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Dear All,
From the outside, it might look as though we have had a relatively quiet week at ACMS. With the second week of S5 and S6 prelims under way, our senior pupils have understandably been balancing their musical momentum with a strong academic focus elsewhere. It has been a real pleasure speaking with so many pupils about their revision strategies, then catching up with them afterwards to reflect on what they felt went well and what they would like to refine ahead of the formal exams in May. These conversations have been thoughtful, mature and encouraging, and they have also highlighted how the discipline of learning music so often supports and complements wider academic study.
After the disruption of the first week of snow and the cancellation of our initial specialist weekend, we are very much looking forward to the whole school re-engaging next week as we move forward with renewed energy towards our March concert preparations.
Boarding Inspection
Boarding Inspection
As you will be aware, ACMS has recently undergone its boarding inspection. The process began before Christmas, with questionnaires sent to pupils, parents and staff. Due to a combination of factors, including the recent snow, the main on-site element took place last week, with the inspector visiting from Wednesday to Friday. Further follow-up discussions took place earlier in the week, culminating in a detailed feedback meeting with Jackie and me.
The process was thorough and thoughtful, and the feedback meeting was designed to give a clear sense of the overall tone and themes of the final written report, which will be published in due course. While it would be premature to share specific details at this stage, I can say that we found the meeting extremely helpful and were very pleased with the overall outcome. The inspector spoke warmly about many of the positive comments shared by pupils, parents and staff, and we also had constructive discussions about areas for ongoing development.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jackie, our Residence Manager, and her entire team. Their commitment, professionalism and genuine care for our pupils shone through at every stage of the inspection process. Our young people are very well supported, and that sense of security and wellbeing is due in no small part to the dedication of our boarding staff. We are deeply grateful to them all.
7:45s
Our daily 7.45 pm concerts continue to go from strength to strength. Each evening at 6.00 pm assembly, pupils can volunteer to perform a complete piece, an extract, or something still very much a work in progress. The aim is to provide regular, low-pressure performance opportunities and to build confidence through consistency. It has been wonderful to see so many pupils performing regularly, to the extent that we are now often starting these concerts at 7.30 pm or even 7.15 pm to accommodate everyone.
Parents’ Committee Meeting
Thank you to all the parents who attended our recent Parents’ Committee meeting, both online and in person. As always, it was a valuable opportunity to review recent events, look ahead to what is coming up, and share some initial reflections from our boarding inspection.
James – Cruden Bay Golf Club
We wish James the very best of luck this weekend as he heads to Cruden Bay Golf Club to perform for their Burns Night celebrations. We hope it is a wonderful evening.
Kai and Taylor
We are delighted that the bagpiping education project led by our S5 and S6 pipers, Kai and Taylor, has been such a success at Newmachar Primary School. As this first phase comes to a close, they are now preparing to deliver a similar weekly project at Dyce Primary School as part of their leadership studies and personal development. Our thanks go to the many members of staff who have supported this initiative and helped empower our young student tutors. We wish Kai and Taylor every success as the project continues.
Bagpipe Competition
Best of luck to Taylor, Kai and Reuben, who will be competing this weekend in the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band Junior Solo Piping Competition. They have been working hard, and we wish them every success.
Youth Jazz at the Garioch Jazz Club
Our very best wishes go to Mr Birse, who opens the Garioch Jazz Club season next Friday, 30 January, with a large-scale youth jazz ensemble performance. A number of ACMS pupils are keen to be involved, and it promises to be an exciting, youth-led evening celebrating the next generation of jazz musicians. It is always wonderful to see our pupils sharing the stage with experienced professionals in such a vibrant local venue.
Looking ahead
A quick reminder that next weekend is our specialist weekend:
Friday 30/1: 2.45 pm to 5.15 pm
Sunday 1/2: 10.30 am to 5.15 pm
Good luck to Kian Kolazadeh (former ACMS pupil) and Maria López Atanet who will be performing at the St Andrew’s lunchtime recital tomorrow at 12 noon. They will perform Souvenirs, Op. 28 for piano four hands by Samuel Barber.
📍 St Andrew’s Cathedral
🗓️ 24 January 2026
⏰ 12.00 noon
There are also two further performances featuring musicians closely connected with ACMS. Daniel Toderas, an ACMS alumnus who gave a masterclass to our pupils last year, will perform in the Cowdray Hall lunchbreak recital series on Thursday 22 January at 12.45 pm. The Cargill Trio, featuring ACMS tutors Guera Crockett and Alison MacDonald, will appear in the same series on Thursday 29 January at 12.45 pm. Do pop along if you are able.
Cammy Barnes in Aberdeen
Cammy Barnes in Aberdeen
It was lovely to read a recent interview with Cammy Barnes, a former ACMS pupil, reflecting on his time at the school and the role it played in his musical journey. Cammy has gone on to establish himself as a distinctive voice in the Scottish folk-pop scene, known for his thoughtful songwriting, warm stage presence and strong connection to his roots. It is always a pleasure to see former pupils thriving and speaking fondly of their experiences
Thank you, as always, for another great week and for your continued support.
With best wishes,
KK
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