The Performing Arts Faculty

About Us

Instrumental Tuition

The music department are supported by nine Aberdeenshire Council Instrumental Music Instructors who visit the school each week to deliver free music lessons in the following disciplines:

• Bagpipes

• Brass

• Guitar and Bass Guitar

• Lower Strings

• Percussion (orchestral percussion and drum kit)

• Piano

• Pipe Band Snare Drumming

• Upper Strings

• Woodwind

To find out more about instrumental tuition, including how to sign up for lessons, please click here 

In S1 Music, learners spend term one  developing leadership and problem-solving skills by experiencing the classrooms instruments offered. At the beginning of term 2 learners choose two to specialise in for the remainder of the Broad General Education. The classroom instruments on offer can be seen below. Listening and music literacy skills are developed through active learning tasks based on the following units of work: Getting Started, The Magic Mystery Wheel, Christmas Music, The Music of Scotland, Popular Music and Music from Around the World. Teamwork, communication and leadership skills are developed through various composition projects e.g. Scottish Waltz, composing a riff and improvisation.

In S2 Music, the following topics are studied Music in the Media, Skills Development and Careers in the Performing Arts, Christmas Music, Showtime and Top of the Pops. The four key skills; leadership, communication, problem-solving and teamwork are developed in these topics through performing solo and as part of a group on two instruments, composing and active listening activities.

In S2 Drama, learners develop the key skills of teamwork, leadership, problem solving and communication through a range of units that enable progressive development of skills in Creating, Presenting, Character and Reflecting. The course stresses the key skill of Working Together and builds confidence in performing as well as use of theatre arts and technology. With performance units such as Pantomime to exploration and creative storytelling of The Village Lost in Time, learners get to grow their skills while developing their understanding of the many forms of drama from Mime to Roleplay, Conventions Challenge to Creating Atmosphere though the use of lighting and sound. 

In S3 Music, learners continue to develop preforming, problem-solving and leadership skills on instruments chosen in S1. Listening skills, leadership and communication skills continue to be developed through studying The Instruments of the Orchestra, The Music of Scotland and Music from Around the World. Composing, teamwork and problem-solving skills are developed through group and individual compositions from a variety of stimuli e.g. Programme Music using images,  TV Advert Theme, Orchestral Remix, Scottish Waltz and Cover Song.

In S3 Music Technology, learners work with the Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) GarageBand. They use their teamwork, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills to produce Soundscapes, an Audiobook, Sound Design for Christmas, Sonic Postcards, Radio Broadcast, Voice-over, Project based learning: Creating Music for Exercise and Sound Design for a Video Game. Listening skills are developed through studying Music from the 20th Century - Blues, Jazz, Disco and Rock.

In S3 Drama can go into greater depth and explore the various aspects of drama and theatre in much more detail. The course includes practical training in key production skills such as lighting, sound, set design, costume and props with links to careers in these fields. Learners can then apply these skills as part of a Production Team in a role they choose. In units such as The Trial learners develop their skills in planning and role play to develop a case. In Devised drama they create their own drama in groups from stimulus to presentation. Learners have opportunities to develop character in greater detail and to strengthen Acting skills as well as Direction and Design. The course has a greater emphasis on personalisation and choice.

Senior Phase (S4,5 &6) Performing Arts Pathways

The following courses are offered in the senior phase: 

• Performance Arts (National 1 and 2)

• Music Technology (National 4, 5 and Higher)

• Drama (National 3, 4 and 5)

• Music (National 4, 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)

• Performing on One Instrument or Voice (SCQF Level 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7) delivered by the Instrumental Music Service Instructors

Click here to access the Performing Arts area of the subject choice website.

Qualifications Scotland Revision Resources

Click here to access Performing Arts Revision Resources

Click here to access whole school Study Support and Revision Resources

The Wider Curriculum

Click here to see what the Performing Arts Faculty offers at lunchtimes and after school. You will also find photos and video of our 2025 European Music Tour.

Click here to view our Termly Newsletters

Click here to see how we develop the four core skills in the Performing Arts