Mr Getty (English) is our guest this month.  Check out his musical tastes – yes, he does have some even though he’s a drummer!

Tickets are now available for the Performing Arts Cabaret which is taking place in the Drama and Dance Studios.  This original work features scenes and music from famous musicals including Les Miserables, Hairspray, Miss Saigon, Shrek and Matilda amongst many more. Come join the Cabaret and get your free cocktail!

A number of our pupils are performing at a concert in Giffnock South church alongside the Paisley Philharmonic Choir on the evening of Sunday 2nd June.  The concert is aid of the Ekwendeni project which is supported by four local churches.  The pupils involved are: Chris Vettraino S1, Amy Clarke S4, Ishara Waidyarathna S4, Luke Maher S5, Richard Scholfield S5 and Mairi Gillespie S6.  Tickets will be on sale at the door.

The next payment of £150 is due by Friday 17th May.  Check the New York website for details.

You are invited to read the desert island discs feature that this month brings you the musical selections of Mr Honeyman (Physics).

The department are now receiving evidence for this term for the Performing Arts Achievement Ties.  The deadline for this is Monday 20th May.

A reminder of the criteria can be seen below:

Criteria

Congratulations to the following pupils who were all performing in the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Junior Orchestra concert at Gateshead last Sunday Night:

Oboe-Chris Vettraino S1, Clarinet-Eve Burgoyne S2, Bassoon-Lucy Gibson S2, Alice Beglan-Grant S2, Campbell Lang S1, French Horn-Alec Ross S2, Gregor McInnes S2, Lorna Paton S2 and Percussion-Calum Robson S2 and Tom Potter S1

This course is open to Wind, Brass and Percussion students at Grade 4 standard or above.  It takes place at The High School of Glasgow from Mon 22 – Fri 26 July.  If you are interested in applying come and see some of the music staff to get an application form.

There are a number of music courses which are suitable for students wishing to experience what life would be like on a full-time music course.  These include:

Guitar – a one week immersion in the study of guitar focusing on technical and musical development

Percussion – five day immersion in the study of percussion focusing on technical and musical development

Entry into the Creative Industries  (Music) –  this week long course is for senior pupils that are considering a career in music

Pupils may be eligible to apply for the Agnes Allen Bursary Scheme

Visit the website www.rcs.as.uk/summerschools for further information

Mr West, the woodwind teacher at Williamwood, has gone to great lengths to produce a CD featuring his son Moray in order to raise funds.  What follows is the description of the CD that can be bought on Amazon.   It is also currently being advertised and played on Classic FM. 

“Scotland Boy is the extraordinary new album showcasing the sensational heartbreakingly beautiful treble voice of the young Scottish schoolboy Moray West. It features classical, Scots and popular songs and has been made with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera and many of Scotland’s finest professional musicians to help raise funds for Ciaran Pryce, who suffered a serious neck injury in a tragic rugby accident while playing for his High School (The Ciaran Pryce appeal fund has been set up by Cambuslang Rugby Club). Moray is the youngest boy to have been signed to the Syco/Sony BMG label and his first album which he made was with Angelis went platinum with sales of over 390,000 copies. Simon Cowell described the 11 year old boy Moray as “super talented” and “probably the best singer I have ever heard”. Moray was a member of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior chorus and both he and Ciaran were members of the National Boys choir of Scotland under Christopher Bell. This timeless eclectic collection of songs is truly a special album.”

Copies can be bought from Mr West or on Amazon priced at £12.