Performing Arts – Dance, Drama, Music

All Years 
This session is for all girls who have not done Ballet before or may not have done so since they were very young but would like to learn the basics. No specific clothing or footwear is required initially. 

Years 7-13
The Catherine Bellinger School of Dance is proud to offer ballet opportunities for girls at Mayfield from Years 7-13. The School prides it's self on providing a friendly, fun, yet professional environment for the girls to study ballet for pleasure or as a vocation.

For the girls who would like to take professional dance qualifications, the School holds a Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exam season at least once a year. The RAD is a world leader in dance education and training and was established over 100 years ago.  

Girls will take part in the Mayfield Dance Show in the Spring Term and will also be offered the opportunity to take part in additional performances including the annual Catherine Bellinger School of Dance Show at Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells in the Autumn Term.  

Years 9-13
In this activity you will learn high-energy dance moves and how to effectively use props and costumes.  You can even choreograph your own dance to perform in the annual Dance Show! 

In addition to the Year 7 – 9 Club and this session, there is a weekly Invitation Dance group for our Dance scholars and those identified as on the talent pathway.​ 

Years 7 – 9 
Open to all students who wish to enjoy dance and be part of a dance group. Pupils study and develop strong technical skills and, through exploration of movement, and may produce their own choreographed pieces to perform in the annual Dance Show. 

In addition to the this and Commercial Dance sessions, there is a weekly Invitation Dance group for our Dance scholars and those identified as on the talent pathway. 

Years 7-13 - taught individually or as a duologue
Speech and Drama lessons allow pupils to gain the ability to communicate clearly, effectively and to develop their confidence. Depending on the skills they wish to develop,  pupils work towards LAMDA Communication and Performance qualifications in one or more of the following areas:  

• Acting - developing the skills required to communicate dramatic text to an audience.  

• Speaking in Public - developing the skills necessary for effective oral communication and public presentation.  

• Speaking of Verse and Prose - exploring literature in an engaging and practical way and to develop their communication skills. 

There are opportunities to take examinations in the various disciplines of LAMDA from Grade 1 (Introduction) to Grade 8 (Gold). The points accrued from LAMDA examinations at Grade 7 and 8 can be used as UCAS points when applying for university.   

For further enquires please contact the Arts Administrator, Rebecca Allen (rallen@mayfieldgirls.org).  

Open to students in Years 7-10  
The Mayfield Theatre Company’s ethos is one of inclusivity and our aim is to produce quality theatre that’s designed to build trust and confidence, whilst developing performance and production skills.

Auditions will take place February 2025, with rehearsals running through Spring and Summer Term, culminating in performances in our Concert Hall venue in June 2025.   

Open to students in Years 9-13  
Discover the magic behind the scenes by joining our technical theatre club, where you'll learn all about lighting, sound, and stagecraft. Perfect for those who love the art of creating the atmosphere, this club will become the heartbeat of every performance, including the school's musical production.

Open to students in Years 7-13  
A whole school musical runs biennially for students from Years 7-13 and is taken to a professional theatre venue (Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells). Auditions will take place in September 2024 and are inclusive.   

We are encouraging all students to get involved whether performance or technical support. Rehearsals run throughout Autumn term and into Spring term, culminating in performances in February 2025. Next year’s production is The Sound of Music.

Music Aural (Grades 1-5 and 6-8)
Years 7-13
These classes, which focus on improving specific skills and give practice of the aural tests, are essential for girls who are preparing to take instrumental or vocal exams with ABRSM and Trinity. 

Regular practice is vital for progress in music. The music department (St Cecilia’s) has eleven practice rooms available, each room with an acoustic or electric piano. Girls who play instruments or sing should book at least one regular practice session during A1 or A2 at the beginning of each term through SOCS. There is usually a room available, although individual music lessons and ensemble rehearsals take priority at certain times. 

Years 7-13
Individual instrumental lessons are available from Beginner to Diploma level. Tuition is currently offered for the following instruments, but provision can be made for any instrument not listed: bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, drum kit, flute, guitar, harp, oboe, organ, percussion, pianoforte (Classical and Pop & Jazz), recorder, saxophone, trumpet, viola, violin and voice (Classical and Pop & Jazz). For their music lessons, Years 7-10 rotate out of academic lessons while pupils in Years 11-13 have a fixed time in study periods, lunchtime or after school. A student should not miss the same academic lesson more than twice per half term for a lesson as a result of individual music lessons. 

Music Examinations: While most girls take Associated Board exams (ABRSM) in Music, other exam boards are available. Examinations are taken at the end of each term. Music examinations at higher grades attract UCAS points for university entrance.

Instruments may be hired from the School, subject to availability, with costs varying according to the instrument. For enquiries regarding music lessons or instrument hire, please contact the Arts Administrator, Rebecca Allen (rallen@mayfieldgirls.org). 

Years 7-13
Any girl wishing to take ABRSM Grade 6 or above is required to pass Grade 5 theory. This session guides pupils through the material for the exam but is also useful for anyone who wishes to improve their general music theory knowledge, especially those considering taking GCSE Music. One hour of additional study per week is recommended. 

Years 7-13 by audition
The main role of the Chapel Choir is to provide music at Sunday mass, as well as taking part in occasional performances at external venues when possible. Any boarding girl is welcome to join Chapel Choir, but boarders who have singing lessons are required to sing in this choir when in School over the weekend. 

Years 7 and 8
This choir is a compulsory activity involving all girls in Years 7 and 8, introducing them to choral technique and repertoire covering traditional, classical and popular music. The Lower School Choir performs at least once each term. In 2024-25 there will be the option for Lower School choir members to sing in the Chorus for The Sound of Music musical (as mentioned in the Drama section). 

Years 7-13
Mayfield’s flagship choir, the Schola Cantorum (School of Singers), combines the voices of our most able and enthusiastic singers and performs at high profile events within school and beyond. 

The Choir has had music written for it by eminent composers, and has toured at home and abroad, including Cathedrals in the UK and France. The next trip is to Vienna in the Spring term. Pupils wishing to join the Schola should be confident singers and comfortable reading music.