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Music

Our Music department offers a wealth of opportunities for pupils to take part in and develop their musical skills, whether this be in the classroom, individual lesson or one of the many co-curricular choirs and ensembles.

Pupils are encouraged to join a group that is suited to them, as the department have ensembles from the highly competitive to groups that are open to all. Most importantly, our pupils are encouraged to strive for the very best they can achieve with the aid of our resident and visiting members of staff. This commitment to achieve our very best has resulted in numerous competition wins, opportunities to work with industry professionals (Scottish Opera, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, RSNO), and an enviable list of requests to perform in the wider community. We are fortunate to have a wealth of visiting instrumental and vocal staff, working with the BBC, RSNO, Scottish Opera and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Chorus to name but a few. Every November, in collaboration with the Drama Department, we put on a musical. These are much more than ‘school shows’. In recent years we have had performances of West Side Story, Evita, and Fame. In 2014 we were one of the first schools to perform Chicago. You only have to look at the pictures to see what a fantastic opportunity these productions provide for our pupils. As well as our commitment to the highest standards in co-curricular activity, curricular music-making is centred on our pupils developing their creativity through practical work and a variety of listening tasks.

No matter what your skill, voice or instrument, there is something for everyone here at The Glasgow Academy.

Our Music Tuition booklet for session 2024/25 can be read here

S1 & S2 MusicToggle

Pupils who have joined us in S1 from the Prep School find it an incredibly smooth transition, as the format of their lessons is the same. There are two lessons each week: one being a classroom-based lesson, the other focusing on practical music skills such as guitar or keyboard work based on the current topic. In S1 pupils study the history of Scottish Music, Jazz, and Blues. Keyboard and guitar pieces based on these topics are worked on during the practical lesson, alongside the opportunity for composition work using the GarageBand app on their iPads.

At S2, we pick up from Jazz and Blues in S1 and study the history of Rock and Pop music, from 1950 until the present day. Pupils learn about the many different styles throughout the decades, including psychedelic rock, progressive rock, disco, new wave, Britpop and many more. As preparation for those who might be interested in Music Technology at National 5, there is a strong focus on GarageBand.

S3 & S4 MusicToggle

Pupils who choose either National 5 Music or Music Technology receive 4 lessons a week to focus on the course material.

National 5 Music (performance)
This course is split into three areas: listening, composing and performing. Pupils put together an eight-minute performance across two instruments (or one instrument and voice) which is marked by a visiting examiner from the SQA. They submit a portfolio of composition work as coursework, and study various aspects and periods of musical history for the listening exam at the end of S4. This course helps to strengthen the performance skills that pupils have, and develop their listening skills as they are introduced to new and different styles of music.

National 5 Music Technology
Pupils who take the technology course are given the chance to put together a portfolio of studio recordings which is worth 70% of their total mark. The remaining 30% is a listening paper which is based on twentieth-century classical and popular music styles. Whilst there is no actual instrumental or vocal performing assessed on this course, previous performance experience is helpful to the candidates.

S5 & S6 MusicToggle

Pupils who choose either Higher Music or Higher Music Technology receive 7 lessons a week to focus on the course material.

Higher Music
This course follows on from the National 5 Music (performance) course, building on the concepts studied there and developing the three main skills of performing, composing and listening. Pupils look at the various periods from the renaissance to popular music and how music has changed over the centuries. Performers work on a 12-minute performance for the SQA examiner over two instruments (or instrument and voice) which is worth 60%. Composition work includes the use of new concepts studied in the Higher course and is currently marked internally. The listening paper covers the remaining 40% and is based on the periods studied in the listening lessons.

Higher Music Technology
This course follows on from the National 5 Music Technology course and is weighted in the same way. A 70% portfolio is submitted of different studio recording works that have been completed over the course of the year. The remaining 30% is the listening paper which looks in further depth at the classical and popular styles of music throughout the twentieth century.

Advanced Higher
This course follows on from the Higher Music course and again covers the three areas of listening, composing and performance. This time, pupils perform for a total of eighteen minutes across two instruments (or one instrument and voice) worth 60% of the course. Composition work is marked internally and the listening exam (40%) covers the same periods as Higher, only in greater depth. Pupils also complete a short dissertation comparing two pieces, roughly 1,500 words.

Pipes & DrumsToggle

Every Monday and Friday, the stirring sound of the Pipes and Drums will be heard, as after-school rehearsals take place. The Pipes and Drums represent The Academy at a series of prestigious events every year, and need dedicated students to continue to sustain and develop our success. To help the pipers and drummers of the future achieve their potential, we are fortunate to have a team of highly experienced tutors. We are in the constant process of creating a well-trained musical ensemble, of which everyone connected with The Academy can be proud.

Through events such as the Academy Christmas Show and other concert formats, we display the development process of every student, from beginner to Pipe Major and Leading Drummer, providing a showcase for both individual and group performances, at various levels of achievement and experience.

Having the support of everyone involved with the school, and a plan for student development at Prep-school level, we are continually building on current standards and forming a more demanding repertoire for the young musicians. In addition to individual tuition, we have group Chanter sessions on Wednesdays, after school, to develop ensemble playing. When they are considered ready, prep-school players will rehearse with the band, and will eventually become part of all the performances undertaken by the Pipes and Drums, including involvement with other elements of the Academy Music Department, and the opportunity of participating in overseas music tours.