Celebrating 15 years of making a Big Noise to improve the lives of children and young people across Scotland!

Young participants and families from our Big Noise programmes across Scotland took part in a very special concert reception at the Scottish Parliament to mark the 15th anniversary of Sistema Scotland. The reception was attended by Culture Minister Christina McKelvie, who spoke at the event, in front of an audience of MSPs, local councillors, partners and funders. It was an extraordinary moment in the charity's history to have young people from all six Big Noise programmes performing together.

Participants were invited to speak about their experiences being involved in Big Noise and the positive impact the programme has had on their lives. They also took part in an MSP drop-in session where they got to meet their elected members and share their experiences with them one-to-one.

Sistema Scotland first began with the launch of Big Noise Raploch in 2008 with six staff working with around 35 children. Fifteen years on and there are now six centres supporting a combined 3,500 children and young people, including in Fallin, Stirling, Torry, Aberdeen, Govanhill, Glasgow, Douglas, Dundee, and Wester Hailes, Edinburgh. We have had a wonderful fifteen years supporting all of our Big Noise children and young people to reach their full potential and build vital life skills, as well as building strong relationships with the wider communities in which we work to tackle inequalities long term. We hope to continue our mission of transforming lives through music and nurturing relationships for the next 15 years and beyond, and thank all of our partners and funders for supporting us to do so!

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Congratulations to Sistema Scotland as they celebrate their 15th anniversary. Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise orchestral programme has transformed the lives of thousands of young people in disadvantaged communities by tackling child poverty and reducing inequalities. These important projects also improve attainment levels and promote the health and wellbeing of our young people. The Scottish Government is proud to have supported Sistema Scotland with annual funding since 2012.”