School Of The Arts, Singapore

[champion31]

wahwah:

Hi,

Just to confirm, if we have CO, there's no need to submit S1 option form if there's no intention to do 3rd language right?

I believe so...that is what the admin staff said at my DD school when she collected her PSLE. I think we'll just need to wait for the email about reporting day. Which is suppose to come tmrw.

[wahwah]

champion31:

wahwah:

Hi,

Just to confirm, if we have CO, there's no need to submit S1 option form if there's no intention to do 3rd language right?

I believe so...that is what the admin staff said at my DD school when she collected her PSLE. I think we'll just need to wait for the email about reporting day. Which is suppose to come tmrw.

Thanks!

[lexis]

I submitted the form. there is an option to indicate that you are not opting to do any 3rd language, and we chose that.

[Mitochondria]

tomatocellulose:

Dear kanekii,


I am a SOTA student and although I am not from the Theatre Faculty, from the conversations I have had with my Theatre friends (I am entering Year 5 next year) it can get extremely hectic, especially for the performing arts students. This is usually due to the rehearsals that they have to do for their upcoming performances, mostly school related (Although we had Body of Land which was at the Esplanade last year!).......

In regards to this post, it's not wrong. I'm keeping this short and sweet and answering your questions as efficiently as possible.

1.

kanekii:

is it easier to join in Year 2 or Year 3 for Theatre?

I recommend joining as early as possible. There are a lot of skill taught in year 2 that are crucial to performing at least decently in year 4. Such examples include 'Realism' and 'Brecht' theatre forms. In year 4, we were asked to make a monologue following those forms.

2.

kanekii:

do i need to have a very detailed portfolio to transfer in Year 2 or 3?

No. I came in with one year of drama club. It lies on your skill or potential/eagerness to learn. Some of the best actors in our year were on waiting list. Not because of talent, because of their lack of eagerness. The key here is to understand what the interview wants to achieve. It wants to know the student, not the talent.

Although, a pretty portfolio wouldn't hurt. Make sure to compile it nicely and word it properly.

3.

kanekii:

is it hard to fit into SOTA? this is one thing i've been pondering actually :scratchhead:
what are the students like in SOTA?

Not hard at all, we had three new students come into year 5 and they've all settled in quickly and well. Students in SOTA are quite vast, as each individual is unique on its own. If there's anything I should note, I believe everyone is just relatively accepting of everyone. Its not the kind of place where you would be bullied for being homosexual. Of course, as with any school, drama and personal issues come up, but that's subjective to you and your group of friends.

4.

Kanekii:

also last of all, what is the curriculum like in SOTA? i heard that the hours are long but is it really very tough and stressful?

Curriculum in the lower years (as far as I know) have changed from what I went through. For starters, on top of math and science, you will take literature. Not english, literature. Here's a small list of the subjects you would likely be taking.
- Literature: a study of texts and poetry, it aims to analyse and understand. You'll be tested on your knowledge of books as well as how well you can interpret a poem in both meaning and structure. That's just a basic description, there's more to it.

- Math: Standard, it doesn't really digress from the norm.

- Science: In the lower years, you're taking a basic science that consists of chemistry, physics and biology. In year 3 to 4, you will be taking chemistry, along with either bio or physics (note that you can jump straight into only one science if you wish). In year 5, you can pick one.

- ExE: Basically P.E class

- Mother Tongue: Standard, unless you're exempted from MT

- Geography and History: We used to take a mix of everything (Geography, History, Anthropology, Economics) in one subject known as IHSS. But its changed now, you may have the option of taking only Geog or history in year 5 and above. Standard learning as with most secondary schools.

- ELCT: This tests mainly on critical thinking skills, and this is exclusive to the IB programme. It entails analysis of ethical situations, as it looks at world issues (such as censorship, discriminations, ethical situations) and requires the student to approach this with a clear mind.

- Art Form (Theatre): Unlike drama club, and what they don't specify enough during open houses, is that there is a LOT of theory involved. Much so that by the time you hit year 5, theory increases two fold, and you are only given one performance showcase in year 5 and one more in year 6. Year 4 is the time to shine with those performances, so give it your all there.


In the lower years, i would say you still have a lot of free time. It really starts to take over starting year 4, and by year 5, you would have at least pulled a month's worth of all nighters (if you're lazy and an underachiever like me). I would say that it is very stressful, especially now with the actual IB exam looming over me. But if you take it one step at a time and pace yourself, I would say that you can do it. After all, we've had at least 10% of a cohort achieve the highest possible marks for IB (a 45) and its growing every year.

The school does aim to compensate late hours, and homework is lesser compared to standard secondary schools. The projects do require a lot of effort though, and time management is crucial if you want to at least have the mental strength to get through the IB years. Sleep is another thing, and that's up to you. Teachers sometimes compensate if rehearsal hours are late for theatre students (allowing them to come at 10:15 with their permission), although the dance faculty does this almost every day with no complaint. The school does a decent job of preparing you however, you'll get used to it eventually.

Feel free to ask any more questions if you wish.

[renaong]

Hi. Would like to hear some feedbacks and advice from parents or students who have successfully been accepted via Voice or Piano and Voice. Any requirement in terms of examination board and minimum grades? What’s the intake each year?

Thanks in advance!

[rstkiki]

renaong:

Hi. Would like to hear some feedbacks and advice from parents or students who have successfully been accepted via Voice or Piano and Voice. Any requirement in terms of examination board and minimum grades? What's the intake each year?

Thanks in advance!

My child is a voice student. No requirements for ABRSM etc although she did have a Grade 2 distinction for ABRSM vocal exams. She has schoolmates (also voice students) who entered without any ABRSM qualifications although generally most have had some form of vocal training outside of being in the primary school choir.. Some theory knowledge will help to cope with classes once you enter. Sight reading skill is required.

For other instruments like piano, SOTA does not require any minimum grades from examining boards like ABRSM although students who are performing to at least a Grade 5 level during auditions will have better chance of making it through the auditions.

Hope this helps.

[renaong]

Dear rstkiki,


Thank you very much for your reply. My son just started vocal lessons. The school doesn’t offer exams. Another school offers Trinity Rock and Pop exams which is not classical. I didn’t want to waste time and money on exams that are not recognized. However, it is reassuring to know that formal exams are not prerequisites. Appreciate your reply. By the way, do you know how many Voice students are accepted each year?

[wahwah]

Hi,

Does anyone know how SOTA allocates classes for Year 1 students?

[tomatocellulose]

Dear wahwah,


When I was in Year 1 there were definitely some classes that did academically better but there were also big differences in the PSLE T-scores of the students in many, if not all of the classes, as well as varying populations and proportions in different art forms. This seems to suggest that the allocation of classes is purely random or with minimal interference.

However, it is pretty impossible to know because even upper year classes seem to be chosen randomly as many students have to move classes. Many students in these classes don’t have the same subject combination and tend to ‘migrate’ around the school a lot for other classes.

[wahwah]

tomatocellulose:

Dear wahwah,


When I was in Year 1 there were definitely some classes that did academically better but there were also big differences in the PSLE T-scores of the students in many, if not all of the classes, as well as varying populations and proportions in different art forms. This seems to suggest that the allocation of classes is purely random or with minimal interference.

However, it is pretty impossible to know because even upper year classes seem to be chosen randomly as many students have to move classes. Many students in these classes don't have the same subject combination and tend to 'migrate' around the school a lot for other classes.

Hi,
Thanks for sharing. I was just curious because some classes have more (like 27 pupils), while others have 22 or 23.