Music
Music is taught as part of the core curriculum by specialist staff from Nursery to Senior 1 level. From Senior 2 to Senior 6 levels, the subject may be chosen as an option, with presentation for SQA Examinations available at every level from Intermediate I to Advanced Higher. Standard Grade Music is no longer offered.
At all stages from Nursery to Senior 1 there is a keen emphasis on practical activities using a variety of classroom instruments suitable for each age and ability. There is also a strong singing tradition in the School, with many ideas, topics and concepts taught through song, Instrumental activities begin with the use of the simplest hand-held percussion instruments in the Nursery and lower Junior School classes, progressing through to upper Junior School and lower Senior School with the introduction of pitched percussion, keyboards and guitars. Pupils are encouraged to express their own ideas, either individually or in groups, through composing tasks using instruments. More formal listening activities also take place regularly, where pupils respond to and comment on a wide variety of musical extracts in varied styles.
Performance of prepared pieces in the classroom is a regular occurrence at all levels and pupils assess their own and their peers' performances as an aid to progress and improvement of skills.
The Musical Option
Pupils make their choices of optional subjects towards the end of Senior 1. Those who choose music follow an Intermediate I Level course in Senior 2 with the aim of progressing to Intermediate 2 Level in Senior 3. SQA presentation at that level and stage would be the aim, but every individual's strengths and weaknesses are taken into account and some pupils may delay Intermediate 2 presentation until Senior 4. The course currently offered at all levels at Belmont House is Music with Performing, with the option to perform on two instruments, or one instrument with accompanying replacing the second instrument. In addition, candidates must compose pieces of original music and follow a rigorous course of Listening and Literacy.
Progression from this stage will normally be to follow the Higher Level course in Senior 5 and Advanced Higher in Senior 6. However, pupils with the necessary musical ability and skills have the option to take up an Intermediate 2 or Higher course in Senior 6.
Music on Show
During the course of the year all pupils from both Junior and Senior School have the opportunity to take part in public performances involving music. One or two large-scale musical shows are presented by Senior pupils each year, normally in the Autumn and Summer terms. In recent years these have included "West Side Story", "From Broadway to Belmont", "Lest We Forget" and "Guys and Dolls". Both the Infants (J1,2 and3 classes) and the J4,5,and 6 classes present productions during the year. In addition, concerts and musical recitals take place at various times, including a Seasonal Concert (most recently involving over seventy pupils from Junior 2 to Senior 6) in December and an "Expressions" evening, which included displays of pupils' artwork, in April.
Extra Curricular and Instrumental Opportunities
The school offers both a Junior and Senior Orchestra, rehearsing after school, and choirs at various ages and stages, rehearsing at lunchtime. Currently being planned are guitar groups at Junior and Senior levels. Most of the pupils taking part in the after-school Drama group are also involved in musical shows and productions. In addition, the formation of a School Samba Band is under discussion.
The School has a team of dedicated visiting instrumental tutors and individual teaching is offered on piano, keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, chanter/bagpipes, flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, cello and drumkit. Many pupils from Junior 3 up to Senior 6 take advantage of these lessons, with many being successfully presented for external music grade examinations with the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, Rockschool or Trinity/ Guildhall.
To sum up, the Music Department at Belmont House School takes pride in the presentation of music to a high standard of performance and makes it a priority to help every individual pupil achieve their full musical potential.