Music education group to give Dundee pupils ‘new life chances’

Sistema Scotland says it plans to set up its Big Noise music education programme in Dundee by August.

Claypotts Castle and St Pius primary schools have been chosen for the project and the council hopes pupils in primary years 1-3 will be involved.

The Big Noise project is an initiative set up by Sistema, which hopes to create “permanent social change” in some of the most deprived areas and communities in Scotland.

Big Noise Raploch, which was set up in Stirling in 2008, was the first orchestra of its kind in Scotland, and the campaign to bring the movement to Dundee has been years in the making.

City councillors will meet on Monday to be given an update on progress being made to bring the programme to Douglas.

Children and families service committee convener councillor Stewart Hunter said the Sistema Big Noise project would help in efforts to transform the area. He said: “I am pleased to see the progress that is being made on this exciting project.

“It was a pleasure to attend the recent partnership agreement signing. The arrival of Sistema Scotland in Douglas will be really something special and I am sure that the pupils of Claypotts Castle and St Pius primaries will be looking forward to making a Big Noise.

“This project will help in efforts to transform Douglas and help young people now to maximise their potential and give them new life chances. Sistema Scotland will have an amazing reception in Douglas.”

Nicola Killean, CEO of Sistema Scotland said: “The community in Douglas have given us a very warm welcome. We are very close to finding out the location of our new home in the community, which is a very exciting time for us.

“We are now beginning the detailed work with the head teachers on how best to introduce the programme into the two schools, and to communicate with families to keep them up to date on plans.”

Michael Marra, nephew of the late Dundee musician of the same name and secretary of Optimistic Sound, said: “After four years of campaigning and discussion, it’s time to get down to the real work.

“Big Noise Douglas is going to have an extraordinary impact on the lives of children in the community.

“We continue to raise funds to support this amazing project and thanks go to everyone in Dundee who has contributed so far.”

The arrival of Sistema Scotland in Douglas will be really something special...