MUSIC LESSONS FROM THE BEST
Big Noise Raploch youngsters received the experience of a lifetime when they were given music lessons by two of the world’s finest musicians during a special visit to Berlin.
Lewis Sinclair (18) and Symone Hutchison (16) were invited to the Berlin Philharmonie concert hall, home of the world-famous Berlin Philharmonic orchestra.
There Lewis, on oboe, and Symone, on trombone, received individual music lessons from two members of the world-renowned orchestra.
The occasion was made extra special as it was Sir Simon Rattle’s last concert in the Philharmonie as chief conductor of the orchestra.
Accompanied by Big Noise Raploch senior musicians Jo Ashcroft and David Munn, the young musicians attended one of the two sell-out concerts in front of 2,400 people which was live-streamed throughout the world.
They were also given a private tour of the building and had the opportunity to meet Sir Simon.
Lewis is the first Big Noise musician to be offered a conditional place to study at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow.
Symone first picked up her Big Noise instrument seven years ago, whilst Lewis joined the programme in 2010. They have both been taking part in the RCS and National Youth Orchestra of Scotland Junior and Senior orchestras for a number of years, and Symone has also participated in the NYOS Jazz Summer School.
Earlier this year Lewis performed as part of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain’s Inspire Orchestra at the Barbican in London.
The group were invited to Berlin by Fergus McWilliam, Sistema Scotland board member, who plays French horn with the Berlin Philharmonic.
Lewis, a former pupil of Wallace High School, was given a lesson by principal oboe Jonathan Kelly, while trombonist Jesper Busk Sorensen tutored Symone, who currently attends St Modan’s High School.
Sistema Scotland chief executive Nicola Killean said: “It is very rare for the children to be given the chance to have a one-to-one lesson with musicians of this high calibre and they had a fantastic time.’’