Sunday 24 May 2015

Sciennes Orchestra in Queen’s Hall Studio to Stage Concerts



On 30 March 2015, over 170 pupils performed at the Queens Hall for the From Studio to Stage 2015, a concert featuring a unique programme of dance, music, poetry and drama.

The concert was the final event in the annual Resonate series of concerts organised by Arts and Creative Learning. Since 2012, Resonate has run in partnership with the Queen’s Hall.
Pamela Day, Dance Development Officer, reports on the project.


The show was a fantastic opportunity for young people from across Edinburgh to take their performances out of school and into a professional concert venue.

From Studio to Stage was a huge success, with a large audience of family and friends in attendance. It was also a great opportunity for pupils to watch other schools perform. The variety of age groups and art forms demonstrated the diverse talents of our Edinburgh schools.
The primary schools who took part were
  • Sciennes
  • Davidson’s Mains
  • Ferryhill
  • Preston Street
  • St Francis’ RC
  • St. Mary’s RC (Edinburgh)
And the high schools
  • Craigroyston
  • Portobello
  • Wester Hailes Education Centre.
The evening was supported by pupils from Broughton High School who helped with the photography and the behind the scenes running of the show.

Well done to all who took part in making From Studio to Stage 2015 such a great success!

If your primary or secondary school would like information on how to get involved in From Studio To Stage 2016 please contact Lucy Vaughan, Principal Officer Creative Learning (Performing Arts).

Sunday 17 May 2015

Lib Dup Music Video by P4C



Great creativity, co-operation and team building in P4C with Miss Gladstone to produce this joyful music video.

More information on the P4 Class Page.

Music Opportunities at JGHS


Grateful thanks to James Gillespie's High School staff Rachel Millar (Performing Arts Co-ordinator/Music Teacher), Deirdre O'Brien (Faculty Head, Performing Arts) and Hazel Kinnear (Depute Headteacher) for providing our pupils with a fantastic presentation on musical opportunities as well as a tour of the new high school on Thursday 14th May. Our pupils - and our staff! - were completely bowled over by the amazing new facilities, as well as the many exciting opportunities that await them in S1.

James Gillespie’s High School has many clubs and organisations for pupils to become involved with during the school year.  Each year JGHS offers to lead a presentation to present the wonderful opportunities in Performing Arts available to Primary 7 pupils when they enter High School. The presentation includes pupils from S1-3 bringing their instruments along to the assembly, telling the Primary 7 pupils about the experiences they have had beginning a new instrument, or continuing their primary instrument at High School. The intention to inspire the Primary 7 pupils to pick up an instrument at High School and become involved in the many concerts which are provided for pupils to showcase their talents.

The Music Department offers new S1 pupils the opportunity to learn an instrument if they have not already taken up this opportunity at Primary School.   Pupils who have been learning at the Primary School will continue to receive instrumental lessons from the City of Edinburgh Council at the Secondary School, as outlined in the school primary to secondary instrumental policy.