Liam Colgan.
A new fund will provide opportunities for Highland music students in memory of Liam Colgan who died in 2018.
The Liam Colgan Fund will provide awards for both songwriting and production to students at the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Mr Colgan studied music at the UHI’s Alness campus, graduating with an HNC in music in 2006 before gaining a BA (Hons) in popular musical performance at Perth College UHI in 2010.
He performed in bands and as a solo artist.
The 29-year-old went missing in Hamburg in the early hours of February 10, 2018 while on his brother Eamonn’s stag weekend.
His friends and family launched a multinational publicity campaign in a bid to find him.
His body was recovered from the river Elbe on April 23, 2018.
In setting up the award his father Brian said: “Liam’s family and close friends were devastated by his untimely death.
“I wanted to find a way of ensuring that something positive came out of this devastation.
“I originally planned to set up a separate charity to achieve thi,s but once I had been in touch with the university to explain my plans they couldn’t have been more helpful and already had a framework in place which fulfilled all of my objectives – to help students who were following the same path as Liam did; and to try to make Liam’s music available to as wide an audience as possible.”
The Liam Colgan songwriting award will give an aspiring songwriter the opportunity to study with a master songwriter of their choice.
The Liam Colgan music production award will provide an opportunity to study the art and science of music production through tuition or studio time with a renowned producer.
Peter Honeyman, creative and cultural industries subject network leader at UHI said: “We remember Liam as an inspirational and highly committed performer and composer who impressed us all at Perth College UHI with his enthusiasm and energy.
“Songwriting was his passion and we are delighted that this generous award will allow others to further pursue their own ambitions and dreams.
“Liam’s memory will live on in this award and the work of those who benefit from it.”
Alison Wilson, the university’s head of development, said: “We are very grateful to Liam’s family for thinking of giving back to the university in this way and it’s lovely to know that Liam will now be remembered for helping other music students.
“We hope that others might also consider donating to the fund to add to the generous gift we have received from the Colgan family to establish these awards.”
Donations to the fund can be made by visiting the University of the Highlands and Islands development page (https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/development/scholarshipsandprizes/the-liam-colgan-fund/), where you can also listen and enjoy some of Liam’s music.
UHI music students wishing to be considered for the awards should email [email protected] by Monday, September 2.
