A HIGH-QUALITY music education and social change programme is planned to start next spring.

Big Noise, from Sistema Scotland, will begin the programme in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, initially working with P1 and P2 children and then expanding to cover children from nursery up to P3.

The programme combines symphony orchestra with the community and supports kids and young people to gain life skills such as confidence and creativity.

Big Noise musicians such as Elizabeth McColl, teach kids a range of instruments.

The National:

Through music and nurturing relationships, Big Noise helps children reach their full potential. The programme also aims to strengthen the communities where it is based; developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.

Independent evaluation of the Big Noise model by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps children to improve their concentration and language skills, enhance their problem solving and decision making, increase their self-esteem and develop strong friendships and support networks.

Benny Higgins, chair of Sistema Scotland, said: “Sistema Scotland believes that all children and young people have great skills, talents and potential. Now more than ever, we must think and act creatively to ensure Scotland’s children are given the opportunities and support that they deserve.”