Music can have an amazing impact
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IN the shadows of a rain-swept Stirling Castle children from the Raploch estate created a concert spectacle which blew away the negative connotations that many had of that area.
The Raploch was a byword, in recent years, for what was wrong with society. However, that reputation is now changing and quite extraordinary things are happening there.
On that dreich summer night an orchestra of local children took to the stage to create a wall of sound which enraptured the audience.
The orchestra was part of the El Sistema movement which originated in Venezuela. The idea behind El Sistema was an attempt to give some of the poorest children there an outlet of creativity.
It succeeded, and now there are around 350,000 children taking part in it throughout South America.
An independent report commissioned by the Scottish Government said the Raploch orchestra created a positive impact on children’s personal and social development, including increased confidence, self-esteem, a sense of achievement and pride, improved social skills, team-working skills and expanded social networks.
I was not surprised by this outcome as I have seen for many years now the impact music has on people, especially the young.
At the recent Wick HarbourFest the young players tutored by Gordon Gunn and Addie Harper showed the same enthusiasm and growing skills. Also the young rock bands playing there displayed the power of music.
I have seen this across Scotland through the impact of the Fèisean movement, which predates El Sistema.
So self-esteem through music is not a new phenomenon and it has been happening in Scotland for years. This is just the latest incarnation. Self-worth and confidence come from this. It is a chance for people, young and old, to express themselves and can help define them.
Also it has given some a chance of a career, in some cases a very successful one at that. It has opened doors for many around the world and led to great acclaim.
Another long-standing local example of the opportunities that music can offer is the fact Wick RBLS Pipe Band has been invited to play in Norway in late August to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the battle of Kringen. The battle is significant to the people of Norway and to be invited to play at it is a great honour.
It is an example of how music can take you places and offer you opportunities that would probably not exist in other circumstances.
I know Wick pipe band will do the town, county and country proud as they always do.
I am a keen supporter of music as a way to engage and encourage people of all ages, however, it is especially important among the young.
As the renowned Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti said recently music can create a cultural identity to replace young people’s obsession with celebrities and in becoming a celebrity. So councils should not cut music tuition as an easy option.
In a recent question to the culture minister I sought to ensure Creative Scotland, the national arts body, continues to promote traditional music in its rubric of the forthcoming development plan. Fiona Hyslop replied she would make sure it would.
Scotland has always been a musical nation. This is known worldwide and stands us in good stead, I hope, for countless generations to come.
GIVEN the fall-out from the decision of Highlands and Islands Airports Limited to close Wick Airport for part of the week, I have contacted its chief executive, Inglis Lyon, to discuss what can be done to overturn this decision.
When passenger numbers are rising at the airport, it seems counterproductive to me to close it.
I understand it has to do with the replacement of an air traffic controller. However, it does not send a sound message out to any potential incoming business and, indeed, according to one local user, it will damage the existing business. I look forward to meeting Mr Lyon to try and gain some resolution to this situation.
THE good news regarding Berriedale Braes the other week shows there is movement towards a solution to the twisting bottleneck on the A9 into the county.
Money from the Scottish Government, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the Highland Council and HITRANS towards the final design will make it shovel ready.
Shovel ready is a term much in the news which means the project is ready to start when the funds become available.
To that end, the Scottish Government as well as SNP MPs at Westminster have been calling on the UK Government to release Scottish funds early so a series of shovel-ready projects can start.
This would have the dual benefit of kick-starting the construction industry that has taken a big hit during recent times and this would stimulate the wider economy while providing better infrastructure.
It is a win-win strategy. However, it seems the Conservative and Liberal Democrat UK Government is not in favour of this approach because it is refusing to release the funds.
Noticeable too is the fact Labour MPs do not see this as a priority either. Their reticence is baffling to me and I hope they can clarify why they do not want to help kick-start the construction sector when they always call on the Scottish Government to do more to create jobs.
When will Westminster wake up to the big boost even modest releases of cash can achieve?
Rob.gibson.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
