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New national Big Noise orchestra launched

The first performance from Scotland’s new national youth orchestra took place last night in a major milestone for Big Noise!

 

More than 60 young people from our Big Noise programmes throughout Scotland took part in the first ever concert performed by our new national orchestra, Big Noise United Orchestra. It brings together young people, aged 12 and above, from four Big Noise projects in Scotland, in a fully inclusive, non-auditioned orchestra, that is free to take part in for all participants, and will eventually include our youngest members from Big Noise Fallin and Wester Hailes. 

 

Through an annual programme of rehearsals, trips, and events, members will have the opportunity to showcase their talent at a national level, while building confidence, ambition, and maturity. 

The concert, at the High School of Dundee, saw young people play an exciting and wide range of music, including Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's ‘Dance of the Tumblers’, an arrangement of the Scottish pipe band staple ‘Highland Cathedral’, and a rendition of Bill Haley and the Comets’ rock and roll classic, ‘Rock Around the Clock’.

It was the culmination of weeks of rehearsals, including a two-day residential stay this week in Aberdeen. It marks a major milestone in Big Noise’s 16-year journey in Scotland since forming in Raploch in 2008 with just six musicians supporting 35 children.

Nicole Mphande, 16, a participant from Big Noise Raploch in Stirling, said:
 
“Before the concert today we got to stay in Aberdeen together for rehearsals and it was the first time we got to meet everyone in the orchestra. It’s honestly been a great experience coming here, I’ve met new people, made new friends, and even the travelling was really fun. Performing together today as an orchestra, with my parents coming to see us, just makes all the rehearsing worth it too.”
 
Mohammad Jibran Ali, 13, a participant from Big Noise Govanhill in Glasgow, said:
 
“I’ve been in Big Noise Govanhill for five years now and I know everyone there pretty well, so it was cool to meet so many new people who go to Big Noise in different areas. We did lots of rehearsing in our sections, but my favourite thing was playing all together as a full orchestra, it’s really exciting, it just feels complete.”
Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland Chief Executive, said:
 
“The creation of our first national orchestra is a huge step for Big Noise and for youth music in Scotland. It is the country’s first fully inclusive orchestra, meaning there are no auditions or financial barriers to members getting involved.
 
We are so proud of all our young people and delighted to reach this milestone alongside our communities who make it all possible. Seeing young musicians from four of our oldest programmes, united on stage, was a special moment for everyone involved in Big Noise and it brings home the vital importance of our mission to support young people by helping them reach their potential and live their dreams.
 
We will be bringing Big Noise United Orchestra to perform in our other Big Noise communities across the country in the years to come and I can’t wait to see what they all go on to do next.”