Friday 5th December 2025 (98)

Busy Week Next Week

Next week brings another burst of activity. Monday to Wednesday we will operate as normal until the end of dinner. After that we will head to the Beach Ballroom for a rehearsal on Monday, followed by performances on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

These Beach Ballroom concerts are being hosted by the Music Service. We will present a solo set of our own before joining the rest of the Music Service for a final performance of Auld Lang Syne, arranged by Alan Haggart.

Early Closing on Thursday

A reminder that ACMS will close at 5 pm on Thursday 11th December. With multiple Christmas events taking place at Dyce Academy, and after a week involving rehearsals and three Beach Ballroom events, this earlier finish offers our pupils a much needed chance to recharge. Dinner will still be available for boarders and for any pupils involved in the Dyce Academy Christmas concert.

Cowdray Hall

There is always at least one surprise in any ACMS week, and this time it came in the form of a last minute call from the Cowdray Hall. With artists unable to perform, ACMS stepped in for Thursday’s lunchtime concert. Our pupils prepared an exciting programme at short notice and delivered it with great poise to a near-full hall of seasoned audience members.

Many thanks to Miss Donati and Mrs Smith for leading the trip and to Mrs Kyle for accompanying.

S4 Estimates

A huge well done to our S4 pupils who have reached the end of their mock exam period. It has been a demanding fortnight but one that offers valuable preparation for the public exams ahead. The experience also helps develop the organisational and time management skills needed to thrive in senior school and beyond.

Pipers

Each year brings new initiatives and ideas to ACMS, and this is a lovely moment to shine a light on Kai and Taylor. They are both taking part in a leadership initiative that involves teaching chanter skills to pupils at Newmachar Primary School.

Every week they visit Newmachar Primary with a member of staff to deliver a session to their P6 pupils. Once this block is complete, they will then continue their work at Dyce Primary. Staff have spoken warmly of the boys’ enthusiasm, communication and professionalism, and it is wonderful to see them gaining confidence and fulfilment through these early teaching experiences. It is also a valuable project for the wider community. 

A big thanks to Ms McCaw, Mrs Kirkwood, and all the other members of staff involved for organising and running this initiative.

Scottish Opera

Scottish Opera continues to offer our singers extraordinary opportunities to learn, explore and grow. Our pupils have been working in the Opera Company’s rehearsal spaces with their professional staff, cast and crew, gaining insight into set construction, costume design and the many technical skills that bring a production to life. They have also benefited from coaching sessions with leading specialists in the opera world.

A highlight of the recent workshop was an interview and Q&A with Elizabeth McCormack from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, who spoke about her career and offered thoughtful and inspiring advice. The day ended with rehearsals for the large-scale opera excerpts that our singers will perform later in the year, and early signs suggest it will be a thrilling performance.

We are enormously grateful to Scottish Opera for the welcome they extend to our pupils and for providing such enriching learning experiences.

Theory

Congratulations to Heather, who has become the newest member of the illustrious and rather catchily titled 'Grade 5 Theory Specimen Paper 100% Club'. Although this is a bit of ACMS fun, it reminds us how seriously we take theory teaching across all levels. A shaky understanding early on becomes a bigger hurdle later, so we focus on ensuring that pupils have a deep and secure grasp of every topic.

Huge thanks to Mr Stewart, whose expert guidance helps our pupils develop not only technical understanding but real confidence in how to study, question, confirm and reconfirm, and make sense of theory. We now have a strong group preparing for Grade 6 and beyond, and it is lovely to see their earlier hard work allowing them to move with confidence through the more demanding syllabus ahead.

Aberdeen City Orchestra Youth Ensemble

Very best of luck to Douglas, Freyja, Isabelle, Alaina and Sophia, for their performance tonight.

📅 Friday 5th December

⏰ 7 pm

📍 Fountain Hall Church at the Stocket

The programme includes:

Mozart - Symphony No. 40

 Fanny Mendelssohn - Overture in C major

A fantastic evening awaits... perfect for both orchestral enthusiasts and newcomers alike.