A brand new pipe tune has been composed to support the work of the Eilidh MacLeod Memorial Trust. The tune, a 4/4 march, will be premiered live at a special fundraising event at The National Piping Centre (NPC) on Friday, March 13 at 7.30pm.
A Tune for the Trust has been composed by music student and National Youth Pipe Band of Scotland band, drummer Fergus Bryce. 14-year-old Barra schoolgirl Eilidh MacLeod was killed in the 2017 Manchester Arena attack.
Fergus, who is originally from Evanton near Inverness, is in his fourth year of the BA Commercial Music course at the University of the West of Scotland. As part of his studies he was tasked to develop a piece of music and have it distributed across a range of channels. The drummer enlisted his musical friends to compose, perform and record the piece. The final elements of the tune are being put together before being recorded for download.
He said: “I am really happy with how A Tune for the Trust has turned out and how it sounds. The music is specifically written to be optimistic and looking to the future – something that ties in perfectly with the ethos of Eilidh’s Trust. I hope the listeners will enjoy the tune as much as we have we in composing and performing it and that it adds to Eilidh’s legacy in supporting music education for other young musicians
“Having been drumming and involved in music since I was eight I have benefited from music education. Therefore, Eilidh’s Trust’s ambition for young musicians is something that resonates a lot with me.”
As a youngster, Fergus played with Ross & Cromarty Pipes and Drums. Since then he has played with Glasgow Police Pipe Band and last year joined Inveraray & District Pipe Band
The event at the NPC in Glagow’s McPhater Street will feature a range of young Scottish musicians who are all lending their support to the cause of youth music education. Tickets for this one-off event are available on Eventbrite with all proceeds going to Eilidh’s Trust.
Suzanne White, founder and trustee of Eilidh’s Trust added: “We were thrilled when Fergus approached us with his proposal to support the trust in this way. What he has composed is a really beautiful piece of music which captures the true positivity of youth and ambition for the future – things the trust strives to support.
“We look forward to the music event that will not only premiere this composition but will showcase a wide range of young musical talent. This is what the trust is all about, supporting our young talent to exploit their skills and enthusiasm to excel in the world of music. We cannot thank Fergus enough for his support of other young musicians by boosting our work.”
Eilidh’s Trust was established in 2018 and supports music education for young people, reflecting Eilidh’s own musical ability and enjoyment as a piper with the 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.
