Arts

The WABX Arts Program includes Art Club, Choir, Instrumental Music Lessons, WAB Rock School, Trainer Band, Band, String Ensemble, Orchestra and Drama productions. MS and HS students have the chance to participate in ACAMIS and ISTA Festivals

Choir

Three separate choir groups are conducted from 3.30 pm– 5.20 pm on various days of the week.

• HS Choir rehearses on Mondays
• APAC Choir rehearses on Tuesdays  APAC Choir Members must also join the HS Choir, at least till after  the APAC Choir Festival
• MS Choir rehearses on Wednesdays

Students joining the choir must participate in all choir practices and performance events.

Instrumental Music Program

WAB offers students the chance to access tuition for musical instruments through our after hours Instrumental Program. Weekly instrumental tuition on a wide variety of instruments is offered. Lessons are offered both after school and on weekends.

Opportunities to apply new skills are available through the WABX music activities, such as band, string orchestra and other ensembles and groups. Performances and special concerts will also provide great opportunities to further enhance skill levels. Students taking up a band or string instrument should consider joining one on the WAB ensembles to enhance their musical studies.

Program Management

The WAB Instrumental Music Program is managed by the WAB Music Department.  Instrumental Instructors are vetted and managed by the WAB Music Department.
Registrations and enquiries for MS and HS should be directed to Mark Armstrong.  marmstrong@wab.edu

Instruments

Whilst a small number of instruments are available on a short-term loan basis from WAB, students are encouraged to own their own instrument.

Bands, Ensembles and Choirs

Beginner Strings
Every Monday from 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm for any beginner players.

Beginner Band
Every Wednesday from 3:30 pm – 5:20 pm for absolute beginner players.

Intermediate Concert Band
Every Monday from 3.30 pm - 5.20 pm for all wind and brass players. This ensemble is suitable for the less experienced player. Students interested in signing up to this program are encouraged to undertake individual instrumental lessons.

Concert Band
Every Thursday from 3.30 pm - 5.20 pm for all experienced wind, brass and percussion players.

Jazz Band
Every Tuesday from 3.30 pm - 5.20 pm. Jazz Band is an extension ensemble for the more experience members of the Concert Band.

String Orchestra
Every Thursay from 3:30 pm – 5:20 pm. The String Orchestra is an opportunity for string players of various levels, with the exception of beginners.

APAC String Orchestra
Every Tuesday from 3:30 pm – 5:20 pm. This ensemble is ideal for students who wish to perform in a large orchestra that will perform to a high standard.

Chinese Ensemble
Every Monday from 3:30 pm – 5:20 pm for intermediate and advanced Chinese Instrumental players.

WAB Rock School

WAB Rock is a unique program entering its 7th year.  It provides an extension of the ‘Rock Band’ units that form a part of the curricular Music Program, for those students with a particular interest in Rock Music.  Students joining Rock School should do so with a full year commitment.
Rock School will be conducted on Friday from 3.30 pm to 5.20 pm

Drama Productions

Calendar events not be missed include the IBDP Dance showcase events, along with the High School theatre productions ‘Our Town’ and the musical  ‘Oh What a Lovely War’. There will also be opportunities for students to participate in ISTA, ACAMIS and APAC festivals including the WAB hosted APAC Theatre Festival.

WABX Cultural, Artistic and Academic Exchange Program

APAC (Asia Pacific Activities Conference)
The APAC High School Arts events are scheduled as ‘Festivals’ where students from ALL of the schools in each APAC Division come together to participate in a celebration and joint presentation of their specific art form. APAC festivals are conducted for Theatre, Orchestra, Band and Choir. Students selected to representative WAB in these APAC festivals will have additional preparation schedules leading up the APAC events in a similar arrangement to those students representing WAB in APAC sport.

The two APAC Divisional groupings are arranged according to a three-year rotational schedule that will allow each of the 12 APAC member schools to interact all other member schools during this period. For 2009-2010, WAB will participate in the APAC Pacific Division, which includes the following schools as follows;

• WAB     (Western Academy of Beijing, China)
• SASPX    (Shanghai American School – Puxi, China)
• TCIS    (Taejon Christian International School - Korea)
• BISM    (Brent International School – Manila, Philippines)
• SASPD    (Shanghai American School – Pudong, China)
• HKIS     (Hong Kong International School, China)

ACAMIS (Association of China and Mongolia International Schools)
The Association of China and Mongolia International Schools consists of more than 41 international schools that cooperate to promote sporting, academic, cultural and social exchange between students. Through the support of school Directors, Principals, Activities Coordinators and other key staff, a broad Student Exchange Program has been developed.   Each year ACAMIS representatives meet to review the program and consider new initiatives for the upcoming school year.

ACAMIS Math Olympiad
The 5th ACAMIS Math Challenge will be hosted by Dulwich College Beijing on the 27th November.  This is a real test of skill, speed in calculating and teamwork with students from most Beijing/Tianjin International schools taking part. WAB will be aiming to replicate and improve on its impressive performances in this event last year.

ACAMIS MS Speech and Debate Festival
Promoting public speaking skills in the MS age level and feeding into the high school Forensics program, WAB will host the inaugural ACAMIS Tournament on Saturday November 21st, 2009.

ISTA (International Schools Theatre Association)
ISTA provides experiences of best practice in international theatre education for students in international schools through organized festivals. WAB has previously hosted ISTA and the WAB MAD Department are looking forward to the scheduled festivals for this year.

MUN (Model United Nations)
For the High School students there is enormous opportunity to participate in a MUN conference, as WAB will be sending delegates to at least 3, if not four, separate MUN Conferences. Students wishing to participate should participate in the WAB HS ‘MUN Club’.

Schedule Overview

Season 1 (Fall)

Season 2 (Winter)

Season 3 (Spring)