Construction work is underway on the new Laidlaw Music Centre facility for the University of St Andrews.

The facility will be an intimate performance venue, flexible rehearsal space, and high-tech recording facility. It will include three rehearsal rooms, 10 practice rooms, a recording suite, a library and a chamber recital hall.

The Centre, designed by architects Flanagan Lawrence, is being built in central St Andrews on Queens Terrace.

The new music building will allow the University to provide first class facilities for students, host national and international level recitalists, and provide access to the latest recording technology.

The University has funded the project with support from donors including the McPherson Trust, Sir Ewan and Lady Brown, and Lord Laidlaw.

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Master of the United College, Professor Garry Taylor, said: "The Laidlaw Music Centre, together with the Byre Theatre, is positioned to transform the east end of St Andrews into an exciting and vibrant cultural quarter. Many of our students are attracted to St Andrews because of the quality of our provision in the performing arts, and these talented musicians will benefit enormously from the new music centre, helping to strengthen the town's musical life, both within the University and within the community, and connect St Andrews with national and international cultural life in new ways."

The University's Director of Music, Michael Downes, added: "The Younger hall, where our current facilities are located, was never intended to house a busy music centre which in a typical week hosts around 40 ensemble rehearsals and almost 300 individual lessons, in addition to hundreds of hours of private practice. The new building will provide facilities to match the talent and ambition we see shining bright in the St Salvator's Chapel Choir, Byre Opera, the University Chamber Orchestra, and St Andrews and Fife Community Orchestra. I am excited by the potential not only to transform the musical life of the University, but to contribute to Scotland's cultural and social value."

The Laidlaw Music Centre is expected to be completed in late 2019.

(CM/LM)