The Scottish Amateur Music Association (SAMA), one of Scotland’s longest established music organizations, is to cease operation after 55 years. SAMA was founded to fill a major gap in musical provision in Scotland and over the years has offered high quality tuition across a huge range of musical activities. Through its annual music courses, SAMA has offered the amateur musician both of school age and adult years, tuition and experience of string orchestras and wind and brass bands. Chamber music and recorder ensemble playing were catered for on weekend courses, while indigenous Scottish Music was encouraged and promoted by the Traditional Scots Fiddle School. In addition, courses were offered for church organists and a Scots Song Competition took place over several years.

Following a recent SAMA Executive Committee meeting, it was decided that this provision would cease, as SAMA Chairman Ian Mills explained: “SAMA was established at a time when there were very few opportunities for amateur musicians from across the country to meet together. A group of local authority music advisers at the time took the initiative to establish a range of national amateur music ensembles and in many cases these have now been subsumed by new organisations such as the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland. However, in recent years it has become more difficult to ensure financial sustainability and also the pool of volunteers available to support SAMA activities has diminished.”

SAMA is hopeful that many of the successful groups it has operated will continue to function under different auspices. One of it's highest profile ensembles, the National Youth Brass Band of Scotland (NYBBS), among whose alumni is the current Principal of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, John Wallace, will now be affiliated to the Scottish Brass Band Association (SBBA).

Neil Cross, NYBBS administrator since 1984, remains upbeat about the future of Scotland's amateur music groups, as he commented: “Whilst there is a hint of sadness about the demise of SAMA, the legacy of the organisation has created a more positive climate for amateur music making in Scotland. I am delighted that the NYBBS, founded by SAMA in 1958, will now come under the stewardship of SBBA.

Ian Mills added, “This decision has not been taken lightly. SAMA committee members and course staff past and present can take immense pride and satisfaction in the number of musical events they have organised and which will hold happy memories for amateur musicians young and old.”

For more information contact Ian Mills, Chairman, SAMA , email i.mills@rsamd.ac.uk or by telephone 0141 270 8322.

SAMA thanks you for your loyalty and support in the past and hopes that your music making will be able to continue.