Nicola joins in the Big Noise
‘Big sis’ leads children’s master class
Violinist Nicola Benedetti and Big Noise Raploch children joined young musicians from all over Scotland at a free music event on Tuesday.
Raploch Community Camous was the venue for the Super Strings Sessions for around 350 young players.
The project will culminate in a Festival of Strings Day at the Caird Hall, Dundee on October 9.
Charity Sistema Scotland is celebrating 10 years of delivering its Big Noise programme in places across Scotland.
Young people from who play violin, viola, cello and double bass were invited to join Nicola Benedetti, children and teachers from the four Big Noise centres in Raploch, Govanhill, Aberdeen and Dundee to form one-off string ensembles at the sessions.
All the young musicians had the opportunity to play in an ensemble led by Nicola and take part with her in a question and answer discussion about string playing.
Nicola, a ‘big sister’ to Big Noise, said: “I am proud of the work I’ve done with Sistema Scotland over the past 10 years including the many visits I have made to perform with the children and learn how they have progressed.
“What Big Noise has achieved in that time in terms of both social transformation and musical excellence, their passion for teaching, commitment to the children and work on the musical curriculum, is phenomenal.
“I believe that most of the profound thinkers of written history agreed that music and the arts are one of the most important skills you can learn and be exposed to in your youth.“
Big Noise Raploch is delivered by Sistema Scotland in partnership with Stirling Council.
Council leader Scott Farmer said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for Big Noise Raploch children to meet young people from across Scotland, who are at different stages of their musical learning, and be taught by Nicola Benedetti and aspirational Big Noise teachers.
The Big Noise Programme, which is having a transformative impact on youngsters in Raploch, is a superb asset in our community.”
People’s Postcode Lottery is backing the Festival of Strings, project.