A young musician from Raploch is set to head to America for a two-week long music programme under a renowned conductor – including a gig at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl.
As part of Encuentros LA 2022, Symone Hutchison will perform amongst 100 other top-tier young musicians from across the globe who have been invited to take part in the music education programme in Los Angeles, culminating in a performance at the iconic LA venue.
The Encuentros programme will bring together young musicians from 22 countries across the world for a fortnight of workshops, rehearsals and masterclasses, culminating in a concert which will celebrate the successes of youth orchestra programmes from across the Americas, East Asia and Europe.
The concert will be conducted by world renowned conductor and Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra Gustavo Dudamel, who conducted Raploch’s Big Noise Orchestra in a special concert in 2012, and will feature a special performance by multi-Grammy-winning vocalist and bassist Esperanza Spalding.
Symone – who is now a student at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow studying for a BMus Hons and Performance degree with trombone, alto trombone and euphonium – began her musical journey with the Big Noise programme in Raploch while she was still in primary school.
Being the sole representative of Big Noise/Sistema Scotland on the prestigious list of 100 young musicians – the 21-year-old is the only Encuentros participant from the UK.
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Although she has embarked on an incredible musical journey of her own, she hasn’t strayed far from Big Noise Raploch since graduating from the programme, keeping a close association with the programme since embarking on her studies in Glasgow.
As well as continuing to perform at Big Noise concerts, Symone retains a teaching role to teach the next generation of Stirling musicians through Big Noise programmes in both Raploch and Fallin.
Through her work with Big Noise Raploch, Symone has been able to travel around the world, visiting different orchestras and engaging in one-to-one tuition at some of the most prestigious orchestras in the world, including a memorable trip to work with the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Symone said: “Working with the LA Philharmonic, playing with amazing musicians all over the world, and being conducted by Maestro Dudamel are things that someone can only dream of. I’ve really loved being here, playing with incredible musicians, and getting to see such a wonderful city. Every day I learn something new that I’ll take with me forever to improve me as both a musician and a person.
“I’ve also made incredible friends from all over the world. I’m extremely excited to play at the Hollywood Bowl – I can’t even begin to imagine how remarkable the concert will be. I never want the experience to end.
“I wouldn’t be where I am without Big Noise. It has supported me for the last 11 years of my life, every step of the way, from the junior conservatoire and now into my undergrad and has given me so many opportunities that I would never have been available to me before I started at the programme.
“I’ve been to places I could never imagine before - Venezuela, Germany, Italy, and of course now Los Angeles. Before Big Noise I didn’t have many aspirations, like going to university, but now I have the motivation to be the best and do the best I can in life.”
Symone’s proud mum Maggie added: “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for Symone to go over to Los Angeles. I’m just so proud of her and everything she’s done – and it’s all thanks to being part of Big Noise.
“Symone would never have had the life that she has led if it wasn’t for Big Noise. It’s given her a life that none of us would have ever dreamed of. She’s absolutely loving it over there in LA – and I’m expecting that she won’t want to come home after it’s all over.”
Benny Higgins, Chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are always delighted to see current and former Big Noise participants finding success – both musical and personal.
“Success stories such as Symone’s are a wonderful example of the effectiveness of the Big Noise model and we look forward to sharing case studies in the years to come of the achievements of young people from Raploch and all our Big Noise communities.
“Our Big Noise programmes help support children and young people all the way from nursery to the end of secondary school to grow into confident, resilient, and happy individuals – and Symone is a perfect example of this.”
