Continued support for Raploch's Big Noise

Stirling Council's Executive agreed unanimously to continue support for Sistema Scotland's Big Noise children's orchestra in the city’s Raploch community at a meeting on Thursday evening (26 January).

The meeting, which was addressed by Sistema Scotland Chairman Richard Holloway, heard how the pioneering project, based on the original Venezuelan El Sistema orchestra and first of its kind in Europe, has been "transforming lives" in Raploch since its launch in 2008, and has become an international model and inspiration.

The Big Noise is an early intervention programme using music and the experience of being part of an orchestra to improve long-term outcomes for children and families experiencing disadvantage.  The aim is to foster confidence, teamwork, pride and aspiration in the children taking part and engage whole families and the wider community.

Executive members agreed to the continuation of the Council's partnership with Big Noise and Sistema Scotland, to consider allocation of transitional funding for the orchestra for 2012/13 when the initial five-year pilot period funded largely by the charity Sistema Scotland comes to an end, and to explore options for a funding strategy to support the programme on an ongoing basis.

 "I am delighted to see Stirling leading the way, in partnership with Sistema Scotland and the people of Raploch, in this pioneering project, which is making a positive difference to so many lives," said Stirling Council Leader Cllr Graham Houston.  "The hope now must be that we can go on to share our experience with other areas across Scotland and beyond.  Our commitment to Sistema Scotland and Big Noise stands strong."

Sistema Scotland Chairman Richard Holloway commented;

"Sistema Scotland has had a productive partnership with Stirling Council, proving that this revolutionary Venezuelan idea can work in Scotland. We always expected that after the initial five year trial period the local authority would pick up more of the funding responsibility. The independent evaluation published last year shows Big Noise is working, and because of it a whole community is shifting its outlook and ambition. Other communities in Scotland are clamouring to follow Stirling's brave lead, and we are planning to open new centres in the next few years. Meanwhile, we will continue to build on our pioneering partnership with Stirling Council. This is a social transformation project which happens to also uncover and create excellent musicians.  It’s a great orchestra, but that is not Big Noise’s main objective.  That is to turn around an entire community."

Cllr Houston confirmed that music provision in other communities and schools would not be impacted by the Council’s support for Big Noise;

"This is not about music provision.  That is protected in our schools.  This is about changing lives."

The Executive agreed that volunteers would be sought to become Big Noise Champions to share the story with other authorities and countries, promote the Big Noise partnership, encourage sponsorship and identify future partner funders of the programme in Stirling.