Music
All classes experience the delights of music in class from
the Nursery through to P6. The Nursery has a variety of musical
activities almost daily, learning songs, rhymes and musical
games and listen to and experience the different timbres
of musical instruments.
P1 and P2 build on a similar experience with an emphasis
on developing the singing voice and gradually more complex
songs are introduced until by the end of P2 the children
are confident to sing with piano accompaniment.
P3 and P4 are introduced to notation in the form of song
scores and the children follow various taped programmes from
the BBC such as “Time and Tune” and Channel 4’s
Music Programme “The Mix”. These programmes introduce
music in various styles and include orchestral music through
to Modern Classical and Pop. The emphasis is still on developing
their singing voice but some instrumental playing is introduced
and some initial inventing is attempted.
P3 pupils also take part in a violin class during the year.
This gives every child an opportunity to play a string instrument
and is intended to encourage string playing further on in
the school.
Forms 5 and 6 follow the BBC programmes “Music Workshop” that
introduces songs in an historical or fictional content. Subjects
that have been followed recently are: Film making, “Lights,
Camera, Action!”, a reworking of “A Midsummer Night’s
Dream” and a Second World War subject about evacuees, “We’ll
Meet Again”.
Many children learn a variety of musical instruments in
the school, they have weekly lessons with our Music Staff
and when appropriate are entered into the Associated Board
Exams, Rock School and Piping Grades.
Currently about 180 Individual music lessons are given during
the week. All pupils are encouraged to play in various groups
offered in school time and Thursday Morning Chapel is dedicated
to performances by musicians.
Mini Concert in ChapelChoirs
There are two choirs in the school. The Senior Choir sing
for Chapel Services, Carol services and concerts in and out
of school. They are drawn from Form 5 to Form 8. Tours for
the choir are being considered.
The Junior Choir , who also sing regularly at Chapel Services,
Carol Services and concerts are drawn from P4 and 5.
Pipe Band
Children are introduced into the two sections of the Pipe Band when their instructors consider them ready. The Pipe Band plays at official functions, concerts, fetes and at local gala days and we are hoping to take the band on tour in the near future. There are currently about twenty children in the Band.
Music Groups
Other groups that are currently available are a string group, wind group and guitar group. We are hoping to develop more brass playing and orchestral playing as pupils develop in ability.