In the higher Dance question paper, candidates must answer all questions, which are sampled from the ‘Skills, knowledge and understanding for the course assessment’.
The question paper has two sections:
Section 1: Dance appreciation in context (24 marks)
Section 2: Study of a professional choreography(16 marks)
The question paper has a total mark allocation of 40 marks.
This is 30% of the overall marks for the course assessment. Candidates are expected to use dance terminology throughout.
This section samples candidates’ knowledge of two contrasting dance styles and their understanding of key characteristics, principles and technical requirements,and performance skills. It assesses:
Key characteristics including quality of movement, performance style, posture and alignment, music and/or sound and theatre arts including lighting, set, props, theatrical make-up, costume and/or attire.
Principles and technical requirements including style-specific steps, posture and alignment, centre and balance, use of turnout and parallel,use of control, flexibility, stamina, strength, power and co-ordination.
Performance skills including timing, musicality, quality, dynamics, spatial awareness, self-expression, projection, concentration, focus and sense of performance in relation to self, others and the performance style knowledge of dance history and the influences of various factors on the developments of a selected dance style including origin; historical developments; race;gender; social and cultural factors; and influential choreographers,companies and their work.
Candidates evaluate technical and performance skills in relation to self, peers and model performers by:
Identifying development methods for improving and maintaining dance technique and performance skills
Applying knowledge and understanding of principles of safe dance practice including warm-up, cool down, hydration, costume and/or attire, and environment.
This section of the question paper is the evaluation of a professional live or recorded choreography for three or more people understanding the impact, effect or mood and atmosphere created by. Candidates will be asked to give a personal evaluative response to a professional piece of choreography for three or more people. Candidates should demonstrate their understanding of how choreographers convey their intentions by using choreographic principles; and the impact, effect or mood and atmosphere created by the use of: theme and/or stimulus, motif and selected movements spatial elements structure motif development and choreographic devices music and/or sound theatre arts including lighting, set, props, theatrical make-up, costume