Young Aberdeen musicians make a Big Noise during Barcelona visit

A group of talented youngsters from Aberdeen travelled to Barcelona to perform alongside a "mind-blowing" concert led by one of the world's most distinguished conductors.

Six Scottish teenage musicians, including two participants from Big Noise in Torry, spent three days in the Spanish city, culminating in a performance with renowned conductor Gustavo Dudamel music director of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at the famous Palau de la musica Catalana.

Maria Drelich and Sandra Janiszewska, who are both S3 pupils at Lochside Academy said they had an incredible time on the trip, which saw them work alongside more than 200 performers from across the world.

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They performed Beethoven's Egmont Overture, an arrangement of 'Ode to Joy' 'Sonata Piano e Forte' by G Gabrielli and 'Deferent' by Adria Aguilera. The pair also went to a rehearsal of Fidelio with the LA Phil and Dudamel in the Gran Teatre del Liceu.

The Chords of Harmony project brought together 210 young performers from across the world who are all involved in social music projects like Big Noise, as part of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra's 2024 international tour.

The Scots took part in musical projects and rehearsals, as well as activities and events designed to foster leadership skills and experience different cultures, working alongside young musicians from the United States, Venezuela, Spain, Sweden, Greece, Switzerland, Portugal and France.

Big Noise programmes are delivered by the charity Sistema Scotland and work with more than 3,500 young people across Scotland in the communities of Raploch and Fallin in Stirling, Govanhill in Glasgow, Torry in Aberdeen, Douglas in Dundee, and Wester Hailes in Edinburgh.

Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra becomes a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.

Through music and nurturing relationships from infancy to adulthood, it supports participants’ wellbeing and helps them reach their full potential.

The programmes also aim to strengthen the communities where they are based, developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust, and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.

The work of Big Noise Raploch and Big Noise Govanhill is delivered in partnership with local councils and is additionally supported by a wide range of public and private funders, including the Scottish Government and players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

The youngsters, who were accompanied by musicians from Big Noise, as well as Sistema Scotland’s Director of Music, David Munn.

Maria Drelich said: "I enjoyed the scenery, architecture and the hall we performed in the most. I really loved the conductor that was helping us the whole week because he was so dramatic and I understood what he wanted from me.

"There was a very good violinist called Thomas, he helped us during sectionals and orchestra. I would a hundred percent do it again."

Sandra Janiszewska said: "I enjoyed rehearsals the most. Playing together and hearing all the different sections. I’d definitely do it again if I was nominated. The conductor’s way of conducting was interesting and new. I hope it opens new opportunities for me in life."

Lorna Carruthers, Head of Centre at Big Noise Torry, said: "Our young people had an utterly mind-blowing experience in Spain. Big Noise is all about improving lives and strengthening communities and having the chance to perform with such an incredible conductor, and alongside people from across the globe, was a special moment for our young people.

"The opportunity to travel internationally, representing their communities, is a major milestone for the young people and shows how hard they have worked and the talent they have. We couldn’t be prouder or more pleased for them."

Gustavo Dudamel, Music & Artistic Director of LA Phil and creator of the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, said: "Our mission has always been to demonstrate how music can create positive change in the world. Nowhere is this more evident than with music education programs and expanded opportunities for young musicians.

"This experience gives these students the opportunity to see how music transcends borders, while sharing and connecting with their young peers from across Europe."