In 2011 Unique Events produced incredible events across the UK, welcoming the world to Scotland for the world famous Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, outdoor cinema in collaboration with the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the welcome return of children's event Little Big Rock, public firework displays to the ever growing and critically acclaimed Freedom Festival in Hull.

2012 is shaping up to be just as busy, with a series of exciting summer projects in production and planning for Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2012/13 already underway. Edinburgh's Hogmanay promises yet another world class event, confirming Edinburgh as the best New Year celebrations in the world and the 'Home of Hogmanay'.

Next Up:
THE BIG CONCERT:
GUSTAVO DUDAMEL & THE SIMÓN BOLÍVAR SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF VENEZUELA
Thursday 21 June 2012
Raploch, Stirling
www.makeabignoise.org.uk/the-big-concert/

Opening the London 2012 Festival in Scotland, Unique Events are thrilled to be producing a very special concert on midsummer night with Gustavo Dudamel and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.

The Big Concert brings this charismatic conductor and his ebullient 200-strong orchestra to the Scottish community of Raploch, Stirling, where they will perform an outdoor concert set against the backdrop of Stirling Castle.

Since 2008, the children of Raploch have been learning orchestral instruments and playing music together in 'Sistema Scotland -Big Noise' – inspired by and partnered with El Sistema, the Venezuelan project which has transformed the lives of many thousands of children through classical music. Gustavo Dudamel, whose musical education began in El Sistema, is Patron of Sistema Scotland. He and the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela will come to Raploch for a four-day residency in which they will work with the Scottish children leaving an enormous artistic legacy to the community.
The Big Concert features a full performance by the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra with a special guest appearance by Big Noise.

An outdoor concert venue and stage will be created, accommodating hundreds of musicians and thousands of spectators. Set against the backdrop of Stirling Castle, the venue has sweeping views of the Ochil Hills and Wallace Monument. Laid out for mostly informal picnic attendance, the concert will be family-friendly with tickets offered at exceptional value-for-money prices (Tickets priced £5-£25).

Reviews of previous Gustavo Dudamel/ Simón Bolívar Symphony
Orchestra of Venezuela concerts:
'Expectations: colossal. Achievement: beyond that' – Daily Telegraph *****
'A notice should have been placed on the front doors – "Warning: high voltage hazard inside"… it was unforgettable…. The Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra has gone out in front to show the world what classical music can achieve' – The Financial Times

The Big Concert is presented in association with Creative Scotland, Event Scotland and Stirling Council.