Kings singing a new tune

A resurgence of song and dance at Kings High School in Dunedin is being credited with a corresponding leap in academic performance.

Principal Colin Donald said NCEA level 1 pass rates had increased from 46.9% in 2004 to 74.05% in 2007.

From being 12 percentage points under the national average, the results were now 10 points above, with the revival of music and theatre activities a significant factor, he said.

"Put simply, having to learn songs, having to learn movement - it gets them into the mind-frame to learn."

Mr Donald said artistic activities "died a natural death" at the school in 1991 when the old hall was demolished to make way for the new school.

Music was now, however, an integral part of school life.

Teachers often played music in the classroom during lessons - ranging from classical to Coldplay - and pupils performed regularly at school assemblies.

"I don't doubt that the new Performing Arts Centre [opened in 2006] has played a key part in providing a boost to our young men being prepared to front up on stage."

The catalyst which drove Kings High School to reintroduce music and theatre was an ambition to create "all-round" pupils.

Encouraging the boys to participate in the choir, Stage Challenge, major production and music ensembles was about breaking down stereotypes and making the boys realise it was all right to participate in a range of activities, Mr Donald said.

As a result, school choir membership had gone from zero four years ago to 62 now.

"Singing is not seen as geeky now. Boys in the 1st XV are proud members and they all participate voluntarily."

The school's recent second placing in the Otago Stage Challenge event, with a Kings cast of 65, said much about the new learning environment.

University of Otago music department senior lecturer Peter Adams was not surprised by the connection between music and improved academic results.

Music and dance helped develop creativity, teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills, he said.