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Dance Department

GCSE Dance (AQA)

Introduction:

GCSE Dance is a course specially designed for those who have a love for dance and the professional compositions involved. Dance uses movement symbolically as a fundamental form of human expression. It is both empowering and powerful as a form of non-verbal communication. The intrinsic value of dance is the development of creative, imaginative, physical, emotional and intellectual capacities. Dance is both physical and expressive this is what makes it similar to and different from other art forms and physical activities. Throughout the two year course, you will look at three main components of dance in theory and practical elements; Performance skills, Choreographic skills and Appreciation skills.

Aims of course:
  1. Promotes fitness, a healthy lifestyle, team working and creativity.
  2. Actively engages students in the process of dance in order to develop as effective and independent learners and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds.
  3. Develops students' skills, knowledge and understanding of a range of dance styles through the interrelated processes of performing, creating and appreciating dances.
  4. Develops physical, technical and expressive skills through which students are able to communicate choreographic intention and develop their individual qualities as performers.
  5. Develops students' skills, knowledge and understanding of choreography through which they are able to communicate ideas, thoughts and meaning drawn from a range of dance styles.
  6. Develops a critical appreciation of dance in its physical, artistic, aesthetic and cultural contexts.
"Dance is vital, an activity both exhilarating and liberating to watch or do. The instinct to dance is fundamentally joyous and no matter how hard you try you can’t get away from that for long. It can also be a huge force for good, effectively drawing people together and levelling everyone through sheer hard work. It can speed up your heart rate, it can enliven your being, it can change your life”.

Richard Alston CBE, Dance UK
 

 Assessment:

Unit 1: Critical Appreciation of Dance
Written paper – 1 hour
50 marks – 20%

 

 

 

 

 

Unit 2: Set Dance
Practical examination
Solo performance – 1-1 ½ minutes

Unit 3: Performance in a group dance
3- 3 ½ minutes
Controlled assessment
30 marks – 20%

Unit 4: Choreography
Task 1: Solo Choreography – 1- 1 ½ minutes
20 marks – 15%
Task 2: Choreography
(group/duo/solo)
40 marks - 25%

 

AS Dance

Entrance Requirement:

G.C.S.E. Grade B or above in GCSE Dance or will need to attend an audition.
Introduction
 
At AS Level, this specification focuses on the development and performance of the candidate's own choreography and performance within a duo/trio. Candidates receive training on technique and the health and safety of the dancer. They begin to develop critical skills for the analysis of choreography and performance within their own work and in professional repertoire:
This specification is designed to encourage candidates to:
 
·         think critically about Dance as an art form
·         develop their knowledge for the study of Dance in Higher Education
·         experience performance and choreography
·         lead a healthy lifestyle.

 
·         Unit 1: Understanding Dance
·         Unit 2: Choreography and Performance
 
  • Dance combines well with any other creative A Level such as Art, Drama and Media Studies.
  • The course is excellent preparation for students who would like to pursue a career in the discipline, opening a variety of options, for example as a performer, teacher, dance historian, dance journalist, physiotherapist/movement therapist.