Music
It's easy to play any musical instrument: all you
have to do is touch the right key at the right
time and the instrument will play itself.
J.S. Bach
Learning to play an instrument provides a child with many new skills and opportunities beyond the technicalities of the instrument itself. The satisfaction of learning your first notes, playing your first short piece of music, learning to play a well-known piece of music, participating in group music making and playing in your first concert cannot be replicated. Add to this the opportunities to work with pupils in different years, learn from peers and to meet and perform with children in different schools and you will find a truly rewarding experience.
In class music lessons children learn initial skills on instruments such as percussion, recorder, keyboard and guitar. They also learn about the theory of music through practical performance and explore a wide variety of musical genres within historical contexts. The departments has access to Sibelius software allowing our children to compose their own music using leading software.
Singing forms an integral part of all lessons with children preparing material for Choir recitals and our annual School Productions.
St. Mary’s Music Department is fortunate to be able to offer instrumental tuition on a range of instruments including Chanter, Bagpipes, Piano, Percussion, Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Guitar and Voice. Our expert tutors are a real asset of the department.
Pupils who opt to study an instrument are timetabled to receive a half hour lesson once a week. They are encouraged to prepare for examinations offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music or Trinity College of Music.
The annual Summer Concert offers opportunities for pupils to perform as a soloist or in an ensemble, as do our weekly assemblies. Orchestral players are encouraged to play in the school Orchestra that meets on a Wednesday morning and all pupils in the Prep School participate in Junior or Senior Choir.
Throughout the year the Music Department is invited to provide instrumentalists for a number of events including the Burns Supper, Summer Fayre, Prizegiving, visits to local residential homes and community groups.