Music

• Memorial Hall (Bösendorfer grand piano, 3 manual pipe 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 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 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 will be set tasks in order to develop compositions using Garageband, from structured melody writing and harmonic exercises, to free compositions.

The Department also offers GCSE and Sixth Form Music when applicable.

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

See the Co-curricular music page for more information.

We also have an internal recital programme, which gives pupils the opportunity to hear professional performers giving recitals. We are proud to have students performing solo recitals during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

One pupil has entered the UK Songwriters’ Competition, and this year submitted entries within two categories. He has also released an album of electronic music with another Merchiston student, and they are currently working on new singles, whilst studying for their final year exams.

Whilst at Merchiston, the group Bwani Junction was formed, which has since achieved prominence nationally. The classmates recorded their first demo in the School’s recording studio, and their single, Feel no more, has been played on Radio 1. After graduating from Merchiston, they have toured the UK and Europe, played in Africa and Asia, and won the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) award for Best Newcomer in 2012. They have performed Paul Simon’s Graceland, at Celtic Connections, Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and have completed a tour of Scotland.