The Caird Hall is to host a day-long Festival of Strings to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Sistema Scotland.
The charity, which uses music tuition to help enrich the lives of children in some of Scotland’s most deprived areas, set up its first Big Noise Orchestra in Stirling 10 years ago.
Since then, it has added new orchestras in Glasgow, Aberdeen and, most recently, the Big Noise Douglas orchestra in Dundee.
To celebrate its 10th anniversary, string players are being invited to work with renowned Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti.
The Super Strings sessions will take place across four days across September and October and will allow around 500 young musicians to play and learn from Nicola Benedetti and their peers from around the country.
Supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery, the Super Strings sessions are taking place in Aberdeen, Stirling and Glasgow.
The project will then culminate in a Festival of Strings Day at the Caird Hall on October 9.
The Big Noise programme, run by charity Sistema Scotland, uses music to transform the lives of children living in disadvantaged communities.
It uses the symphony orchestra and learning a musical instrument, via an immersive and intensive programme, as the tools to equip children with a wide range of social and life skills including confidence, resilience and aspiration.
Nicola Benedetti said: “This is a very fitting way for me to help celebrate Sistema Scotland and Big Noise’s 10th birthday
“Whether the children are learning at Big Noise, in school or privately, are at beginner, intermediate or advanced level we are all united in our love for string playing and music making. I can’t wait to come and be with so many young musicians in Scotland at the same time, hear them play and work on improving together.
“There is an incredible amount of musical talent and creativity in Scotland and many excellent teachers in music education sharing their passion, dedication and expertise with young people. I’m delighted that we are all able to pass on our gift of music making to the next generation in Scotland.”
Nicola Killean, chief executive, of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are thrilled once more to be given this fantastic opportunity to work with Nicola Benedetti, who is such a supporter of Big Noise and wonderful role model for young musicians in Scotland.
“The young people from across our Big Noise centres are excited to be able to join together with other young people from across Scotland to work together and share this experience. “
