YOUNG musicians from music programmes across Scotland have returned from a trip to India where they celebrated the bonds between the two countries.
Twelve people, aged 15-18, from Big Noise programmes in the communities of Govanhill in Glasgow and Raploch in Stirling took part.
Big Noise is a music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra helps support children and young people gain vital life skills.
Performing alongside them were young Indian musicians from A.R. Rahman’s Sunshine Orchestra in Nagaland as well as students from the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai.
The concert featured a wide range of music, including works by Beethoven, Scottish melodies and Naga and Tamil folk songs.
During their residency week, the group were part of a wider outreach programme, visiting a local school and university to deliver music workshops and learn about South Indian culture.
The Big Noise programme is delivered by the charity Sistema Scotland and works with more than 3500 young people across Scotland including in Aberdeen, Dundee, Stirling and Glasgow.
Shannon, a participant at Big Noise Raploch, said: “I loved experiencing the culture – the food, the people, the music. Just like in Scotland, the passion for music is massive over there.
“They’re all about their music, and so are we! The music itself is quite different to what we’re used to, but the way they feel about it and how they go about it is just the same as what we do.
"At first it was a little difficult to get used to playing with the Indian musicians, because it was so different from anything we’ve experienced before, but as time went on, we all got closer, made new friends and loved playing music together.
"We had a dance party one night and we were teaching the Indian students Scottish ceilidh dancing, it was brilliant! We’ve been messaging our new friends in India since we left – I hope we keep in touch!”
Cleoné, a participant from Govanhill, said that although she found it difficult to play the new music at first, she would "love" the chance to do it again.
She added: “At first in our rehearsals I found it hard to play some of the music, but it was great working through some of the more complicated music with the musicians from India and the other people from Big Noise.
"The conductor also showed us some of the similarities between the traditional music of Scotland and traditional Indian music which really helped. I really enjoyed listening to the Indian music, so I would love to play some of that again.
"It was a bit of a culture shock when we first got over there, but we quickly got to know the Indian students we were playing with and asked them all sorts of questions about life in India. On our last day we had a bit of a leaving party, and we were teaching all of the Indian musicians Scottish ceilidh dancing, and they taught us some traditional Indian dances – it was great fun!
"It was great getting to meet new people from a different country, and also getting to know the young people from Big Noise Raploch better as well. I hope we all keep in touch!”
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