Friday 9th January 2026 (101)

Happy New Year!

What a start to term it has been. Heavy snowfall and challenging conditions across the North East have certainly kept everyone on their toes, and we are very grateful for the flexibility, patience and good humour shown by pupils, families and staff alike.

Christmas Music Making

Well done to all of our pupils who were busy making music over the Christmas holidays. A vital part of musical training is taking opportunities beyond the practice room, whether that is performing in concerts, church services, community events, home towns, relatives’ towns, or simply making music with friends. I have been delighted to hear so many positive reports of festive music making. Here are two highlights...

Portsoy

🎶 Congratulations to James and Heather! 🎶

On the final day of term, once lessons had finished, they travelled to Portsoy to perform at the Portsoy Folk Club Concert at the famous Salmon Bothy.

James and Heather have become familiar and much appreciated faces on the Portsoy music scene, having both performed at the annual Haal over the past couple of years. They played superbly to a full and appreciative audience and were warmly received throughout the evening.

A fantastic way to round off the term. Very well done both 🌟👏🎻

Douglas

🎄✨ Another exciting pupil experience this Christmas ✨🎄

Congratulations to Douglas, who was invited to conduct the choir at Bennachie Church for their Carols by Candlelight service on the Sunday before Christmas 🕯️🎶. It was a confident and musical performance, warmly received by both choir and congregation.

Douglas then went on to conduct at Midnight Mass and the Christmas Day service at St Andrew’s Cathedral, rounding off an impressive run of festive performances ⛪🎼👏 Well done, Douglas 🌟

Scottish Young Musicians Junior Category

A reminder that the application deadline for the Scottish Young Musicians Junior Category heats is Saturday 16 January, with the heats themselves taking place on 10 February 2026. Best wishes to all pupils preparing entries.

Entry Form HERE

S5 and S6 Exam Diet

Best wishes to all S5 and S6 pupils as they enter their academic mock examination period next week, which runs for two weeks. We wish you every success!

Snow

Snow always brings significant challenges for the area, Dyce Academy and ACMS. Although we have not always been able to be physically in school, a great deal of work has continued quietly in the background. We are hugely thankful to so many people for their time, effort and goodwill this week. We are all very much looking forward to a return to more settled routines as soon as conditions allow.

Technical Exams

Lower School technical exams take place next week. These annual January assessments provide pupils with the opportunity to demonstrate elements of their daily practice routines. Technical exercises are agreed well in advance between pupil and teacher, and the focus is on showing a thoughtful, practical approach to technical work rather than polished perfection.

Each assessment lasts just under ten minutes and is audio recorded so that pupils and teachers can listen back together in a future lesson. Senior School technical exams will take place on 27 January, following the S5 and S6 mock examination period.

Recital at Noon

ACMS pupils will be performing at the St Andrew’s Cathedral lunchtime recital at 12 noon tomorrow (Saturday). This is a free concert, and family and friends are warmly invited to attend. Given the ongoing weather and travel challenges, the programme will be shaped around pupil availability and those who are able to travel safely.

Service of Epiphany

The Service of Epiphany at St Andrew’s Cathedral is always a particularly beautiful occasion. This service takes place at 6:30 pm on Sunday evening, and family and friends are very welcome to attend. As with other events this weekend, travel conditions mean that not all singers will be able to perform on this occasion.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. Here’s hoping for calmer weather and a smoother run into the term ahead.

Page updated

Report abuse