Big Noise Torry celebrates 5th birthday

A musical project which is said to have transformed the lives of children in the Torry and Tullos areas of Aberdeen is celebrating its 5th birthday this week.

Today and tomorrow, participants will be able to view performances and chat to musicians from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra during exclusive online music and Q&A sessions.

On Wednesday and Thursday, for the first time ever, children and young people from across all four Big Noise centres will come together to take part in Big Noise Together - large-scale, online learning and activity sessions with Big Noise musicians.

Every afternoon this week, there will also be Facebook Live sessions hosted by each of the Big Noise centres, with Big Noise Torry featuring on Wednesday. These sessions can be viewed from any of the local Big Noise Facebook pages, or the national Sistema Scotland Facebook page. 

Formally launched in June 2015, Big Noise Torry works with over 600 children from birth to primary seven at Tullos and Walker Road schools, and is delivered in partnership between Aberdeen City Council and the charity Sistema Scotland. 

Since pausing its face-to-face delivery in mid-March 2020, in response to Covid-19 restrictions, Big Noise Torry has delivered over 1,150 live online lessons and created over 75 teaching videos for its participants, while working in close partnership with Torry’s primary schools and Aberdeen City Council.

In January, the programme - which sees young children learn to play musical instruments from an early age - was extended for another six years, through to March 31 2026.

Councillor Jenny Laing, co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council, said: "From the outset we believed Big Noise Torry had the potential to deliver real benefits for one of Aberdeen’s key regeneration community areas.

"I am very pleased that the independent evaluation carried out on the programme to date clearly demonstrates this is the case and that is why we will continue to invest for the benefit of all in the Torry area and beyond. 

"It’s unfortunate that, due to the current lockdown, the children, parents and everyone involved in Big Noise Torry can’t come together today to celebrate. However, it will make the party all the more special when they do at a future date."

Councillor Douglas Lumsden, co-leader of the council, said: "Happy birthday to everyone involved in Big Noise Torry. Evidence from Sistema Scotland's work highlights how the involvement in music-making is hugely beneficial to participants educationally and socially, as well as improving their general wellbeing.

"Every time I’ve visited Big Noise Torry this has been clear to see. That is why the contract was extended for a further six years and represents a huge investment in the future of the Torry community by Aberdeen City Council."

Benny Higgins, chair of Sistema Scotland, said: "I am delighted that our successful partnership with Aberdeen City Council to deliver Big Noise Torry will continue for another six years.

"Independent evaluation of the Big Noise programme has shown that it builds resilience, improves team-working, enhances academic skills and develops self-confidence in its participants.

"These skills are more vital than ever in a world so altered by Covid-19. Children in Torry, and across Scotland, deserve the opportunities and support that Big Noise provides, alongside families, teachers and many others in this fantastic community. 

"The council's far-sighted commitment to our work will allow Big Noise to change a great many more lives through music and long-term, nurturing relationships."