Braemar Day

What a wonderful day in Braemar ✨🎄

A huge thank you to the lovely folk of Braemar for looking after us so beautifully. ACMS were delighted to perform three sets of Christmas music, mixing traditional favourites with a splash of jazz 🎶🎷

After arriving early for rehearsal, we enjoyed time in the town centre, bringing back fond memories of last year’s tour. We were warmly welcomed at the Fife Arms Hotel and very happily fuelled with tea and cake at the Highland Games Centre ☕🍰

A truly special day, and a pleasure to continue strengthening the close relationship between Braemar and ACMS. We hope to be back again very soon 💙

Christmas Dinner

Christmas dinner has traditionally taken place in Boarding, but this year we tried something new and held it in the Dyce Academy dining room.

A huge thank you to Jackie Edwards and her team, who planned this event over many months and brought enormous care, creativity, and enthusiasm to the occasion. The dining hall was transformed with beautiful decorations, festive tables, and photo props that allowed pupils to enjoy some light-hearted fun together.

Thank you also to Karin, who looks after our catering so wonderfully every day and took on the additional challenge of preparing our Christmas dinner, which was delicious.

Our S5 and S6 pupils served the meal, and it was lovely to see them helping create such a special experience for younger pupils. We even finished the evening with a festive singalong of The Twelve Days of Christmas.

Thank you to everyone involved for making it such a special occasion.

Piano Service

It has been an exciting moment for our pianists, as our Steinway grand piano in the Pianists’ Studio has had a service.

Our piano tuner and technician, Patrick, spent two days carefully dismantling and rebuilding the instrument, focusing on two key areas:

 • Key bedding, ensuring the keys rest on a solid and even foundation

 • Hammer voicing, reshaping the felt to remove flat points and refine the contact surface

I am also very grateful to Patrick for taking time out of his busy schedule to run an informal forum and Q&A session for our pupils. Last Friday, pupils gathered around the piano to watch him at work, hear detailed explanations, and ask thoughtful questions.

It was a rare and fascinating opportunity to learn about the inner workings of the piano from an expert. Thank you, Patrick.

Portsoy

All the very best of luck to Heather and James, who travel to Portsoy this evening to take part in their Christmas music celebrations. Both have developed a close and meaningful relationship with the Portsoy music community, having performed at their annual Haal. It is wonderful to see this long-standing connection continue, both for them and for the school. Long may it continue.

Secret Santa

One of the much loved ACMS end of term traditions is our pupil led Secret Santa, and this year’s event was an exciting highlight. Huge thanks and congratulations go to Petra, Annorah, and Olivia for organising such a joyful and well run occasion for our pupils. Father Christmas himself even made a surprise appearance, accompanied by one of his elves, to distribute the presents ahead of our final performance of the term. A thoroughly festive and memorable event.

Boarding Decorations

The Christmas decorations in Boarding have had a wonderful upgrade. Thank you to the staff for encouraging pupils to take such pride in decorating their home from home.

Cake Competition

Judging for the traditional Boarding cake competition took place this week, and the standard was impressively high. Many congratulations to Freyja in S4, who took first prize, with Eddie named as runner up. Thank you to all the Boarding staff for supporting the event and encouraging our bakers, and well done to everyone who took part.

Jackie and the Boarding Team

This feels like a good moment to thank Jackie and her Boarding team for the exceptional care, time, and energy they give to our boarders.

Some pupils have been boarding for many years, while others have boarded for only a few months, sometimes far from home. Each pupil is supported as an individual, working closely with families and responding carefully to their needs. Jackie and her team work tirelessly to ensure that pupils feel safe, settled, and cared for, allowing them to focus fully on their musical, academic, and social development.

Thank you to Jackie and the team for everything you do to make boarding life at ACMS so special.

Elaine and Annette

I would also like to take a moment to thank Ms Donati and Mrs Smith.

The way ACMS operates means that support for pupils extends well beyond the understanding of traditional working hours and days. Evenings, weekends, and holidays often involve unseen work that keeps everything running smoothly. Ms Donati and Mrs Smith consistently give their time, focus, and energy to ensure that pupils have what they need and that experiences are memorable and meaningful.

Their contribution always goes far beyond expectations, and much of the school’s success is built on their commitment, professionalism, and care for our young people.

Tutors

I would like to thank our tutors, whose work is often unseen but absolutely vital.

They are all highly trained, experienced musicians, and their focus is always on equipping pupils with the skills, confidence, and independence needed for concerts, auditions, and competitions. The technical, musical, and pastoral support that happens behind the scenes plays a huge role in pupils’ success.

Thank you to our tutors for the dedication and care you show your pupils every day.

To Everyone at Dyce Academy

A big thank you to Katie Arthur, Head of Dyce Academy, and to all of her staff, who on a daily basis go out of their way to support ACMS and our pupils. Their encouragement and practical help make a huge difference, enabling young people to achieve not only their academic goals, but their musical goals too. We are hugely grateful to Miss Athur and to the positive 'can do' culture within Dyce Academy that allows the Music School to thrive.

To Parents and Pupils

Specialist music education is a demanding and unusual pathway. It requires daily commitment, technical discipline, musical curiosity, academic focus, and a willingness to collaborate as well as perform.

Some days feel energising and rewarding, while others require significant resilience. On those more demanding days, habits of practice, self-discipline, and long-term perspective matter most. Parents play a crucial role in supporting this journey, both practically and emotionally.

To our pupils, keep believing in what you are working towards. To our parents, thank you for your trust in ACMS, your patience when challenges arise, and your enthusiasm for everything we do.