A study of a pioneering orchestral training scheme for young people in Stirling and Glasgow, the Big Noise orchestras, has found evidence that it is changing children's lives for the better and "represents a good investment for society."
Researchers found evidence which indicates the project can deliver social economic benefits to Scotland "over the long-term."
The orchestra project is inspired by the Venezuelan model called El Sistema, and intensive form of musical tuition from a young age.
Sistema Scotland, the charity which runs the orchestral schemes, is looking to expand Big Noise delivery across Scotland, including opening Torry in Aberdeen this summer.
The study, published by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health, conducts a economic evaluation of the project.
It found that "Big Noise has the potential to quickly generate greater social benefits than the costs of delivery."
The report found evidence that Big Noise "improves confidence in the children, supports participants to lead fuller and healthier lives, offers protection to the vulnerable, and encourages higher school attendance."
Children taking part had higher school attendance, improved language, handwriting and other skills, and "improved confidence and pride."
One participant told the study team: "You've got music behind your back pushing you."
Raploch's Big Noise orchestra, the first to be established, now works with 470 children.
An economic assessment of Big Noise in Govanhill concludes that the programme is a worthwhile investment, and may be producing outcomes of "higher value than costs" by the sixth year of its operation.
Johanna Boyd, the leader of Stirling Council, said: "This study is a fantastic endorsement of Big Noise and everything it has done for Raploch.
"At Stirling Council, we are immensely proud to have been a key partner of Big Noise Raploch since its launch in 2008.
"These findings confirm what we already knew - that Big Noise is about so much more than the music, and our young people are learning confidence and resilience that will help them succeed across all areas of their lives."
Richard Holloway, chair of Sistema Scotland, said: "Today's findings by independent experts show very conclusively that these orchestras can make a better Scotland - a fairer and happier country with the potential of its children fully realised.
"The heroes in all of this, though, are the children in Raploch and Govanhill who are showing us all the way."
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