Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development, Neil Gray MSP, visited Big Noise Raploch on Tuesday.
Mr Gray saw the delivery of the programme’s summer school and the success of the Big Noise model first-hand.
During his visit he met with musicians and young people involved in Big Noise and was treated to a musical performance by some of the programme’s participants.
Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra becomes a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.
Through music and nurturing relationships, from infancy to adulthood, Big Noise helps participants reach their full potential. The programme also aims to strengthen the communities where it is based; developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.
The Big Noise programmes are run by the charity Sistema Scotland.
The programme, which begin in Raploch 14 years ago, works with almost 500 children and young people in the local community weekly – from babies to S6.
Big Noise also began delivering a new programme in Fallin last year and in total supports more than 3000 children and young people across Scotland.
Mr Gray met with Nicola Killean, CEO of Sistema Scotland, and with a number of Big Noise Raploch’s participants and alumni to hear more about the experience of growing up in a Big Noise programme and how it has shaped their hopes and ambitions for the future.
He said: “Big Noise not only offers children the opportunity to engage creatively with the arts, but the model also has wider social and economic benefits such as tackling child poverty.
“We’re very proud to support Sistema Scotland’s work to widen access to high quality cultural opportunities with £1.1 million in funding for 2022/23. This supports longer-standing Big Noise programmes in Raploch, Govanhill, Torry and Douglas, and their newest project in Wester Hailes, in Edinburgh.”
Nicola said: “Sistema Scotland is committed to supporting children, young people and families, through our Big Noise programmes, to become happy, healthy and confident adults, and to strengthen the amazing communities we work alongside.
“Our work directly supports delivery of a range of National Performance Framework outcomes as well as other key Scottish Government strategies and objectives.”
Vicky Williams, head of centre at Big Noise Raploch, said: “Our participants relished the opportunity to perform for such a special guest during his visit.
“Whilst continuing to support the children and young people of Raploch in our delivery throughout the school term, we are delighted to offer our participants extra lessons through our summer programme thanks to the support of our fantastic funders, including the Scottish Government and Stirling Council.”
Stirling Council community planning and regeneration convener Councillor Gerry McGarvey said “The work by the teams at Big Noise’s centres in Raploch and Fallin improves lives and strengthens these amazing communities.
“As a long-term partner and financial supporter of Sistema Scotland and its Big Noise programmes across Stirling, we hope the programme continues to thrive for years to come.”
