School may be out but for Gale Force ‘school’s in’ with the start of its summer school.
The week-long programme of music, dance and speech workshops, along with instructive trips to places of local interest and an end-of-school concert where every student has the opportunity to perform starts on Monday August 13th.
Only a few places remain for what will be the last summer school for a while, as it makes way for the start of more than a year of special events to celebrate Gale Force’s impending 25th anniversary. The theatre school’s founder and director Barbara Gale explained: ‘Our 2012 summer school is set to have something of a rarity value as it there won’t be one in 2013 – the year when Gale Force is taking to the road and showcasing our students’ outstanding talents to all four corners of the island with the “Gale Force Whirlwind Tour”.
‘We’ll be releasing more details about that in due course and while we may be planning to introduce some changes what will never change are the values that set Gale Force apart and ensure Gale Force students are recognised not only for their performance skills but also – and more importantly – for their excellent behaviour and politeness.
‘These values have been the hallmark of the school’s success from day one. Gale Force offers discipline, safety and security and affordable fees combined with a varied, carefully structured programme delivered by trained professionals. It’s a winning formula that sees students’ confidence grow week by week and leads to their triumphing every year in the Manx Music Festival and other equally demanding challenges such as the English Speaking Board exams.
‘The values we hold so dear also attract many off-Island professionals, including one of the English Speaking Board’s most prominent senior assessors, Wendy Sutcliffe, who acts as consultant under exclusive contract to Gale Force. We were also privileged earlier this summer to become the island’s first theatre school to have been selected by Sussex-based New Era Academy for examination, while closer to home Gale Force stalwarts John Riley, Paul Bradford and Wendy McDowell bring a wealth of expertise to our weekly sessions.’
Mrs Gale added that in preparation for 2013 and beyond auditions for this year’s Gale Force Christmas concert will be held this September. More details to follow.
To secure one of the remaining places at this year’s summer school contact Barbara Gale, 496556, barbs@galeforce-online.net.
Photo caption - Barbara Gale with her summer school 2011 top four students Barton Beaumont, 11 and Finn McGregor 10, front, and Francesca Warren and Beth Colgan, both aged 11. Picture Andrew Barton
