Making more Big Noise
Orchestra coming to Fallin
Sistema Scotland is to launch a new Big Noise orchestra programme in Fallin following its success in Raploch.
Working in partnership with Stirling Council, the charity is looking to expand Big Noise Raploch’s impact in Stirling and the latest move will support up to an additional 90 children, young people, and families within Fallin over the coming year.
Musicians from Big Noise will focus on teaching brass instruments alongside a strong grounding in general musicianship and will work with children in Primary 5 and 6 at Fallin Primary School.
The children will have sessions in school and then have the opportunity to join an after-school programme in the community.
Families will be invited to be involved regularly, hoping for a similar positive impact on community cohesion as the work in Raploch.
Independent evaluation since 2013 by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps participants to increase their resilience, improve their confidence, enhance their teamwork skills, and develop their creativity.
Young people from the Big Noise programme in Raploch have gone on to a range of positive, post-school destinations including full-time employment, college, Modern Apprenticeships, university, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Some of them will also be involved in supporting the new work taking place at Big Noise Fallin.
To mark the launch of Big Noise Fallin, brass musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) were working with participants and Big Noise musicians last week, culminating in two special concerts for older pupils at Fallin Primary School last Thursday.
Steven Reynolds joined Big Noise when he was in Primary 5 and currently plays the tuba in the Big Noise Raploch Symphony Orchestra.
He said: “Big Noise has given me so many opportunities to see more of Scotland and more of the world. Not just that, but you make so many great friends here. It really helps you focus, gives you discipline.
“I have to admit, I wasn’t the best at concentrating at school when I was younger, but being with Big Noise for so long has helped me keep my head down and get my work done.”
The Big Noise Fallin after-school club will begin on September 29 and in due course (subject to Covid-19 restrictions), the participants of Big Noise Fallin and Big
Noise Raploch will learn, rehearse and perform together on a regular basis.
Stirling Council community planning and regeneration convener Councillor Chris Kane said: “Expanding this transformative programme into other areas of Stirling has been a long-standing council priority and it’s fantastic that more families and communities will reap the benefits we have seen in Raploch.
“I know there has already been great interest in the programme in Fallin, and I can’t wait to see our new intake of Big Noise participants shows their musical talents in concert for the first time.”
Andrena Davidson, whose son, Jensen is in P6 at Fallin Primary School, said: “Big Noise coming to
Fallin is such a great opportunity for the children. My boy has been talking about this constantly for the past few weeks - he’s so excited.
“We’re excited too - he loves anything to do with music. Having the chance to do this with his friends at school will be wonderful for building their confidence and learning together.”