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!