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 Summer concert success for Big Noise.

Performers at Big Noise Raploch's concert

As another fantastic year at Big Noise comes to a close, the children and young people at our centres across the country have been celebrating with a series of special concerts to ring in the summer holidays.

 

These concerts were the perfect opportunity to look back on the work that our young people have been doing over the past year – and to celebrate all the amazing communities across Scotland that Big Noise ca

At our Big Noise programmes in Raploch and Fallin, our young people celebrated another fantastic year of Big Noise in Stirling with two special concerts at the Raploch Community Campus.

A total of 218 young, all aged between 7 and nineteen, took part in the two concerts, and performed alongside Big Noise Raploch’s Community Chorus, the Big Noise Raploch Ukelele group, and were joined by community members, Big Noise staff and volunteers, and local politicians. 
Concertgoers were treated to an impressive and varied programme of music – ranging from Polka hits, to Pipe Marches, to the Brazillian choro classic ‘Tico-Tico no fubá’ 
 
Shere Abdalla, who is 15 years old and took part in the concert, said:
 
“I was playing trombone in today’s concert and I was also introducing the bands and songs to the audience. It was amazing, especially playing my favourite Cold Play song. It was nerve-wracking introducing the songs, but Big Noise helped me practice beforehand and once we got going it was all fine. It feels great when we all play together, we feel like a big family.”
Another successful year at Big Noise Raploch
Big Noise Govanhill's All Group Choir

Big Noise Govanhill celebrated their 11th birthday with a pair of fantastic concerts in the community.

At the two concerts at Elim Church in Glasgow, more than 150 young musicians from Big Noise Govanhill, all aged from seven to 18, treated those in attendance to a variety of music, ranging from traditional Scottish and Hindi folk songs to excerpts of Peter Warlock’s ‘Capriol Suite’ and a rendition of Sly and the Family Stone’s soul classic ‘Everyday People’.

Alongside performances from a number of established Big Noise orchestras, the concerts also showcased the debut of the newly formed Symphony Orchestra, comprising players from Big Noise Govanhill’s strings, wind, brass, and percussion departments.  The event also included a performance by Big Noise Govanhill’s Del Mondo adult community orchestra.
 
They were joined by community members, Big Noise staff and volunteers, and local politicians – including Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren.
Young performers at Big Noise Govanhill
Young people with Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren
Duygu Kaya, aged 12, who plays violin and has been a member of Big Noise Govanhill for five years, said:
 
“My favourite part of the concert was when all of our different groups came together to play as one big symphony orchestra - I thought we played really well! I also introduced a song to the audience which was nerve-racking, but Big Noise helped me to feel confident. They help me a lot. It was nice to have my Dad and Brother come to see me play too, I felt really proud.”
 
Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, said:
 
"Big Noise Govanhill is big news. It’s always great to attend the Summer Concert and literally, hear how well everyone’s doing. The music is always magic. Well done to everyone involved.”
Big Noise Torry celebrated the end of the school year with their first birthday concert at their new home at the newly opened Greyhope Community Hub.
 
Almost 200 young musicians from Big Noise Torry, all aged from seven to 16, performed at the special concert at the end of the month. Alongside performances from a number of Big Noise orchestras, Wednesday's concert also featured a performance from The Noise – Big Noise Torry’s community adult orchestra.
 
The audience of community members, Big Noise staff and volunteers, and local politicians enjoyed an impressive and varied programme of all types of music – ranging from traditional Scottish songs and dances such as ‘The Dark Island’ and ‘Sleepytoon’, to a performance of German Romantic-era composer Max Bruch’s ‘Serenade’.
Big Noise Torry's summer concert
Young performers from Big Noise Torry

Cayleb Ngulube, whose eight-year-old daughter Brianna plays the viola with Big Noise Torry, said:

“It’s my first time at a Big Noise concert - but I really enjoyed it. The music was nice, and it was fantastic to see all the different levels of musicians performing.

“It’s nice to all get together as a community. I didn't know there would be so much support – it’s brilliant to see a full house, with all the kids and families supporting each other.

“Brianna loves coming to Big Noise, and she loves playing the viola. We’re all hoping she continues through until she's an expert.

“Since she started coming to Big Noise, Brianna has become much more chatty and open to meeting new people and making new friends, which has been great.

“She’s more outgoing now and I think Big Noise has brought that out in her.”

Big Noise Douglas celebrated another fantastic year of Big Noise in Dundee with a special concert of their own – taking the form of a community fête.
 
A total of 60 young musicians from Big Noise Douglas, all aged eight to 14, performed at the concert at Claypotts Castle Primary School, which also featured a performance from Big Noise Douglas’ adult community choir.
 
Alongside performances from Big Noise participants, the community fête featured free games, face painting, and an ice cream van for community members.
 
Concertgoers enjoyed a variety of music, including renditions of the traditional folk song ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’, selected movements from Peter Warlock’s ‘Capriol Suite’, and Coldplay’s ‘Viva la Vida’.
 
 
Performers and staff from Big Noise Douglas
Fun in the sun at Big Noise Douglas
Amy McConnell, whose 10-year-old daughter Jessie is in Big Noise Douglas’ King Penguin Orchestra, said:
 
“The concert today was great fun. What’s better than bringing the whole community together – all groups, all ages and stages – and playing in the sunshine.
 
“Big Noise has given my daughter a lot of opportunities. It just brings so much happiness for her.
 
“She’s got a lot of confidence and self-belief from coming here on a weekly basis. She gets individual lessons as well if she is struggling at all.
 
“Jessie used to be in the Big Noise catchment school - but since she’s moved school, Big Noise have kept her on so she’s still able to play with her friends.”
At the newest Big Noise programme in Edinburgh, more than 100 young musicians from Big Noise Wester Hailes, all aged from seven to nine, performed at a special concert
 
At the concert at Wester Hailes High School, more than 100 young musicians were joined by community members, Big Noise staff and volunteers, and local politicians.
 
The audience was treated to an impressive and varied programme of Big Noise favourites, including ‘The Dodo Song’, ‘Big Noise Lullaby’, and ‘Chocolate Treats’.
Young singers from Big Noise Wester Hailes
Evelyn Paterson, whose children Lafe, nine, and Cru, eight, attend Big Noise Wester Hailes, said:
 
“I loved the concert today. You can see the improvement the kids have made in just the space of a year.
 
“When Big Noise first started here, I thought it was a really good opportunity for the kids because you don’t really get much in Wester Hailes like this at all, and bringing the kids together from three different schools I think is really good for the community.
 
“It brings everyone together. It’s helped my son Lafe to interact more with other children and with music, as he usually doesn’t like going to groups, but the staff help the kids a lot. They’re just very compassionate.”
Councillor Mandy Watt, Deputy Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said:
 
“I was delighted to attend Big Noise Wester Hailes’ summer concert today and witness first-hand the incredible progress the programme has made in just two years since it launched.
 
"Big Noise continues to be a real asset to our school community in Wester Hailes and concerts like this provide a great opportunity for the whole community to come together to encourage and support these talented youngsters.”
Thank you for helping us make a Big Noise!

Everyone at Sistema Scotland would like to extend massive thank you to all of our children and young people, their families, and our amazing Big Noise communities for working so hard to make our summer concert series such a fantastic success.

We would also like to extend our thanks to our fantastic staff team and the funders and supporters that help to make the work of Big Noise possible.