Music

Music at Dunottar is a vibrant aspect of school life in which any pupil can get involved. There are currently eight different bands, orchestras and choirs throughout the school.

In the Junior School the Junior Choir is open to all girls in Years 4 to 6 and the Training Choir is open to all girls in Years 2 and 3. Both choirs rehearse once a week and perform in local competitions and festivals, as well as singing for fun. The Orchestra meets once a week after school and is open to girls who have been learning an instrument for more than a term. They play at informal concerts and more formal occasions such as the annual Prize Giving. There are also regular weekly string, wind and recorder ensembles.

In the Senior School girls have the opportunity to take part in the following activities: Dunottar Girls Choir: open to all girls in Years 7 – 10. Rehearses twice a week at lunchtime. Open membership, i.e. no audition. Performs both in school concerts and in outside events e.g. festivals, Choral Evensongs.

Chamber Choir: open to all girls in Years 11 to Upper Sixth. Rehearses twice a week at lunchtime. Open membership, i.e. no audition. Performs in school concerts and has a busy programme of outside events e.g. two annual cathedral visits to sing Choral Evensong and participation in several local festivals. In 2008, both choirs will perform the Ripieno Chorus for the Leith Hill Festival’s performance of Bach’s “St Matthew Passion”, under the direction of Brian Kay.

Choral Society: membership is open to all girls, staff, parents and friends. Rehearses once a week on Thursday evening. Open membership, i.e. no audition. Takes part in school events such as the Carol Service and Summer Concert series, but also performs major works independently, the two most recent being Fauré’s requiem and Handel’s Messiah.

Senior Orchestra: open to all girls in Years 7 to Upper Sixth who have achieved a minimum standard of approx. Grade 3 on their instruments. Rehearses once a week after school on Thursdays. Performs at the Carol Service and in the Summer Music series, occasionally in assembly.

Jazz Ensemble: open to all woodwind and brass players in Years 7 to Upper Sixth, with a minimum standard of about Grade 3. Rehearses once a week after school on Tuesdays. Performs in the Summer Concert series and occasionally in assembly.

String Ensemble / Training Ensemble: these two groups provide a graded training programme for our young string players, from beginner on open strings through to approx. Grade 5, preparing them for membership of the Senior Orchestra and Dunottar Chamber Ensemble. They rehearse once a week at lunchtime and contribute to the Summer Concert Series.

Dunottar Chamber Ensemble: open to string and woodwind players of approx. Grade 5 plus standard. Rehearses once a week after school on Fridays. Takes part in music festivals and performs in the Summer Concert series.

Percussion Ensemble: a new group open to all pupils who study percussion at school. Rock Class: a new rock class is running in support of our growing band of rock musicians.