A teenage violinist from Raploch has spoken of the transformative impact a Stirling-based music charity has had on her life as she pursues a career in the industry. Fourteen-year-old Sara performed at a special summer concert celebrating the achievements of the Big Noise programme and the wider community over the past year.
Sara joined Big Noise, which has bases in Raploch and Fallin, in primary four. She credits the programme with helping her make friends, boosting her self-esteem, and inspiring her to study music. She now aspires to return to Big Noise as a professional musician.
Summer Concerts Mark 18 Years of Support
Sara performed at Raploch Community Campus last week in front of an audience of friends, family, and community members. The concert was one of three held by young musicians at Big Noise Raploch and Fallin to mark the end of the academic year. Performances included groups ranging from the youngest P3 string orchestra to school leavers and alumni in the Big Noise Raploch & Fallin Symphony Orchestra. The intergenerational Community Chorus and Ukulele Group, in partnership with Inspiring Communities, also performed.
Young Musician's Testimonial
“At Big Noise, you get to go and do all these concerts with important people like the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and it makes me feel important too,” Sara said. “I feel good meeting new people. Without Big Noise I think my life would be boring. I would probably be lonely because a lot of my pals are from Big Noise. I’m taking music in S4-S6 and I’m going to try to get into Glasgow University, Edinburgh University or the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland to study music. I’d love to work at Big Noise as a musician one day.”
Charity's Reach and Impact
Big Noise Raploch launched in 2008 and now works with around 550 children, young people, and their families every week. Across Scotland, the charity operates six centres supporting more than 3,500 children and young people, including locations in Govanhill (Glasgow), Torry (Aberdeen), Douglas (Dundee), and Wester Hailes (Edinburgh), as well as Raploch and Fallin in Stirling.
Head of Centre Praises Young Musicians
Jo Ashcroft, head of centre at Raploch and Fallin, said: “It was a real pleasure to celebrate the end of the Big Noise year with the brilliant young musicians from our programmes in Raploch and Fallin. It was a chance to bring people together to share everything our young musicians have achieved over the past year. Hearing Sara talk about her Big Noise experience means so much, because she sums up everything that is special about Big Noise: music, community, opportunity, and the sheer joy that music brings.”
