Music

The Music Department

In January 2021, we opened our £4.5 million Castle Performing Arts Centre. This state-of-the-art facility comprises:

a 500-seat theatre equipped with all the latest lighting and acoustic technology
a large drama studio
two purpose-built music classrooms benefitting from Apple iMacs, Yamaha keyboards, and software including Sibelius and GarageBand
five bespoke practice rooms.

This fantastic facility provides a unique performance space to motivate and inspire our young musicians.

Clubs

With a choir, Training Orchestra, Chamber Ensemble, music improvisation club, busking club, ukulele club and more, Dunottar pupils have many opportunities to sing and play together. There is rarely a time when music is not filling the halls of our Castle Building.

Performance Opportunities

Pupils regularly perform to appreciative audiences, whether in our frequent concerts in the Castle Theatre, our termly Live Lounge events, our informal lunchtime concerts, or the annual whole-school musical. Click here to hear some of our recent performances.

Dunottar Chamber Ensemble

Our flagship orchestra, the Dunottar Chamber Ensemble, brings together young musicians from several schools in the local area. The Chamber Ensemble is a friendly and energetic orchestra which offers the opportunity to learn and perform challenging and inspirational repertoire. Experienced players might even be offered the chance to perform a concerto with the orchestra. Rehearsals take place on Wednesdays, from 4.15-5.45pm, and include a cake break with a delivery from the fabulous Chalk Hills Bakery.

If your child would like to apply to join the Chamber Ensemble, please email info@dunottarschool.com. There is no lower age limit, though we recommend that players are working at Grade 4 standard or higher. External members pay a small membership fee each term.

Instrument and Voice Lessons

A significant number of pupils elect to learn a musical instrument in school, through individual instrumental lessons taught by specialist teachers. Instrumental lessons for students in Years 7-9 are taught on a rotating timetable, to minimise disruption to academic teaching. In Year 10 and above, we attempt to schedule lessons outside the main school timetable wherever possible.

Tuition is available in the following specialities: