Christmas Service 2011

Lovely performances today from Aileen, Fleur and Zoey, Megan and Higher Music students. The orchestra and vocal group were fantastic in providing music for the carols. I wish you all a Happy Christmas.

Higher Music Acoustic Set

Lunchtime Christmas music for the auditorium. Well done to all the Higher Music students.

Christmas Service

This will be held next week during P2 and will be conducted by Rev Shuna. Carols include O Little Town of Bethlehem and Hark The Herald. We will have a rehearsal during P1. Full school dress with shirt and ties etc is required for all school musicians.

Higher Music Unplugged

Look out for the Higher Music class performing an acoustic set of Christmas tunes at lunchtime soon!

Rotary Award Winners 2011

Thank you very much to the members of The Speyside Rotary for making these awards available to us.

Congratulations to our well deserved winners:

Lizzie Fraser, Ebba Kingham, Kirsty Lorimer, Yasmin Erginsoy, Katrina Adams and Graham Campbell.

Christmas Concert-2011

What a fantastic evening of music. You were all superb! Great fun.

S1 and S2

We have started our Christmas arrangements and pupils are learning to play a tune on an instrument of their choice. We will have some Christmas listening activities also.

Christmas Concert

The concert on Tuesday is fast approaching and we have been rehearsing for some time now. Our groups will perform and some pupils have a solo slot.

The dress code for our performers is shirts and school ties, black trousers/skirts and black shoes.

We will be combining our concert with the Rotary Young Musician Awards.

The concert will start at 7 30pm. Performers should meet in the music room no later than 7pm.

Jam at Baxters and raise money for Children In Need

This is an opportunity for you to meet and play with people from other schools. They plan to make a recording to raise money for Children In Need. See noticeboard or staff for more information. This is not supervised by Speyside High School staff.

National Youth Choir of Scotland

Application forms for audition are in school now. Collect one from Room 17.

Opera Trip

If you have secured a place on this trip please collect an information letter and forms from the music department. Forms and playment for the bus needs to be returned to us by 2 November at the very latest, please.

Opera Trip

Our trip to the theatre is creeping up on us. Next week we will be seeing The Barber of Seville. More information about times etc very soon.

Rehearsals

Orchestra-Thursday 1 15pm
String Group-Wednesday 1 15pm
Woodwind Group-Wednesday 1 15pm
Vocal Group-Wednesday 1 15pm

New Term

We start our new term welcoming our headteacher, Mr Engstrand, to Speyside.

Yasmin, Graham and Andrew performed superbly at Mr Tierney's last assembly on Thurday.

Our pipers worked well together in preparing the music for our emotional farewell to Mr Tierney on the last afternoon of last term. Thanks must go to Stuart, Kayleigh, Bruce and to Graham for his advice and help. We wish Mr Tierney a very happy retirement.

Sponsored Walk Concert

What a fantastic and relaxed afternoon of music. Great performances from graham, Andrew, katrina, Rory, Ramsey, Dominic, Ebba, Lauren and Lelsey. Well done, everyone.

Orchestra

Orchestra rehearsals start on Thursdays at lunchtime.

Guitar lessons

S1 pupils have received a letter with information about guitar lessons in school.

S5/6

The majority of students are working very hard.
The performing assessment will be on 3 and 4 November. Compositions are taking shape. Literacy booklets are being completed and aural training takes place weekly. Students are learning concepts found in the Baroque era.

Home study-practice on both instruments. Learning concepts two or three times a week. Individual targets for each student is noted in their weekly target planner for music which most carry in their folders.

S4

Improving grades on 2nd intruments is the focus this term. Guitarists have already recorded or are nearly ready and progress can be seen on other instruments. Pupils will, of course, benefit from home practice.

In listening we are completing Classical music or are working through The Blues.

Compositions are underway.

Home study-regular home practice on 1st and 2nd instrument.

S3

Pupils are currently working towards a solo performing assessment on 19 September. They are preparing one piece/song for recording on that day.
Compositions are underway with many pupils starting with looking at chords.
In listening, we are learning about concepts found in Classical music.

Home study-if there is an instrument at home pupils should be practising regularly to make sure they are ready for their assessment on 19 September. Concepts learned in class should be learned at home.. The concepts are noted in jotters.

S2

Everyone has chosen an instrument and piece/song and are starting to figure out their piece. They will rehearse until they are ready to record their performance.

Home study-if there is an instrument at home pupils may take their music to work on at home.

S1

S1 are learning music literacy and are currently learning about note names, repetition and sequence. The are performing Super Trouper and classs performances are improving.

Home study-pupils who have instruments at home may take home their music to practice.

S1 Instrumental Lessons

All S1 pupils have been given a letter home inviting them to apply for and audition for instrumental lessons in flute, clarinet or saxophone or brass or percussion and drum-kit. If you are interested then please return the form.

Sponsored Walk

The sponsored walk is scheduled for Wednesday 14th September 2011 and we are hoping to have a concert afterwards. Many people like to perform on stage and if you are one of them all you need to do is let Mrs Main, Graham Campbell or Andrew Reid in S6 know and we will try to slot you into the programme. This is our first performance of the session!

Glee style competition

Moray Rotaract is holding a Glee regional style competition in Elgin Town Hall late November/early December.

If you would like to take part in this event let me know and I will pass on your details. Further information can be seen on the music department noticeboard.

New session 2011-2012

Welcome back to all our pupils and especially to our pupils in S1 who we are looking forward to meeing over the next week.

S1 have been choosing to play guitar, bass guitar, drum-kit or keyboard and are getting their folders organised for the work ahead.

S2 are finishing improvisations.

S3-6 are composing, performing and listening and preparing for assessments and deadlines.

String group will start on Wednesday at 1 15pm and Orchestra will start when Study Club begins in September. Details to follow.

There are vacancies for woodwind and brass tuition and S1 pupils are invited to apply for audition.

Congratulations to you if you sat and exam last year. Good results!

Our final performance of the session!

We have visitors in school from Bangladesh next week. We will perform Scottish music at the assembly on Tuesday. Zoey and Molly have agreed to play their fiddles and Graham will be playing his pipes. Hopefully, we will have some more pipers, too!

Update

S2 are finishing their presentations and starting improvisation.
S3 are working on pieces for solo performing.
S4 are working on pieces for their second instrument and are recording their performances.
S5 (Higher/Int2 are starting their performance pieces, compositions and are learning about music from the Renaissance.
S6 are learning/revising Renaissance music and are also looking at performance pieces, working on composition and thinking about their analytical commentary.
Laptops are available for composition over the holidays on a 'first come/first served' basis.

S1

S1 are performing the classic In The Mood and are learning about the different Jazz styles.

S3 Homework

All pupils should be working towards preparing their performance on their second instrument for recording in June (week beginning 13th June). Regular practice at home is required to bring about improvement in performance.

National Youth Orchestra

Audition requirements and details can be found on the Music department noticeboard.

Spirit of Brass Festival

Check out the poster on the music department noticeboard for details of concerts.

Advanced Higher Performing

Good luck for Friday. Eugene 2pm and Nicol 2.30pm

Int 2 Listening

Good luck tomorrow!

Spring Concert and Rotary Awards

A fantastic evening and super performances. Congratulations to all performers and award winners: Eugene Gaine, Nicol MacWilliam, Aileen Erginsoy, Julia Kenneth, Catriona Mulholland and Fleur Jackson. Thank you very much to The Rotary for generously giving us the awards.

The photos were taken during rehearsals and after the concert. One photo shows some of our performers waiting their turn to go on stage. We will make a display of photos and will issue performance certificates soon.

Easter Service

Fantastic music! Well done to all.

Easter Service

The rehearsal for the Easter service will take place in the auditorium during period 1 on Friday. Register with your P1 class teacher before making your way to the auditorium. School dress for performance is expected. Remember to take your instruments.

Summer Job Opportunity

Check out the music department noticeboard for details of a summer job playing with Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail 2011. You are invited to apply for audition if you are between the age of 16 and 22. Experienced instrumental and singers required.

Comic Relief

We will provide the opportunity for bands to perform live during lunchtimes for Comic Relief. Further details very soon.

National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland

The band is visiting Dingwall this year to teach and collaborate with young pipers and drummers. If this interests you, more information can be found at www.thepipingcentre.co.uk/youth-pb or from the poster on the music department noticeboard.

Performing exams

Well done to everyone who performed yesterday or on Tuesday. Let's hope for pleasing results in August.

EXAM TIMES CHANGE-IMPORTANT

Unfortunately, I have had to make some changes to the exam timetable on Tuesday. Please check your new timetable (version 2) or the one which has been posted on the music department notice board to find out if you have been affected.

Summer Courses

Details of two summer courses have came into school:
Youth Music Theatre UK
Edinburgh 18-21 July and 8-13 August

Scottish Schools Orchestra Trust
Dunblane 11-17 July

Leaflets can be found in R17 if you are interested.

Spring Concert and Rotary Awards

The date for our Spring Concert in Tuesday 26 April 2011. We will combine this with the Rotary Awards.

Final Deadlines

Advanced Higher
Commentary-3 March
Composition-10 March

Higher
Performing exam-8 March
Composition-10 March
Listening NAB-17 March

S4 Standard Grade
Performing exam-8/9 March
Composition-11 March
Group performing/2nd instrument-11 March

Comic Relief

We are hoping to hold a Battle of the Bands during Comic Relief week. Let us know if you are interested in taking part. Eugene and Nicol are organising this.

Standard Grade, Int 2 and Higher Performing Exams 8 and 9 March

Check the timetable on the music department notice board for the times of you exam. Most of you have your time slot written in your planners. You can pick up a timetable from R17.

Woodwind Tuition

Lessons are currently available to pupils in S1 and S2. If you would like to find out more then speak to Mr Fryer or myself for more information.

STOP PRESS! EXAM DATES

Higher, Intermediate 2 and Standard Grade performing exams will be held on 8th and 9th March.

String group

Smoke on the Water is sounding good. Now that Graham, Alastair and Nicol have joined the group Mr Mustard is thinking about introducing AC/DC! Graham can already play it really well (as he demonstrated with the rest of S3 on Friday). Fantastic stuff.

Orchestra

Fast progress was made on the Green Day arrangement last rehearsal. Those rhythms are tricky. We will contrast this piece with some Tchaikovsky. Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

Good luck! Int 2, Higher and Advanced Higher

Good luck and work hard in preparation for your performing and listening exams tomorrow.

String Group and Woodwind Group

Rehearsals started yesterday. I was lucky to hear some of the string group's rehearsal yesterday. Working on improving your playing technique really improved the sound you were all making. A great rehearsal!

Int 2/Higher/Advanced Higher

Your prelim exams (performing and listening) are to be held on Tuesday, 1 February. If you need another revision pack then let me know.

Compositions should be completed week beginning January 24.

Remember to bring the laptops back every morning please. Pupils in other years need to use throughout the day.

You need to use you time wisely in the run up to your exams and work hard. Spend time practising.

S4

As you know, the exam period for solo performing starts on 15 February. Some of you are well prepared and many of you still have a lot of work to do. Songs must be sung from memory and we expect you to be learning your song words at home.

Many of you still have to make a quality recording on your second instrument.

Use your time wisely and work hard during the run up to your exams.

S3

Your exams start at the end of the month. Two pieces/songs should be prepared. Songs should be sung from memory. You will have a listening exam also. See the department web page for revision advice. You will have specific S3 advice with you shortly.

Orchestra Rehearsal 19 January

My apologies to you all and your parents for the short notice and cancellation of the orchestra rehearsal last night. This was due to unforseen circumstances. Sorry.

We will start next week on Wednesday at 4pm and the arrangement we will play is Green Day.

Look forward to seeing you all then.

Compositions in S1 and S2

Pupils in S1 and 2 have composed fantastic pieces in a variety of styles. I have been impressed by the number of concepts discovered. Well done everyone!

We will focus on developing our instrumental/vocal and performing skills now. S1 are learning to play 500 Miles on their chosen instruments/voice and S2 are Rockin' All Over The World! Music is always available for home practice and a few pupils regularly take their music to practice on their instruments at home. Pupils who play orchestral or other instruments often take their instruments to class. They work on material from their lessons and also join in with the class in group performance.

Accordion tuition

We have recieved information about accordion lessons today. Details are posted on the music department noticeboard for you to see if you are interested.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals for orchestra, woodwind group and string group will start on Wednesday, 19th January 2011. Ceilidh band will start on Monday, 17th January.We will be preparing for our concert in the spring. Details to follow at a later date.

Assembly

Congratulations to Ebba Kingham for playing her piano piece so well at the assembly today.

New Term

I hope you all had a good holiday.

This is a very busy time for you as you prepare for yor exams.

SQA performing exam period starts on 15 February. S5/6 prelims start on 31 January. There is still a lot of hard work to be done!