We are a busy department offering pupils opportunities to participate in a wide range of musical activities both in and out the classroom.

We offer courses in Access 3, Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. These are mainly practical in nature, with some listening and composition.

The orchestra, choir and string group meet weekly. We produce school shows at Christmas and in the summer term biannually, we provide a lunchtime concert as part of the Festival of the Arts every 2 years, and we go out into the community providing music for charities and community groups.

Staff Information

The department consists of  the Principal Tacher, 2 music teachers (one is also PT Guidance).

• Jenny Hossick (Principal Teacher)
• Susan Cassidy (Principal Teacher of Guidance)
• Philip alexander

There are 8 visiting instructors.

• Philip Alexander - Woodwind
• Scott Barker - Brass
• John Carlo Bellotti -Voice
• Esther Jack - Violin / Viola
• Michael Jamieson -Percussion
• Owen Nicholson - Guitar
• Liam O'Hare – Piano
• Jill Smyth - Cello / Double Bass

Extra-curricular

The department is heavily involved in activities outwith the timetabled day:-

• Monday String Group
• Tuesday Choir
• Thursday Orchestra

There is a booking room system in the department to enable pupils to practice at lunchtimes. Many pupils make use of this facility including those receiving instrumental instruction, drum kit players who do not have a kit at home, and certificate pupils studying performance as part of their exam.

The department is also represented at Study Support on a Thursday evening from 3.45 – 4.45pm , when these classes are running in the run up to exams.

As part of the certificate courses, the department organises regular trips and outings to musical concerts, shows and events e.g. the senior trip to Glasgow City Hall for the annual RSNO schools concert, as well as participating in a variety of concerts throughout the year including, Christmas Show, Summer Show, St John's Shopping Centre, CATH shelter's Christmas service, Almondbank OAP's, Strathtay Nursing Home, Perth Chamber Music Group, Perform in Perth and Perth Festival of the Arts as well as the numerous school events and concerts including our Instrumental Evening in November. Every 2 years the department puts on a show in June.

Cross curricular

S1 pupils learn all about the music of Scotland each year in January and February. This ties in very nicely with Burns' day. They learn to perform and invent in a Scottish style, and listen to many types of Scottish dances and songs. In their Business Education class they prepare a powerpoint presentation based on the information they have learned in class and other research they have done as homework.