Big Noise Douglas participants take to the stage with the RSNO at the Caird Hall, Dundee.

Young people from Big Noise Douglas took to the main stage at the Caird Hall in Dundee for a special side-by-side performance with musicians from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) on Thursday 24 March. 

This was an exciting opportunity for the young musicians at Big Noise Douglas to learn first-hand from the RSNO’s world-class musicians. The special performance saw 30 children from Big Noise Douglas aged between 10-12 perform Purcell’s Rondeau from Abdelazer on stage with Scotland’s national orchestra. The performance was conducted by Anna-Maria Helsing.

This collaboration is the latest development in Sistema Scotland’s growing partnership with the RSNO. Sistema Scotland uses music making as a way to build confidence and skills in children and young people across Scotland. Recognising the barriers that financial and other inequalities create to accessing musical education, community-based programmes like Big Noise are essential in ensuring that everyone gets a chance to realise their true potential.

For the RSNO, working with social action organisations such as Sistema Scotland is vitally important for the progression of their Music for Life strategy, striving to deliver classical music to people of all ages and backgrounds in Scotland. 

Sistema Scotland Director of Music, Peter Nicholson said:

“This is a fantastic demonstration of the strength of partnership between Big Noise and the RSNO and is testament to how much the orchestra values their role in inspiring children and young people. I have no doubt that this experience will prove immensely beneficial for our Big Noise Douglas participants.”

RSNO Director of Learning and Engagement, Andy Stevenson said:

“It is vitally important that children get first-hand experiences such as this and we hope that this will be the first of many more opportunities to come.”

The performance on the main stage at the Caird Hall comes after weeks of hard work and preparation from the young people at Big Douglas. On 10 March, RSNO Guest Conductor Kellen Gray and musicians visited Big Noise Douglas for a special rehearsal ahead of the concert. Check out the video below for all the behind the scenes action!

The rehearsal, which took place in Douglas Community Centre, was the first time the Big Noise Douglas participants had played with the RSNO musicians in preparation for the performance. It was also an opportunity to ask the musicians questions about how to deal with nerves and what performing on a big stage was like.

RSNO Assistant Conductor, Kellen Gray (pictured above) said:

"It's always so exciting to work with young people, but it was exceptionally inspiring to spend time with the young students of Big Noise Douglas. To see their passion for music is truly thrilling."