Friday 30th Jan 2026 (104)

Specialist Weekend

Specialist Weekend 6 begins today and continues on Sunday.

• Friday: 2.45 pm to 5.15 pm

• Sunday: 10.30 am to 5.15 pm

After the snowy first week of term, this is our first main opportunity to work together in depth on our March Concert repertoire. Following an excellent rehearsal on Monday evening, we are all looking forward to some focused and productive work.

The pupils have also requested a dress-up theme for Sunday: “Dress like a teacher.” I am intrigued!

Early Closing on Monday

A quick reminder that, as usual after our Specialist Weekend, we will close at 7.00 pm on Monday evening.

Music History Debate

Many thanks to Mr Maunder for arranging a Music History Debate this week. Pupils heard two contrasting arguments: one proposing that Beethoven was a Classical composer, and the other that he was a Romantic composer.

It was a stimulating exercise in listening, critical thinking and persuasion, with pupils voting at the end after hearing both cases. It was particularly encouraging to see such high levels of engagement throughout. Mr Maunder is now developing this approach further within the ACMS music history curriculum, allowing pupils to select topics and debate them with one another. We are very much looking forward to seeing how this develops.

Jazz at St Machar’s Cathedral

Huge congratulations to our young jazz musicians, who have been putting in a great deal of work in their own time as a jazz quartet.

They were invited to perform at St Machar’s Cathedral to welcome new postgraduate students to the University of Aberdeen, providing a relaxed and stylish backdrop of live jazz. The setting, the atmosphere and the playing all came together beautifully. Well-timed breaks for hot chocolate and marshmallows were an added bonus and very well received.

P7 Auditions

We have now completed our first round of auditions for pupils applying for ACMS entry at S1. It was a pleasure to hear such thoughtful preparation, musical commitment and confident presentation from these young musicians.

We would also like to thank Andrew McIntosh, our external consultant, who joins us for these auditions. We are very grateful to him for travelling up from Gordonstoun and for the rigorous, supportive and compassionate feedback he provides.

Bagpipe Competition

Congratulations to Taylor, Kai and Ruben, who competed in the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band Junior Solo Piping Competition. They had prepared diligently over several weeks, and we are delighted that the experience was such a positive one. Well done to all three.

Senior Technical Assessments

It was a pleasure to listen to our senior pupils present their technical assessment material this week. These assessments offer a valuable window into pupils’ daily practice routines and provide a chance to discuss exam preparation and next steps in detail.

Very well done to all pupils for presenting their work so clearly, and sincere thanks to our tutors for the consistent guidance and support they provide week in, week out.

Performance for Burns Supper

Congratulations to James, who was a great success at the Cruden Bay Golf Club Burns Supper last Friday. A fine setting and a very appreciative audience.

Introduction to Woodwind

Well done to Isabel, Alexis and Athena, who helped introduce the Dyce Academy S1 music classes to the woodwind family of instruments.

They performed short pieces and explained how their instruments work and how sound is produced. It was a valuable experience for the S1 pupils and a pleasure to see their curiosity and engagement. Thank you to Mrs Dawson and Mrs Kirkwood for organising these sessions.

Solo Piano Recital

Very best wishes to Willow, who will be performing a solo jazz piano recital at St Andrew’s Cathedral tomorrow as part of the Recital at Noon series. Do pop along if you are free.

Willow also travelled to the RCS for an induction day this week. Feedback was that the consultation piano lesson was excellent, as were the rehearsals and other induction activities.

An exciting future awaits!

Beach Ballroom

ACMS will again be appearing at the Beach Ballroom on Tuesday 10 March 2026 as part of the Aberdeen City Music Service Spring Concerts. We will be performing an ACMS tutti item on the Tuesday evening concert.

Tickets are now on sale and available via the Music Service Spring Concert booking page.

Garioch Jazz Club

Best wishes to our pupils who are performing this evening at the Garioch Jazz Club in Inverurie.

We also send our warmest good wishes to Mr Birse, who is opening the Garioch Jazz Club 2026 season with a large-scale youth jazz ensemble performance at Hopeville Social Club. Several of our pupils will be involved, and it promises to be an exciting and vibrant evening celebrating young jazz talent.

It is wonderful to see such strong support for live music and youth performance in the local community, and we wish everyone involved a fantastic night.