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Set works and areas of study (Component 2)

9 dot points across 9 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

What do you need to know about Appalachian Spring (Martha Graham, 1944) as an optional set work?

Appalachian Spring (Martha Graham, 1944): an optional set work within the origins of American modern dance, its choreographic intention, structure, Graham technique, aural setting, physical setting and context.
The optional AQA A-Level Dance set work Appalachian Spring (Martha Graham, 1944) and its area of study, the origins of American modern dance 1900 to 1945: intention, characters, Graham technique, Copland's score, Noguchi's set and context, for Component 2 Section B.
11 min answer →

How do you study a set work in its full cultural, historical and choreographic context?

Contextual study of a set work: examining the choreographic intention, constituent features and the cultural, historical, social and production context that shaped a set work, and applying this in analysis and evaluation.
How AQA A-Level Dance expects you to study a set work in context: its choreographic intention and constituent features, plus the cultural, historical, social and production context that shaped it, applied in Component 2 analysis and evaluation.
9 min answer →

What do you need to know about Giselle (1841) as an optional set work in the Romantic ballet period?

Giselle (Coralli and Perrot, 1841): an optional set work within the Romantic ballet period, its choreographic intention, two-act structure, movement, aural setting, physical setting and Romantic context.
The optional AQA A-Level Dance set work Giselle (Coralli and Perrot, 1841) and its area of study, the Romantic ballet period: intention, two-act structure, pointe work and ballet blanc, Adam's score, Romantic staging and context, for Component 2 Section B.
11 min answer →

Who are the key practitioners in your areas of study, and what defines their styles?

Key practitioners and styles: the choreographers, performers and companies central to the areas of study, their distinctive choreographic styles, influences and signature works.
How AQA A-Level Dance expects you to know the key practitioners of your areas of study: their distinctive choreographic styles, influences, signature works, and how their style shaped the works you analyse for Component 2.
9 min answer →

What do you need to know about Rambert as the compulsory area of study and set work?

Rambert (Rambert Dance Company): the compulsory area of study, its history and development, key practitioners and the compulsory set work, including its choreographic features and context.
How AQA A-Level Dance treats Rambert as the compulsory area of study and set work for Component 2: the company's history and development, its key practitioners and works, and how to analyse and evaluate the set work in context.
9 min answer →

What do you need to know about Rooster (Christopher Bruce, 1991) as the compulsory set work?

Rooster (Christopher Bruce, 1991): the compulsory set work within the Rambert area of study, its choreographic intention, structure, movement, aural setting and physical setting, and the context that shaped it.
The compulsory AQA A-Level Dance set work: Rooster (Christopher Bruce, 1991) for Rambert. Its intention, eight-section structure to Rolling Stones songs, movement and motifs, aural and physical setting, and 1960s context, ready for Component 2 Section A.
11 min answer →

What do you need to know about Singin' in the Rain (1952) as an optional set work?

Singin' in the Rain (Kelly and Donen, 1952): an optional set work within the development of American jazz dance, its intention, key numbers, movement, aural and physical setting, and the role of film.
The optional AQA A-Level Dance set work Singin' in the Rain (Kelly and Donen, 1952) within the development of American jazz dance 1940 to 1975: intention, key numbers, Kelly's jazz-ballet style, aural and physical setting and the role of the camera, for Component 2 Section B.
11 min answer →

What do you need to know about Sutra (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, 2008) as an optional set work?

Sutra (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, 2008): an optional set work within the independent contemporary dance scene in Britain, its intention, collaboration, structure, movement, physical setting and aural setting.
The optional AQA A-Level Dance set work Sutra (Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, 2008) within the independent contemporary dance scene in Britain 2000 to current: intention, collaboration with Shaolin monks and Gormley, the boxes, movement, settings and context, for Component 2 Section B.
11 min answer →

How did American jazz dance develop, and what defines it as an area of study?

The development of American jazz dance (1940 to 1975): its roots, key practitioners and works, defining choreographic features, and the cultural and historical context that shaped the style.
How AQA A-Level Dance treats the development of American jazz dance (1940 to 1975) as an optional area of study for Component 2: its roots, key practitioners and works, defining features, and the cultural and historical context that shaped it.
9 min answer →