An Inspirational Presentation from a Dundee Charity.

At the October Speaker evening, SI Dundee members heard a wonderful presentation from Alice Marra and Clare Brennan of Optimistic Sound.

This charity plans to introduce the Sistema music programme to a Dundee community with the aim of tackling poverty and improving the opportunities for young people. Optimistic Sound is partnering Sistema Scotland a charity which has set up two ‘Big Noise’ orchestras in Scotland already.

What is Sistema?
Sistema Scotland is a charity set up in the belief that children can gain huge social benefits by playing in a symphony orchestra. Sistema use music making to foster confidence, teamwork, pride and aspiration in the children taking part – and across their wider community.
The Sistema name is taken from the orchestra movement established in Venezuela in 1975 by Maestro José Antonio Abreu.
Sistema Scotland are official partners with the original organisation in Venezuela. They seek to benefit from the South Americans’ expertise, while adapting their methods to suit conditions in Scotland.
Sistema Scotland exists to develop orchestra centres on the ground in Scotland. These are known in the community as Big Noise. The first was is in Raploch, Stirling. The second in Govanhill, Glasgow. Optimistic Sound hopes that the third will be in Dundee.

Members watched a short film which featured the Big Noise Orchestra in Stirling . All the children were delighted to be members of the orchestra, had gained in confidence and were fired up with a new self confidence. This is exactly what Alice and Clare hope to achieve in Dundee, impacting not only on the children but adults in the community too.

President Fiona presented a cheque to the charity.