Students at Roedean School, one of the top private schools in Brighton, performed at a fantastic Promenade Concert at the end of the 2023 spring term. The audience moved through nine venues throughout the School, following a thrilling murder mystery plot. Teams from the Drama, Music, Art, Theatre, and IT departments worked together to create this ambitious production.
These are the Music and Mystery Promenade Concert highlights.
An Exciting Evening of Music and Mystery
Audience members were immediately immersed in 1920s glamour and greeted by a string quartet, who played in front of a cosy fireplace.
At the first venue, the Studios, a swing band performed Michael Jackson songs, “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” and music from Midsomer Murders. Guests enjoyed bubbles and canapés before beginning their narrative tour of Roedean School.
The performance moved to the Chapel, where the orchestra gave a rendition of Shostakovich’s “Waltz No. 2.” The musicians then played the Phantom of the Opera theme. A scream interrupted the piece, signalling the start of the murder mystery plot. The hunt for the villain began, performed by a cast of Year 10 students.
Next, the audience met the mistress, who sang “Killer Queen” with the Senior Singers in the Cloisters. From underneath the Cloisters, the audience heard a suspect try to exonerate herself.
As the spectators moved through the Blyth, they saw the chilling crime scene, complete with the victim’s outline.
The Senior Singers then performed “Killing Me Softly With His Song” at the Main Reception, taking advantage of the space’s excellent acoustics. When they finished, the chauffeur made an intriguing appearance through the school’s front door as a potential suspect.
Viewers moved to the Art Gallery in the Old Ref, where students played Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers.” Still in character, the performers accompanied the audience around an exhibition of students’ work.
Next, audience members visited the Library, which Roedean had transformed into a Poker Room. One student sang Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face,” accompanied by the Senior Singers.
Moving into the Drama Studio, students sang “Cry Me a River,” “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” and songs from the musical Anything Goes.
The concert reached a crescendo in the Theatre, where the audience discovered the guilty suspect. The orchestra concluded the show with a Phantom of the Opera medley, with the choir singing “The Music of the Night.” In a final dramatic flourish, the chandelier over the stage came crashing down to a series of spectacular explosions.
Creative Expression and Innovation
Roedean School encourages students to experiment and develop their creative ideas. This approach shone through in the students’ ambitious, inventive, and immersive dramatic techniques.
Mr Woodhouse wrote the script for the Promenade Concert, which Lydia and the Year 10 performers adapted. The Art Department set the stage for the spectacle, from making Cluedo cards to upholstering the chaise longue. Meanwhile, teams from the Drama, Music, Theatre, and IT departments worked together to polish every aspect of the performance.
Creative and Performing Arts at Roedean School
Art at Roedean School
Art students at Roedean consistently produce unique, diverse, and innovative work. Girls can experiment creatively in a supportive, energetic, and resource-rich environment.
The first three years of school introduce students to drawing, painting, sculpture, craft, and design. The curriculum explores the historical and cultural influence of art in both traditional and new media.
At GCSE level, students practise a variety of creative processes, from printmaking and textiles to lens-based media. At A Level, students can prepare for creative careers in areas such as photography, design, fashion, and architecture.
Outside the classroom, girls take trips to enrich their understanding of art. Recent destinations include Barcelona, Charleston House, and the Tate Modern.
Workshops, life drawing classes, and artist-led classes further enrich the girls’ creative education.
Drama at Roedean School
Roedean helps each student pursue their stage talents in Drama lessons. The School provides coaching in all aspects of theatre, from acting to stage management. A theatre manager and full-time technician provide support to help the girls achieve their full potential.
The recently refurbished Roedean Theatre is a professional venue where students can practise, train, and hone their skills. The space has excellent acoustics and capacity for 355 audience members in characteristic red seats.
Students start with a three-year course from Years 7-9 to establish a foundation of key dramatic skills. This course covers Greek Theatre, Improvisation, Ensemble, and Shakespeare and Voice, amongst other styles.
Girls at the private school in Brighton can also take part in at least two major productions each year. These may include a Winter Production (December), Drama Scholars’ Production (February), and Summer Production (June). The productions attract different casts, from Drama Scholars to senior or junior students or students from across the school.
Roedean also provides many other opportunities for students to develop their scriptwriting and performance skills. These opportunities include the annual Performing Arts Gala, examination performances, House Plays, West End workshops, and national writing schemes.
Outstanding recent productions include Les Miserables, Romeo and Juliet, Six, Peter Pan, Cabaret, Matilda, and The Crucible. Roedeanians will also perform in the School’s up-and-coming junior production of Mary Poppins.
Many students go on to cultivate fruitful careers in the performing arts arena. For example, alumna Marisa Abela, who enjoyed drama at Roedean, is set to star in the upcoming Amy Winehouse biopic, Back to Black.
Abela graduated from the private school in Brighton in 2015. She has since enjoyed a successful acting career in the BBC’s Industry series and Netflix’s Rogue Agent.
Music at Roedean School
Roedean School’s music tuition is thorough, wide-ranging, and, most importantly, fun. Many students take music at GCSE and A Level with great success. Students at the private school in Brighton have access to a wealth of music resources, including a suite of iMacs.
Roedean also recently invested in a selection of brand-new Steinway pianos, chosen by the students themselves. Practising on these pianos is not only exciting for students, but helps them develop their technique without being limited by the quality of the instrument.
All students learn an orchestral instrument as part of the Year 7 curriculum, and many gain distinctions in their examinations. Specialist tuition is also available to support those who are learning piano, organ, saxophone, guitar, percussion and drums, and vocals.
Roedean’s music ensembles offer students the chance to play alongside their peers and perform at exciting events. Groups include the Symphony Orchestra, School Choir, String Orchestra, Concert Band, Guitar Ensemble, and various chamber groups.
Dance at Roedean School
Many Roedean students are accomplished dancers, thanks to Roedean’s thriving dance department. The School offers a range of different styles and techniques, including Ballet, Modern, Tap, Jazz, Street Dance, and Contemporary Dance.
As a private school in Brighton, Roedean is particularly proud of its students’ successes in Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) and Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) examinations. These levels are usually only achievable for ballet schools or dedicated schools where students learn dance full-time.
About Roedean School
Roedean is one of the top private schools in Brighton, offering a dynamic education for girls aged 11-18. The School offers both day and boarding places for students at its 45-acre, coast-facing campus. On-site facilities include a golf course, newly refurbished theatre, floodlit sports pitch, and farm.
A nurturing and inspiring environment awaits Roedean students. The School places as much focus on personal growth as on outstanding academic achievement. Girls can contribute to charitable schemes, volunteering projects, and community-minded outreach programmes.