ABOUT
We are a large and thriving Music Department with a positive ethos where our young people enjoy learning in a supportive, challenging and fun environment. Our enthusiastic team of teachers and instructors work together with our young people to develop the skills, self-motivation and confidence required to succeed by giving them the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning. They are encouraged at all times to make the effort to push themselves to reach and stretch their potential, and to understand that hard work leads to success.
We have a well resourced department with 4 classrooms, 5 practice rooms, a recording studio and 2 computer suites. We work with all year groups from S1 to S6 and we run National 4/5 Music courses in Performing and Technology, Higher and Advanced Higher Music courses, Musical Theatre NPA, Creative Industries NPA, Music Technology NPA, S1 Masterclasses in Musical Technology, S2/S3 Music Technology and Senior Short Courses in Music Technology and Music Performance.
The Music Department is a busy and popular place in the school, and the young people enjoy being a part of it. They are welcome to come up at lunch times to use our practice rooms or attend one of our extra curricular clubs and our doors are always open to them.
MEET THE TEAM
Music Teaching Staff
Miss Ruth Barrie
BEd Mus
FACULTY HEAD
Full time
I have been a Music teacher at St Machar Academy for several years. I play piano, flute and saxophone and I have a keen interest in samba drumming and music technology.
Outside school I am the Director for the Aberdeen branch of NYCoS (National Youth Choir of Scotland) and have worked with them for several years training and rehearsing the choirs. I also play piano and keyboard in show bands for local shows .
Mrs Lisa O'Connor and
Mx Em Swinton have joined the Music Department
Mr Fraser Harris
BMusEd
MUSIC TEACHER
Full time
After a successful student placement I joined the team at St Machar in August 2018 and have been teaching here ever since.
I play drums, guitar and piano, but at University I was a first study singer. I have an interest in jazz music and sang with the University Jazz Orchestra. I have also played drums in various other bands and enjoy working with music technology.