Latest news with #SistemaScotland
Daily Record
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
American choir prepares to join young local musicians in Stirling charity concert
Voices from the Heart, from New Hampshire, are singing alongside the community chorus from Big Noise Raploch. An American women's choir has raised more than £18,000 in support of Scotland's music and social change charity, Sistema Scotland, as it prepares to perform in the historic heart of Scotland. Voices from the Heart, from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, are singing alongside the community chorus from Big Noise Raploch in a special concert at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling on Friday, June 27. The 200-strong choir is known for its mix of soulful music from different traditions and its community work and some 80 members will travel to Scotland to perform later this month. Founded in 1995, it brings together women from New Hampshire, Maine and Massachusetts to rehearse, perform and share the joy of music. The choir, based in New Hampshire, organises trips abroad combined with support for communities in the places they visit. They previously raised money for youth charity Friends Forever and for organisations tackling domestic abuse in Ireland for a trip in 2001, and fundraising to clear a minefield in Croatia in 2007. They have also supported aid projects in Cuba and South Africa. The 2025 tour of Scotland is in support of Sistema Scotland and its six Big Noise projects that support children, young people and communities through music and nurturing relationships in the areas of greatest need in the country. Since starting in Raploch in 2008, the programme has grown to support around 4,000 children and young people in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen and Stirling. So far, the choir has raised $25,000 (£18,526) and money is still coming in. The choir raised money from individual donations, and through events such as a community song night, raffles and selling handmade crafts. The concert takes place at the historic church of the Holy Rude in Stirling, the site of James VI's coronation in 1567, on June 27. Tickets are free and the choir will perform a mix of traditional American music, including African American spirituals, Native American pieces and modern classics such as Ain't No Mountain High Enough. They will also perform Scottish pieces including The Skye Boat Song, Flower of Scotland and Caledonia. The choir will also sing at Iona Abbey on Iona, the Rockfield Centre in Oban, Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh, and the Portree and Brocadale Free Church of Scotland on Skye. Joanne Connolly, Voices from the Heart director, said: 'Our music is upbeat, joyful and positive. 'We look for organisations to support that fit with our mission. Sistema Scotland empower women and children and build community through music. Their work is a wonderful fit. I looked at the website and I saw a picture of a little girl playing the violin. It really moved me because I am a violinist and my grandparents put a violin in my hand – and it is Sistema who put a violin in her hand. 'They also talk about how children from different schools and different neighbourhoods come together in the community. We think it is so important for children to have these different communities to link up to. 'Our group is amazing. We have 200 members who have done so much to raise money for Big Noise – everyone joined together to raise funds.' Vicky Williams, Sistema Scotland Chief Executive said: 'The power of music to bring people together, celebrate the human spirit and lift people's feelings is well know, and we are delighted to share this special concert with Voices from the Heart. 'We are incredibly grateful to them for choosing us as their charity this year, and for inviting our community choir in Raploch to perform alongside them. Not only will the money raised help young people across Scotland reach their potential through music, but the concert itself will celebrate our shared values and beliefs in music as a force for good in our society.'
Edinburgh Reporter
16-06-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
Scottish Secretary gets to know The Big Noise
The Secretary of State for Scotland, the Rt Hon Ian Murray, went back to Wester Hailes to visit The Big Noise, the pioneering music and social change programme. Mr Murray grew up in Wester Hailes, and he visited the social change programme based on orchestral music to see – and hear – first-hand how its work is tackling inequality and helping children, young people and families in the area. During his visit to the project at Canal View Primary School, Mr Murray was told more about the programme, which provides music tuition, instruments and nurturing support to primary school pupils to help them fulfil their potential and reach their goals. He watched music lessons, met young people on the programme and enjoyed a performance from the pupils. He was shown around by the charity's chief executive Vicky Williams and the chair, Benny Higgins. Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, which launched in Raploch in 2008. Children and young people learn music after school, creating a community symphony orchestra which supports them in gaining vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity, and aspiration. The charity works intensively with children, young people and families in targeted communities, using the symphony orchestra as a community to help children gain life skills and experiences. There are now six centres supporting almost 4,000 children and young people across Scotland, including Raploch and Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Douglas in Dundee, Torry in Aberdeen, and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh, which is its newest centre and opened in 2022. Big Noise Wester Hailes now reaches more than 550 children a week, working in partnership with Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill primary schools. It 'supports young people to reach their full potential by helping them develop vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity, and aspiration, while also strengthening community ties through music and nurturing relationships'.. Mr Murray said: 'Returning to Wester Hailes, where I grew up, and seeing first-hand how Sistema Scotland's Big Noise programme is transforming young lives was genuinely moving. This innovative programme doesn't just teach music – it builds confidence, resilience and aspiration in children who deserve every opportunity to succeed. Tackling inequality and poverty is a key part of the UK Government's Plan for Change. 'The progress made since Big Noise launched in this area is remarkable, now reaching over 550 children each week. As someone who knows this community well, I'm particularly proud to see such positive investment in these young people's futures, equipping them with vital life skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.' Vicky Williams, Chief Executive of Sistema Scotland, said: 'It was fantastic to welcome Ian Murray to Wester Hailes to share more how our work tackles poverty and inequality, builds confidence and resilience in young people and helps them both inside and outside the classroom. 'Our 'more than music' approach is really bearing fruit in our older programmes, where we are now seeing people who joined us as primary school pupils move into work, study and really positive lives. 'It is clear that Big Noise, through nurturing and supportive relationships, helps children and young people reach their full potential by equipping them with vital life skills and enhancing their academic skills. 'We also know that taking part in Big Noise increases confidence and self-esteem, as well as participants' creativity, aspiration and sense of belonging.' Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
How the power of music brings communities together
From the first time I picked up a trumpet at school, to playing with some of the country's leading bands and orchestras, making music has helped me through difficult times, introduced me to new people and sparked moments of joy. As chief executive of music and social change charity Sistema Scotland, I am honoured to help bring that sense of community to children and young people, families and volunteers throughout Scotland. Our Big programme is thriving in six communities around Scotland – Raploch and Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Torry in Aberdeen, Douglas in Dundee and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh. We provide free high quality after-school music sessions and support to nearly 4,000 children and young people. We have watched children grow up, got to know their families and become a community hub. We use the power of music and nurturing relationships to change lives and help people fulfil their aspirations. We recently enjoyed a performance by our Big Noise United Orchestra. In the week before the concert, they took part in a residential trip, with fun activities and adventures as well as rehearsals. Hearing them chat brought home how they all felt part of something bigger than themselves and how the orchestra is laying a firm foundation of a lifelong community. Right now, our older students are on exam leave. It's a stressful time for many. We have an open-door policy, providing extra support and reassurance in a way that suits them. We are running extra sessions for those taking SQA music exams – giving them help and reassurance. When young people join Big Noise, their families become part of our community. We run community orchestras, choirs and music groups throughout Scotland, which are a weekly point of connection for adults, helping with loneliness, yes, but also having fun. We have a community orchestra, community choirs, and a ukulele club. Connections are made organically too. One family are new Scots. Their mother knew no one when she arrived in Glasgow. Big Noise gave her a sense of belonging, of support. Someone to have a cup of tea with – and she has gone on to get a degree and is busy setting up her own social enterprise. Another parent has spoken of the sense of community and companionship she got when she brought her two young sons along to our Little Noise classes for babies. She was inspired to volunteer and has now found work. Every day at Big Noise, I see how having strong connections with others and being part of a supportive community makes us happier and improves our lives. The power of the orchestra to help people belong is something I experienced myself, and by providing these opportunities to children and young people in Scotland we can be part of creating this for future generations. Vicky Williams is chief executive of Sistema Scotland Agenda is a column for outside contributors. Contact: agenda@
