Music

The Music Department in Lochgelly High School is a lively, vibrant hub where people come together to make music, enjoy each other’s company and have fun. As well as courses for pupils from S1-6, there are many extra curricular activities and larger events where pupils are given the opportunity to perform and to be involved in the local community and beyond. These include Christmas concerts, Senior Citizens’ Easter Treat, “LHS Has Talent”, School shows and Cluster Primary Music Theatre Productions. The school is fortunate to have a well established Pipe Band which performs regularly at national and international events. Our latest initiative has been the introduction of a Steel Band. There is something in the Music Department for everyone!

“Music is the great uniter. An incredible force. Something that people who differ on everything and anything else can have in common.”   -  Sarah Dessen, Just listen

Participation in musical activities and study has many benefits:

• It enhances teamwork skills and discipline.
• Pupils learn the value of sustained effort to achieve excellence and the concrete rewards of hard work.
• It provides pupils with a means of self-expression which goes on to raise self-esteem.
• It provides pupils with an awareness of other cultures and teaches them to be empathetic.
• It develops skills that are necessary in the workplace. It focuses on doing, as opposed to observing, and teaches pupils how to perform. Employers are looking for multi-dimensional workers with the sort of flexible and supple intellects that music education helps to create. In the music classroom, pupils also learn to communicate better and to cooperate with one another.

(Adapted from Twelve Benefits of Music Education)

Departmental Aims:

The Music Department in Lochgelly High School offers an extensive range of activities for all pupils to become involved in, both in and outwith the classroom. Pupils in S1-3 experience a broad general music education and develop their skills in drum kit, xylophone, keyboard, and ukulele. Pupils who choose to study music from S3 upwards specialise in two chosen instruments. All pupils are encouraged to become involved in the extra-curricular life of the Music Department.

Music Staff

Miss M. Miller – Principal Teacher  

Mr F. Scattolin   

Instrumental Staff

Ms K. Hartley –  Violin/Viola      

Mr N. Cameron – Double Bass/Bass Guitar

Mrs C. Houston - Woodwind

Mrs A. Dowall - Brass

Mrs N. Morrison - Percussion

Mrs S. Gormley - Piano

Mr S. Anderson - Guitar

Mr T. Brown - Bagpipes

Mr P. Brown – Pipe Drumming

♫♫ Music Courses ♫♫

S1 Course Overview

In S1 pupils have Music for 2 periods a week, on a rota with Art, for half the school year, and experience a broad music education in terms of performance, composition, musical literacy and understanding music/listening. Pupils develop skills on drum kit, xylophone, keyboard, and ukulele and are encouraged to reflect on and evaluate both their own work and that of others.

S2 Course Overview

In S2 pupils have Music for 2 periods a week, on a rota with Art, for half the school year and continue to develop instrumental skills from S1. Pupils experience a variety of topics within S2 including Pop Music and Musical Theatre where pupils further develop their listening, compositional skills and musical literacy. All pupils are also engaged in a music research topic of their choice.

S3 Course Overview

S3 pupils who have chosen to study Music continue with a broad general music education, but benefit from deeper learning in music over 3 periods per week.  At this point pupils specialise in two instruments of their choice, or one instrument and voice. Skills in composing and understanding music continue to be developed. All pupils are also engaged in a music research project within the topics being studied.

Senior Phase Courses Overview (S4, S5 & S6)

National 4 and National 5 Levels

Pupils studying National 4/5 will focus on:

• Performing Skills
• Composing Skills
• Understanding Music

Performing Skills

Pupils are to prepare a programme of music on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The standard of Music required is a minimum of Grade 2 for National 4 and Grade 3 for National 5. The combined performance time of the two instruments is 8 minutes.

Composing Skills

Pupils experience a variety of compositional techniques and will complete exercises in different musical styles, broadening their understanding of composition.

Understanding Music

Pupils will listen and study a broad range of musical styles, cultures and instruments. Pupils will learn to identify required concepts within excerpts of music.

All music concepts can be accessed on:

www.educationscotland.gov.uk/nqmusic/

Homework

Homework will be mostly based on instrumental practice. Where pupils do not have access to an instrument at home, arrangements can be made to borrow an instrument or use the classrooms/practice rooms at lunch-time/after school. Musical literacy exercises, concepts and individual compositional tasks will be given depending on pupil progress.

Higher Music                                        

Pupils studying Higher Music will focus on:                

• Performing Skills
• Composing Skills
• Understanding Music

Performing Skills

Pupils are to prepare a programme of music on two instruments or one instrument and voice. The standard of Music required is a minimum of Grade 4. The combined performance time of the two instruments is 12 minutes.

Composing Skills

Pupils experience a variety of compositional techniques incorporating Higher Level concepts and will complete exercises in different musical styles, broadening their understanding of composition.

Understanding Music

Pupils will build on previous knowledge of musical literacy and listening concepts and study a wider variety of musical periods and styles.

Homework

Pupils will be expected to practise regularly on their instruments and meet deadlines given in class. Regular revision of listening concepts is highly advised and interim composition targets may require homework to ensure completion.

The following websites are recommended for this:

www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learnlisteningonline/

Advanced Higher Music  

(This will be superseded by the New Advanced Higher Music course in 2015/16)

Pupils studying Advanced Higher Music will focus on:

•      Performing Skills
•      Analytical Commentary
•      Composing Skills
•      Listening Skills

Performing Skills

Instrument 1

Pupils will continue to progress with an instrument at a minimum level of grade 5 and perform a 15 minute programme to a visiting examiner.

Instrument 2

Pupils progress with a second instrument at a minimum level of grade 5 and perform a 10 minute programme to a visiting examiner.

Analytical Commentary

An analysis of two contrasting works is required in the form of a 2000 word dissertation. Pupils will be given guidance in this area but are expected to do a lot of research and listening outwith class to support this.

Composing Skills

Pupils will work on compiling a folio consisting of two contrasting compositions demonstrating excellent prior knowledge of part writing and musical styles.

Listening Skills

Pupils will revise previous knowledge of listening concepts and focus more on the analysis and literacy of Music.

Homework

Pupils will be expected to practise regularly on their instruments and meet deadlines given in class. Regular revision of listening concepts is highly advised and interim composition targets may require homework to ensure completion. The analytical commentary will be the focus of most of the homework at the start of the course.

The following websites are recommended for this:

www.educationscotland.gov.uk/learnlisteningonline/

www.musiclisteningrevision.co.uk/

Music Study Support is regularly offered at  lunchtime and after school until 4:30pm. All S4-6 candidates are expected to attend to maximise their potential.

Instrumental Lessons

Pupils receiving instrumental lessons Fife Council attend a weekly lesson with a specialist instrumental teacher. Music lessons take place during the school day for a period and work on a rotational basis to minimise class disruption. Music lessons rotas are displayed in the Music Department.

Wider Achievement Electives

Steel Band   

Come along and learn to play our new set of steel pans. The steel pan is a perfect instrument, as the basic skills are easy to learn and playing the instrument does not require any previous musical experience. This performance based activity is a great way to learn about group music making through actually playing steel pans together. You will have the opportunity to play a variety of styles including Calypso, Reggae, Pop and Classics. 

LHS Rock Choir

The Rock Choir will offer you a music “time out” in a fun and lively atmosphere. Even if you have not sung in a group before you can do so in Rock Choir. Taking part you will develop self confidence, new skills and enjoy fun upbeat music. There is a huge sensation of feeling part of a group and you will experience a real sense of achievement after performing in front of an audience.

Extra Curricular Music Activities

There are a number of exciting musical groups rehearsing throughout the week.

Pupils can be part of:               

• Wind Band
• Pipe Band
• Steel Band
• Scots Fiddle Group
• Brass Ensemble
• Woodwind Ensemble
• Junior Choir

Ah, music,” he said, wiping is eyes. A magic beyond all we do here! 

- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Philosopher Stone