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Sistema Scotland is coming to Dundee

The Big Noise Raploch Orchestra is run by the charity Sistema Scotland.
The Big Noise Raploch Orchestra is run by the charity Sistema Scotland.

The children’s orchestra credited with rejuvenating some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities will soon have a new home in Dundee.

Funding of £2.2 million is being secured to enable the opening of Sistema Scotland’s fourth Big Noise Orchestra in the city’s Douglas area after years of campaigning.

Hundreds of children will benefit from access to free music lessons and it’s hoped the tuition will have a major impact on their lives

The programme has been hailed for changing the entire direction of communities such as Stirling’s Raploch area, where it was first introduced to Scotland.

It has been linked to everything from a reduction in crime to improved school attendance and attainment and there are even hopes that it could lead to a long-term improvement in health.

There are high hopes it could have a huge impact upon youngsters in parts of Dundee, which have been assessed as among the most deprived in Scotland.

Supporters have been working to bring the charity to Dundee for years, with council chiefs discussing the issue at the insistence of the Labour Group back in 2012.

A short time later, the organisation Optimistic Sound began raising money in honour of late Dundee singer-songwriter Michael Marra, with the purpose of using the money to bring Sistema to the city.

His family have been heavily involved with the effort, which has been backed over the years by stars including Snow Patrol’s Tom Simpson and Hollywood actor Brian Cox.

The Scottish Government announced earlier this month that it was plough an extra £2.5 million into Sistema Scotland to enable it to expand its work in Stirling, Glasgow and Aberdeen.

An extra 700 children will benefit from its revolutionary music tuition system, which originated in Venezuela.

Colin McKerchar, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “We have been working closely with Optimistic Sound, Dundee City Council and the Douglas community to establish Scotland’s newest Big Noise Centre in the area.

“We have had a number of meetings in the Douglas community and the enthusiasm for the introduction of Big Noise Douglas has been incredible.

“This is just the start of a yearlong process; we are awaiting formal approval from Dundee City Council before we start looking at premises for the Big Noise Centre and recruiting staff.

“Throughout the year, we will be continuing with our Douglas community engagement programme.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for Sistema Scotland, and we look forward to working with the Douglas community and our partners in Dundee to make this programme a huge success.”See Saturday’s Courier for more on this story.