Music
The Music Department provides specialist tuition from Nursery through to S6. The majority of work in the Department is hands-on practical work, based around the three principal elements of the subject - Performing, Composing and Listening. In addition to the work covered in the curricular classes, there is a wide and varied extra-curricular programme, with regular concerts in the Usher Hall, Queen's Hall and Greyfriars Kirk. The department consists of four principal teaching rooms, with separate facilities for classes from Nursery to P2.
Music: Staffing
Mr Graeme Brownlee (Director of Music)
Mr Brownlee teaches predominantly in the Senior School, including all certificate level classes, focusing principally on the Composition and Performing elements. He also conducts the First Orchestra and Swing Band. He is also usually the Music Director for the Senior School musical.
Mrs Susie Lovell
Mrs Lovell teaches in both the Senior and Junior Schools. She provides specialist teaching in the Nursery and Lower Primary, as well as at P7 - S2, Standard Grade and Higher levels. She conducts the P6/7 Boys' Choir, S1-3 and S4-6 Choir. Mrs Lovell is also an S4 Guidance teacher.
Mrs Rebecca Weir
Mrs Weir teaches all classes from P3 - P6. She is responsible for various Junior School performances throughout the year, not least as Music Director for the Junior Musical. She conducts the Second Orchestra and the P6/7 Concert Choir. Mrs Weir also runs Music Club and the "Music Now" events.
Mrs Judith Buttars
The majority of Mrs Buttars' teaching is with Upper Primary and Senior School classes, although she is also the specialist Music teacher for the Nursery this year. With particular expertise at A Level, Mrs Buttars is also at the forefront of the introduction of A Level to Heriot's. She conducts the Third Orchestra, P4/5 Choir, P6/7 Girls' Choir and Senior Girls' Choir.
Mr Vaughan Fleischfresser
Mr Fleischfresser teaches Upper Primary and Senior School classes, up to and including Advanced Higher. He also conducts the the Barbershop Group, P4/5 Choir, Junior Concert Band, Junior School Wind Ensemble and Senior Concert Band.
Mrs Margaret Jones (Music Administrator)
Mrs Jones is the central hub of the Music Department. Not for nothing is her anagram "Sergeant Major"! Margaret does not play any instruments, but is a member of three choirs in Edinburgh. She enjoys the challenge as administrator within a busy, friendly Department.
In addition, the Music Department has the services of more than twenty Instrumental Instructors.
Music: Curriculum
S1
The S1 course takes students on a journey of music through the ages. Beginning in medieval times, students listen, invent and perform their way through to the present day. The course finishes with an introduction to Scottish music. Students will learn about the instruments, dances, and styles that make Scottish music the internationally recognisable music it is today.
S2
The S2 course begins with an in depth look at some of the major musical breakthroughs of the twentieth century such as blues, swing, rock n roll and minimalism. The course concludes with a look at the importance of vocal music. From Gregorian chant to modern day musicals, students will listen to, invent and perform different styles of vocal music from throughout history.
S3
The Standard Grade course comprises four equally weighted elements - Solo Performing, Group Performing, Inventing and Listening. The majority of activities are designed to integrate these elements into coherent topic-based units. As an enhancement to pupils' learning, a significant amount of time is also devoted to traditional music theory, with pupils being presented for a theory exam as part of their S3 exam.
S4
The second year of the Standard Grade course concentrates on the final preparation for the Solo and Group Performing assessments and Inventing folio submission, all of which happen during term 2. Only the Listening element is in the summer term.
S5
Music with Performing is currently offered as the option for Higher candidates and involves performance on two instruments at a minimum of Grade IV standard. This comprises 60% of the final mark. The Listening element comprises the remaining 40% and incorporates a greater number of concepts and different styles of question compared to Standard Grade. There is also a Pass/Fail Composition Unit which must be passed in order to secure the full award. As with Standard Grade, the Performing and Composition deadlines are towards the end of the second term.
S6
The Advanced Higher course is broadly similar in format to Higher with the exception of the Listening Unit. The question paper part of the Unit is augmented by a 1500 word Listening Commentary, based on two works studied in depth by the candidate. As with the Composition Unit, this unit must be passed in order to secure an overall award. The Performing exams at this level occur in May.