Larbert High asks..... by Mr McClean

What is music as a subject like? Is being in the band the same thing or different?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:39:19 UTC

When students sign up for classes in Junior High (S1, S2), they can choose to take band or orchestra, and that counts as their music class. 7th graders (S1) also take "music" which is essentially choir, then they can add choir to their schedules in 8th grade.

Has anyone in the class tried haggis?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:40:51 UTC

Mrs. Wilson has tried Haggis, and Nicolas (an alto sax player)

They both agreed that it tastes OK, but can't quite get past the ingredients

Does anyone in your band rap and, if so, let's hear it :D

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:41:09 UTC

*Cue the beatbox

Have you experienced earthquakes?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:42:11 UTC

They aren't common in our part of the country, but we did say that there were some around southern Illinois in the last few years, although we did feel them.

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:43:34 UTC

Many different answers here

Japan, Caribbean, the UK, Scotland (for the rugby!), France, Italy, Greece, Alaska, New York City, South Africa, Australia

What's the best thing about your school?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:44:11 UTC

There are a lot of activities to be involved with; Band, Choir,

Orchestra, Drama, Sports (lots of sports,) History Day, FFA,

Service Projects, etc. There's no reason to ever be bored.

The teachers are pretty awesome too. (Mrs. Wilson may have written that one)

What's your favourite fast food restaurant?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:44:32 UTC

McDonalds, and Chipotle (A mexican-type place with really really good burritos! Look it up!)

Do you get RMPS/Philosophy/Sociology/Medical Ethics as a subject? What are you science lessons like?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:45:03 UTC

We don't have those classes at the Junior High, but in high school, they're offered as electives. Generally public schools can't teach any religion-based courses, unless it's a "World Religions" class taking an academic view of different religions. In Science we learn physical science, biology, chemistry, and physics. All of those classes have some sort of lab element to them as well.

Does your school have dances such as a "spring fling" like in the films? Our seniors have a Prom in June what's a huge event.

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:45:48 UTC

At the Junior high we have dances throughout the year. Nothing like "High School Musical," though. :-)

At the High School, they have a prom for Juniors and Seniors (S5, S6) that's a pretty big deal.

Do you get one-on-one school music lessons? At Larbert High, we can get lessons for piano, voice, upper strings, cello, double bass, woodwind, brass, percussion, guitar, bagpipes which you have to pay for in S1-S3 then they're free in S4-S6 if you're taking Music as a subject.

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:47:12 UTC

Do you have "Band Camp" where you have a week of learning then put on a performance at the end?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:49:21 UTC

The term "band camp" can be used a couple different ways. Some students do attend summer camps that focus on music, so they take music classes and rehearse with a band, then put on a concert at the end. Another way the term "band camp" is used is when High School Marching Bands rehearse for a week or two in the summer before school starts so they're ready to play for halftime of football games when school starts! We've added a link to a HS marching band performance...not ours!

Has anyone in the class tried Irn Bru?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:50:13 UTC

Mrs. Wilson has. She thinks it "tastes like death."

What's your equivalant of a ceilidh?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:50:37 UTC

Ceilidh is a pretty foreign concept here. If you're talking about "traditional dances," we supposed square dancing is pretty similar, although no one really does it except old people.

How many subjects do you take?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:50:58 UTC

In Jr. High there are 8 academic periods a day. Classes include:

Math, Science, Social Studies (History), English (which is actually a double-period, Language Arts and Literature), PE, and a Music Elective. We're very jealous that you get a break in the morning and 45 minutes for lunch! We think we'd be much more focused if we got time to relax during the day. Mrs. Wilson agrees that the kids need some time off. It's a lot to ask of 13 and 14 year olds to stay focused for 8 hours straight!!

Do the band kids really build forts (like on tumblr)?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:51:06 UTC

We have NO idea what you're talking about!

(However we did build a fort with leftover boxes from a fundraiser we did in February

Who plays drumkit in the band?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:52:10 UTC

Bailee and Colin play drumset in Jazz Band. Plus we have 6 other percussionists in concert band

Is band part of the music course or is it an extra? Also, what music do you play in it

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:52:23 UTC

It's not a required class, but a LOT of students take band or orchestra. Jazz band is an additional class that students audition for. We have attached one of the links to a concert band song we will be performing this week!

Do you know what a fiddle is?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:53:20 UTC

Yes!

What's your healthcare thing? Do you have to pay for operations?

MrMcClean — 2015-03-25 08:53:40 UTC

Americans are required to have healthcare insurance. They usually get it through their employer by a small part of their paycheck taken out each month. Then when we have an operation or doctor visit, the insurance covers a percentage, then we have to pay the rest