Music Department

St Margaret’s has a purpose-built Music Department opened in 1996, comprising teaching and practice rooms.

Some 75% of the school's pupils receive individual instrumental tuition.

Sibelius and Cubase music technology, recording and composition software, are run on 25 computers.

The entire school participates in the annual Carol Service and, from 5 Junior upwards, in Speech Day. Both of these events take place in the city’s fine Music Hall, just ten minutes walk from the school.

Qualified, dedicated staff ensure a full extra curricular programme, and there are regular overseas concert tours. This summer (2009) the girls performed in Berlin.

Girls regularly audition successfully for the National Youth Orchestras of Great Britain and Scotland, the National Youth Choir of Scotland, the Grampian Youth Orchestra, the Aberdeenshire Youth Orchestra, and local music theatre groups.

There is an annual musical show in Aberdeen Arts Centre, produced in collaboration with the Drama Department.

Exams

Associated Board instrumental and Theory examinations are held in school several times annually.

Trinity Guildhall instrumental examinations are held several times annually.

SQA Intermediate 2, Higher and Advanced Higher Level are available as study courses leading to public examinations.

Extra-curricular activities

Senior Choir
Chamber Choir
Vocal Jazz
Senior String Ensemble
Vivaldi – Intermediate String Ensemble
Corelli – Junior String Ensemble
Concert Band
Intermediate Wind Ensemble
Wind Quartet
Brass Ensemble
Music Theory Clubs
Choral Club
Music Technology Club

There are also opportunities for string quartets, piano trios and other chamber music ensembles.

Events

Regular music workshops in school with the RSNO, Scottish Opera and other professional bodies.
Masterclasses from visiting instrumental specialists.
Annual solo recital competitions
Regular concerts / choral evensongs / lunchtime recitals in Aberdeen City, at Aberdeen University and further afield in the UK.
Carol Service.
Speech Day.
St. Margaret’s Day Service.
Harvest Festival.
Annual Junior and Senior School Musical productions.

Tours

Concert tours are a regular feature in the life of St Margaret's Music Department. Past destinations have included the USA, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany and France. Performances have also been held at York Minster and St Paul's Cathedral. A concert tour of Berlin took place in summer 2009.

Competitions

Many girls compete successfully in the Aberdeen and NE of Scotland Music Festival.

Local Ensembles

Girls participate in the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Music Centre Orchestras and Bands. Girls have gained places in the Aberdeenshire Youth Orchestra.

National Ensembles

Girls have successfully gained places in the following:

• National Youth Orchestra of Scotland
• National Children's Orchestra of Scotland
• National Youth String Orchestra of Scotland
• National Youth Choir of Scotland

Music is held in high esteem at St Margaret’s, both by the girls and by the staff, and the school is acknowledged throughout the city and county as a place of musical excellence. All girls are encouraged to acquire instrumental skills and to enjoy participating in the school’s various bands, choirs and orchestras. Regular solo and group performance opportunities are available throughout the school year, both on and off site, and both formal and informal. Music is used to enhance our own school events, and is regularly taken out into the community for the benefit of disadvantaged children and the elderly and for other worthy charitable causes.