A pioneering music project is looking for a head musician for its operations in Douglas.
The Big Noise programme, designed to create permanent social change in some of the country’s most deprived communities, is set to begin in September this year and is a collaboration between Sistema Scotland, Optimistic Sound and Dundee City Council.
The new team leader musician will work with head teachers in the selected schools, Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary, and with families and children who will attend the programme, as well as liaise with the wider community in Douglas and across the city.
The programme, delivered in the form of an in-school orchestra, essentially aims to foster confidence, discipline, teamwork, pride and aspiration in children and young people through music.
The Douglas programme will be Scotland’s fourth, after recent successes in Raploch in Stirling, Torry in Aberdeen, and Govanhill in Glasgow.
Nicola Killean, CEO, Sistema Scotland, said: “We are hugely excited to be recruiting for this key member of staff.
“As well as working with the community, they will be recruiting the Big Noise team of musicians, developing training and planning the schedule for the implementation of the programme, which will start to work with the children in September 2017.
“This is a challenging, but very rewarding job for the right person, and they will have the full support of the whole Sistema Scotland team and other Big Noise Centres behind them.
“We are looking for an inspirational and visionary musician to help Sistema Scotland deliver the Big Noise programme in Douglas.”
The Scottish Government has pledged support of £2.5m nationally to the programme, which has so far reached over 1,800 children while Optimistic Sound are the main contributors to the Dundee project with a £1.4m investment over five years.
The idea first started in Venezuela where it spread around the world, eventually making its way here in the form of Sistema Scotland.
Those interested in applying for the position should check for adverts in local media outlets and specialist press or go to the website at www.makeabignoise.org.uk.