Venezuelan musical movement inspiring Scottish children
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore met children from the Big Noise Orchestra today to see how music is helping to bring the local community together.
The Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Moore met children from the Big Noise Orchestra today to see how music is helping to bring the local community together.
Speaking after the visit Mr Moore said that the Big Noise Orchestra is proving to be a great way of bringing the local community together, whilst also helping the children improve their confidence, teamwork, pride and aspirations.
After watching the children practicing Mr Moore said:
“This is an innovative way to work with vulnerable and disabled children, helping develop pride in themselves and their communities. The success of Sistema speaks for itself with performances at Edinburgh’s Queens Hall and Stirling’s Albert Hall as well as performances at Raploch.
“It was good to hear that this new and inspirational way of working with children will not be restricted to Raploch, and I look forward to seeing the Sistema organisation grow and prosper over the coming years.
“It is also great to see one of Scotland’s greatest musicians, Nicola Benedetti, taking an active part in supporting the orchestra by becoming the official musical ‘Big Sister’.”
Sistema Scotland is a charity set up in the belief that children can gain huge social benefits by playing in a symphony orchestra. They take the name Sistema from the orchestra movement established in Venezuela and seek to benefit from the South Americans’ expertise, while adapting their methods to suit conditions in Scotland.
Sistema Scotland exists to develop orchestra centres on the ground in Scotland. These are known in the community as Big Noise. The first is Raploch, Stirling. By 2013 they will open three children’s orchestra centres.