art. And the term concluded with our IB Visual Arts Diploma Programme exhibition, “Threads of Time,” which showcased the tremendous work of our eight IB artists. The exhibition highlighted personal journeys, conceptual depth, and technical skill, offering a fulfilling and reflective end to a highly creative and successful term.
Elizabeth Anstiss Head of Senior Art and Design
“This year I participated in the ARTiculation competition for the first time and advanced to the final round. The competition felt less like a traditional contest and more like a platform for students to share their perspectives on art. The environment is nurturing and exciting, and it truly was a one-of-a-kind experience!”
Anusha P. (Year 11 Student)
MUSIC
It was another busy term in the Senior Music department, which saw numerous events and many outstanding performances from our ensembles. From the excellent performances in Sister Act in January to the epic Battle of the Bands in February, two excellent cross-phase concerts, and the stunning Musician of the Year finals in March, all interspersed with formal and informal concerts, visiting musicians and a trip to see Beauty and the Beast, co-curricular music has certainly showcased our Senior musicians and provided them with numerous opportunities. In the classroom, Middle School students have been busy with all sorts of wonderful projects and our Upper School and Sixth Form students have produced some coursework of which they can be justly very proud. We wish them all the best for their forthcoming exams.
Helen Owain Head of Senior Music
At the end of term, we also hosted Tanglin by Candlelight, a truly special and atmospheric musical evening, and a first of its kind for the school. Set against the warm glow of candlelight, the concert created an intimate and immersive environment, allowing the audience to experience the music in a more personal and reflective way. The soft lighting transformed the Recital Room, bringing performers and listeners closer together and fostering a strong sense of connection throughout the evening.
The Chamber Orchestra played in the first half, with a highlight being the performance Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with four violin soloists each taking the solo lead in a different movement. Their confident and expressive playing brought contrast and character to each season. Adding authenticity to the performance was the use of the harpsichord Basso Continuo to provide the harmonies, a defining feature of Baroque music. The second half continued the intimate atmosphere, featuring the Jazz Collectives and Big Band, all performances were vibrant, polished, and full of energy. A truly memorable night.
“I felt that my experience with the Sister Act band helped shape me into a better musician, as it allowed me to develop my sight reading abilities, collaborative skills and general musicianship, as well as other key skills which I intend to carry forth. Alongside the rest of the ensemble, I had to cover a large repertoire, and whilst this was difficult, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and ended up being immensely proud of the end product.”
Dylan O. (Year 13 Student)
