GRADE EXAMS AND MUSICAL THEATRE EXAMS WITH THE IRISH BOARD OF SPEECH AND DRAMA
(you can check exam fees on www.irishboard.ie)
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OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS, OUR SCHOOL HAS BUILT UP A REPUTATION WITH THE IRISH BOARD, PRODUCING STUDENTS WHO ARE PREPARED TO AN EXTREMELY HIGH STANDARD WITH MANY ACHIEVING DISTINCTIONS AND GOLD MEDALS. THAT SAID, WE ENCOURAGE ALL CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE REGARDLESS OF MARKS ACHIEVED BECAUSE THIS IS A COMMUNICATION SKILL THAT WILL BENEFIT THEM IN ALL WALKS OF LIFE AS THEY GROW UP. IT IS ALSO AN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE AND THEY GET A GREAT SENSE OF ACHIEVEMENT.
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(WE WILL NOTIFY YOU ABOUT EXAM FEES WHEN WE KNOW WHAT EXAM YOUR CHILD CHOOSES TO DO ie. GRADE OR MUSICAL THEATRE
- DUE TO THE ADDITIONAL MATERIAL INVOLVED, CHILDREN FROM THIRD CLASS UPWARDS MAY NEED EXTRA PREPARATION. IF THE SITUATION ARISES, THEY WILL BE REQUIRED TO STAY AN EXTRA HALF HOUR AFTER CLASS TOWARDS THE END OF THE TERM AT AN ADDITIONAL COST. WE CANNOT ADVISE THE EXAM FEE UNTIL YOUR CHILD CHOOSES WHICH PARTICULAR EXAM THEY WOULD LIKE TO DO (ie. GRADE OR MUSICAL THEATRE)
- DATES TO BE ADVISED
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- EXAM DATES -TUESDAY – NAVAN ROAD.
- THURSDAY – DISWELLSTOWN
- MONDAY – MOUNT SACKVILLE
The purpose of the exams are to encourage the development of confidence in:-
1. Speaking clearly and fluently.
2. The use of practical conversation and speaking skills.
MUSICAL THEATRE EXAM SYLLABUS AND FEES – CANDIDATES MAY DO EXAM
- ON THEIR OWN
- IN PAIRS OR
- IN A GROUP OF THREE TO SIX
CANDIDATES ACHIEVING OVER 70% WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE
CANDIDATES ACHIEVING OVER 85% WILL RECEIVE A CERTIFICATE AND AN ACTING MEDAL.
JUNIOR/SENIOR INFANTS
- Announce and sing an action nursery rhyme or song from a movie or show and discuss with the examiner what the song is about.
JUNIOR 1 . (age 7-9yrs)
- Announce and sing a song from a Musical theatre production, musical movie or TV series with actions/choreographed movement.
- Discuss with the Examiner what the song is about.
JUNIOR 2. (age 8-10yrs)
- Announce and sing a song from a musical theatre production, musical film, or TV series with simple actions/choreographed movement..
- Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song.
- Be able to describe the character who sings the song in the production.
JUNIOR 3. (age 9-11yrs)
- Announce and in character, sing a song from a Musical Theatre production, musical film or TV series with actions/choreographed movement.
- The song to be preceded by a short piece of dialogue either from the production or devised by the candidate.
- Discuss with the examiner what the song is about and the mood of the song.
- Be able to discuss your character with the Examiner.
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JUNIOR 4. (age 10-13yrs)
1, 2, 3 and 4 as per Junior 3 and also:
5. Announce and perform a short dance (of any style) of your choice OR announce and perform a short dramatic selection of your choice with suitable characterisation and movement)
GRADE EXAMS AND FEES
www.irishboard.ie
Junior and Senior infants – Preliminary 1 and 2
- Speak from memory a short poem
- Answer simple questions about the poem
1st Class – Grade 1
- Speak from memory a short poem and explain the meaning of the words
- Answer questions about the story/theme of the poem and the meaning of the words
- Give a one minute informal talk about yourself or a toy/book that you have brought to the examination (the talk should NOT be memorized)
2nd Class – Grade 2
Performance
- Recite a poem
- Give a short one minute presentation on the poem performed using an illustration (drawing, painting, model or collage) made by you on the story, character(s) and/or theme of the poem and be able to discuss the poem and illustration with the examiner.
Theory
- Be able to list the organs of speech, identify their locations and be able to identify the organs of speech used to make common sounds (such as M, P,B,K and L).
3rd Class – Grade 3
Performance
- Recite a poem
- Read a short extract (10 lines) from a book of your choice and be able to discuss the book with the Examiner.
- Discuss the book with the examiner.
Theory
- Give a simple definition of a vowel and a consonant
- Define a pause and demonstrate your understanding of the breath pause and the sense pause by explaining where and why you took these pauses in either your poem or prose performance.
4th Class – Grade 4
Performance
- Recite a poem.
- Present a one minute story mime on subject of your choice.
Theory
- Definition of mime and explain to Examiner how you prepared your mime.
- Give a simple description of character mime, occupational mime, story mime, abstract mime and pantomime blanche.
- Explain the importance of posture/stance in verse speaking and explain why adopting a good posture is important.
5th Class – Grade 5
Performance
- Recite a short poem
- Announce and perform a solo dramatic selection using appropriate characterisation and movement (maximum time permitted 2 minutes)
Theory
- Explain about the character in your solo and explain how your understanding of the character influenced your solo performance
- Be able to follow simple stage directions
- Using a few lines from your poem, explain what it means to speak clearly, naturally and with good diction
6th Class – Grade 6
Performance
- Speak from memory a poem by an Irish poet
- Announce and perform a solo dramatic selection using appropriate characterisation and movement (maximum time permitted 2 minutes)
- Read at sight a poem chosen by Examiner
Theory
- Be able to discuss the meaning and mood of the prepared poem with the Examiner
- Be able to define and demonstrate pitch and vocal projection.
- Discuss with the Examiner the technique you used for your sight reading.