Age: 18

Joined: Primary 2

Classes Attended: Primary 2 Creative Music, Solo Singing, Choir, Clarinet and Concert Band

Instrument: Clarinet was the instrument I was most drawn to when choosing in primary 3. I had tried the violin and drums before settling on the clarinet. I learned in a small group and also played in the music school concert band.

Memorable experiences: my most memorable experience is the 10-year anniversary concert. It was an amazing event where students old and new came back to perform in concert and it was great to see different generations of students.

Musical Pathway: I did individual lessons at PMS for a couple of years then joined Junior Napier for a year. Then after that, I continued with lessons at my school and studied music to SQA Higher level.  I also sang in the school choir did performances in the Usher Hall and went on a short tour of Italy.  I play in the school Concert Band and Orchestra and recently played a solo in our final school concert.

Musical Future: Now at university, I continue to enjoy singing and playing piano.

Here is a video of Catherine playing drums at home when she was eight.

Age: 13

Joined: Primary 2

Classes Attended: Group Piano Classes

How did you choose your instrument: I had a keyboard at home that I enjoyed playing.

Memorable experiences: I enjoyed performing at the PMS 10th Anniversary Concert in Portobello and Joppa Parish Church. Passing Grades 1, 2 and 3 has been a proud achievement and I have taken part in the Edinburgh Competition Festival which offers great feedback.

Musical Pathway: Individual lessons at Portobello Music School.

Musical Future: I hope to achieve Grade 8 and I'd like to be able to teach piano. I have picked music as one of my subject choices at high school.

Below is a video of Orla playing Waltz in A by Arvīds Žilinskis.

Age: 14

Joined: I started playing the flute around the start of Primary 4

Classes Attended: I first attended my flute class and windband ensemble and later on joined musicianship.

How did you choose your instrument: I first decided to play the flute because I saw a concert which had a flute playing and I was inspired.

Memorable experiences: One of my most memorable experiences at Portobello music school was the 10 year anniversary where I performed.

Musical Pathway: After I finished my group classes I decided to stay at the music school and help out in the young musicianship classes as well as continuing with my individual lessons.

Musical Future: I plan to carry on playing flute in the future as well as branching out to other instruments ay the High School.

Here's a little clip of Carmen playing the flute at home.

Age: 16

Joined: I started attending the music school in 2006 in the little ones group, and went to that for a few years, and I first started learning an instrument in P3.

Classes Attended: Preschool to Primary 2 Creative Music, Group Instrumental Classes, Individual Lessons & Concert Band

How did you choose your instrument? I can’t really remember if I’m being honest, but I think that going to see a show at the fringe a Japanese drumming groups was definitely something that really inspired me.

Memorable experiences: All the end of term concerts were really memorable for me, and they were a really good introduction to performing in front of people, which is a whole other beast to practising by yourself in your room.

Musical Pathway: I started drumming in P3, and did a year of learning djembe and getting acquainted with basic rudiments, and then moved on to learning kit in P4. I worked my way through the grades with Brian for pretty much the rest of primary school, and I finished Grade 8 around the start of S1. I then took a year of no lessons and just focused on playing what I liked, which I would highly recommend for drummers with a fairly high technical skill level, as it really helps with feel and groove. Then around S2 I was told through the music school about Junior Napier, and I took a year and a half of learning orchestral percussion there, to broaden my musical knowledge. I then switched back to drumkit at Junior Napier and continue to have instrumental lessons, music theory, band, and music production. I play in a variety of groups and music ensembles at Portobello High School, including the Jazz Band.

Musical Future: At the moment I’m busy studying for exams at school, including music. I played with The Tinderbox Orchestra for a few months which was very fun, but took a lot of time out of my week, so I’ve put it on hold for a bit. Right now I am posting relatively frequent uploads to my YouTube channel where you can see me drumming and combining animations with music, and I’m also doing some private lessons for drumkit.

Age: 15

Joined: Primary 1

Classes Attended: Primary 1 & 2 Creative Music, Group Drum-kit and Individual lessons

Instrument: From attending the tour organised by Portobello Music School and seeing the other children playing the drum kit and thinking that looked pretty cool. Also, I'm always tapping rhythms out on everything so drum kit seemed a good fit. 

Memorable experiences: My most memorable experiences were winning the competitions as that made feel really chuffed and more confident in my abilities. I was really happy when I was put in the Advanced Drum Kit class. Also when I got a place at Junior Napier at Edinburgh Napier University I was ecstatic - I love it there.

Musical Pathway: Individual lessons lead to a place at Junior Napier. 

Musical Future: I'd like to get my Grade 5 Music Theory Exam and complete Grade 8 Drums. Then I'd like to join a band and see what happens... 

Age: 16

Joined: Aged 9

Classes Attended: Group Guitar Classes, Junior Choir & Individual Lessons

Instrument:  I decided I wanted to play the guitar because I liked its accessibility and its inherent ‘coolness’. I had tried other instruments, like violin and oboe, and the piano which I still play, but I was never as interested as I am still by the classical guitar. It must just be because of its beautiful tones.

Memories of Portobello Music School: I remember Portobello Music School for the interesting lessons I would get, and the fun repertoire we’d get to try out, like with our classical guitar ensemble conducted by Jenny Clifford. My favourite was her funky rendition of Pirates of the Caribbean, and I remember all of us really enjoying playing together.

Musical Pathway:  After PMS, when I was 12, I was invited along to a masterclass at Duddingston Kirk, with Richard Wright, the Professor of Guitar at the Yehudi Menuhin School. I have studied at YMS with him since then.

Age: 16

Joined: Primary 2

Classes Attended: Primary 2 Creative Music, Junior Choir, Group Drumming Classes, String Quartet & Concert Band.

Instrument: I was originally inspired by my older brother who also played drums at the time, I also thought that drums seemed like a very fun instrument to learn.

Memorable experiences: I always love the end of year performances as you get to see how yourself and others have progressed. I also really enjoyed the 10 year anniversary event for the music school and hearing some of the most talented students.

Musical Pathway: I took individual drum lessons at PMS, achieving my Grade 8 in 2017.  For the past year I have continued to study advanced drumming techniques with Lindsay and have decided to start Junior Napier after the summer in preparation for starting Edinburgh Napier University in 2019.

Musical Future: I am eager to apply for the Popular Music course at Edinburgh Napier University once I leave high school and would love to find a career in music later in life.

Age: 10

Joined: Preschool 1

Classes Attended: Preschool to Primary 2 Creative Music, Group Guitar Classes, Choir and Musicianship.

How did you decide what instrument to learn: Watching other guitarists playing in the end of term concerts.

Memorable experiences: Taking part in annual guitar competitions and exams.  Passing my musicianship paper exam.

Musical Pathway: We decided I would audition for Edinburgh Music school.  I was successful and start there for Primary 7 in August 2018.

Musical Future: To be a professional musician, or be like Bill Bailey the stand up comedian/musician.