Archive

Prep Schools Strings Day

In March, Kilgraston hosted the annual Kilgraston Prep Schools’ Strings Day. Schools from around Perthshire including Craigclowan , Ardvreck and Strathallan schools all sent violin and cello players to join our own string players and there were over thirty pupils attending on the day.

There was an extra element of fun this year as it coincided with World Book Day, so some pupils chose to attend the day in their costumes – which ranged from an Osprey to a Cheshire cat, and even the Queen of Hearts. The day began with everyone together for some fun warmups before the pupils went off to various locations around the school to rehearse in preparation for the concert. The visitors had lunch with the Kilgraston pupils and during break times took the opportunity to play and explore outside.

The main business of the day was to prepare two pieces for the afternoon concert: an exciting arrangement of Drunken Sailor and Easy Kanon (based on Pachelbel’s Canon). The pupils all worked hard on the pieces during the day with the help of Kilgraston teachers and the visiting string teachers. They performed with great enthusiasm and success in the afternoon concert in front of an audience of parents from all schools who were involved on the day.

Mrs Campbell, Woodwind Teacher and Kilgraston Music Administrator.

Perform in Perth 2023 results

Perform in Perth, the annual festival of music, speech and dance, has taken place at venues around Perthshire. Each year around 2,800 performers take part in the two week festival which runs in March with Kilgraston having a strong presence in a number of classes.

The Junior Years’ pupils worked hard, with some rehearsing with their teachers since Christmas and the effort and dedication have paid off with armfuls of merits, trophies and medals being won. In the first week, our Junior Years participants were excited to take part in the speech classes. Pupils took part in poetry and Bible reading classes last week. They spoke eloquently and added expression, tone and facial expressions when reciting poems. We celebrated great success. Frieda came first with her extremely expressive rendition of ‘Grudges’ by Judith Nicoll, with Ceola in second and Beatrix and Lucy in joint third.

William also came first in his poetry class, followed closely by Stella in second place and Tallulah and Gigi in joint third. In Bible reading, we celebrated further success with Lochie in second place and Minnie in third in the 9-10 year old category.

The younger pupils also read beautifully with Sabria first and Ceola and Luciana joint second. In our final class of the day, Heidi came first with her fantastic performance of ‘Watch Your French’ by Kit Wright with Charlie coming in a close second.

Then it was the turn of the Junior Years choirs. The Junior School Choir, who performed ‘A Whole New World’ and ‘The Bare Necessities’, were First Class winners and won the Perthshire Church Choir Union Shield. The Early Years Choir received a Merit Award for their beautiful versions of ‘Spring Song’ and ‘Flat As A Pancake’.

Across both Senior and Junior Schools a number of individual pupils along with the Ceilidh Band enjoyed success in classes ranging from Gaelic and Scots songs, musical theatre and opera to instruments including violin, viola and recorder.

Upper Four’s Erin won two classes (unaccompanied folk song and accompanied lullaby) and came second in the Disney songbook class. She was also awarded a silver medal for the folk song class. A special mention also to Lower Third’s Florence and Georgiana who won their duo recorder class at Perform in Perth on Monday, and have been practising with Mrs Stewart since the beginning of the year.

A huge well done to everyone who took part. Here are all our results below.

Mr Murch is retiring

The end of this term sees the popular teacher, Mr Murch, retire. Kilgraston’s Director of Music, Mr Morley writes about his huge contribution and influence at Kilgraston:

Gordon Murch who leaves us this week may have only spent a relatively short five years at Kilgraston but it would be fair to say in that time he has made a huge impression on all those he has taught as well as on his colleagues. Having spent a long and successful career as a Head of Music in Aberfeldy, Mr Murch might have been expected to take his foot off the pedal and enjoy a more relaxed few years at Kilgraston. But he has thrown himself fully and enthusiastically into life at Kilgraston from teaching music in the junior school to the ceilidh band, teaching percussion as well as providing piano accompaniments for exams, assemblies and most recently in the Junior School production of Matilda. Aside from all this however what stands out is the warmth with which everyone who has contact with him speaks about him.

I have only known Mr Murch for a relatively short time but have come to appreciate his support, advice and experience within the Music Department and I know this is shared by all his colleagues in the school. What stands out even more though is how his pupils speak about him and some of them have been in touch and I can think of no better way to pay tribute to Mr Murch than by quoting what some of them have said.
“Mr Murch is such a sweet man and we used to exchange our favourite old music together, he introduced me to a lot of songs that I still listen to now! I’m so sad he’s leaving.”
“Mr Murch is inspirational, supportive and a perfectionist, and I am grateful to him for this. He will spend time with each individual pupil to make sure their piece reaches its full potential along with the student.”
“Mr Murch is the person who helped me overcome my nerves before performing and I will always remember and live by his words of “just enjoy the music”. He is one of the most genuine, kind, and patient teachers I have ever had the pleasure of being taught by.”

Thank you Mr Murch, we wish you all the best and stay in touch!

Music at Kilgraston - find out more

Music is an intrinsic part of life at Kilgraston with the Music Department offering a wide array of activities with individual instrumental lessons, choirs and instrumental groups as well as class teaching from Reception through to Upper Sixth.

All pupils in the junior school and in Lower and Upper Four receive specialist music lessons as part of their curriculum. In the Junior School pupils are taught the basics of music through the Kodaly method of teaching which focuses on learning through singing games and the basics of music notation. They are also introduced to a range of instruments in class which from next session will include experiences in strings, woodwind and brass instruments delivered by our instrumental teachers. This carries on into the senior school where pupils in Lower 4th and Upper Four specialise in two instruments as well as studying topics in a wide range of musical genres. Music is then offered as an exam subject at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher levels and includes the three elements of performing, listening and composition which as well as preparing pupils for further study and careers in music also offer a range of transferrable skills.

Instrumental lessons are provided in the school by 15 visiting instrumental teachers in instruments ranging from bagpipes, pipe band drumming and clarsach through to guitar, drumkit, piano, voice and a range of string, brass and woodwind instruments. Over 90 pupils currently receive instrumental or vocal lessons with many pupils receiving lessons on a second instrument as well.

Supporting the learning undertaken in class and in instrumental lessons, we are fortunate to offer a wide range of music groups within the co-curricular programme with regular performance opportunities in concerts and other events throughout the year. There are groups to suit all interests from choirs and orchestras in both the senior and junior choirs to smaller groups such as the pipe band and clarsach group as well as opportunities for pupils to form groups such as jazz and rock bands. The highlight of the musical year is the annual Christmas Concert in the Perth Concert Hall which involves every pupil in the school with other highlights including regular lunchtime concerts, the annual Spring Concert and the Kilgraston Young Musician and Perform in Perth competitions.

In the past year the department has seen so many achievements for both individuals and groups. Coming out of two lockdowns where performance was so restricted, with audiences not allowed, it is testament to the pupils and staff that live music has made a return to life at Kilgraston. However this success is tinged with sadness as this summer we say farewell to music teacher and percussion instructor Mr Gordon Murch after many years at Kilgraston. The music department has benefited so much from Mr Murch’s wide experience in this time, but more importantly his warmth of character and the absolute joy he brings to all the pupils he works with in school from the very youngest reception children through to the most experienced musicians in the senior school. He will be greatly missed by all his pupils and colleagues but we know he will continue to enjoy music making in his retirement and we look forward to welcoming him back soon to Kilgraston.

May the Fourth be with you

Kilgraston pipers celebrated International Star Wars Day, May the Fourth, in style this year. Isobel, Libby and Rhona along with piping instructor, Mr Sinclair, performed the theme tune to the best-selling film franchise on our front lawn.

Kilgraston has a thirving and diverse music department, find out more here.

Kilgraston’s Young Musician of the Year 2022

Kilgraston’s Young Musician of the Year has burst back into our calendar this year with an enraptured audience soaking up the many talents of the finalists.

From the tinkering of film scores like ‘Amelie’ and ‘Les Miserables’ to instrumental pieces such as Street Tango by Astor Piazzolla, there was a wide range of genres and instruments on display. Over 60 talented musicians from up and down the school had entered into the initial competition before the 20 finalists were selected. Kilgraston welcomed Dollar Academy’s Director of Music, Mrs Karol Fitzpatrick as the independent adjudicator to the event, which took place in March 2022. Mrs Fitzpatrick commended the pupils, thanking them for their performances before giving a detailed adjudication, full of positive comments and feedback for the performers.

The overall winners were Upper Third’s Caitlin, Junior School Young Musician of the Year, and Lower Sixth’s Manon, who won Young Musician of the Year, Senior School.

Mr Andrew Morley, Kilgraston’s Director of Music, said: “Kilgraston has a strong musical tradition with a superb quality of musicianship across a wide range of instruments and genres. It is something we are incredibly proud of and this year’s Young Musician Of The Year showcases the incredible talents of our pupils. Well done to everyone who took part and thank you to our adjudicator Mrs Fitzpatrick who had some difficult decisions to make so well done to Manon and Caitlin, this year’s Young Musicians of the Year in our Senior and Junior School categories and to all our category winners and runners up.”

You can watch the competition below.

Beginner Class

Runner Up - Elsie – Piano (Lower Third)

Winner - Eliza – Flute (Lower Second)

Junior Singing Class

Runner Up - Sophie (Lower Third)

Winner- Caitlin (Upper Third)

Junior Piano Class

Winner - Darcy (Lower Third)

Junior Instrumental Class

Winner - Sofia – Violin (Lower Second)

Overall Junior Winner – Caitlin (Upper Third)

Intermediate Piano Class

Runner Up - Olivia (Lower Four)

Winner - Liliya (Lower Sixth)

Intermediate Instrumental Class

Runner Up - Francesca - Flute (Lower Fifth)

Winner - Jenny - Violin (Upper Four)

Intermediate Singing Class

Runner Up - Erin (Upper Fifth)

Winner - Chloe (Lower Four)

Advanced Piano Class

Runner Up - Pak Wai (Upper Fifth)

Winner - Emma (Lower Fifth)

Advanced Singing Class

Runner Up - Maia (Lower Fifth)

Runner Up - Laura (Upper Fifth)

Winner - Hannah-Rose (Upper Sixth)

Advanced Instrumental Class

Runner Up - Janna (Upper Fifth) – Violin

Runner Up – Isabel (Upper Sixth) – Cello

Winner - Manon (Lower Sixth) - Violin

Overall Senior Winner and Kilgraston Young Musician 2022 - Manon (Lower Sixth)

Kilgraston Christmas showcase review

History will dictate that Christmas 2021 was a moment when separation, social distancing and the side-stepping of airport terminals was de rigour.

Global constraints included Austria in full lockdown - Germany following suit - Italy introducing a ‘super green pass’ and England not quite sure what it thought about the wearing of facemasks.

The very notion of zipping around the world for a spot of cultural interaction was the preserve of that rosy-cheeked chap, sporting red suit, beard and a vaccine passport recognised by every authority.

All this changed with curtain-up at Kilgraston School’s multi-cultural musical medley, ‘Christmas Around the World’.

Hosted by Perth’s magnificent Concert Hall, the entire school – from five-year-olds with vocal ranges rising and falling like those of their hem lengths – to accomplished senior pupils demonstrating orchestral prowess, took audience members on a whirl-wind tour across international time zones.

Scandinavia became our journey’s departure lounge, 16^th Century ‘Gaudete’ heralding a spookily cool blue backdrop, quickly morphing to the warm glow of a Swedish summer sunset.

France was the next in-flight snack, a cheeky little ‘Noel Nouvelet’ delivered by cheeky little Junior Years’ pupils, beaming and blushing to the able direction of Director of Music, Andrew Morley.

Gathering altitude, we were off to Wales, native speakers reminding viewers the country was “very good at rugby, but even better at singing!”. Clarsach and violin tinkled like cats’ paws on Cardiff Bay, the hauntingly beautiful ‘When Christ was born of Mary free’ bringing a tingle to every spine.

Soaring above borders, next stop Austria, restrictions an unpleasant memory: “Here we are in Vienna,” trilled a native speaker, “the capital of classical music.” How lovely, there we all were, strolling aside the Danube, Kilgraston’s Junior Choir’s ‘Still, still, still’ ebbing and flowing like the great river itself.

Bang!

A bit of in-flight turbulence as we approached the States. Wind Band, full orchestra and all three choirs upped the ante with an ear-popping Christmas Medley of everyone’s favourites: “Happy holidays,” beamed a native New Yorker, “It’s time for eggnog!”

Sadly, air stewards refrained from serving alcoholic libation to the stalls, but, after a swift spot of in-flight refuelling, time to buckle-up for the rest of the ride, Caribbean beaches our next destination.

The Dominican Republic - land of festive “suckling pigs and fireworks” according to our captain - was brought to the banks of the Tay by a finger-clicking, foot-tapping Chamber Choir, knocking-out upbeat ‘Cantemos a Maria’ as if maracas were mandatory in Perthshire.

Breaking sound barriers, the same pupils demonstrated all the agility of an F-16 fighter, jetting seamlessly over the Italian Alps with ‘Hodie Christus Natus Est’, both A cappella and in native Latin.

Nosecone over the Balearics, the Instrumental Ensemble was deftly guided through Spain’s traditional carol, ‘Campana Sobre Campana,’ guitar strings plucked.

Swooping over rural England, the Senior Choir ‘Watched their Flocks by Night’ - the song-flight nearing its terminus - circling over France, where pupil soloist Hannah-Rose lit-up the skies with her spiritual ‘Oh Holy Night.’

It certainly was.

Having landed safely, caution was promptly thrown to the tail-wind with a bracing rendition of legendary Live Aid’s, ‘Do they know it’s Christmas?’

Answer? Yes, they most certainly did!

Readings, in a multitude of languages, delivered with the crisp pronunciation of a British Airways pilot: full-throttle audience participation of traditional favourites, all made for a First-Class ride.

Throughout the world, many will wonder if it is indeed the season to be jolly.

But for a few short hours, at least, Christmas Around the World - Kilgraston style - was very definitely the destination of choice.

5.12.21

St Cecilia’s Concert 2021

Kilgraston’s St Cecilia’s Concert 2021 took place this week with musicians from a variety of different year groups taking part.

This event is a Kilgraston tradition, as we celebrate St. Cecilia, the patron of music and musicians. It takes place on November 22, and this year, as with the concert in 2021, we recorded the concert so that we can all still enjoying the outstanding talents of Kilgraston pupils.

So, welcome to the St. Cecilia’s Concert, we hope you enjoy it:

Kilgraston’s musical talents at Perth Festival Of The Arts

Strings and singing are just some of the outstanding musical talents of Kilgraston pupils on display at this year’s Schools Lunchtime Concert Series.

It is part of Perth Festival of the Arts and the hugely popular Schools Lunchtime Concert Series usually takes place in Perth’s historic St John’s Kirk. This year however with COVID restrictions organisers moved this event to an online performance.

So you can now enjoy this fabulous concert from wherever you are in the world. We very much look forward to enjoying this event in person again in 2022.

Find out more about music at Kilgraston here and you can also watch this year’s Young Musician Of The Year competition.

Kilgraston Junior School Young Musician Of The Year 2021

Kilgraston’s Young Musician Of The Year 2021 Competition has been underway over the past few weeks.

This year, pupils are sending in their entries via video with the Junior School competition now judged and we are delighted to announce that Upper Third’s Lucy Moran is this year’s Junior Young Musician Of The Year. Congratulations Lucy and to everyone who entered. Results are below.

Junior Years: Junior Open Class (Grade 3 or above)

1st Place: Lucy, U3, Flute I Got Rhythm, Gershwin

Highly Commended: Chloe, U3, Voice Can We Sew Cushions, Burns

Junior Years: Grade 2 Class

1st Place: Heidi U3, Piano Gigue a l’Angloise, Telemann

Junior Years: Beginner/Grade 1 Class

1st Place: Sally L3, Clarinet Blue Monday, Rae

2nd Place: Sophie, U2, Piano One and a Half Minute Waltz, Duro

3rd Place: Georgiana, L2, Piano The Detective, Wedgwood

Highly Commended: Eliza, U1, Flute Springtime, Pollock

You can watch Lucy’s winning performance below and the results of our Senior School competition will be announced after the Easter holidays.