The Department's primary goal is to empower students, in terms of musical literacy, technical ability, and stylistic and historical awareness. Merchiston music, the Department aims to incorporate a social relevance of music education; performing a balance of historical and current forms of music. There are three equal integrated areas of delivery: academic, co-curricular and instrumental.

Academic music is at the core of departmental delivery, effective teaching and learning in the classroom facilitates co-curricular and instrumental music. In academic lessons, students are introduced to instruments, performance and theory, building up a set of skills that will tie in with both co-curricular and instrumental music-making.

Co-curricular music is concerned with two key facets of music making. Firstly, allowing as many students as possible to enjoy musical performance in a context of differentiation, but also to nurture quality music-making, and musical excellence for gifted and talented musicians through small ensembles and opportunities for students to practice in protected slots.

Instrumental music lessons facilitate co-curricular music giving students a set of skills that can be brought to co-curricular groups. It is also an opportunity the students to be assessed outside the classroom was graded exams and theory lessons.

School staff:

Stephen Dennis BMus: Head of Music
Mr Dennis coordinates all aspects of the Department's work, and conducts many of the choral and instrumental groups. He teaches piano as well as class music. He plays keyboards with his own band outside of the School.

David Turner MA, ARCO
Mr Turner is the School Organist and assists with various aspects of the Department, including the Chapel Choir and Choral Society.

Gordon Campbell MA 
Mr Campbell is in charge of piping tuition, and runs the Pipe Bands.

Visiting staff:

Mr R Bacevicius (Cello)
Mrs E Beeston (Violin)
Ms M Bell (Bassoon and Clarinet)
Ms R Cohen (Woodwind)
Mr B Davidson (Piano)
Mr B Donaldson (Piping)
Miss C Heaney (Brass)
Dr S McGrattan (Brass)
Mr C Macgregor (Drums and Percussion)
Mr T Mitchell (Guitar/Bass Guitar)
Mrs K Nicholls (Piano)
Mr J Walker (Snare Drum)

• Memorial Hall (Steinway Grand Piano, Organ)
• Robertson Hall (Sound system, 3 drumkits, Grand piano, Smartboard)
• Tutorial Room, (30 Classical guitars)
• 2 Room studio, (Pro-Tools, digi-design hardware, selection of condenser microphones)
• 6 practice rooms (piano in each, drum kit in one)

J4/5 & I Forms: The aims of the early music curriculum are as follows:
1. To introduce students to communal singing,
2. To introduce students to the early stages of core instruments: strings woodwind and brass, Keyboard, Percussion and drum kit
3. Elements of theory and aural, through class exercises, covering elements of rhythm and pitch and elements of stylistic and historical music through an introduction to instruments of the orchestra

II to IV Forms: The aims of the Junior music curriculum are as follows:
"To give a child the best chance in life therefore, it is essential that they acquire literacy,
and that they begin learning at the earliest possible opportunity."

1. Theory workbooks have been written for pupils to improve musical literacy and to encourage a more differentiated approach within the classroom.
2. Students will begin to perform on classroom instruments, drums, guitar, bass guitar, keyboard.
3. Students will be encouraged to, and set tasks in order to develop compositions, from structured melody writing and harmonic exercises, to free compositions.

The Department also offers GCSE and A level Music dependent on class sizes.

Co-curricular music supports and is supported by academic music and instrumental lessons, providing opportunities to develop performance at varying levels.

Current instrumental Groups:

• Junior Ensemble
• Junior Folk Group
• Jazz Band
• Chamber Orchestra
• String Ensemble
• MCS Trio
• 2nd Form Band
• Pringle centre string workshops

Choirs:

• Choral Society
• Chapel Choir
• Close Harmony Group