Participation in musical activities has been proven to significantly develop children’s social, cognitive and motor skills as well as foster greater teamwork. The benefits are extensive and the Music Department in Kilgraston offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities for students of all ages.

The ability to perform in front of an audience is a difficult skill to master and regular rehearsals and performances improve confidence and self-esteem, helping pupils to develop a variety of skills that no classroom can teach. The experience of performing on stage can equip students with skills that will benefit them for many years in the future and at Kilgraston there are many opportunities to do so from our Christmas Carol Concert held in Perth Concert Hall to our end of year musical productions.

The Music Department is headed up by Andrew McGarva, Director of Music. Andrew is a graduate of the RSAMD where he studied Violin Performance with Warren Jacobs. He later completed his Postgraduate Certificate of Education and became Director of Music at Wellington School in Ayr where he stayed for 10 years before moving to be Head of Music at the British School in Tokyo. He returned to Scotland in 2009 to take up his post here at Kilgraston. Andrew has travelled the world through his music, conducting the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra and Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and performing as a soloist and with many different and varied ensembles.