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music department

Teaching Staff

Christine Ashall B.Ed., Principal Teacher

James McVicar B.A(hons), A.L.C.M, Teacher of Music

Lee Lawson, Instructor in Drumming

Ian McKerral, Instructor in Piping

Steven Stewart, Instructor in Brass

The Curriculum:

In S1 and S2, the work of the Department follows the recommendations of the 5-14 Music Programme, whilst preparing pupils to be able to make an informed choice of a creative/aesthetic subject for S3 onwards. The curriculum covers the following topics:

Performing

Pupils are given the opportunity to improve their performance skills on a range of instruments including keyboard, guitar, recorder, drum-kit, pitched percussion and voice.

Inventing

Pupils are encouraged to compose music to a given stimulus, both individually and in groups, and in a variety of styles including Scottish traditional music and folksongs.

Listening

Pupils listen to music of genres ranging from orchestral music to rock and roll. They are encouraged to appreciate and evaluate, as well as to be able to recognise certain features and instruments which make each style of music distinct.

In S3 and S4 the course offered is Standard Grade.

In S5 the course offered is Higher, while in S6, Advanced Higher and National Units are available for study.

The work of the Department is supported by Instrumental Instruction in Woodwind and Brass, Piping and Drumming.

The Department has a very good record in its SQA Exam results and, in addition, many students enter for Associated Board exams at all levels.

The Music Department has good links with its feeder Primary Schools and it maintains good relations with the local community. An annual Music Festival provides an outlet for adjudicated music making of students in the area and this is supported by the school.

Teaching staff participate in extra-curricular work with notable success. In Session 2008-2009 the following activities were supported by members of the Department

A Drum and Bass group run by Peter Lewis of the Art Department also makes use of the Music Department facilities.