The performing arts is a cornerstone of our broad and engaging curriculum. Taught by subject specialists, our Music and Drama lessons develop the key skills of communication and confidence through a strong emphasis on self-expression, performance and collaboration from the very beginning of the Elmhurst journey.
Specialist Music and Drama teaching, plus individual Music and speaking skills lessons, ensure every passion can be followed. Opportunities such as debating, public speaking competitions, music festivals, concerts, choir performances, film festivals and school productions all foster enthusiasm for taking part and embracing personal challenge.
Together with the specialist Art lessons, these subjects offer an inclusive and diverse range of experiences in creating, performing and responding to work, fostering a life-long love of the arts.
Drama
Drama has arrived at Elmhurst, with boys from Little Elms onwards spending time learning some of the core skills and joys of drama. Whilst the ubiquitous annual nativity production provides a natural performance opportunity, further up the school boys are provided performance opportunities aplenty through class and performance assemblies as well as school productions.
LAMDA – Communication and Performance
For many of our pupils, LAMDA is an enjoyable, formal programme to explore their performance and speaking capabilities. From Year 3, pupils are taught through our Drama curriculum time the skills required for the introductory level of LAMDA examinations. Parents will be given the option for their son to take the examination during the Spring Term of Y3.
Pupils who enjoy the challenge of these world leading performance examinations then have the option to continue their pursuit of exam levels through peripatetic teaching.
Music at Elmhurst
Music making has long been a favourite pastime of Elmhurst boys and today we enjoy curriculum music from Little Elms to Y6 on a weekly basis. The school music room offers an array of instruments for pupils to make music with including a class set of Djembe drums, keyboards and other instruments from a diverse range of cultures, encouraging composition work and performance alike.
Pupils can study an instrument outside of curriculum time with peripatetic music teachers who attend the school and offer lessons in guitar, piano, clarinet, saxophone, violin and drums. From Reception boys are able to choose an instrument and regular assembly showcases expose the boys to the variety of options available, as well as providing performance opportunities for budding musicians.