Big Noise Torry hits a high note at third birthday celebrations

06 June 2018

Big Noise Torry celebrated a special third birthday celebration with more than 100 children performing two concerts in Torry Academy on Monday 4 June and yesterday (Tuesday 5 June).

Primary 3 to 5 pupils from Tullos and Walker Road Primary Schools entertained parents, families, and invited guests with their musical renditions. On the second day of the celebrations they were joined by piper Iain Richardson and pianist Jenny Cranna, whose star contribution marks her retirement this year as Head Teacher of Torry Academy.

Babies and parents from ‘Little Noise’ and the parents’ orchestra ‘The Noise’ also took part in the birthday fun performances over the two days.

Councillor Jenny Laing, Co-Leader, Aberdeen City Council, said: “A huge congratulations to Big Noise Torry on its third birthday.

“The impact that Big Noise has had on the Torry community in Aberdeen has been tremendous and I’d like to offer a big thanks to all the schools, teachers, musicians, parents, carers and the broader community who have been working with Big Noise, using music to transform the lives of children.

“Aberdeen City Council is proud to be the major financial stakeholder in a programme that is transforming not only the lives of the pupils taking part but also the entire community".

A wide range of partners and funders support Big Noise Torry including Aberdeen City Council who commit up to 75% of the programme costs. 

Big Noise currently works in Torry with more than 500 children from birth to 10 years providing free, immersive, instrumental music tuition, as well as an orchestra programme, to pupils in school, after school and during the school holidays. Engagement with the programme equips children with a wide range of social and life skills including confidence, resilience and aspiration.

Laura Horn, Team Leader at Big Noise Torry, said: "The children have been working really hard and they were so excited to perform for their friends, families and invited guests at our third birthday concerts.

"Sistema Scotland and Big Noise Torry would like to thank all our wonderful funders and donors, many of whom were represented here today and Jenny Cranna and Iain Richardson for accompanying the orchestra so beautifully.

“We would like to give a special thanks to Torry Academy for hosting Big Noise over the past three years. While these will be our last concerts here, Big Noise After School club will continue at Walker Road and Tullos Primary Schools from August onwards". 

Jenny Cranna, Headteacher at Torry Academy, said: “It has been a great privilege having Big Noise Torry based within Torry Academy over the past three years. To see the youngsters develop their musical knowledge and talent has been an inspiration and has created such a buzz within the community.

“I would like to wish everyone linked with this fantastic project every success in the future.”

Last year Aberdeen City Council endorsed an independent evaluation report by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health which revealed that Big Noise Torry has enhanced participants’ ability to learn in school, as well as improving emotional wellbeing.

The report also found that Big Noise has a wide range of positive impacts on children’s lives. These include engagement with education, developing life skills, securing emotional wellbeing, building social skills, encouraging healthy behaviours and offering respite and protection for some of our most vulnerable children.

Big Noise Torry is delivered by Sistema Scotland in partnership with Aberdeen City Council

Big Noise Torry was established in 2015 and has more than 500 members ranging from babies to P5

Visit Big Noise Torry website www.makeabignoise.org.uk/funding.

Main photograph shows: L-R Coralie Usmani (Senior Musician Big Noise Torry) Maria Drelich (8 years old Tullos Primary School), Connor McDonald (7 years old Tullos Primary School), Krystian Grabowski (10 years old Walker Road Primary School), Aberdeen City Council Co Leader Jenny Laing and Mena Sopasay (9 years old, Walker Road Primary School),