An annual tradition, our festive winter concerts are the perfect opportunity for our young musicians to celebrate achievements of the year gone by and display their hard work in front of proud friends and family. Also contributing to the entertainment this year, were adult participants from our various community choirs and orchestra groups across the country.
More than 100 children and young people from Big Noise Govanhill aged between nine and 17 performed at Elim Church in Govanhill in Glasgow. They were also joined by members of the Govanhill community as well as Big Noise staff and volunteers.
Concertgoers were treated to a programme of music from a variety of musical styles and cultures including ‘Ukranian Carol’ by Arsen Buchynsky, Romanian traditional piece ‘Podul De Piatra’, and ‘Castles and Dragon’ by Todd Stalter, alongside other festive classics and Big Noise favourites.
Across two concerts, almost 150 children and young people from Big Noise Douglas in Dundee, all aged between eight and 14, performed at Claypotts Castle Primary School, as well as members of Big Noise Douglas’ Community Choir.
Concertgoers were treated to two fantastic programmes of music from a variety of musical styles, including festive classics such as ‘Carol of the Bells’, ‘The Most Wonderful Time of the Year’, and ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’, alongside other popular songs by ABBA and Keane.
Meanwhile in Stirling, across a series of concerts hundreds of children, young people, and adult orchestra members from Big Noise Raploch performed, including adult ukulele group and community chorus members.
Concertgoers were treated to a programme of music, including festive songs such as 'Winter Wonderland’, ‘Deck the Halls’ and ‘I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas’, alongside music by Brahms and other Big Noise staples.
Raploch's sister programme in neighbouring Fallin, Big Noise Fallin, also delighted audiences with a spectacular brass concert at Fallin Primary School.
Over in the capital, 120 children and young people from Big Noise Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, aged between six and 10 performed at Wester Hailes High School as they marked the end of another successful year for Big Noise in the community after launching just over 2 years ago in 2022.
Concertgoers were treated to a varied programme of music from typical festive classics to Big Noise favourites including ‘Mission Mars’ by Joelle Broad, ‘Hoedown’ by Stanley Fletcher and ‘Throw Catch’ by Sikhumbuzo Tshona.
Lastly, at our final concert of the year up in Aberdeen, 210 children and young people from Big Noise Torry aged between seven and 17 entertained a packed audience at Greyhope Community Hub.
Concertgoers were treated to a fantastic programme of music, including ‘Let it Snow’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman’ alongside music from Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Nutcracker’ and other community favourites.
Lisa Strachan, whose 8 year old son Murray played cello in the concert at Big Noise Wester Hailes, said:
"I loved the concert and you could see that all of the kids really enjoyed it too. For us as parents it's always great to see them perform and it's also great that they get to have an interest outside of sports.
I always say to the staff that it's so important for things like Big Noise to be available in places like Wester Hailes - where things like music might not be open to most kids. I think it's a really valuable thing and it's giving them experiences of different cultures and types of music."
Alison Gornall, head of centre at Big Noise Govanhill, said:
The concert was the perfect opportunity for our children and young people to celebrate the end of another fantastic year at Big Noise Govanhill and to celebrate the festive season with our fantastic community.
Over the past year, all of our participants have shown exceptional commitment and dedication to their musical journey, and that hard work was plain for all to see during this memorable concert.
We’d like to wish all of our community members and participants a happy festive break, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another exciting year at Big Noise in 2025!”
