GOVANHILL was ringing to the sound of some Big Noise as the community's children's orchestras returned after a covid-induced break.

Big Noise Govanhill hosted its much-missed Big Noise birthday concerts in the heart of the community to celebrate the programme’s ninth anniversary.

Having returned in a restricted capacity in late 2021, these were the first full-scale Big Noise Govanhill community concerts to take place since 2019. 

The performances at Elim Church brought together a crowd of parents, carers, families and community members who gathered to celebrate another successful year.

Ali Gornall, Head of Centre for Big Noise Govanhill, said: "It has been absolutely wonderful to welcome our community back en masse to our birthday concerts this week. 

"Our children and young people have worked so hard to develop their skills and learn new pieces of music and there is no better way of celebrating that than to share this music with the community. 

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"I’d like to thank all our great partners here in Govanhill, particularly all our amazing partner schools – Big Noise would not be possible without them.

"I’d also like to thank our incredible funders and supporters, who enable us to keep making a big noise year on year."

The work of the Big Noise programme in Govanhill helps support children and young people to reach their full potential through music and nurturing relationships. 

Big Noise Govanhill has more than 1200 regular participants across several local nursery, primary and secondary schools. 

The programme, which has been independently evaluated by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health over several years, helps children to develop a range of crucial life skills including confidence, resilience, teamwork, creativity and language skills. 

Through its long-term commitment to the programme in Govanhill, Big Noise continues to work tirelessly to support participants and their families through the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.

The theme for the concerts was ‘coming together’ and this was reflected in the music performed, much of which explored welcoming and gathering. 

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The pieces included one song sung in five different languages and another specifically written to welcome refugees to Scotland. 

The concert programme featured music from around the world, from Baroque-period concertos to renditions of big-screen Latin pop and from Ghanian folk songs to sea shanties. 

Big Noise Govanhill is supported by a range of public and private funders, including players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Glasgow City Council and the Scottish Government. 

Councillor James Scanlon said: "I am delighted to have been able to join the people of Govanhill in welcoming the wonderful music of Big Noise back to the stage. 

"The hard work and skills of the performers have brought real joy to the audience after two long and very difficult years for this community. 

"Big Noise has had a huge impact for children, young people and families in Govanhill – improving lives and helping to strengthen this amazing community. 

"Next year will see the 10th anniversary of this wonderful programme and I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next."

Teachers said the children and young people of Big Noise Govanhill have worked hard over the past year to learn new music and hone their skills, through varying degrees of Covid-19 restrictions in schools. 

Big Noise Govanhill’s adult community orchestra, Del Mondo, has also made considerable progress despite the heightened restrictions in place for gatherings of adults in the past 12 months.

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Children, young people and community members alike were able to perform at this year concerts on a scale not seen since before the pandemic. 

Mariam, a Big Noise Govanhill participant said: "The concert was amazing because so many people came to listen to us and my teacher was one of them.

"I played with my sister and brother and its good to be part of Big Noise, because you build friendships and learn new skills and have fun.”

Anna, another Big Noise Govanhill participant, added: "It was really exciting, it's always a really good buzz hearing the audience clapping after all your work. 

"I was nervous but also had a bit of adrenaline. 

"My mum was there and my head teacher so I felt pretty proud of myself.

"I feel really good to say I play an instrument, I never would have known I'd be able to play so well."