Music is a universal language that embodies one of the highest forms of creativity. Musical experiences should engage and inspire pupils to develop a love of music and their talent as musicians, and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement.

At Woodlands we believe that everyone can make music. The music room is equipped with a wide range of musical instruments and devices that enable learners to develop their passions for singing, playing instruments and using music technology. The most popular instruments amongst them all are the electronic drumkit, a variety of electric and acoustic guitars, electric piano, keyboards, all sorts of drums including djembe, bodhran and cajon. Many learners feel passionate about singing in front of an audience in school assemblies and stage events, such as Woodlands Got Talent. At Woodlands we use a music notation system called Figurenotes, where coloured shapes indicate the keys on the keyboard or frets on the guitar. www.figurenotes.org.

We work closely with music specialists from Drake Music Scotland (Creative Project for 2019 Edinburgh Schools), Children’s Classics Concerts and Creative Scotland who deliver high quality experiences, prepare groups for band stage performances and provide individual tuitions (this year it’s drumming).

In the Music Department Senior Learners have an opportunity to work towards gaining qualifications both at National 1 and National 2 Levels. Units offered are:

Performance Arts: Contributing to a Performance

This Unit provides opportunities for learners to collaborate with, and perform for, others within the context of a planned event which could be within the Centre and/or in the community. Learners can make an individual contribution to the event, or work as part of a group.

Performance Arts: Using Performance Skills

This unit provides opportunities for learners to develop an appreciation of how structure and form are used in the creation of a performance. In addition, the learner will have opportunities to develop skills in using performance styles, approaches and conventions when performing. 

Currently a recording and drumming studio is being set up in school. That will enable learners to work on music technology National 2 unit Working with images, graphics and sound to learn about performance set up, recording and support school stage performance events.