Trinity
What Is Trinity?
Trinity Guildhall, London, England is the world's oldest external examination board and operates in 60 countries world-wide. Like the Royal Conservatory of Music, Trinity offers a graded examination system but their syllabus focuses on training the speaking voice and on performance and presentation.
And just like us at OSSD, Trinity is based on the principle that speech and drama training epitomizes the benefits of an arts education. This training is not just an artistic endeavor, it also teaches life skills.
Speech arts and drama are for everyone; it is a boost for shy children and a haven for children who love the printed word and a gift for children who feel driven to perform. And through the dramatic study of text, we know that students gain a deep appreciate of literature, the power of language and develop clear thinking and speaking abilities, which will carry into every aspect of their life.
You can check the Trinity website for more information on the programs.
The Ottawa School of Speech and Drama is the only training facility in the region to offer examinations through Trinity. We also offer the mostcomprehensive speech and drama education program in the region.
Why take an exam?
Trinity Guildhall's grade, certificate and diploma qualifications in drama, speech, singing andmusical theatre, provide a structured framework to encourage and assess candidates progressively in their mastery of performance skills.
But the approach is neither dry or textbook. Our students are engaged in the text as they bring it to life. Plus the Trinity syllabus has been created and perfected through the years with kids in mind. But still, as a parent, you can feel good knowing that the Trinity approach moves beyond judging only performance, but encourages deeper study and thought into the theory and content of the work.
While the examinations are no longer compulsory at OSSD, they are recommended. It is not only a wonderful exercise for your children, but the standards are recognized internationally and it breeds an incredible sense of accomplishment for children.
Each student receives a written adjudication, a mark based on specific parameters and a certificate for each grade passed. The examiner, appointed by Trinity, follows an international assessment practice and the exams take place during the third week of May.
How to prepare for an exam
Private Trinity preparation classes are available in Winter 2012. Please contact the office at (613) 567-6788 ext.0 for more information or to register.
It is assumed that all students in Acting Skills, Page to Stage & Shakespeare courses are preparing for the exam. Acting Skills is an individual exam, whereas the Page to Stage & Shakespeare will be preparing a group exam. (The exam fees are included in the price)
Should the members of the Shakespeare or Page to Stage class wish to do individual exams as well, then that is an additional fee and it will take preparation time outside of class.
You should also note:
• Your child can be in a class that is preparing for an exam without taking the exam .
• Conversely, if your child is not in a course that is preparing for an exam, they can prepare either in private orsemi-private sessions with an instructor.
• If there is demand, we will be offering a Trinity preparatory class. Contact the office to express your interest in the course.
• Please contact the office as soon as possible to arrange private coaching (Please note, coaching will depend on the availability of the instructor and of the studio space.)
When to register
You will be given information at the first class in January about the grade level and cost of the exam. You will need to register after that first class.
All registrations for Trinity must be at the office by January 30, 2011. Late registrations cannot be accepted.
Please call the school if you have any further questions. The OSSD ha sbeen offering Trinity courses since we started the school - almost 25 years ago. The course continues to be a vital and exciting component of the work we do at the OSSD.