A Highlands-based charity set up to support young musicians and those interested in entering the music industry has received a donation from top UK music industry charity, the BRIT Trust.

 

The Liam Colgan Music Fund (LCMF) has received a donation in support of its work in the Highlands including setting up a memorial fund for John Preston, former Chairman of the BPI. The BRIT Trust supports a number of major UK charities involved in music but also selects a few smaller charities to support each year. The LCMF, one of just six recipients from across the UK selected by the BRIT Trust for a donation, has emerged as oneof the most dynamic small charities in the creative industries sector in the North of Scotland.

 

Iain Clark, Chairman of LCMF said: “It’s a real honour to receive this donation from such a prestigious body as the BRIT Trust. We understand this is the first time the BRIT Trust has donated to an organisation in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland so we’re absolutely delighted. It’s perhaps an acknowledgement of the work being done in rural areas like the Highlands to support young musicians and others.”

 

Since the LCMF’s launch in October 2020, it has launched a charity CD, provided work experience placements for former music students at the UHI and organised a series of song-writing workshops led by Scottish singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon. It has also carried out an online survey of young H&I musicians, established two annual music graduate awards at the UHI, and two open awards for Young Musician of the Year and Young Songwriter of the Year, on behalf of the John Preston Memorial Fund which it manages.

 

In announcing their awards, BRIT Trust Chair, Tony Wadsworth CBE said:“The BRIT Trust is known for the long-term support it givesto a number of major charities that draw on the power of music and the creative arts, but we also take pride in supporting a wide range of smaller charities around the country, who may be a little less well known, but contribute to our communities in equally important ways. The LCMF is a prime example of this. The trustees are delighted to support the LCMF work in remembering John Preston, and we wish them well in their diverse endeavours and the wonderful work they do.”

 

Iain Clark said: “This grant from the BRIT Trust provides a platform on which we can build for the future.We have a number of projects in the pipeline including a survey of music industry businesses in the north of Scotland. This should provide us with a better understanding of what employers are looking for inyoung people keen on getting into the music industry.”

 

Maggie Crowe, Director of Charities and Events for the BPI said: “We are delighted to support the LCMFin their work with young musicians and others in the Highlands and Islands, and feel it is important to recognise and support work being done in rural areas to help build bridges for young people into our industry.”

 

ENDS