The home of the newest Big Noise youth orchestra will be found in Dundee after the signing of an official agreement to bring the project to the city.
The Sistema Scotland charity, which already runs youth orchestras, based on a lauded Venezuelan model, in Glasgow, Aberdeen and Stirling, has signed a deal with Optimistic Sound and Dundee City Council.
Big Noise Douglas, as it will be called, will work with children in Claypotts Castle and St Pius Primary Schools and will start in Autumn 2017 with their in-school orchestra programme.
After the first year, it will also work through afterschool clubs and in nurseries.
Nicola Killean, chief executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “This is a huge milestone for Big Noise Douglas.
"We have been working with the community for some months now and their enthusiasm for the programme is incredible.
"This year our main priority is to continue the work we have started in Douglas and to confirm the location of our new home. Early in 2017, we will be looking for our first two employees, a Team Leader Musician and an Operations Manager.”
Optimistic Sound will be the main funders of the programme with a £1.4 million investment over five years.
Michael Marra, Secretary of Optimistic Sound, said: “This agreement is a huge step forward. Big Noise Douglas is coming closer and closer to reality. There is much hard work still to do, as our fund raising now moves up a gear. We need the support of the public to make this change happen for local children."
Dundee City council will be providing payment “in kind” for the new centre in Douglas.
Sistema Scotland now works with nearly 2000 children and young people in Raploch, Govanhill and Torry in Aberdeen
Fiona Hyslop, the culture secretary, said: "Sistema Scotland is a hugely exciting project that has the potential to transform lives and help tackle inequalities.
"Through our pledged support of £2.5 million, the programme now reaches over 1,800 children in Raploch, Govanhill and Torry. Sistema Scotland is clearly a creative, empowering and energising initiative that helps support the community thanks to the passion and vision of Richard Holloway at the helm.
"Independent evaluation has shown that as well as increasing the confidence, aspirations and self-esteem of the children and young people involved, Sistema Scotland is bringing together communities, and making a real, positive difference."
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