By Ms Smith (Speech and Drama Coordinator)

Speech and Drama lessons at BGS, whether Group, Duet, or Individual, offer students a plethora of performance opportunities, including London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts (LAMDA) examinations, concerts, and festivals spanning three different counties. Festivals provide a particularly special experience as they are public, allowing families, fellow students, and teachers to witness the development of students' skills year after year.

This week, we are highlighting Serena Jacob’s (Lower Sixth) Speech and Drama journey. Serena has attended Speech and Drama lessons since Junior School and is currently preparing for her LAMDA Gold Verse and Prose Examination, concluding her lessons at the end of the Summer Term.

Serena reflects on her festival experiences as part of her Speech and Drama journey: “I have been attending festivals locally at Bedfordshire, Northampton and Oundle over the past decade. Whilst this varies somewhat, depending on the venue and of course, the other competitors, I have found it to be a highly valuable and exciting experience. I personally feel I have gained so much from the opportunity of being able to perform both musical and dramatic pieces live on a stage, watched by experts.

“The process has clearly involved learning the pieces thoroughly and learning from others competing with me, to ensure a slick and where possible, flawless rendition. This preparation, repeatedly rehearsing my pieces with fantastic support from my school teachers, has undoubtedly increased my self-confidence and the quality of my performances. It has, equally, improved my performance in Graded board examinations, where I have managed to attain distinctions. Whilst at the very beginning I was less successful in festival classes, I still learnt so much from carefully listening to the adjudicators’ expert comments and feedback.

“This year, I entered a brand-new class of ‘Festival All Rounder’ at the Bedfordshire Festival, for which I won first place, scoring “outstanding” by the adjudicators and was selected to perform at the Bedfordshire Gala Concert. I will forever cherish having had such opportunities to showcase my talents and to learn from the best.”