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LONDON COLLEGE OF MUSIC EXAMINATION SYLLABUS
So you want to be a performer?So you want to be a performer?
ADVICE FROM EQUITY
Performers need to be talented and skilled. They also need stamina, dedication and self-discipline. Nearly all professional performers have had training either at a drama or dance school or at university. Courses at specialist drama, dance or other performing arts schools tend to be more vocational and practical than university courses which by and large are more theoretical.
Equity has a joint project on careers
There are BTEC National Diplomas in performing arts which many colleges teach. These are equivalent to A levels and normally require four GCSEs at grades A-C for entry. These can be a platform to move onto training at a higher level such as the BTEC Higher National Diplomas, or specialist courses at drama school.
If you are interested in a career in drama you should contact the National Council for Drama Training at
There is also training available for people wishing to learn circus skills and comprehensive
Younger people can find out about less lengthy training by contacting theatres in your area to ask if they run any theatre groups or workshops. You could also contact local private dance and drama schools to see if they run weekend or summer courses which will not clash with school timetables. The names of theatres, schools and their telephone numbers can be found in the publication Contacts. A copy of Contacts can be obtained from Spotlight,
Another useful publication is the weekly newspaper The Stage. Their website, www.thestage.co.uk has, in addition to news, general
Theatre and Live Work for Dancers - Fact Sheet
FACTSHEET PRODUCED BY CREATIVE AND CULTURAL SKILLS AND EQUITY
Dancers – Theatre and Live Work
Dancers interpret Choreographers’ steps in order to bring a story to life. As Actors interpret words to formulate verbal sentences, so Dancers interpret steps to formulate physical sentences. Most Dancers are 
expected to be able to work across all the disciplines of Theatre, Film, and Television. Theatre work is geared to a wide variety of audiences, and Dancers must be able to adapt to their differing requirements. When working on stage, Dancers need to demonstrate their mastery of the physical aspects of their craft; the audience see all their expressions and movements, there are no second takes, as there are in film or television work. Dancers must also be aware that different audiences may react differently to the same scene, and they must be able to adapt their performance according to the audience reaction, while staying true to their character and to the script. Dancers are selected, or cast, by the Choreographer, Producer, Director, or Casting Director. Increasingly, Dancers must also be able to sing for roles in musical productions.
The work
Dancers must be able to work in a variety of styles, including: jazz, tap, ballet, modern, ballroom, Flamenco, country, Spanish, etc. The larger their vocabulary of styles, the likelier they are to find work. They work closely with Choreographers, and with another dancer, or dancers, to realise the Producers’ or Directors’ vision. For any movements between dances, they must also be able to work closely with the Director, sometimes in collaboration with the Choreographer. When working in the theatre, Dancers must be able to learn steps and styles quickly, and to retain the energy of the piece, while repeating the same scene many times over, sometimes over a period of many weeks or months. They need to keep their performance fresh and believable for each new audience. They may have to learn new steps or routines quickly, to accommodate cast changes, clean ups or re-blocks. Dance is very much a collaborative process, and everyone must work to ensure that the overall performance is effective, rather than concentrating solely on their own performance – effective team work is essential.
Dancers must be able to contribute ideas and suggestions to improve their own performance, in a creative and collaborative way, whilst also being able to take direction, notes and constructive criticism from the Choreographer or Director. They need to remember their exact positions and movements on stage at any given time during the performance, to ensure that the production runs smoothly. If they are involved in a touring production, this may involve additional rehearsals at each new venue. They must be aware that others contribute to the process, e.g., those working in the Costume and Design teams, etc., but that the ultimate responsibility for their performance lies with the Dancers themselves. Dancers must arrive at the theatre at least an hour before each performance for warm-up exercises, and often work six days a week, with two performances on certain days. This requires stamina and resilience, and the ability to commit to, sometimes lengthy, contracts.
Typical career routes
Dancers may eventually progress to become Dance Captains (who are responsible for ensuring the continuity of the dance, but who have no creative input into its design) in theatrical productions; subsequently become Assistant Choreographers, and ultimately Choreographers. However, very few Dancers aspire to be Choreographers, and as their working lives as Dancers are relatively short they may diversify into the academic study of dance, or lecturing, or teaching ballet, tap, Pilates, etc., or they may become personal trainers, or change professions altogether.
Essential knowledge and skills
Dancers should know how to prepare for and perform at auditions, and casting sessions. They should be able to learn new steps at very short notice, to accommodate text changes and cuts. They should also know their fellow Dancers’ steps, so that they can respond to them accurately and appropriately. They must be aware of the professional etiquette and traditions of working Theatre. Dancers need some acting ability, and for musical productions singing skills may also be required. They must be infinitely adaptable, as they may find themselves portraying different characters within the same production. They need to convince the audience that they are believable in all their roles. They must be uninhibited, in order to temporarily assume other identities, and also to be dressed, positioned and directed by others. Dancers also need to be aware of how their performance may be affected by: the types and positions of microphones, and cables; where body mikes are positioned for best performance, particularly during very physical dance routines; different lighting techniques; and the requirements of different sets.
Key Skills include:
· A thorough knowledge of dance
· Visual and creative abilities
· Perseverance and stamina
· Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
· Self motivation
· Team working skills
· Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
Training and qualifications
Dancers usually start their training at a very early age, taking ballet or tap classes, or in some cases they may initially train as gymnasts and diversify into dance. Dance courses are available at specialist schools and colleges such as Bird College of Performing Arts, the Arts Educational Schools, Laine Theatre Arts, Performers College, The Royal Ballet School, etc., which cater for young people from 10 years of age. Full time training may be undertaken from age 16, leading to various dance qualifications which cover all styles from ballet to ballroom. As the work is physically demanding, Dancers must maintain their stamina and fitness levels by attending regular dance or fitness classes throughout their careers. They should also continually research and learn new dance styles, in order to expand their repertoires.
Where to go for more information
CC Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries. For information about training and professional qualifications, visit the website www.ccskills.org.uk T. 020 7089 5866
Equity is the trade union representing artists across the whole spectrum of arts and entertainment, and offers representation, specialist knowledge and advice for its members and student members on work in Theatre and other Live Performance. T: 020 7379 6000. www.equity.org.uk
Dance UK – cover the independent dance sector. They provide information and publications, and arrange networking opportunities, forums for debate, and conferences. T: 020 7228 4990 www.danceuk.org
Council for Dance Education & Training – provides information about courses throughout the UK. T: 020 7247 4030 www.cdet.org.uk
The Stage newspaper is the entertainment trade weekly. Recruitment advertisements, useful links, and ‘how to guides’, such as finding an agent or drama school, are on its website www.thestage.co.uk
Contacts is published annually by The Spotlight, and provides details of all aspects of the entertainment industry. www.spotlight.com
Careers Information for Singers
Singers – Live Performance (advice from Equity) 
Professional Singers must perform the music given them to the best of their ability. Most singers specialise in one style, but some may work across several disciplines. Live Performance describes a variety of genres, including musical theatre, opera, concerts, church work, etc.
The work
Singers may specialise in certain styles, e.g., opera, classical, musical theatre, country, rock and pop, etc., or they may be required to sing in a variety of different styles. Soloists are generally expected to arrive at the first rehearsal having learnt their music, and being ready to sing. Chorus members should be scheduled more rehearsal time in order to learn the music with other Singers, and to train together on aspects such as breathing, tone of voice and dynamics. Backing Singers, or Session Singers, usually cover all styles, and may not always know in advance in which style they will be singing; they may either become attached to a specific group, so that they can work without reading the music, or they may perform as Backing Singers to a variety of groups, or their voices may be used as off-stage substitutes for principal Singers. In all these cases, Backing Singers must be able to sight-read music, and UK Session Singers are recognised as being the best sight-readers in the world. As it is rare for Soloists to work regularly (at any one time only 5% of Singers in the UK are in work), many established artists occasionally work as Session Singers, especially for anonymous sessions, such as for soundtracks, studio recordings, etc. Only the top 2% of Session Singers may be almost continually in work.
Musical Theatre: For some roles in Musical theatre, Singers must carry out extensive research, for others their character is moulded and developed during rehearsals. They work with the Director to create believable, natural characters expressing the appropriate emotions, based on the Score, but built upon in order to convince the audience of their veracity. They must be able to contribute ideas and suggestions to improve their own performance, in a creative and collaborative way, whilst also being able to take direction, notes and constructive criticism from the Musical Director, or from other members of the Directing team. For musical theatre, they need to remember their exact positions and movements at any given time during the performance, to ensure that the production runs smoothly. They must be aware that others contribute to their characterisation, e.g., those working in the Costume and Design teams, and that they may be serviced by a host of others in terms of backing singers, musicians, transport, etc., but that the ultimate responsibility lies with the Singers themselves.
As a well known Singer may provide the main marketing point of a show or production, he or she bears a great deal of the responsibility for its box office success, or failure. Singers also have a responsibility to their audience, to ensure that they deliver consistent performances, to the best of their abilities, irrespective of their personal circumstances. Singers may also perform in churches, at weddings and funerals, or at other private or corporate functions.
Typical career routes
Singers come from a variety of backgrounds. As men’s voices mature later than women’s, they may start their training when they are older; however, some male singers start their careers as church choristers. Classical Singers usually attend singing lessons as children, and may have attended a music academy, before graduating from a musical college. Singers may work on Musical productions at an early age, and may not go on to higher education. Some Singers in the rock and pop industry may have only a very basic musical background, but achieve success by a combination of talent, determination, attitude, and luck. Singers are required to supply any potential employer with a CV and photograph in advance, plus a demo tape or cd, which effectively demonstrates their vocal range, and the different styles in which they can sing. Very few individuals work solely as Singers – even the most established may have second, or even third careers, to supplement their income. This work may include teaching individuals, or in colleges and drama schools, or acting, or it may be in a totally different profession.
Essential knowledge and skills
Singers should know how to prepare for and perform at auditions, and, in some cases, at casting sessions. They must arrive ready to perform, with their voices warmed up in advance. They should be aware that different methods of warming up are required, depending on the time of day. With experience, Singers learn the most effective ways of taking care of their own individual voices, and of warming up.
Good presentation is important, as Singers are judged by their appearance as well as their performance. As Singers may be expected to perform in many different languages, some linguistic abilities are required. A good knowledge of the phonetic alphabet is the minimum requirement, although in most cases language coaches are available. Some acting skills may also be required, especially in musical theatre, which involves much more dialogue than opera; specific regional or national accents are sometimes needed. The ability to dance is also useful in opera and musical theatre, which may involve complicated choreography. The work can be physically demanding, and requires stamina, as Singers may be required to sing and move, or dance, on stage, sometimes wearing very heavy costumes. They must be aware of the professional etiquette and traditions of working in musical theatre. Session Singers need a very high standard of sight reading abilities, in order to interpret the music effectively and quickly.
Singers should be aware of the requirements of working with different types of microphones, feedback systems, etc. They must also be able to deal effectively with the press, as they may be asked for their views, or to discuss their latest show or production, during interviews with journalists from a variety of different media. Determination and perseverance are required in order to become a successful singer, and it is not always the most talented who succeed. Extra, diverse skills to a good standard may provide Singers with the edge which secures work in this competitive area. Singers should be aware of Health and Safety issues, and ensure that their actions do not constitute a risk to themselves or to others.
Training and qualifications
No specific formal qualifications are required. The main qualification is the ability to carry out the work. As a Singer, diplomas and degrees cannot guarantee work, but they do demonstrate the level of commitment and application which is required to work in the industry. More tailored and recognised courses, such as those run by the Royal Academy of Music, the Guildhall School of Music, Trinity School of Music, the Welsh College of Music and Drama, etc., have greater links with the industry, and are therefore able to suggest suitable students for auditions. These institutions usually provide a classical music education, and offer three or four year graduate courses. Suitable students may progress to a further one-year Postgraduate course in a specific style, such as Opera. Some of these colleges also offer separate Musical theatre courses, which recognise the growing need for trained Singers in this genre. A variety of Theatre Schools around the UK, including the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, and the Stagecoach franchises, also offer Saturday, or evening, classes for children interested in careers in Musical theatre. Acknowledged industry experience, combined with a proven track record of success, are often the most valued qualifications for Singers.
Where to go for more information
CC Skills is the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries. For information about training and professional qualifications, visit the website www.ccskills.org.uk T. 020 7089 5866
Equity is the trade union representing artists across the whole spectrum of arts and entertainment, and offers representation, specialist knowledge and advice for its members and student members on work in Theatre and other Live Performance, including lists of approved Vocal Contractors, Agents, etc. T: 020 7379 6000. www.equity.org.uk
The Stage newspaper is the entertainment trade weekly, and covers matters relating to Theatre, Variety, Film, TV and Radio. Recruitment advertisements, useful links, and ‘how to guides’, such as finding an agent or musical academy, are on its website www.thestage.co.uk
Contacts is published annually by The Spotlight, and provides details of all aspects of the entertainment industry, including contact information for Agents, Theatre Producers, Casting Directors, Drama Schools, etc. www.spotlight.com
The British and International Music Yearbook is published annually, and provides information about all aspects of the music industry, including contact details for Classical Musicians, Singers, Agents and Promoters. www.rhinegold.co.uk
The Opera Magazine, published monthly, and Opera Now, published bi-monthly, provide information about the opera world, including reviews and job information. www.opera.co.uk or e mail opera.now@rhinegold.co.uk
The Singer is a monthly publication for Classical Singers, and includes articles about the industry, and job advertisements including Opera companies, full time Church work, teaching, etc. www.rhinegold.co.uk
The BBC website www.bbc.co.uk offers a wealth of information about careers and training in the media. BBC Talent runs talent spotting schemes www.bbc.co.uk/talent