By Sarah Holden, Abbie Jack and Martha Spence
We chose to do our article on the Fortrose Academy music department and students who have benefited from it. The pupils we have chosen are seniors who have taken Higher music and Mrs Gilliland who is the head of department.
ng events and generous donations. Thanks to those we interviewed.
Mrs Gilliland
1. What inspired you to take up music?
My parents sent me to recorder lessons when I was seven, and I really enjoyed it, so I started to play guitar.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
I was 7 when I started recorder and 9 when I started guitar.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
Probably all of the different concerts that I have done at school and university. Also, being part of lots of music productions.
4. What made you become a music teacher?
I knew from the age of ten that all I wanted to be was a music teacher. I have always really enjoyed music and working with children, so it seemed like the right job to do.
5. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
It would be great to have more instruments to offer a wider range to the students. It would also be good to have a recording studio, and maybe a school radio station. Unfortunately, these things cost a lot of money, so we will do one step at a time.
Rhia McKenzie
1. What inspired you to take up music?
I really enjoy making music, and it’s something that I have been brought up to.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
I started dancing when I was two, and music was a big part in that.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
My National 5 exam when I was doing my keyboard , and I pressed the end backing track button, instead of the fill for my music and it stopped, so I had to start again. It was ok, because the examiner was really nice.
4. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
We should get a recording booth, because it would be very beneficial – we could record things for composing in exams.
Donald Barker
1. What inspired you to take up music?
Music is in the family but it was my Mum who taught me and my siblings to sing.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
It’s never been about age, I have always enjoyed it from the start of my life.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
It was when Peigi, my sister, sang in Brave the Disney film.
4. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
A recording studio would be really good.
It’s interesting to note that both the senior pupils and Mrs Gilliland would desperately like a recording studio to benefit all of us at Fortrose Academy. In order to achieve this we would need lots of fundraisi
1. What inspired you to take up music?
My parents sent me to recorder lessons when I was seven, and I really enjoyed it, so I started to play guitar.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
I was 7 when I started recorder and 9 when I started guitar.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
Probably all of the different concerts that I have done at school and university. Also, being part of lots of music productions.
4. What made you become a music teacher?
I knew from the age of ten that all I wanted to be was a music teacher. I have always really enjoyed music and working with children, so it seemed like the right job to do.
5. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
It would be great to have more instruments to offer a wider range to the students. It would also be good to have a recording studio, and maybe a school radio station. Unfortunately, these things cost a lot of money, so we will do one step at a time.
Rhia McKenzie
1. What inspired you to take up music?
I really enjoy making music, and it’s something that I have been brought up to.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
I started dancing when I was two, and music was a big part in that.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
My National 5 exam when I was doing my keyboard , and I pressed the end backing track button, instead of the fill for my music and it stopped, so I had to start again. It was ok, because the examiner was really nice.
4. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
We should get a recording booth, because it would be very beneficial – we could record things for composing in exams.
Donald Barker
1. What inspired you to take up music?
Music is in the family but it was my Mum who taught me and my siblings to sing.
2. How old were you when you started to play?
It’s never been about age, I have always enjoyed it from the start of my life.
3. What has been your most memorable experience?
It was when Peigi, my sister, sang in Brave the Disney film.
4. Are there any improvements needed to the music department?
A recording studio would be really good.
It’s interesting to note that both the senior pupils and Mrs Gilliland would desperately like a recording studio to benefit all of us at Fortrose Academy. In order to achieve this we would need lots of fundraisi