Welcome to the Music Department 

The work of the Music department is well-known, respected and appreciated both in school and in the wider community.  Our pupils benefit from and enjoy participating in regular public performances which enhance their musical experience and develop their self-esteem and self-confidence.  The curricular content, valued input from a large team of Music Instructors and diverse range of Extra-Curricular activities provide our pupils with the skills and confidence to enhance their musical enjoyment and, indeed, life skills.

Courses

Our S1/2 Course introduces pupils to the joys of Practical Music Making (Keyboard, Recorder, Guitar, Drumkit and Class Orchestra), informed Listening in many genres, and the necessary literacy skills to enable Inventing (Composing).  Music in S1 is allocated one period per week whereas S2 has two.

In S3 and S4 our pupils follow the Standard Grade Course with a three period weekly allocation.  The course is based around the three elements of:-

Performing (Solo 1 and Solo 2)

Listening

Inventing (Composing)

Performing (Solo 1) and Listening are externally assessed whereas Performing (Solo 2) and Inventing are internally assessed but externally moderated by the SQA.

In S5/6 the Music Department offers NQ courses at Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher levels with attainment in the last two being particularly high.  The same subject areas as Standard Grade are covered at these levels and there is an allocation of five periods per week. Many pupils progress to Further and Higher Education in this subject.  The Department also offers courses in Recreational Music.

Extra-Curricular Activities.

Extra-Curricular Activities in the Music Department are many and varied and there is a large involvement of pupils whose work is on show at our many public performances both in school and the Helensburgh area, viz.

Symphony Orchestra (a School Orchestra of ‘symphonic’ proportions)

Chamber Orchestra

Hermitage Fiddlers

Wind Band

Brass Band

Swing Band

Junior Choir (S1/2)

Senior Choir (S3-6, four-part choir)

Gaelic Choir

Brass Ensemble

Saxophone Ensemble

Recorder Ensemble

Pipe Band

Guitar Club