StAMP is a participatory music programme based in Fife at the University of St Andrews.
Our vision is to use the power of music to enrich lives, strengthen communities, and inspire creativity. We aim to:
- Provide inclusive opportunities that nurture skills, support wellbeing, and spark a lifelong love of music.
- Develop partnerships with schools, community groups, and cultural organisations.
- Connect people of all ages and backgrounds in Fife and surrounding area.
- Demonstrate the varied benefits of participative and enjoyable music making.
History of StAMP
Founded in 2020, StAMP’s original objective was to reinvigorate the cultural heritage of playing in brass bands. Over five years, and throughout the challenges of a global pandemic where we were quick to innovate with online activity, we taught over 1,000 children to play a beginner’s ‘natural’ trumpet and provided sustained musical opportunities by connecting them to a local brass band to continue their musical journey. The project boosted the local brass scene and strengthened community relations across Fife.
StAMP is now a multifaceted music programme and a cornerstone of the University’s cultural offering. We deliver a range of projects in education and community settings across Fife and manage six musical ensembles at the Laidlaw Music Centre. StAMP musicians have performed at prestigious events such as East Neuk Festival, and Edinburgh International Festival.
StAMP collaborates with colleagues in academic schools (Geography & Sustainable Development, Mathematics & Statistics, Centre for Energy Ethics, Physics & Astronomy), and external partners such as Fife Council Music Service, Edinburgh International Festival (EIF), Leisure and Culture Dundee, East Neuk Festival, Oi Musica, Fife Countryside and Coastal Trust, Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). StAMP is a member of the Music Education Partnership Group (MEPG), the Scottish Youth Music Exchange (SYME), and a steering group member of the UK Network for Supporting Young People’s Composing.
Meet the team:
StAMP is managed and delivered by a small dedicated team based at the Laidlaw Music Centre. We work with a range of freelance musicians and artists for activity delivery.
Director of StAMP/Head of Outreach: Ellen Thomson [email protected]
Early Career Fellow in Music Outreach: Megan Warnock [email protected]
StAMP Finance Management: Diane Lyons
StAMP Ensemble Directors:
St Andrews Brass – Denise Ward
StAMP Children’s Choir – Claire Innes-Hopkins
StAMP Youth Orchestra – Jo Petrie
StAMP RPT Group – Jonathan Kemp
StAMP Musicians:
Jim Tribble
Jen White
Steph Humphreys
Mary Erskine
StAMP projects are also supported by student volunteers.