ONE of the world’s most exciting music programmes could be set to inspire youngsters in Clydebank.

MSP Gil Paterson announced this week he has been speaking with music charity Sistema Scotland since October to bring their Big Noise project to the town.

The programme is credited with changing the lives of young people and has been at work in Raploch in Stirling for 10 years with other communities also trying the idea.

Sistema gets youngsters in deprived communities into orchestras to encourage confidence, discipline, teamwork, pride and aspiration with regular performances, trips and residentials.

The idea started with the El Sistema orchestra founded in Venezuela in 1975.

Gil Paterson MSP told the Post he has been in discussions with Sistema for nearly a year, visiting Big Noise in Raploch and meeting with the Govanhill project. He said both had proven to be outstanding successes.

Mr Paterson said: “I am delighted to say that a meeting with representatives of Sistema will take place this coming week to further develop and explore the possibility of the Big Noise establishing itself in Clydebank.

“A fairly high-powered delegation from West Dunbartonshire Council will attend as will my office.”

He added: “In these times of austerity, projects like this bring music tuition within the grasp of those who may not otherwise be able to afford it.

“It is safe to say that I am really pleased with the seriousness with which this has been taken. The truth is the benefits that the Big Noise programme can bring to children their families and the whole community are immense because the Big Noise project has a lifelong positive impact and changes things for the better.

“I know that is a very bold statement to make but the living proof to back this statement up is there for all to see.”

Sistema Scotland works with children from nursery to adulthood and closely with an area’s schools and community groups.

Mr Paterson said that while its most obvious achievement is musical, research has shown learning to play an instrument equips children with a multitude of transferable skills as well as boosting educational performance, health and wellbeing which also impacts positively on the wider community.

One of El Sistema’s many success stories is Gustavo Dudamel, who took part in his native Venezuela and went on to become director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and guest conduct orchestras around the globe, including on the soundtrack to Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens.

As well as Raploch and Govanhill, there are projects in Torry in Aberdeenshire and Douglas in Dundee.

Leader of West Dunbartonshire Council, Councillor Jonathan McColl, said: “I appreciate the work done by Gil Paterson so far and I’m looking forward to the meeting with Sistema in Stirling.

“It’ll be a good chance to get more detailed information on the implementation and running of the scheme. This project that has the potential to transform young peoples’ lives and I hope that with Gil’s help we will be able to take it forward in the not too distant future.”