Creative Arts

Art, Dance, Drama and Music

The creative arts are integral to fostering innovation and imagination. These disciplines

nurture lifelong skills that enhance students’ perception, understanding, productivity, and

overall well-being, complementing their traditional academic pursuits.

Art

The walls at Aldenham are covered in artwork of an outstanding standard. Creativity abounds and students are encouraged to nurture existing skills and new ones. A well resourced department with specialist teaching enables students to really excel. In addition to GCSE and A Level options, many competitions take place and students take part in recreational art too.

SEE MORE Art
IMG_6031

Dance

Dance is taken seriously, but is also a huge amount of fun. Girls and boys are encouraged to take part in the annual Dance Show (a real spectacle and eagerly anticipated as a highlight of the School Year), and dance often features heavily in whole school productions. There is also the option to study GCSE when demand is sufficient, which is often the case.

Students benefit from the ability to express themselves and their individuality, but also to work in a group, playing their part to enhance the whole. Confidence is built and enthusiasm and enjoyment permeate participants and audience members alike.

SEE MORE Dance
AFSD1-VB-144

Drama

Drama at Aldenham is really strong, delivering productions which are just fantastic! Students who are committed to the stage will benefit from being in a school with other like-minded young people, supported by experienced, enthusiastic staff and excellent facilities.

All students have the opportunity to audition for a major production specifically targeted to their age group so that large roles are not just for the older students. Additionally there are two keenly contended House Drama competitions each year. For those students who opt into Drama GCSE and A level there are also examination performances. Being involved in a production gives confidence-building skills and a sense of achievement within a creative team context.

SEE MORE Drama
drama

Music

At Aldenham we offer music students the chance to work in a beautiful converted chapel with amazing facilities spread over three floors with practice rooms, group room, well equipped soundproof studio, three classrooms, and a 90 seat recital room with foyer area and balcony overlooking the beautiful school grounds.

There are 20 music staff teaching strings, woodwind, brass and percussion (including drum kit), piano, saxophone, pop, classical and musical theatre singing, electric, acoustic and bass guitar. This is a vibrant and enthusiastic environment with opportunities to conduct a 100 strong choir in front of an audience of 1200 in the House Music Competition, play a solo in the Spring Concert, sing in the Carol Service at St. Albans Abbey or perform with peers and staff at ‘Ald Fest’ in the summer.

SEE MORE Music
Music

Also in Creative Arts News

Drama --01featured-image-Watford-Festival18
MAR 14, 2018

More Drama wins for Aldenham Pupils

As in previous years, the Watford Festival saw a number of success stories from both the Prep and Senior schools. Focusing on the Senior entries, the festival opened with a win from Aldenham in the ‘Anthology’ section of the competition, with Muskaan Iqbal and Viola Alishah performing in the winning piece, devised and directed with […]

READ MORE More Drama wins for Aldenham Pupils
Drama --01featured-image-senior-house-drama
JAN 30, 2018

A very dramatic evening

The senior House Drama competition involves a maximum of 15 pupils from each House devising, writing, and directing a 20 minute play in 24 hours. Some wonderful performances were given by all Houses; at times challenging, amusing and thought provoking. This time the topic was based on the artwork of Banksy. Beevor’s House were the […]

READ MORE A very dramatic evening
Drama --01featured-image-senior-production
DEC 8, 2017

Shakespeare Double Bill at Aldenham

This week Aldenham students performed a double bill of Shakespeare plays. They demonstrated versatile acting skills through the presentation of both a tragedy and a comedy, really proving that these great plays can speak to a contemporary audience. Both productions were set in modern day Mexico, during the Day of the Dead Festival, highlighted through […]

READ MORE Shakespeare Double Bill at Aldenham