Page 2 - The Badger – December 2023

THE BADGER
Drama
Drama
has been thriving at The Downs we have taken part in in Malvern College’s Musical Theatre Day where 10 pupils were invited to an Oliver! workshop on the Rogers Theatre Stage We have enjoyed class ‘sharing’ with Years 3 and 4 where parents came along to see how Drama
lessons work as we created a a a a a a physical theatre performance of ‘Twas the the Night Before Christmas’ We held an Open Casting for for the new BBC production of of the the Lord of of the the Flies 25 boys volunteered from Years 5 to to 8 and five were recalled to to the next stage! Congratulations to all our boys who bravely stepped forward to attend their first professional casting session The whole school went pantomime pantomime crazy too studying pantomime pantomime in in Drama
lessons with the Pre-Prep and and Years 3 and and 4 going to to to see the panto at The Roses in Tewkesbury and Years 5 to to to 8 watching Snow White at at at at The The Coach House Theatre Great Malvern Those pupils who love drama and performing took their LAMDA speech and and drama exams and and are now looking forward to to entering the Worcester Festival too The Spring Term brings our Year 7 and 8 Senior Production: Grimm Tales by Hans Christian Andersen Lewis House hosted a a a a trip to see The The The Lion The The The Witch and The The The Wardrobe at the Repertory Theatre in in Birmingham There are further trips planned and plenty of opportunities to get involved in in Drama
at The Downs Malvern!
Kirsty Cubberley
Music The start of the the Autumn Term 2023 found the the Music Department scattered around the the school as the the refurbishment to our building continued However even though we we were without our usual base all instrumental and and class lessons continued as as normal and and of course so did our rehearsal and activity schedule Then at the beginning of November we we were able to to move into our new state-of-the-art Music Department The upgraded facilities now provide our pupils with a a truly inspiring environment to help nurture their musical abilities and set the stage for for our seasonal performances In October we we were delighted to to entertain over one hundred grandparents in in a a a a concert featuring pupils from Reception to Year 8 This not only gave the audience an opportunity to hear their grandchildren perform but also
showcased the wide diversity of abilities and music we aim to cultivate here at at The Downs As November unfolded the Music Department continued to to provide opportunities for our young people to to shine by hosting two Informal Concerts The first was on on the 20th November with the Senior Informal Concert featuring pupils from Years 5 to to Year Year 8 which took place in the Memo Hall Parents supported over 30 young musicians who performed an array of music from Purcell to to Verdi to to AC/DC! Two days later it was the the turn of Year Year 3 and Year Year 4 in the the Junior Informal Concert A more intimate concert held in in the Old Library but nevertheless equally as entertaining and heart-warming 12 musicians captivated the the audience with their confident performances Congratulations are extended to to all who took part and put themselves forward – two wonderful evenings 2