John Swinney vows continued funding for music project ‘enriching lives of children’

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 £2.6m 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 4,000 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.

Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise project gives youngsters the chance to develop their musical talents. PA Media

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”.

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”.

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.”

First Minister John Swinney hailed the Big Noise project. PA Media

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.”