Instrumental groups
The Music Centre organises a variety of different instrumental groups to provide a wide range of opportunities for enjoying playing with others. All of them welcome players from the local community as well as students and staff of the University.
Some groups, such as the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra, hold auditions at the start of the year; however, most groups are open to all without audition. All group members must join the Music Centre.
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Membership by audition
The St Andrews Chamber Orchestra brings together the best instrumentalists from the University under the shared musical leadership of Michael Downes (Director of Music) and Bede Williams (Deputy Director of Music). The orchestra rehearses and performs on a project basis with two main concerts in St Andrews each year and regular tours within Scotland and further afield. Members of the orchestra are often involved in additional ensemble projects and engaged in chamber music as members of scholarship groups. Performing a rich and varied repertoire, the orchestra receives coaching from specialist tutors and have undertaken programmes to explore baroque and classical performance practice. The orchestra also regularly works with leading composers such as Sally Beamish, Piers Hellawell, Jeremy Thurlow, Neil Martin and Paul Max Edlin. Previous soloists have included internationally celebrated artists (Susan Tomes and Alec Frank Gemmill), as well as alumni (Maebh Martin) and Music Centre Honorary Professors and Associate Teachers (Feargus Hetherington, Murray McLachlan). The orchestra was founded by Cedric Thorpe Davie following his appointment as Master of Music for the University in 1945.
Upcoming performances in 2025-2026
Sunday 5 October 2025
- Miriama Young – Kinds of Blue (UK premiere)
- Jean Francaix – Clarinet Concerto (with Maxi Martin)
- Brahms – Symphony No. 1
Sunday 22 February 2026
- Cedric Thorpe Davie – Festal Overture
- Cedric Thorpe Davie – Fantasia No. 1 on Four Scottish Tunes
- Cedric Thorpe Davie – Diversions on a Tune by Dr. Arne
- Cedric Thorpe Davie – Solemn Music, from the music to Shakespeare’s King Lear
- Cedric Thorpe Davie – Symphony No. 1 in C major
Sunday 22 March 2026
- Rachmaninoff Piano Concertos with Murray McLachlan and family
See complete rehearsal schedule for 2025-2026 here
Previous performance in 2024-2025
- 12 March 2025, Laidlaw Music Centre – A lunchtime premiere spotlighted Bede Williams on trumpet in the brand new New Horizons concerto by Paul Max Edlin, which explored Tuscan soundscapes via trumpet, piccolo trumpet, and flugelhorn. The Orchestra also performed Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll,
- 16 February 2025, Holy Trinity Church – The Orchestra joined with world-class horn virtuoso Alec Frank‑Gemmill, former Principal Horn of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Together, they premiered Jeremy Thurlow’s Four Places of the Soul, concluding with Beethoven’s monumental Eroica Symphony in E flat
- 11 April 2025, Universal Hall, Forres – Marking the culmination of their Highlands tour, the orchestra delivered a programme of Schumann’s Manfred Overture, Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll, and Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony
- 13 October 2024, Holy Trinity Church – The autumnal concert featured violist Feargus Hetherington in Berlioz’s Harold in Italy, Florence Price’s The Oak, and Schumann’s Manfred Overture—an homage to the 200th anniversary of Byron’s death.
Videos and recordings of previous performances
Auditions are in orientation week, details are here.
For enquiries about the orchestra please contact Bede Williams, bw23@st-andrews.ac.uk
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"Truly, playing in StAFCO has been wonderful. I hadn't played my cello in years before joining. It's been so great getting back into it, and it's really a great group to be part of. I like how varied the repertoire is and how welcoming an ensemble you make it."
StAFCO is the Music Centre's orchestra for players of all ages and abilities, conducted by Gillian Craig and organised in close collaboration with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, orchestra in residence at the University.
No audition is required.
Registration for the 2025-26 session is now open. Please contact Dan Kempsell, Music Outreach Fellow, stamp@st-andrews.ac.uk with "StAFCO registration" in the subject line.
Rehearsal are 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Wednesdays in the McPherson Recital Room, starting 24 September 2025.
The winter concert will take place on Wednesday 26 November in Holy Trinity Church, after which there will be an informal Christmas concert on Saturday 13 December at 7pm, also in Holy Trinity Church.
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The St Andrews Baroque Ensemble meets on Friday evenings at 6.30-7.30pm in the Laidlaw Music Centre, under the direction of Andrew Lees.
This year’s repertoire includes:
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Mouret: First Suite de Symphonies (No. 2)
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Willem de Fesch: Concerto Op. 3, No. 4
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Telemann: Concerto for 3 Oboes, 3 Violins and Continuo (TWV 44)
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Handel: Aria “From virtue springs each generous deed”
The ensemble will give a concert at the end of the second semester in All Saints’ Church (date to be confirmed).
Please email Andrew (al84@st-andrews.ac.uk) if you are interested in finding out more.
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Opportunities for brass players are plentiful, and any brass player interested in ensemble playing should contact email Bede Williams - bw23@st-andrews.ac.uk. Opportunities are created each year on a bespoke basis, and all brass players have the opportunity to benefit from the team of outstanding visiting brass specialists.
Brass Ensemble will meet at 5pm on Fridays and will be directed by John-Luke Harris. If you are interested in joining please contact music@st-andrews.ac.uk
Any brass player wishing to be considered for a scholarship for instrumental lessons or to be part of the scholarship brass ensemble should do a Music Centre instrumental audition at the beginning of the academic year. Details will be posted on the auditions page. Brass scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to work with the Wallace Collection, the University's ensemble in residence.
Brass players at the University may also be interested to know about StAMP, the University's major outreach project which is focused on brass teaching and performance. See the StAMP website for more information.
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The Clarinet Ensemble is unauditioned, but members generally play at a level of Grade 6 or above, although less advanced players with good ensemble skills are also welcome. The ensemble is directed by Associate Teacher Alex South. Rehearsals: Thursdays, 5-6pm, Laidlaw Music Centre. Anyone interested in joining should email music@st-andrews.ac.uk
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The Composition Channel is led by Honorary Professor of Composition, Piers Hellawell. St Andrews composers who have some experience have opportunities to compose for our wonderful visiting artists, and The Composition Channel is intended to offer a bridge toward those high-profile opportunities. It is for any Music Centre member interested in instrumental, score-based composition. Joining The Composition Channel gives you the chance to attend two seminars in each semester of 2025/26. We will talk about how composers of some ground-breaking works since 1900 addressed the issue of ‘making sense’ to the listener. How did they open a work? There will be one short task each semester – to write a short solo piece for an instrument agreed by us.
Contact music@st-andrews.ac.uk if you would like to join.
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All Music Centre members interested in developing their skills in conducting are welcome to these short sessions which will be tailored to those who attend. Please register by emailing music@st-andrews.ac.uk with some details of your conducting experience.
Sunday 6 October 2024, 4pm-5.30pm
Sunday 10 November 2024, 4pm-5.30pm
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The Flute Ensemble is unauditioned, but its members generally play at a level of Grade 6 or above, although less advanced players with good ensemble skills are also welcome. The ensemble is directed by Associate Teacher Alex Griffiths. Rehearsals are on Thursdays 3 - 4pm. Anyone interested in joining should email music@st-andrews.ac.uk
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We have two guitar ensembles:
Mondays at 6pm (Ross Morris) - senior ensemble (adults and University students)
Tuesdays at 6pm (Luke Anderson) - junior ensemble (school age groups)
Monday's ensemble is intended for those aged 18 and over and those already confident in reading music at a more intermediate plus level.
Tuesday's ensemble, is intended for school-aged children in the early stages of learning to develop general musicianship and ensemble skills, delivered in an age appropriate way.Anyone interested in joining should email music@st-andrews.ac.uk.
All ensemble members must join the Music Centre.Classical guitars are available for Music Centre members to borrow (subject to availability)
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The St Andrews New Music Ensemble is involved in programming, commissioning and workshopping music by emerging and established composers from Scotland and beyond.
The ensemble is frequently engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations, connecting the creation of new music with research in anthropology, earth and environmental sciences, theology and astronomy.
Members are normally drawn from within the St Andrews Chamber Orchestra, and are required to join the Music Centre.
Performances and highlights
The ensemble has already given over 20 world premieres and worked with James MacMillan, Sally Beamish, Thea Musgrave, Emily Doolittle, Tansy Davies and Eddie McGuire.
Recent highlights have included performances at Queen's University Belfast, MacRobert Arts Centre Stirling, Orkney Science Festival and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall as part of Steve Reich's Glasgow MINIMAL festival.
Highlights of 2019-2020 included first performances and territorial premieres of works by New Zealand composers Eve De Castro Robinson and Lyell Cresswell, and performances in St Andrews and Edinburgh to celebrate the UNESCO International Year of the Periodic Table.
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Our associate oboe teacher Kirstie Logan will run various drop-in sessions for oboists during the year. Sessions will focus on what players want to cover, but could include repertoire, technical issues, reed making or just playing duets, trios or quartets with Kirstie and other oboists.
To be added to the mailing list so you are contacted directly by Kirstie about these, please email music@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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All drummers and percussionists who have an interest in playing percussion instruments within a group setting are welcome to join the Music Centre Percussion Ensemble.
The ensemble will aim to meet every fortnight, directed by Associate Teacher Ruaridh Neil. No audition required.
For more information or to register a place, please email Ruaridh: rn75@st-andrews.ac.uk
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Piano Club meets weekly on Fridays at 5pm-6pm in Rehearsal Room 2 (with the possibility of the McPherson Recital room if bookings allow) This club is open to all pianists regardless of age or standard. Pianists can play one or two pieces. Work in progress repertoire is also very welcome!
This is a great opportunity to share in each other's enjoyment and meet like-minded pianists, and it also provides a real opportunity to play in front of a small, live but very friendly audience and enjoy the beautiful Steinway! All pianists will be given guidance on improving the performance of the chosen piece and hopefully become more confident as everyone appreciates the unique challenges of playing in front of others.
Contact Ancuta Nite-Doyle, Piano Co-ordinator, if you would like to take part or find out more - and1@st-andrews.ac.uk
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This group welcomes players from the University and further afield.
It is conducted by Cat Evison, and repertoire includes jazz, contemporary and classical pieces for the full range of the saxophone family, sopranino to bass.
No audition is required, although members should be able to read music. Members are required to join the Music Centre.
The ensemble meets on Thursdays, 6-7pm, and anyone interested in joining should email music@st-andrews.ac.uk.
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A number of scholarships are awarded each year for students who form the Music Centre's flagship ensembles. Auditions take place at the start of each academic year.
Please contact Bede Williams by emailing bw23@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information.
Hetty Buchanan String Quartet scholarships
As a result of a bequest from the estate of Hetty Buchanan, a cellist who was deeply involved in music in St Andrews throughout her life, the Music Centre is able to offer four scholarships to string players who form the Music Centre's Hetty Buchanan String Quartet.
Other string ensemble scholarships
The Music Centre awards further scholarships for a number of string quartets or ensembles.
String ensemble scholarship benefits
Each scholar receives individual tuition and regular coaching as part of the group from Music Centre Associate Teachers, and occasional coaching from Lucy Russell of the Fitzwilliam String Quartet.
Masterclasses and coaching from visiting musicians, including members of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, are also offered on occasion.
Each ensemble rehearses regularly between coaching sessions and performs at University events.
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Members of the Music Centre Scholarship Wind Quintet receive weekly coaching as an ensemble and individual tuition on their instrument. Anyone interested in auditioning should do a Music Centre instrumental audition at the start of the academic year, or email Alex South ams51@st-andrews.ac.uk
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Membership by audition
St Andrews Fusion is the Music Centre's audition-only band for musicians with:
- a high level of playing (approximately Associated Board or Rockschool Grade 8)
- excellent improvisatory ability and knowledge of music theory
- experience playing in a wide range of styles (jazz, rock, funk and soul).
The band has been running since 2013 and has performed for Fife Jazz Festival, for the FFALL festival, the GYO Festival, the StAnza Poetry Festival and St Andrews New Music Week.
The band regularly performs to accompany Swing Dance St Andrews and at Kinkell Byre for the Kate Kennedy Club May Ball in addition to various other balls and weddings.
The band practices once a week and works on instrumental material. It also acts as a backing band for individual singers or groups of singers, making recordings and performing live as required.
Members are required to join the Music Centre.
Auditions
If you are a musician interested in arranging an audition or a singer or group interested in working with the band, please contact the band leader Dr Jonathan Kemp by emailing jk50@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Instrumentalist auditions will involve candidates performing a piece of their choice and an improvisation test based on two chord charts with 10 minutes to prepare before performing based on the chart along to a recorded backing track or another live performer.
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The StAMP Youth Orchestra is a fun musical programme introducing young people to the excitement and joy of playing in a group with others. Whilst learning to play a wide range of music, participants will also develop a much wider set of skills through orchestral playing that will benefit them for life. Did you know that playing music can help with social skills, memory, team building and work different parts of the brain?
The orchestra is conducted by Joanna Petrie. Concerts will be performed two to three times per year when conditions permit.
The group is for instrumentalists aged 10+ who have been playing for at least a year and can read music, or who are approximately Grade 2 standard (if you take grades).
To register interest and for further information, email music@st-andrews.ac.uk or phone +44 (0)1334 46 2226.
Our Children and young people page has information about more activities.
All members of the orchestra must join the Music Centre. The membership fee covers all costs associated with the orchestra.
Rehearsals: Wednesdays 5.45-6.45pm, Laidlaw Music Centre, Queen’s Terrace KY16 9QF
Dates: The orchestra runs during Fife Council term time.
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The following groups are independent, but have close links with the Music Centre:
- The University of St Andrews Pipe Society is student-led and meets weekly. Please contact them on pipesoc@st-andrews.ac.uk for more information and practice times.
- The Heisenberg Ensemble is a blend of the best local amateur and professional players. It accompanies concerts given by the St Andrews Chorus, and puts on its own concerts during the year. The ensemble is directed by Gillian Craig (email gc5@st-andrews.ac.uk).
- The University of St Andrews Music Society runs a symphony orchestra, wind band, big band, two choirs and a ukulele group who give performances each semester.