Orchestra is bright idea.

Byline: AN INDEPENDENT WOMAN tam.cowan@dailyrecord.co.uk Joan McAlpine

WELL done to the kids from Big Noise orchestra in Aberdeen - for showing us that music makes you brainy too.

The orchestra is run by Sistema Scotland who also have groups in Glasgow and Stirling.

It's a Venezuelan idea that uses intensive instrument tuition to help kids develop "confidence, discipline, teamwork, pride and aspiration".

Now, thanks to the study in Aberdeen, it is shown to improve their schoolwork across the board.

We hear a lot about focusing on "core subjects" like reading and writing and maths. But creativity boosts performance in these core subjects too. Happy kids learn more easily.