According to a recent research report, Sistema Scotland’s social change programme in Aberdeen – Big Noise Torry – has enhanced participants’ ability to learn in school, improved academic and behavioural skills, boosted school attendance rates, and improved their emotional wellbeing.
Big Noise Torry was established in 2015. It is run by the charity Sistema Scotland, supported by Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Government, and provides free, immersive, instrumental music tuition, as well as an orchestra programme, to pupils and pre-school children in Torry’s Walker Road and Tullos Primaries – during and after school. It currently works with 522 local school children – 130 took part in the study – aged 3 to 9 years in Torry, which is ranked as one of the most deprived areas in Scotland.
The independent research, undertaken by Katie Moore and Chris Harkins at the Glasgow Centre for Population Health (GCPH), also identifies improvements in the confidence and esteem in those taking part, as well as the acquisition of a range of social and life skills.
Teachers interviewed as part of the research reported improvements in children’s skills including listening, concentration, creativity, communications, co-operation, emotional intelligence and conceptualising goals.
SOURCES:
The Scotsman: http://www.scotsman.com/news/education/music-project-will-help-disadvantaged-children-in-scotland-1-4479300
Makeagibnoise.org.uk – http://www.makeabignoise.org.uk/files/2914/9748/5984/Big_Noise_Torry_Evaluation_Report_FINAL3.pdf
DETAILS:
| BENEFIT: | ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AND WELLBEING |
| TARGET GROUP: | CHILDREN |
| AGE: | 3-9 YEARS-OLD |
| MUSIC TYPE: | INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC |
| TYPE OF STUDY: | ACADEMIC RESEARCH |
| NOs INVOLVED: | 130 |
| PERIOD OF STUDY: | 6 MONTHS |
| DATE: | 2016 |
| PLACE: | SCOTLAND |
Music Education Works 