My First Time Seeing an Orchestra Live!

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will talking about the time that I went to see an orchestra perform live for the very time, and oh boy! It was an experience, but not in a good way.

I went to see my very first Orchestra back in 2010; and I was really excited to go as I had never seen an orchestra live before. This was also my very first visit to the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester.

  The performance was entitled 'Friday Fright Night', and it was held on the Friday 29th October 2010 at 7.30pm. We were sat in the stalls, four rows from the stage.

'Friday Fright Night' was an evening of spooky themed classical music, which I thought would be a great introduced for myself to go and see an orchestra, as I'm familiar with quite a lot of well known spooky classical music.

I was looking forward to this performance for about six months, as I think we booked the tickets in March 2010.

It's the day of the performance, and everything was fine before the performance started and everything was fine upon taking our seats in auditorium. The start of the first half was absolutely fine; and then the young child who was sat at the side of me wouldn't sit still and I can remember their parent was trying to get them to sit still. So, during the intermission the parents changed seats with the child. This wasn't even the worst of it. 

  So, the second act of the performance starts and it opens with 'Hedwig's Theme' from Harry Potter; there's a mother and daughter sat at the other side of me. So, while the orchestra are playing 'Hedwig's Theme'; the mother says quite loudly to the daughter "Have you still got Harry Potter?". Because it was said so loudly quite a few turned around to see who it was. Also, when the mother asked her daughter this question; they then started to have a full on conversation in the middle of the performance, and they didn't care that they was other people around them trying to watch the rest of the performance. Then to top it off, after the orchestra had finished their performance for the evening and everyone was leaving the auditorium to go home; a full on argument broke out between the first few rows of seats regarding the way that mother and daughter behaved during the second part of the performance. I genuinely couldn't believe what I was witnessing, and all I wanted to do was leave.

It took nine years to get myself back to the Bridgewater Hall, and that was I got the heads up that 'Breaking the Rules' was doing a performance at the Bridgewater Hall for one night only.

If you ever go to a theatre production, orchestra performance or a concert; please just respect the other people around you. As it can have a similar affect on other people to what I had, and this isn't fair on other people around you who have also paid money to see the performance.

Music Literature: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music by Darren Henley & Sam Jackson

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the book 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Classical Music' by Darren Henley & Sam Jackson; and its in association with Classic FM.

This book is absolutely brilliant if you want to gain more understanding of the world of classical music. 

The book starts off by explaining how you should listen to classical music, and what to expect; and then it has a glossary of musical terms with easy to understand definitions. 

  From there it then goes on to what to expect from a classical concert, as well as the do's and don'ts at a classical concert; which I think is a great addition as my first experience of going to a classical concert actually got ruined by other people who didn't know how to behave during a classical performance. It also goes into depth about the authors ten favourite concert halls within the UK, as well as record labels and well known composers. The book also goes through the periods of classical music, and highlights a few well known composers from those periods of classical music.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone whose interested in the world of classical music, but isn't too sure on how to go about it. This book is filled with really useful information to get you started on exploring the world of classical music, and it's also written in a really approachable manner.

GCSE: Arts, Crafts & Design

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Arts, Crafts and Design GCSE. This GCSE works ever so slightly different from the rest, as you need to take up TWO OR MORE specialist areas that are required for this GCSE.

The Arts, Crafts and Design GCSE lets you to explore a variety of different arts and crafts experiences through learning and exploring the different processes, tools, techniques, materials and resources to enable you to explore different kinds of working and gain different outcomes.

Within this GCSE your work can be described as art based, crafts based and/ or design based.

Areas of Study (You must choose at least TWO)

- Fine Art

- Graphic Communication

- Textile Design

- 3D Design

- Photography

Fine Art

This includes drawing, painting, sculpture, installation, lens/ light based media, photography and the moving image, printmaking, mixed media and land art

Graphic Communication

This includes communication graphics, design for print, advertising and branding, illustration, package design, typography, interactive design (including web, app and game), multimedia, motion graphics, signage and exhibition graphics

Textile Design

This includes art textiles, fashion design and illustration, costume design, constructed textiles, printed and dyed textiles, surface pattern, stitched and/ or embellished textiles, soft furnishings and/ or textiles for interiors, digital textiles and installed textiles

3D Design

- This includes architectural design, sculpture, ceramics, product design, jewellery and body adornment, interior design, environmental landscape/ garden design, exhibition design, 3D digital design, and designs for theatre, film and TV

Photography

- This includes portraiture, location photography, studio photography, experimental imagery, installation, documentary photography, photo journalism, moving image: film, video and animation, fashion photography

Component 1

You must show evidence of areas of study drawn from two or more of the above areas of study, and also taking into account the different aspects of arts, crafts and design.

Component 2

You must show evidence of areas of study drawn from one or more of the selected areas.

* The areas of study that you have selected for Component 1 can either be the same as/ or different from those you have selected for Component 2.

As a GCSE Arts, Crafts and Design student you must explore 2D & 3D processes and media, practical application of skills and relevant critical and contextual sources such as work of contemporary artists, crafts people and designers; and the different purposes, intentions and functions of arts, crafts and design which is appropriate to your own work.

You will also develop and apply knowledge, understanding and skills which are specific to the areas of study that you choose for this GCSE.

Education: Creative Subjects for AS/ A Levels

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to give you an overview of AS/ A Level Creative Subjects, and how you will be assessed for each AS/ A Level.

Drama & Theatre Studies

Devising

Creating an original performance from a text stimulus

Text in Performance

Taking on a performance or design role in a practical tutor-directed piece, and solo/ paired performance

Theatre Makers in Practice

Exploring theatre making through the analysis of live performance, and two set texts

Assessed

40% Coursework

20% Practical Performance Exam

20% Written Exam

Art, Craft & Design

- Artist research & contextual understanding

- Visual language & creativity

- Skills & techniques across a wide range of media

- Selecting personal/ meaningful subjects/ themes

- Portfolio presentation

Assessed

100% Coursework

Photography

- Photography research & contextual understanding

- Visual language & creativity

- Camera control

- Digital editing

- Traditional film & darkroom techniques

- Selecting personal & meaningful subjects/ themes

- Online portfolio presentation

Assessed

100% Coursework

Media Studies

- Newspapers, radio, video games, music videos, advertising & film marketing

- Detailed study exploring three specialist texts of three industries: television, magazines & online media

- Media has a few key areas to study that will be applied to each media text

- Media language & how to analyse & deconstruct media products

- Representations, exploring the historical context of media products & how media producers construct images and texts to convey messages to audiences

- Industry - how media businesses from Disney as a powerful Hollywood studio to a YouTube vlogger, make content & more importantly make money

- Audiences - how media products attract, appeal & target specific audiences & how media audiences are not all the same

Assessed

70% Exam

30% Coursework including a practical production piece & evaluation

English Language

- Stylistic analysis of non fiction texts

- Child language development

- Language diversity & change

- Regional varieties

- Language & social groups

- Language & gender

- Language & ethnicity

- Occupational language

- Language change

Assessed

80% Exam

20% Coursework

English Literature

Gothic Literature - Dracula, The Picture of Dorian Gray & short extracts

Drama & Poetry pre 1900 - The Duchess of Malfi & selected poetry by Christina Rossetti

Literature post 1900 - A Streetcar Named Desire, Atonement & selected poetry by Carol Ann Duffy

Shakespeare - The Tempest

Assessed

80% Exam

20% Coursework

* The course content may vary slightly depending on where you are choosing to study your AS/ A Levels

Education: Vocational Courses in Media

Hi everyone,

In todays post I'm going to talk about the Vocational Courses related to Media. The Vocational Courses are an alternative option to AS/ A Levels.

Art, Design & Media Level 1

- Observational drawing

- Graphic application (Apple Mac)

- Painting

- Photography (including digital editing)

- 3D Design

- Textiles

- Film/ Moving image recording & editing

Creative Media Production & Technology Level 2

- Video production

- Audio production

- Interactive media & graphic design

- Character design

Creative Media Production & Technology Level 3*

- Video production

- Audio production

- Camera operating

- Directing

- Graphic design

- Editing

- Sound

- Writing

- Contextual awareness

* In the second year you have the opportunity to increasingly focus on one or a combination of these specialist fields, as well as preparation for further progression. This will lead you to achieving the full Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification.

GCSE: English Literature & English Language (Core Subject)

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about GCSE English Language and English Literature, which is are core subject. 

Overview

Over the three year period while you are working towards your GCSEs in English Language and English Literature you will cover a range of fiction, non fiction and other literacy texts. You will also develop your skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening.

English Language

- Exploration of creative reading and writing

- Understanding of writers' viewpoints and perspectives

Assessed: Two final examinations totalling 100% of total marks

English Literature

- Shakespeare & the 19th Century novel

- Modern texts and poetry

Assessed: Two final examinations totalling 100% of total marks

GCSE: Music Technology

Hi everyone,

In todays post I will be talking about the Music Technology GCSE.

Unit 1: Music Industry

This unit will provide you with an overview of the industry with a particular focus of the modern music industry and covering the emergence of the role of the self employed, performer and promoter.

Unit 2: Managing a Music Product

This unit covers the essential aspect for progression. Within this unit you look into the development of a music product; as well as providing a vehicle for demonstrating skills and learning. It also introduces the role of planning and promotion in the management of a music product. You can base your work on a live concert, event, CD or online product; providing opportunities for both music performers and technologists.

Assessed

- 2 Mandatory Units

- 2 Optional Units