Children in Fallin will now be able to access the programme
A successful programme that supports children in areas of depravation is being extended.
Big Noise Fallin is being created by Sistema Scotland on the back of Big Noise Raploch.
Sistema Scotland is working in partnership with Stirling Council to expand Big Noise Raploch’s impact in Stirling and this new expansion plan will allow the charity to support up to an additional 90 children, young people, and families within Fallin over the coming year.
Musicians from Big Noise will focus on teaching brass instruments alongside a strong grounding in general musicianship and will work with children in Primary 5 and 6 at Fallin Primary School.
The children will have sessions in school and then have the opportunity to join an after-school programme in the community. Families will be invited to be involved regularly, hoping for a similar positive impact on community cohesion as the work in Raploch.
Independent evaluation since 2013 by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps participants to increase their resilience, improve their confidence, enhance their teamwork skills, and develop their creativity.
Young people from the Big Noise programme in Raploch have gone on to a range of positive, post-school destinations including full-time employment, college, Modern Apprenticeships, university, and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Some of them will also be involved in supporting the new work taking place at Big Noise Fallin.
To mark the launch of Big Noise Fallin, brass musicians from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (BBC SSO) have been working with participants and Big Noise musicians this week. This culminated in two special concerts for older pupils at Fallin Primary School on Thursday (16 September).
Steven Reynolds joined Big Noise when he was in Primary 5 and currently plays the tuba in the Big Noise Raploch Symphony Orchestra. Participating in the launch of Big Noise Fallin, he said: “Big Noise has given me so many opportunities to see more of Scotland and more of the world. Not just that, but you make so many great friends here. It really helps you focus, gives you discipline. I have to admit, I wasn’t the best at concentrating at school when I was younger, but being with Big Noise for so long has helped me keep my head down and get my work done.”
The Big Noise Fallin after-school club will begin on 29 September and in due course (subject to Covid-19 restrictions), the participants of Big Noise Fallin and Big Noise Raploch will learn, rehearse and perform together on a regular basis.
Cllr Chris Kane, convenor of Stirling Council’s Community and Planning Regeneration Committee, which oversees the local authority’s partnership with Sistema Scotland, said: “We are delighted to build on the success of Big Noise Raploch and work in partnership with Sistema Scotland to launch a Big Noise programme in Fallin.
“Expanding this transformative programme into other areas of Stirling has been a long-standing council priority and it’s fantastic that more families and communities will reap the benefits we have seen in Raploch.
“Taking part in Big Noise helps our children and young people develop important life skills such as confidence, creativity and resilience and also has a positive impact on the wider community.
“I know there has already been great interest in the programme in Fallin, and I can’t wait to see our new intake of Big Noise participants shows their musical talents in concert for the first time.”
Benny Higgins, chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be able broaden the impact of Big Noise Raploch in order to support another Stirling community. This is a great opportunity to help more children, young people and families by building on the knowledge and expertise of our longest-running Big Noise programme, in partnership with Stirling Council and Fallin Primary School.
“Big Noise Fallin is a key part of our commitment to being an innovative organisation that helps children and young people realise their potential, improves lives and strengthens the wonderful communities we work alongside.”
Andrena Davidson (whose son, Jensen, is in P6 at Fallin Primary School), said: “Big Noise coming to Fallin is such a great opportunity for the children. My boy has been talking about this constantly for the past few weeks - he’s so excited!
“We’re excited too - he loves anything to do with music. Having the chance to do this with his friends at school will be wonderful for building their confidence and learning together. I’m so glad that he’s able to take part in Big Noise here at Fallin Primary School.”
