Performing Arts
Music, Drama and Dance are at the very heart of our School life. We see confidence as the key to success and every pupil at Duke of Kent School is given many opportunities to become involved in our award-winning Performing Arts Department, in and beyond the classroom and on or behind the stage. We present a wide range of traditional and more modern performances. Specialist teachers take time, both in and out of lessons, to help pupils develop their skills and confidence, ensuring that they are ready to perform. Opportunities to play or sing, individually or as part of an ensemble, and to act or get involved behind the scenes, are available throughout the Senior School.
At lunchtime in our Department you can always find a group of pupils practising, improvising or simply playing together for fun, and we have an inspiring and dedicated team of visiting instrumental and LAMDA teachers. If your child has not yet taken up an instrument, we can advise on what might be a good starting point, or discuss the transferable benefits of LAMDA acting lessons.
An exciting calendar of plays, concerts and workshops ensures that talent is developed. Performing Arts Scholarships are available to pupils who show particular ability and commitment in one or more of the performing arts. We have been delighted to see pupils go on to continue with their Music and Drama at Sixth Form, including ACM Guildford, Godalming College and Hurtwood House.
We take a parallel approach of opportunities for all and the pursuit of excellence wherever it is in our grasp.
Opportunities to perform often take our pupils further afield. During the last few years pupils have been on stage at G Live and at the Victoria and Albert Museum, and performed at venues including St Clement Danes Church, Woodhouse Opera and Liverpool Anglican Cathedral on the 2022 Choir Tour to Liverpool. Our pupils have also taken part in workshops at the Royal Festival Hall and National Theatre, entered and won ISA competitions and have attended a wide range of plays, musicals, opera and ballet. This year's highlight for many has been our Senior Production of 'The Addams Family', with over 80 Senior pupils performing and the stage management, sound and lighting all pupil led.
Please visit our Performing Arts in Action page to see what our pupils have been up to.