Big Noise in Torry as Sistema project set to continue

30 January 2020

Aberdeen City Council’s Strategic Commissioning Committee has today (Thursday 30 January) approved the business case for the continuation of a long-term partnership with the charity Sistema Scotland to support the delivery of the Big Noise Torry programme.

The contract will see Big Noise Torry continue for a six-year period from 01 April this year until 31 March 2026.

In addition to the continuation of all current programmes the new contract will see:

Expansion of the after-school programme to work with all ages, from Primary 3 until Secondary 6 school ages.

Expansion of the after-school programme to offer additional strands for young people focused on skills for employment including youth board, volunteering development, teaching assistant development and partnerships with local further education establishments.

The Big Noise after-school programme expanding from strings only to include woodwind, brass and percussion.

Embedding Big Noise as a key partner in the new Torry Community Hub.

Building on The Noise adult orchestra and volunteering to develop community committees, ownership and capacity through community engagement.

Launched in 2015, Big Noise Torry is already working with over 550 children from birth to Primary 7. The extension of the contract will allow Aberdeen City Council and Sistema Scotland to continue to work together to deliver the programme that already exists, and to extend the age range and build the additional strands to complete the programme model for the Torry community.

Big Noise Torry is closely aligned with Community Planning Aberdeen’s Local Outcome Improvement Plan 2016-26 (LOIP). The programme’s ethos is in line with the commitments set out in the LOIP to create a place where all people can prosper through early intervention and prevention.

Big Noise Torry’s focus on one of Aberdeen’s priority communities, coupled with the programme’s proven role in increasing engagement with education, supports the Council’s objective to narrow the attainment gap and increase the percentage of young people from disadvantaged communities reaching positive post-school destinations.

Councillor Jenny Laing, Co-Leader of Aberdeen City Council and convener of the Strategic Commissioning Committee said: “As a local authority we have made a significant commitment to Big Noise Torry and that is due to continue following the committee’s decision today.

“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 delighted 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.”

Nicola Killean, CEO of Sistema Scotland said: “We are absolutely delighted that Aberdeen City Council are continuing their longstanding and vital partnership with Sistema Scotland through today’s further six-year commitment to support Big Noise Torry. Sistema Scotland is dedicated to transforming lives through music and helping our children and young people to grow into confident and resilient adults.”