S2 pupils are currently making their subject choices for S3 – please see the links below for information about the S3 Music and Music Technology courses on offer from the department.

Music In S3

Music Technology In S3

Well done to our music council members Aleisha S. and Jess B. who helped fundraise over £125 at the Christmas Market by running the stall on Thursday evening.

Selling our range of Christmas baubles, cards, ceramics and wooden stars proved to be a success alongside our Guess Sparkle’s Birthday which is fast becoming a music department tradition! Well done to Mr Dodds who won the giant unicorn – we hope he enjoys it!

This year’s Winter Concert is taking place on Tuesday 16th December 2025, starting at 6.00pm in the school Games Hall.  Please see the attached letter for details about how to get tickets!

Letter

Congratulations to the Senior Wind Band, and their conductor, Ms Macfarlane, on being awarded Gold Plus for their performance at the regional round of the Scottish Concert Band Festival last week!

Comments from the adjudicators included, “Overall, the piece had excellent dynamics with well observed articulations” and “What a fine performance of a very difficult piece! Bravo, Band!”

On Monday night, S5 pupil Gregor C. and S4 pupil Erin P. represented Stewarton Academy at the Kilmarnock and District Rotary Young Musician Competition.

Gregor performed an arrangement of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and the 4th movement of Rosauro’s Concerto for marimba.

Erin sang ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ and ‘When I Look At You’.

Gregor won the instrumental category while Erin won the vocal category. Gregor was also named overall winner and will now progress to the West of Scotland round of the competition next February. Congratulations and good luck!

Please see here for information about the BA Arts with Community course at RCS.  Taster sessions are taking place over the next few weeks – fill out the Form here to register your interest.  Make sure to let your Music teacher know if you’re planning on attending, or come and see us for more information.

Stewarton Bands Night was a wonderful success! We had nearly 40 pupils attend throughout the afternoon/evening, and it was a positive and inspiring learning environment. Everyone worked hard, supported one another, and produced some fantastic music together.

It was also lovely to see the pupils relax and enjoy each other’s company outside the usual structure of our weekly rehearsals, which are often quite focused and busy. Having the time to connect, chat, and share their enthusiasm for music made the evening feel very special.

Thanks to Ms MacFarlane for organising the event, to all the tutors who came to work with the pupils, and to the Band Support Group for the pizza – it was a huge hit and very much appreciated!

Please see link below for information about the upcoming Open Day at the Junior Conservatoire Of Music in Glasgow.  Come and speak to your Music teacher or instructor for more information, and make sure to let us know if you apply to attend!

Junior Conservatoire Of Music

S5 pupil Gregor had a fantastic trip to London recently, organised by the Scottish Young Musicians competition. The trip was his prize for winning top percussionist at the Scottish Young Musicians final earlier this year.

As part of his prize, Gregor enjoyed a trip to the percussion department at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance where he had a lesson with head of percussion Calum Huggan and drum-kit teacher Matt French. Gregor was also given a guided tour of the building by students and played alongside students in the percussion ensemble. This experience has given Gregor a lot to think about as he plans his future music education. Congratulations, Gregor!

Applications are now open to join the West of Scotland Schools Ensembles – speak to your Music teacher for more information, and click here to apply.