Pupils who take National Qualification courses are offered the opportunity to receive weekly individual or small group lessons from an instrumental specialist. East Dunbartonshire Council Instrumental Services provide specialist teachers in Strings, Brass, Woodwind, Percussion and Guitar.

Bishopbriggs Academy school orchestra gives pupils the opportunity to play as part of a large group and encourages pupils to put their knowledge into practice outside of the classroom. The orchestra perform at various events throughout the year ranging from school concerts to events in the community. Pupils learning string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments are invited to take part, expand their understanding and discover the joy of music making.

The Windband gives students the opportunity to get involved in playing music as part of a large group. The group play contemporary pieces and are involved in high profile performances such as Christmas at George Square. It is great fun and the sound that you can be part of is truly brilliant.

Bishopbriggs Academy school choir sings a wide variety of music from ‘classical’ to musicals. Pupils have the opportunity to develop aural skills and their ability to read music. As well as performing to a high standard and having lots of fun, pupils are encouraged to develop their understanding of their class work through performance. The choir perform at school events and will be performing out with the school in the coming months.

The Junior Choir is aimed at younger voices within the school. Music repertoire consists of a range of Scottish Songs, Disney and Film music. This is a new choir and as their voices develop and as they get older they can continue their singing in the Senior Choir. The Junior Choir have already performed ‘Imagine’ as part of ‘Peace One Day’ with the Ukulele Orchestra which some junior choir members are also a part of! What a talented bunch!

Bishopbriggs Academy Chamber Choir is open to all pupils studying voice as part of their National Qualifications course in music. Chamber choir gives the pupils an opportunity to sing difficult music and to contextualise their theoretical understanding of the music curriculum through performance. Pupils also learn to sing in harmony with most music being performed in four parts (SATB). The chamber choir’s first performance was as part of the ‘Peace One Day’ event in September when they sang the Benedictus from the ‘Armed Man’ by Karl Jenkins. Other repertoire ranges from Renaissance music to modern compositions. We laugh a lot too!

The school string ensemble gives our string players space to experience playing as a smaller group and an opportunity to explore different repertoire. The string group often perform thought the year both in and out of school.

The recently formed school ceilidh band invites pupils interested in traditional music to play together and explore a very different avenue of music. The group reinforces the Scottish music element of the curriculum and will give the participants an opportunity to play for ceilidhs within the school.

Theory class gives pupils the opportunity to develop their experience of written music and to deepen their understanding of how music is structured. This will enhance their understanding gained in curricular classes and acts to inform their performance and general musicianship.

The materials used in the class are the graded theory workbooks published by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. The ABRSM also run a diet of theory examinations out with the school. Pupils will have the opportunity to sit these exams which, from grade 5-8 earns the pupil valuable UCAS points when applying for university.

The senior drama club is made up of students from S3 to S6. We aim to give students an opportunity to perform theatre in various venues whilst having fun expanding their acting skills. Over the last few years we have taken part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival performing to sell out audiences in the RSC, The Mitchell Theatre and Platform Theatre. Students have also had the opportunity to work on smaller scale productions in our own drama studio. This club is run by Miss Docherty at various points in the school calendar in line with the opportunities that become available to students.

The junior drama club is aimed at getting the lower school involved in drama so is made up of S1 and S2 students. The purpose of junior drama club is to allow pupils who may not have experienced drama before the opportunity to participate in a more casual environment than in class. We also focus on learning and developing drama skills that pupils may have touched on in class. In recent years pupils have taken part in the Thomas Muir festival where they wrote and performed their own plays and last year the junior drama club staged their own production of Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’. Pupils also then had the opportunity to take part in the school show in the summer if they wished.

The junior drama club is run by Ms Muldoon every Monday after school until 5pm.

Our school show takes place in June and is open to all year groups. It is a fun way to get involved in a large scale production which runs for a number of nights to sell out audiences. It is also a way to challenge yourself to try something new, as you do not need to study music or drama to get involved. Do you see yourself playing Danny Zuko in “Grease” or Annie in “Annie”? Or would you prefer to work behind the scenes? Auditions are generally held December/January time and rehearsals will start from that point onwards so come along and get involved.