ONE of the UK’s leading musicians, Nicola Benedetti, has hit out at a proposal to cut funds to an acclaimed Scottish youth orchestra scheme.

In its draft budget, Stirling Council is proposing to reduce the Big Noise in Raploch’s funding by almost half: down from £500,000 a year to £275,000 over five years.

Sistema Scotland, the charity which runs Big Noise, said it was a “cut too far”.

Ms Benedetti said she is “deeply disheartened and concerned” to see the “drastic” proposed reduction.

The violinist said: “Combined with proposed cuts to music services up and down the country, appearing in all different shapes and sizes and guises, this is another travesty, demonstrating a deep-seated lack of understanding on what it is to make music together.

“This is an activity that, when undertaken with commitment and meaning, penetrates deeper than words, communicates something of complexity and wholesomeness, takes us all away from one screen or another, and genuinely brings people together.

“Please stop threatening its continuation.”

Sistema Scotland, which is celebrating 10 years of the Big Noise in Stirling tomorrow, said the proposed cut “could have a devastating effect on the children who participate in Big Noise and the local Raploch community.”

Ms Benedetti, who has worked with Big Noise children, said: “Sistema Scotland is admired and celebrated by music teachers, charities and organisations worldwide, and with good reason.

“Their teaching is exemplary, their mission is solid and profound.

“Their music director Francis Cummings is more serious about developing and delivering high level, yet accessible, music teaching than any one else I have come across, and their accumulated research and experience over the last decade, and commitment to creating an inclusive society, is a vital resource to Scotland’s creativity.”