Performing arts
Philosophy of the performing arts department: We cultivate creativity and expression by fostering the development of outstanding performance skills and aesthetic awareness in all our students through high quality experiences in dance, music and drama.
Past performances in drama, dance and music are available to stream on our media page.
Music
The high school's three performing ensembles, Concert Choir, Concert Band, and Chamber Orchestra are open to all qualified students in Grades 9-12. All ensembles perform at least three major concerts during the year. One of the special features of the high school music program is the annual Music Tour, when ASL's musical ensembles travel and perform. Music Tour takes place during semester II at the same time as Alternatives. ASL music students have performed in Paris, Bonn, Prague and Leuven, and many other European cities. Participation in Music Tour is a requirement of enrollment in Concert Choir, Concert Band, and Chamber Orchestra. There is no supplementary cost for the tour.
Students may audition for the following festivals: International Honor Band, International Honor Choir, International Honor Jazz Band, International Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and International Honor Orchestra. These events bring together students with exceptional musical ability from international schools around the world for several days of rehearsals and performances. Students must pay for their expenses when participating in festivals. Actual costs vary depending upon the host school location. European locations cost approximately £700; Asian locations may be approximately £1,500. Financial aid is available to help cover the cost of trips to enable all students to benefit from these programs. Families interested in financial aid for this trip should contact the admissions office, financialaid@asl.org. ASL welcomes all financial aid inquiries, whether or not the family currently receives aid, and holds all information in strict confidence.
Drama
Training in the dramatic arts develops creativity and encourages meaningful artistic expression. The program provides a hands-on approach to dramatic art, refining the students' sensibilities and adding to the richness and depth of their overall educational experience.
Students mature in discipline through technical skills that foster deeper expression in voice and movement while tapping into the emphatic inner life of creating character. Student actors apply their skills to text, in particular, acting in scenes and full dramatic works. Scene work using film scripts provides a modern approach, as students examine content and technique appropriate to this media. The benefit of their diligent work can be seen in their heightened communicative, and overall presentational, skills.
Students are invited to participate in the International Schools Theater Association (ISTA) festival, held during the school year, as well as the International Thespian Festival, held during the summer.
As London is a center for the creative arts, it is important that students take advantage of this resource. The program invites guest artists to teach and inspire students in various areas of dramatic form. Students attend professional performances in theater and dance, developing an appreciative yet critical eye for production values. The cost of tickets is covered by the performing arts department budget.
Semester electives
Acting classes marked with an asterisk* are for the student who wants to combine various acting areas or combine semesters of acting with courses in another discipline. Future enrollment in Advanced Acting for students in semester-long drama courses requires departmental permission. Progression of training: students who complete semester electives should be able to move on to Advanced Acting: Television and Film.