Key Features of the Department
• Both of our music rooms are equipped with projectors, keyboards, guitars, drum-kits and piano. In one of the classrooms there are ten iMac computers. There are 4 practice rooms equipped with pianos; in one of these there is orchestral percussion including timpani and two drum kits. The recording studio has a 24 track digital recording desk, and a high-spec Mac for Music Technology work. The department has a number of guitars, including electric guitars, tuned and un-tuned percussion and brass instruments
• Instrumental students are regularly entered for Associated Board music examinations, achieving a very high pass rate and many merits/distinctions
• Many students achieve excellent results in SQA Music exams with a large number gaining top awards and some going on to study at third level colleges and universities
• Many performance opportunities including our Christmas Celebration and Spring concerts give our students occasion to perform for their parents and contemporaries
• As well as participating in school-based ensembles, many students participate in the City of Edinburgh Music Ensembles including: Guitar Ensemble, Rock Ensemble, Wind Band, ESSO, Jazz Band, Edinburgh Secondary Schools Choir. Students are also members of NYCOS national and area choirs, Edinburgh Youth Choir and the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra and music theatre groups.
• A variety of educational trips are offered throughout the year to augment the classroom experience. These include, ‘Opera Unwrapped’, Scottish Chamber Orchestra ‘Masterworks’, St Cecelia’s Hall Instrument Museum and the BBC Festival tent.

There is a wealth of opportunities within the music department for pupils to get involved in both instrumental groups and choirs.
Pupils who learn an instrument in school are expected to join an appropriate group from those mentioned below. We encourage any pupils who learn an instrument outside of school to also join an appropriate group.