More than 250 music lessons take place each week with tuition offered on all standard band and orchestral instruments, singing, bagpipes and harp.

Pupils are encouraged to take advantage of frequent opportunities to perform and to sit Associated Board music examinations. Over the course of the academic  year, there are at least 35 concerts or other musical events, and in an average year, more than 80 pupils pass music exams.

Pupils are encouraged to take part in ensembles as soon as they are ready. The school has several choirs, orchestras, brass groups, string ensembles, a wind band, pipe band and flute ensemble. These are all growing in size as more and more pupils opt to learn instruments.

A purpose-built environment

The Music Department is housed in our purpose-built Music School. Facilities include a concert auditorium, nine teaching/practice rooms and two full-sized classrooms. The quality of the facilities is such that ABRSM examinations are regularly staged here and, when not required by the school, the auditorium is used by external musical groups in need of a top quality venue.

There are three full-time members of staff, 22 visiting music teachers and a Music Secretary.

Syllabus

Music is taught as a class subject in Years 7-9. There is a balance in these lessons between musical performance and music appreciation. Years 7-9 also stage concerts each term and these have become justly popular events.

Music is offered at GCSE and in the Sixth Form, with both courses developing the performing, compositional and analytical skills of students. Coursework deadlines are built into the concert programme of the school’s year and pupils make the most of these opportunities to build up impressive portfolios of compositions and performances.