ART

The National School of the Arts offers the widest range of ART subjects available to secondary schools. The art subjects are taken as follows:

Grade 8 and 9

All learners will complete modules in Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, printmaking, Sculpture, Jewellery Design, Photography, Design Theory & Visual Arts Theory.

Grades 10, 11 & 12


Learners are required to choose  ONE of:  Two Dimensional Design, Three Dimensional Design or Visual Arts. Each of the chosen subjects has an extensive theory component which is compulsory.

General Information:

The school also boasts a wonderful art gallery, in one of the school buildings designed by Gerhard Moerdyk, which is used to exhibit the learners' work as well as for public exhibitions.

 

DANCE

GRADE 8 & 9

Practical Work

All Grade 8 learners must do Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance and Spanish Dance.

Theoretical Work

All Grade 8 learners must do Dance Theory.
Grade 9 learners must do Dance Theory and Anatomy.


GRADE 10 & 11

Practical Work

The new FET syllabus requires ALL learners to do African Dance as their Minor dance form (prescribed by the National Curriculum). All learners will do Choreography, Classical Ballet, Contemporary Dance, Spanish Dance and Jazz Dance.

Theoretical Work

All learners must do History of Dance, Music (Appreciation) and Anatomy.


GRADE 12

Practical Work

ALL learners will do African Dance as their Minor dance form (prescribed by the National Curriculum) and then they must choose ONE dance form as their Major dance form from the list below. All learners must do Choreography.

ONE dance form may be from the list below:-
  • Classical Ballet
  • Contemporary Dance
  • Jazz Dance
  • Spanish Dance
Theoretical Work

All learners must do History of Dance, Music (Appreciation) and Anatomy.

 


DRAMA

Emphasis is placed on performance and learners are provided with as many performance opportunities as possible.

Each year the school presents a major production in a professional theatre and at least two additional productions at the school. In addition, there is an annual showcase in which every drama learner is involved in performance.

Practical training includes:-
  • Acting
  • Voice
  • Movement
  • Physical theatre
  • Stagecraft
  • Mime
  • Poetry
  • Workshop
  • Directing
However, there is also a large theory component, which covers the study of :-
  • Play texts & their contexts
  • Theatre history & design
  • Arts Administration
  • Stagecraft
  • Poetry
  • Voice theory
  • Ritual
  • Mythology
All drama learners will ALSO COMPLETE a second certificate in the Performing Arts.

 

MUSIC

Learners must do TWO music subjects which are divided up as follows:-

MUSIC 1:

First instrument together with the corresponding Theory component.
At least a Grade 7 Unisa, Royal Schools or Trinity level must be reached by Grade 12.
Learners also need to play and write the practical and theory examinations from these Examination Bodies:-
Grade 10 - Grade 5] These are compulsory. Failure to do these exams each year will result in a
Grade 11 - Grade 6] failure in Grade 12.
Grade 12 - Grade 7]

MUSIC 2:

Second Instrument together with the following theoretical subjects:-
  • History of Music
  • Form Analysis
  • Theory
  • Harmony
  • Composition
  • Arranging
  • Improvisation
  • Aural Training
Both of the practical music subjects include a chamber component.

Learners who play an orchestral instrument are required to play in the school orchestra.

Vocal learners have to sing in the vocal ensemble.

A large emphasis is placed on performance and practical work. With this in mind, opportunities are created for learners to perform continually.

 


CONTEMPORARY MUSIC - NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN MUSIC INDUSTRY PRACTICE

 NOTE: - No mainstream academic subjects are taken in this course.
 

The Certificate in Music Industry Practice is a 3 year post Grade 9 course based on Unit Standards in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

Each year or level is designated NQF Level 2, NQF Level 3 and NQF Level 4

In order to be admitted into the NQF Levels learners must have achieved the following:

  • NQF 2 - a recognised Grade 9 qualification
  • NQF 3 - a recognised Grade 10 qualification or NQF Level 2
  • NQF 4 - a recognised Grade 11 qualification or NQF Level 3


Candidates must attend an interview and an audition consisting of a prepared piece showing the level of competence in the chosen instrument.

This course enables learners to attend a private tertiary college.

Learners have a choice of the following instruments:-

  • Vocal
  • Guitar
  • Bass Guitar
  • Piano / Keyboards
  • Drums

The following subjects at each NQF Level must be taken and passed in order to attain the relevant certificate:

  • Aural
  • Communication Studies
  • Create and Arrange Music
  • Culture and Life Skills
  • Ensemble
  • Keyboard Technique
  • Maintenance of Equipment and Tools
  • Mathematical Literacy
  • Music Business
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  • Operate a Personal Computer
  • Stage Presence and Work Skills
  • Theory of Music

Learners must obtain a minimum pass mark of 60% in EACH of the theoretical subjects and 80% in their practical instrument. All subjects must be passed in order to progress to the next NQF Level.

Course cost for this year: R21 000.00, which includes the above subjects and one practical instrument only.