A MUSIC programme hailed by the First Minister for its work to “enrich the lives of so many children” is to benefit from continued Scottish Government funding.
John Swinney confirmed £2.6 million will go to Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme, which uses music to improve the lives of children and young people.
The cash will mean almost 4000 children and young people will have the opportunity to boost their potential, thanks to music education.
Working in Stirling, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, the programme provides youngsters with instruments and tuition free of charge – as well as snacks for hungry participants.
Swinney, who listened to performances by youngsters as he visited the project’s Stirling base, said he is “consistently impressed with Big Noise’s efforts to ensure children and young people across five cities have the opportunity to learn, play and perform”.
READ MORE: Most voters say Labour government doesn't understand Scotland, poll finds
Stressing the power of music and the arts to “bring people together”, he added that youngsters who have taken part in the project have also developed leadership skills.
He said the skills help participants throughout their life, even if they choose not to continue with music.
Swinney said: “I am grateful to Sistema Scotland for continuing to enrich the lives of so many children and young people by making music accessible and inclusive.”
Sistema Scotland chief executive Vicky Williams said the organisation is “enormously grateful to the Scottish Government for their continuing support of Big Noise in Scotland”.
READ MORE: Rachel Reeves pins blame for cuts on SNP during visit to Scotland
She added: “This funding means we can do more to support young people and families, tackle poverty and inequality and help build firm foundations for the future of our young people.
“Our work over the past 15 years has transformed lives throughout Scotland and we look forward to continuing this critical work with the support of our partners and funders.”
Shannon Galloway, 17, from the Raploch area of Stirling, joined Big Noise when she was five.
She has now secured a place to study music at Aberdeen University and has played on stage with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and renowned musician Nicola Benedetti.
The teenager, who hopes to become a music therapist, said: “I just don’t know what I would have done without Big Noise.
“I wouldn’t be going to university because I wouldn’t have discovered music. I had no interest before and now it is my entire life. It opened this whole life path for me.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel