Music Department

The Newbattle High School music department is a very active department with a rich and diverse curriculum as well as numerous extra-curricular activities. The department is well equipped, with four large classrooms and a number of practice rooms as well as a recording studio for Music Technology courses.

The Music Course in S1, S2 and S3

From S1 until the end of S3, all pupils will experience a broad general education where they will work across the experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence.

In S1, all pupils will attend Music for one period a week, whilst S2 will see them attending for two periods of Music every week. In S1 pupils sample six classroom instruments which are keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, voice, drumkit and xylophone. They then go on to specialise in two of these at the end of S1 and throughout S2. S2 pupils can also choose to take one extra period per week of Musical Theatre as part of Peak Performance.

There is also the opportunity to learn brass, woodwind, violin, drum kit and guitar with a specialist teacher. These lessons have a small charge unless your child is eligible for free school meals. Bursaries are also available. For more information please speak to Miss Maynes, Principal Teacher of Music. As a result, pupils are equipped to be part of our many extra-curricular activities, such as Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Choir; Keyboard Club, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Band and Guitar Ensemble.

In S3, pupils can choose to take courses in the Music department that take three periods per week. For full details, see the S3 coursing handbook.  These courses will deliver experiences and outcomes in S3, and will then prepare pupils for appropriate National Qualification in S4.  Courses currently offered in the Music department are:

• Music. Music is a fantastic way to develop all aspects of learning. Pupils will be working both independently and in groups and will have the opportunity to perform in school concerts if they want to do this. They can also create bands within the class, either covering other peoples’ songs or writing their own. This will help to build confidence in all areas of the subject. They will develop the skills gained in S1 and 2 in both of their instruments as well as working on arranging and mixing skills and writing their own songs. They will learn to analyse music, breaking it down and using these skills to create their own music.
• Music - Songwriting is a course for pupils who enjoy listening to and creating music but do not want to
  play instruments. Songwriting and arranging are excellent ways to develop musical skills. Pupils will have the opportunity to analyse other songs, break down and re-arrange them in a style that they like. They will also write your own songs, building on the skills developed in S1 and S2. In this course there will be a chance to use DJ software on the computers, learning to mix and blend songs.

Music courses in S4, S5 and S6

In the Senior phase, pupils work on courses that lead towards National Qualifications at the end of S4, S5 and S6.

In S4, pupils can choose to take courses in the Music department. Each course gets three periods per week. For full details of the courses available, see the S3 coursing handbook. Courses currently offered in the Music department in S4 lead to awards in:

• Music at Intermediate 1 and Intermediate 2 levels

In S5 and S6, pupils can choose to take courses in the Music department. Each course takes five periods per week. For full details of the courses available, see the S5/6 coursing handbook. Courses currently offered in the Music department in S5 and S6 lead to awards in:

• Music with Performing at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher level.
• Music with Technology at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher level. This course offers pupils the opportunity to experience the skills of Sound Engineering in the Recording Studio and Midi Sequencing (a great opportunity to arrange music digitally through computer software).
• All pupils on either course will study three mandatory units in listening, composing and performing (solo instrument or voice). The fourth unit will be either an extra performance unit, or a technology element.
• There is also an "interest course" in Music on offer for 1.5 periods per week in block F, where it is possible to get a Music unit at Intermediate 1, Intermediate 2, Higher or Advanced Higher depending on the pupil’s level of skill.
• S5/6 pupils can also choose to take one extra period per week of Musical Theatre as part of Peak Performance.

Instrumental Instruction

We are very lucky in having a highly trained team of specialist instructors who offer instruction in the following instruments:

• Brass (cornet, trumpet, tenor horn, euphonium, trombone and tuba)
• Woodwind (flute, clarinet and saxophone).
• Violin

We have a limited selection of the above instruments which can be loaned to pupils, especially in the early stages of instruction.

• Guitar (Acoustic, Electric and Bass) - Pupils must provide their own instruments
• Keyboard or Piano
• Percussion (Drumkit, Xylophone and all other Percussion).

All pupils wishing to take advantage of specialist instruction will be expected, under their parents guidance, to practice a minimum of 10 minutes (at the early stage and progressively more) daily, without exception.

In order to make best use of the instrumental instruction programme, pupils beginning instruction will be given an initial trial period of four weeks to show commitment and good progress.

Instrument lessons will run on a rota basis so that pupils will normally not be extracted from the same lesson more than once per month. At the instrumental instructor’s discretion, pupils will be expected to take part in an extra-curricular group.

Performance Opportunities for Pupils

• School Concerts: every Christmas and Summer. These often have a theme with costumes and have included A Night at the West End, Summer Beach Party, James Bond, Latino Night, Summer Hoe-down & Swing Night.
• Dalkeith Rotary Young Musician Competition - open to all pupils and held every year.
• Musical Performances – including Trapped! in March 2010, Back to the 80s in March 2007 and Shaked and Stirred (James Bond theme) in 2005.
• Community Events - Gala Days, Community Fayres and visits to residential care homes.
• Performing in the Wider Community - Fund raising performances in shops and supermarkets both local and further afield.
• Midlothian Festival of Music - many pupils perform in many different groups at this annual festival of Midlothian’s best musicians. This is held in the Usher Hall every year.