Big Noise Govanhill celebrated an amazing year of transforming lives through music with two nights of fantastic performance at the Glasgow Elim Church on Tuesday 3 December and Wednesday 4 December. Over 200 children from local schools, alongside adults from the Del Mundo Orchestra (Big Noise Govanhill’s community orchestra), gathered to perform a range of musical pieces for family, friends and the local community.

2019 has been a great year for Big Noise Govanhill, with children taking part in events such as the
Glasgow Music Festival, the international ‘Making Place’ conference (hosted by NHS Scotland) and an
incredible five day residency with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

The concerts showcased the musical achievements and hard work of primary three to seven pupils
from St Bride’s, Holy Cross, Annette Street and Cuthbertson primary schools, and first and second year pupils from Holyrood Secondary School and Shawlands Academy. Children from the newest to the
most advanced orchestral groups performed over the two days. 

Ali Gornall, Team Leader at Govanhill, said:“I’m so proud of the focus, commitment and practice our children and adult participants have put into these concerts. I’m also delighted that so many members of the local community have joined us to celebrate those achievements. We couldn’t make a Big Noise without the wonderful people of Govanhill.

“From all of us here at Big Noise Govanhill and Sistema Scotland, I’d like to say a big thank you to
every person, group and organisation that supports our work. Their support is vital to helping us
transform children’s lives all through the year.”

Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund this programme of social change through music for over six years, since Big Noise Govanhill was established in 2013. The programme is one of the many beneficiaries of £500 million raised for over 7,500 good causes in Britain and beyond.

Hazel Johnstone, senior programmes manager at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “We’re incredibly proud that players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £1.5 million for Sistema Scotland’s work across the country over the past eight years. Part of this funding is supporting real and lasting social change, through music, in one of Glasgow’s most diverse communities. These concerts are a great representation of the vibrancy of Govanhill and its incredible passion not only for music but also in providing the best possible opportunities for children and young people.”

Big Noise Govanhill is supported a range of partners and funders, including Glasgow City Council, the Scottish Government, Govanhill Housing Association, the Sigrid Rausing Trust and players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, as well as other individuals, trusts and businesses.