Department Staff List

Miss G Lamont – Faculty Head of Creative Arts
Mr C McPhee – Class Teacher of Music

Instrumental Staff: 

Mrs E Wilson (Voice – Monday)
Mr J Straczynski (Guitar – Tuesday)
Miss K Cooke (Woodwind – Tuesday)
Mr L Deveney (Percussion – Wednesday & Thursday)
Mrs V Douglas (Woodwind – Thursday)
Mr A MacPherson (Pipe Band Drumming – Thursday)
Mr A Foden (Brass – Friday)

BROAD GENERAL EDUCATION (S1-S3)

This course provides the students with a broad general education (BGE) linked to the relevant outcomes and benchmarks from curriculum for excellence.

Students attend the department 2 periods per week in S1 to S3 (in S1/2 this is on rotation with Art). Time is spent studying musical literacy and various styles such as orchestral, rock & pop, music of the world, Scottish music, film & tv music etc. Practical lessons are the main focus of skills development within S1/2, where students will be given the opportunity to learn keyboard, tuned percussion, guitar, and ukulele.

In S3, students who choose music will be given the opportunity to select two instruments which they should focus on, with a view to progressing to National Qualifications in S4.  Students will also study Understanding Music concepts at National 3 and 4 level.  They also have the opportunity to take part in group performing lessons in class.

SENIOR PHASE (S4 – S6)

Senior Phase students can study National 3, National 4, National 5, Higher or Advanced Higher Music, progressing through each level as appropriate. We also offer standalone units in Performing and Understanding Music, as an alternative pathway for students.  Students are encouraged to take a more independent approach to their practice and are required to prepare a Performing programme on two instruments.

COURSE ASSESSMENT

National 3 and 4 Music

The courses are unit based and internally assessed.

National 5 Music

Students are required to prepare a programme of music across two instruments, at Grade 3 level.  They must perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument (totalling 6 to 6.5 minutes) and are assessed by a visiting SQA examiner in February/March (60% of overall course award).  Students are also required to complete an Understanding Music listening exam in May (40% of overall course award).

Higher Music

Students are required to prepare a programme of music across two instruments, at Grade 4 level.  They must perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument (totalling 10 to 11 minutes) and are assessed by a visiting SQA examiner in February/March (60% of overall course award).  Students are also required to complete an Understanding Music listening exam in May (40% of overall course award).

Advanced Higher Music

Students are required to prepare a programme of music across two instruments, at Grade 5 level.  They must perform a minimum of two pieces on each instrument (totalling 15 to 17 minutes) and are assessed by a visiting SQA examiner in February/March (60% of overall course award).  Students are also required to complete an Understanding Music listening exam in May (40% of overall course award).

Supported Study

The department offer Supported Study throughout the school session.  All students, particularly those in Senior Phase, should use the website www.mymusiconline.co.uk for revision of concepts which are taught in class and featured in the exam.  Students should also make use of Microsoft Teams for further support from their class teacher.

Instrumental Lessons

Our team of music instructors provide weekly lessons to students from S1-S6 and also work closely with our local primaries and students in Craigmarloch School.

Students attend a 25 minute lesson each week with their instructor and in the Senior Phase, their instructor will assist them in preparing for their exam programme, alongside their class teacher.  S1 students will be a focus of recruitment for lessons in August/September.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

We have a variety of extra-curricular activities on offer in the Music Department:

• S1/2 Music Club
• Vocal Group
• Junior Band/Concert Band
• Woodwind Ensemble
• Brass Ensemble
• Liturgical Music Group (for Masses and Services)

Creative Arts Successes

In session 2021-22, we had the following student successes and opportunities:

• Stephen’s Young Artist/Young Musician of the Year 2022;
• Creative Arts advent calendar on Twitter;
• Scottish Young Musician of the Year (Inverclyde Heat – 2 performers);
• Mamma Mia trip;
• Inverclyde Woodwind Musician of the Year (13 entries – 5 students were placed and 1 was the overall winner);
• West of Scotland Schools’ Training Band (3 pupils received places);
• Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (1 student accepted a place).

Follow us on Twitter: @CAFSSHS