Music
Music Provision
Music teaching falls into three distinct categories in Hamilton College.
- Classroom Music
- Instrumental Tuition
- Extra-Curricular
Classroom Music
This is taught to every Junior School class and to every S1 and S2 class by the school’s Music Department. In J1-7 lessons are around 40 minutes in length and are given once a week. In S1 and S2 lessons are 80 minutes per week. Thereafter Music is taught to those pupils who elect to study it at certificate level and they receive between 2 hours 40 minutes and 4hrs 40 minutes per week. Lessons are stimulating and lively and include a balance of performing, listening and inventing. Where possible, pupils are also given access to technology. In J5 – J6 a Descant Recorder is required for all pupils for music lessons as advised.
Instrumental Tuition
This is generally available to pupils from J4 upwards. Pupils can receive an individual instrumental lesson in a variety of possible disciplines. Lessons are 30 minutes in length and are given during the school day with pupils being extracted from classes to attend the lesson. Currently we give somewhere in the region of 150 lessons per week across the school with pupils paying £11.50 per lesson at the moment. Please contact the School to register an interest in having lessons.
Your details will be taken and we will deal with request when the term commences.
Extra Curricular
The Music Department is heavily involved in extra-curricular activities.
The Junior School are involved in:
| Training Orchestra | Thursday | 4pm till 5pm |
| Junior Strings | Thursday | 1pm till 1.30pm |
| Choirs | As organised |
The Senior School are involved in:
| School Orchestra | Wednesday | 4pm till 5.15pm |
| Senior Strings | Wednesday | 1pm till 1.40pm |
| Clarinet Ensemble | As organised | |
| Saxophone Ensemble | As organised |
School Concerts
During the school year we produce two concerts. The first is at the end of the Autumn Term (Christmas) which consists of the Infant Department producing their Nativity followed by the remainder of the Junior School providing their play about Christmas. The Senior School Orchestra plays throughout this event. The second is at the end of the Summer Term which involves a variety of different performers.
School Show
Every two years we produce a School Show/Musical which involves mainly Senior Pupils but does also involve Junior pupils via Junior Singers/Orchestra.
Examinations
We regularly enter instrumental students for Associated Board grading exams in March of each year, and regularly participate in the Glasgow Music Festival.
Other Performances
Throughout the year there is ample opportunity for pupils to perform in other informal settings such as Daffodil Teas, School Fete, Christmas Carolling and visiting Residential Centres.
Staff
| Mr D Henderson | Director of Music |
| Mrs D Kirkpatrick | Class Teacher |
| Mr R Paterson | Class Teacher (part time) |
| Mr P Nell | Keyboard |
| Mr R Baxter | Brass (Trumpet/Horn/Trombone/Tuba) |
| Miss K Punter | Flute |
| Miss N Leslie | Clarinet |
| Mr A Bacchetti | Saxophone |
| Miss K Bailie | Violin/Viola |
| Miss H McVey | Cello |
| Mr R Purse | Percussion |
| Miss L Caldwell | Voice |
The Music department is located at the North end of the 3rd Floor (C Floor). It comprises 2 large classrooms, a suite of practice rooms, a resource room and a staff base. There is also a IT facility which can be utilised by the department.