We're absolutely delighted to announce Dr Lois Fitch, Assistant Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, as our newly appointed Sistema Scotland board member. 

Dr Fitch said: “I am delighted to be joining Sistema Scotland at such a critical time – both for the charity and for the entire music sector.  Sistema Scotland’s Big Noise programme demonstrates how the teaching of classical music, as well as the trust and mutual respect that develops between the child and the musician during that teaching process, can boost wellbeing, develop resilience and inspire ambition. These are vital skills for our young people, now more than ever.”

Benny Higgins, Chair of Sistema Scotland, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Lois to the Board of Sistema Scotland. She brings a huge amount of experience and expertise in the field of music education and research to our organisation, as well as passionate belief in the role of the arts in driving social change. Now is the time for all of us to be bold about what we can achieve for our children, young people and communities. The innovation and rapid adaptation of the third sector, combined with the creativity and emotional resonance of music, has a vital role to play in how Scotland moves forward in a post-Covid 19 world.”

Dr Lois Fitch is Assistant Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, providing academic leadership for the Conservatoire’s curriculum in learning, teaching, research and knowledge exchange as well as ensuring the robustness of quality assurance and policies and procedures. A musicologist, Lois pursues research interests in New Music, and the interdisciplinary relationships between music and other performing arts. Lois has nearly 20 years’ teaching experience in higher education, including as Deputy and then Head of Undergraduate Programmes at the Royal Northern College of Music. Lois is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Member of Council of the Royal Musical Association.