in drama and music learn transferrable skills such
as effective teamwork, problem-solving and
communication. Saltus teachers are the first to
point out how creative arts programmes have not
only increased their overall academic success, but
also enriched their students' self-image.
coordinated GCSE Drama at Carmarthenshire
College and was creative director of a performing
arts summer school. "I've seen a young person come in
who couldn't make eye contact, who was stammering,
who, three years later, was going to a top London
drama school. It absolutely transforms people."
School and community events such as the recent
café, from concerts at City Hall and in Hamilton
parks to carol services and private ensembles, feels
the benefits are lifelong: "The sense of confidence it
gives young performers is huge," she says. "When
you go to interview in later life, it's not just about
grades alone--employers and universities are
looking at the whole person, and that's what we're
teaching. It's incredibly exciting--there is so much
going on at this School!"
Bill Duncan Audio-Visual Music Suite,
Year 8 students are enthusiastically hands-
eyes--and ears--of teacher Becky Jones, who
joined Saltus from the UK this year, their challenge
today is to create a composition based on the
pentatonic scale. To record vocal lines and live
tracks, the 12-year-olds can plug keyboards and
other instruments into 13 workstations, each
equipped with a computer, high-definition head-
phones, speakers and multi-channel interfaces and
microphones. Sampled music available through
Cubase and Sibelius software--music sequencing
and composition programmes--allows them to
create original pieces, manipulate these with
features such as fading, equalizing and looping,
and add layered effects which Ms. Jones, at her
teacher workstation at the front of the room, can
listen to via synchronised technology or play back
for the whole class.
A