Music
2007/08 has been another very busy year for the Music Department and for all the pupils involved in music-making in Dunluce.
Inside the classroom a new interactive whiteboard has enhanced the learning experience of the pupils and opened up many new and exciting possibilities for teaching music.
Outside the class many pupils have been involved in making music. Over 160 pupils have taken part in various extra-curricular musical activities this year and their hard work and dedication is a credit to them.
The Ulster Scots connection....
Twice over the past year the school has echoed to the sound of local traditional music. First the GCSE music class was treated to a wonderful session from four local musicians. The lambeg drum being carried into school that morning caused quite a stir!
Another visit brought Dick & Sabine Glasgow into the Chancellor Guy Hall to show Year 8 pupils their marvelous collection of traditional instruments. You might have heard of them on tour around local schools and clubs – they call themselves ‘Ptarmigan’. They played as many different instruments as they could during their short visit – all of them expertly!
Jock Cousin, project officer with Bushmills Ulster Scots Heritage, hopes that this kind of contact will be repeated in the future, helping pupils to appreciate the roots of local music. “There’s no reason”, he said, “why this school should not help to carry on the local connection with traditional music”. There’s a challenge to the Music Department..
Throughout the year the choirs, orchestra and rock band have been rehearsing at lunchtimes and after school and the hard work has paid off with some excellent performances at Prize Day and the school Carol Service. The pupils who were in the school show “Little Shop of Horrors” also worked very hard to learn almost 20 songs and perform so well in December.
This year a number of pupils have achieved excellent results in practical exams through both Trinity College London and the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music. Well done to them and hopefully they ill continue to progress as musicians next year.
Next year will be an even busier one for the Music Dept but the overall aim is still the same, to see young people involved in music making and benefitting as a result. Finally may I take this opportunity to thank the many pupils of Dunluce who so work hard and give up so much free time. I know it was worth it.