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Music
Balwearie has a thriving Music department with many opportunities for students through courses in both Music and Music Technology. As well as students learning to play a wide range of classroom-based instruments, the school has a variety of visiting instructors covering different string, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments as well as the piano, guitar, bagpipes and pipe band drumming. There are many extra-curricular groups in the department run by Music teachers and visiting instrumental instructors where pupils are able to take part in both the Christmas and Spring concerts, the Fife Festival of Music and numerous other performing opportunities throughout the year.
For students studying Music and Music Technology in S4-6, support is available in the department. Students should approach Music staff if they require a space to work (e.g. at lunchtimes) or equipment to complete work at home. There is also a dedicated Composition support session on Monday lunchtimes with Mr Harlow in C307.
Check us out on YouTube (Balwearie Music Department) and Instagram (@balwearieperformingarts)
Extracurriculars
Monday:
Guitar Ensemble - breaktime / lunchtime in C303 (on rota) - For S1-6 students who receive Guitar lessons and any other keen and able guitarists. Please see Mr Anderson for more information
Tuesday:
Pipe Band - lunchtime in C302 - For students who take part in Bagpipe / Chanter / Pipe Band Drumming lessons
Senior Mixed Choir - lunchtime in C304 - Open to all S3-6 (Note: S3 pupils must also attend Junior Choir)
Wind Band - 3:30pm in C304 - Open to all Woodwind, Brass and Percussion players
Wednesday:
Keyboard/Piano Club - lunchtime in C302 - Everyone welcome!
Brass Group - lunchtime in C303 - Open to all Brass players. Please see your Brass instructor for more information
String Ensemble - lunchtime in C304 - For Senior String players by invitation
Senior String Orchestra - 3:30pm in C304 - Open to all S3-6 students who play a string instrument
Thursday:
Junior Choir - lunchtime in C304 - Open to all students in S1-3
Percussion Group - lunchtime in C306 - For all S1-6 students who receive Percussion lessons
School Show Rehearsals (Singing and Choreography) - 3:30pm in C304 - For pupils taking part in the school show . Please see Mrs Grant or Miss Douglas for more information
Friday:
Senior Girls Choir - 1:20pm in C301 - Open to S3-6 students (Note: S3 pupils must also attend Junior Choir)
S1-3 Junior Strings - 1:25pm in C304 - Open to all S1-3 students who play a string instrument (Students may wish to bring lunch and will be given time for a short break before the group starts)
Fife Festival of Music 2026
Music Pathways
Music Staff
Below you can meet all the department staff and find out a little bit more about them by clicking on their photos.Music Staff (ID 1136)
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Mr Harlow0.5 Depute Headteacher, 0.5 Faculty Head of Performing Arts & Teacher of Music
Mr Harlow
Where (and what) did you study?
Glasgow University - Electronics with MusicEdinburgh University - Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Music)
Who is your favourite band or artist?
I can't choose!What was the first album you ever bought?
Smurfs Go Pop!
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The violin because I feel it is where my strengths lie
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Mrs Grant0.5 Faculty Head of Performing Arts & Teacher of Music
Mrs Grant
Where (and what) did you study?
Edinburgh Napier Uni - Bachelor of Music with Honours
Strathclyde University - Post Graduate Diploma in Education (Secondary Music)Who is your favourite band or artist?
Taylor Swift, McFly, Dolly Parton
What was the first album you ever bought?
Spice World by the Spice Girls
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The Bari Sax. No justification needed.
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Miss DouglasTeacher of Music
Miss Douglas
Where (and what) did you study?
University of Aberdeen - Bachelor of Music (Education) with Honours
Who is your favourite band or artist?
blink-182, Fleetwood Mac, Fall Out Boy, Haim, Muna
What was the first album you ever bought?
Step One by Steps
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The viola - it's the first instrument I received lessons in (other than recorder...) and is unique enough there's not many of us!
I do also enjoy the tambourine
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Mrs NormandTeacher of Music
Mrs Normand
Where (and what) did you study?
Aberdeen University - Bachelor of Music (Education) with Honours
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Queen
What was the first album you ever bought?
Smurfs Go Pop!
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The piano - for me it can be a good instrument for my health and wellbeing
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Mr AndersonGuitar Instructor
Mr Anderson
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Mr BrownPipe Band Instructor
Mr Brown
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Mr ClarkeUpper Strings Instructor
Mr Clarke
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Mrs DreverPiano Instructor
Mrs Drever
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Mr FraserDouble Bass and Bass Guitar Instructor
Mr Fraser
Where (and what) did you study?
Royal Northern College of Music - Music
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Miles Davis
What was the first album you ever bought?
Blondie - Parallel Lines
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The Double Bass because I enjoy playing bass lines and being the foundation of a musical performance!
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Mrs FurnessCello Instructor
Mrs Furness
Where (and what) did you study?
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) - Cello Performance Bachelor of Music with Honours
RSAMD - Post Graduate Diploma in Performing
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Carole King. Karen Carpenter. Santana. Jaqueline Du Pre
What was the first album you ever bought?
Eddie Calvert -The Man with the Golden Trumpet
What is your favourite instrument to play?
The cello because of the beautiful, sonorous tone. I also love to sing because it's wonderful for the soul!
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Mrs McLaughlinBrass Instructor
Mrs McLaughlin
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Mrs MorrisonPercussion Instructor
Mrs Morrison
Where (and what) did you study?
Edinburgh Napier University - Bachelor of Music with Honours
RSAMD (now Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) - Post Graduate Diploma in Performing
RSAMD - Master in Music
Who is your favourite band or artist?
Beyoncé. Bruno Mars
What was the first album you ever bought?
Kylie Minogue - Kylie
What is your favourite instrument to play?
Marimba because I enjoy how versatile an instrument it is. -
Miss MuirBagpipes Instructor
Miss Muir
Where (and what) did you study?
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland - Scottish Music - Piping BA (Hons)
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Miss PetticanWoodwind Instructor
Miss Pettican