Article Source: Eilidh's Trust
First Published: 2 May 2022 12:46
Updated: 2 May 2022 12:48
The Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust has opened its largest ever small grants scheme to support young musicians of all genres and disciplines to continue the piper's musical journey and build her legacy through talented young artists. Youth music groups across Scotland are being invited to bid for financial support to help them grow and develop their music tuition capacity and ensure lessons continue to be available to all.
Charity trustees agreed to create the fund to remember Eilidh on the fifth anniversary of the arena attack. The fund is especially timely as many households across the country struggle with increased living costs with the potential to impact on their ability to continue to pay music lesson fees and expenses.
Eilidh’s Trust was established in 2018 in memory of the talented musician from the Isle of Barra who died in the Manchester Arena attack in May 2017. The trust supports music education for young people reflecting Eilidh’s own love of music and her musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with the local Sgoil Lionacleit Pipe Band. The trust will also manage and maintain a permanent memorial to Eilidh and a garden of remembrance and reflection on Barra.
The special anniversary fund seeks to ensure young musicians across the country are supported in their tuition by providing funding across a range of areas such as teaching costs, equipment, travel costs and venue hire.
To date, the trust has funded over 30 youth music groups and individuals from Orkney to the Borders, supporting budding artists to grow their skills, thrive in a fun learning environment and, in many instances, allowing them to restart their lessons as we emerge from the pandemic.
Launching the funding scheme at the charity's gala ball fundraiser in Glasgow, trust founder Suzanne White said: “Eilidh’s life was all about positivity, fun and friendship and that is exactly how we want her to be remembered when we mark five years since we lost her. By creating this special funding round we want to support as many music groups as possible so they can deliver tuition based on Eilidh’s attitude to life where young musicians flourish in their abilities and confidence.
“We are proud of what we have achieved so far in Eilidh’s memory, supporting numerous young people in their music, but we know that more can be done. This fund will allow us to reach more music groups across Scotland, ensuring a greater number of young people have access to tuition and can continue to learn in a fun and positive environment, build life-long friendships and thrive in their talent. We want to hear from as many youth music groups as possible who feel that Eilidh’s Trust can help them.”
Welcoming the funding scheme, Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland said: “Music can play a powerful, transformational part in the lives of individual young people, their communities and it is a vital way to connect and share our stories across generations and borders.
“Eilidh’s Trust will play an empowering role in enabling more young people across Scotland to explore their potential and realise their ambitions through music. Helping to create these opportunities is such an inspiring legacy for Eilidh and is a reminder of and tribute to the very special place that music had in her life.”
Arthur Cormack of national community arts development body Fèisean nan Gàidheal said: “In the nearly five years since Eilidh died, Eilidh's Trust has provided meaningful support to a range of bodies. As an organisation which supports the teaching of traditional music across Scotland, Fèisean nan Gàidheal warmly welcomes the announcement that a further £50,000 will be available through Urras Eilidh to support music education for young people. This is a significant sum and the trustees and supporters are to be commended for ensuring a fitting tribute to a remarkable young person whose love of music will live on through the impressive support Eilidh's Trust will offer to even more community groups.”
Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland added their welcome. Director Dave Francis said: “We welcome the generous contribution the Eilidh Trust is making to youth music provision in Scotland. Eilidh was a gifted young trad musician, but it is great to see the trust established in her name supporting young people to make music in their chosen genre. The benefits of this funding will be felt for years to come.”
Youth music groups that are keen to be considered for small grant funding should contact Eilidh’s Trust outlining the following details:
• The group’s background and history
• The nature of the group’s need and how Eilidh’s Trust funding would benefit their young musicians
• The group’s compliance with all regulations for safeguarding and protection of children and young people.
Applications should be send to: hello@eilidhstrust.org.uk
Panto producers are searching for a star to take on a leading role of Dorothy in the forthcoming production of the Wizard of Oz at Eastwood Park Theatre.
Alan and Linda Stewart, Co-Owners of Scotland’s largest salon group and multi award winners, Rainbow Room International have received their OBE Award for Services to Hairdressing.
Today, the Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award returns for 2022, calling on artists, labels and music fans to submit eligible albums – for free.
Cranside, Glasgow's ultimate outdoor drinking, dining, and entertainment destination, has reopened for the season - bigger, brighter, and bolder than ever!
Green Space Dark Skies, led by Walk the Plank as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, has announcing two new locations for this unique project.
To commemorate its 20th anniversary and raise funds for the Loch Lomond Rescue Boat, Loch Lomond Shores has produced a calendar that runs from June 2022 to May 2023.
In celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, Visit Scotland has teamed up with Scots expert and writer Alistair Heather to translate the first lines of some of the world’s most popular books
A new exhibition which examines ideas of exchange, bartering, trade and histories of human, animal and botanic migration is launching at Glasgow's Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).
The Meadowbank Sports Centre will welcome the best snooker players on the planet later this year when the Scottish Open comes to Edinburgh.
A new community-led exhibit telling the people’s story of one of the world’s leading textile regions will go on display at Great Tapestry of Scotland visitor centre.
It's officially festival season in Scotland and Glasgow's sky-high bar VEGA has the perfect pre-party lined up!
Independent coffee roasters Grain and Grind this week launched their latest venue in Glasgow's West End!
The Quay Glasgow are delighted to have scooped a double award success at the Scottish Hospitality Awards!
Theatre Royal, Glasgow is delighted to announce full casting for Rodgers & Hammerstein's South Pacific which will run at the venue this autumn as part of a UK tour.
Theatre Royal, Glasgow is thrilled to announce that a new stage adaptation of Cluedo will run next month with Eastenders' star Michelle Collins in the role of Miss Scarlett.
This little showstopper is only two weeks old but she's already a favourite with visitors to Tollcross Children's Farm!
Two Glasgow food businesses will be taking centre stage at this year’s Royal Highland Show, as part of Aldi Scotland's biggest ever presence at the hugely popular event.
Isolated Heroes celebrate their 10th anniversary with a nine day pop up at Princes Square!
The National Theatre of Scotland is delighted to announce that Jane Spiers will be taking up the role of Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland’s board, commencing in September 2022.
More than 70 events will take place across Scotland on 21st June to mark the global annual celebration of music!
Summer 2022 marks the 20th birthday of Loch Lomond Shores and they're celebrating in style with a brand-new FREE festival called Summerfest on the 2nd and 3rd July!
The Piping Live! Big Band will return for its 5th showcase at this year's festival as pipers of all ages and abilities are invited to take part in the mass participation event.
Eastwood Park Theatre has announced that its official pantomime for 2022 will be The Wizard of Oz!
Buddy Holly and the Cricketers will play a brilliant and vibrant show at Eastwood Park Theatre in Giffnock on Sunday 10th July!
Move over Salt-Bae the ultimate steak dining experience in Glasgow has just got even bigger!
The King's Theatre, Glasgow is delighted to announce that the UK and Ireland tour award-winning international smash hit musical The Bodyguard will open in Glasgow on Saturday 28th January!
A Ukrainian opera singer is among the performers launching Refugee Festival Scotland – a unique celebration of refugee arts and culture coming to towns and cities across the country.
Glasgow Jazz Festival will showcase the very best of local talent when they present a special festival within a festival this weekend.
The Theatre Royal, Glasgow is delighted to welcome Kenny Wax Family Entertainment's hit musical production of Oi Frog & Friends! this week!
To celebrate Hard Rock Cafe's 51st Birthday, Hard Rock Cafe Glasgow will be giving away tickets at random for British Summer Time Festival to guests that visit on 14th June!