As of 2023, Big Noise programmes supporting a combined 3,500 children and young people are delivered in the communities of Raploch and Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Douglas in Dundee, Torry in Aberdeen, and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh. The centres support families by providing free childcare and healthy food after school and during the holidays, and children and young people are given opportunities that they may not otherwise have.
Big Noise programmes also offer Baby Noise and Little Noise play-orientated music sessions for 0-3 year olds with their parents and carers. As well as children, young people and their families taking part, most Big Noise programmes also provide members of the wider community with the opportunity to join community orchestras and choirs. All activities and instruments at Big Noise are provided free of charge to all participants.
About Big Noise
The Big Noise programme is particularly focused on early years’ intervention and long-term delivery. Each new Big Noise centre begins by working with children at nursery (weekly) and in Primary 1 and 2 (twice weekly), gradually building on core skills such as listening, concentration, rhythm, rhyme and teamwork whilst learning to play an instrument in a group.
As children reach Primary 3 and beyond, Big Noise evolves into an intensive and immersive programme of after-school and holiday club music teaching, performance and social interaction. Big Noise participants receive up to four after-school sessions of intervention and support a week during term time; and up to four days each week during spring, summer and autumn holidays until they leave school. Young people are given the opportunity to take part in performances and residential trips.
Big Noise centres also provide weekly sessions for babies and toddlers (and their parents). There is support and opportunity for adult community members to participate in singing and orchestral performance, as well as a range of meaningful volunteering options for adults within Big Noise.
Sistema Scotland currently delivers Big Noise programmes in 6 communities:
- Big Noise Raploch, Stirling, was established in 2008.
- Big Noise Govanhill, Glasgow, was established in 2013.
- Big Noise Torry, Aberdeen, was established in 2015.
- Big Noise Douglas, Dundee, was established in 2017.
- Big Noise Fallin, Stirling, was established in 2021.
- Big Noise Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, was established in 2022.
Big Noise Raploch
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Raploch is the home of the first Big Noise programme, and the first orchestra of its kind in the UK. Big Noise in Raploch in Stirling was launched in 2008 and operates from the Community Campus on Drip Road with children from the nursery, Our Lady’s Primary, Raploch Primary, Castleview Primary, Wallace High and St Modan’s High.
Get in touch with Big Noise Raploch:
Big Noise Raploch
Raploch Community Campus
Drip Road
Stirling
FK8 1RD
Email: raplochadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01786 445707
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Big Noise Govanhill
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Govanhill is Sistema Scotland’s second Big Noise programme, launched in 2013 in the vibrant and diverse community of Govanhill in Glasgow.
Big Noise Govanhill predominantly works with children and young people from St Bride’s, Holy Cross, Annette Street and Cuthbertson Primary & Nursery Schools, as well as Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy.
Get in touch with Big Noise Govanhill:
Big Noise Govanhill
The Neighbourhood Centre
6 Daisy Street
Glasgow
G42 8JL
Email: govanhilladministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 0141 328 4113
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Big Noise Torry
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Torry was launched in Aberdeen in July 2015 and is Sistema Scotland’s third Big Noise programme. Big Noise Torry predominantly works with children and young people at Walker Road and Tullos Primary & Nursery School, as well as Lochside Academy.
Get in touch with Big Noise Torry:
Big Noise Torry
39-41 Victoria Road
Aberdeen
AB11 9LS
Email: torryadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01224 974707
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Big Noise Douglas
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Douglas is Sistema Scotland’s fourth centre and launched in September 2017 in the Douglas community in the east of Dundee.
The programme predominantly works with children and young people from Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary and Nursery Schools.
Get in touch with Big Noise Douglas:
Big Noise Douglas
Douglas Community Centre
Balmoral Avenue
Dundee
DD4 8SD
Email: douglas@sistemascotland.org.uk
Telephone: 01382 767650
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Big Noise Fallin
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Big Noise Fallin in Stirling is an exciting development from neighbouring Big Noise Raploch. It was launched in 2021 and focuses on brass instrument teaching with children from Fallin Primary School.
Get in touch with Big Noise Fallin (via Raploch office):
Big Noise Raploch
Raploch Community Campus
Drip Road
Stirling
FK8 1RD
Telephone: 01786 445707
Email: raplochadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk
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Big Noise Wester Hailes
See also: Western European Art Music, Classical, Ensemble, Participatory, Ensemble, Instrumental Specialism, Musicianship, Creative Learning, Early Years, Primary, Secondary, Lifelong Learning.
Sistema Scotland’s sixth and newest Big Noise programme launched in 2022 in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. Big Noise Wester Hailes predominantly works with children from Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill Primary and Nursery Schools.
Get in touch with Big Noise Wester Hailes:
Big Noise Wester Hailes
Wester Hailes
Whale Arts
30 Westburn Grove
Edinburgh
EH14 2SA
Email: westerhailesadministrator@sistemascotland.org.uk.
Telephone: 07918280426
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