Strathallan School thrilled to be in the running for Independent School of the Year award

Strathallan School has been nominated for Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts, Music & Drama.

This has been an exceptional year for Strathallan’s Performing Arts programme, with performance opportunities taking our pupils to audiences around the world.

Since launching our Department for Traditional Music and Culture last year, the programme’s Director Craig Muirhead has spearheaded initiatives, with pupils touring with the Pipe Band in Barbados to playing onstage with Celtic rock band Skerryvore in the packed auditorium of Perth Concert Hall.

“Playing with Skerryvore was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. My favourite bit of the concert was listening to this wall of sound and knowing I was part of it, and also the audience’s reaction. All the band members were so buzzed afterwards – and it’s a night I will never forget! I have definitely caught the performing bug!” said pupil Alexandra M.

Community outreach is a core part of the programme, such as the Celtic Connections ‘Piper in your School’ workshops for local primary schools through which Strathallan’s electric chanters helped inspire a new generation of pipers. Mr Muirhead also delivered the ‘Introduction to Bagpipes’ session for the University of St Andrews’ music students and supported the National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland’s ‘Four Corners’ weekend.

The influence of passionate educators like Mrs. McFarlane, a finalist for Scots Language Teacher of the Year, has resulted in a thriving environment for Scots language, music, and culture.

“Before joining school, I was nervous, Mrs McFarlane taught me to be more adventurous, outgoing and confident and her teaching has been applied to much more than just drama and speech. I have definitely applied many of the skills she has taught me to a lot of my daily activities including debating, music and sport,” said student Ethan W.

Pupils have performed for audiences locally and around the world, with record numbers attending Perform in Perth and entering LAMDA awards last year. The school’s Big Sing featured all 577 pupils as well as hundreds of staff performing John Farnham’s “You’re the Voice” on the school’s front lawn. With the Pipe Band providing the backbeat to the song, the power ballad also features singing solos, a full orchestra and a rock band. The resultant video went viral, garnering over 600,000 views and reaching audiences as far as Australia.

Director of Music, Jason McAuley said, “It’s more important than ever to enable our young people to participate in music. We knew right away that we wanted to involve as many of the school pupils in recording, so we took our mics from the swimming pool to the shooting range to make sure all the voices heard and music played was performed by our talented young people.” Director of Music, Jason McAuley.

The school has also staged unforgettable performances of D.N.A, Once and Oliver Jnr. And a record number of pupils took part in local music and drama festival Perform in Perth.

The school’s rich variety of performance opportunities and growing reputation in the performing arts community demonstrates the school’s commitment to nurturing artistic talent and providing an enriching platform for students to explore and excel in the performing arts.

Finalists for the award will be announced in September and the winners, chosen by the Independent Schools of the Year judging panel, will be announced at an awards ceremony in October.