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VAN MORRISON HAS become the first musician to be named an “Artist in residence” at Queen’s University Belfast.
The partnership will see Morrison provide two students with fully-funded scholarships to assist in their ambitions to become professional musicians.
The year-long collaboration will also see Morrison performing live across Belfast and the university’s venues in a series of special live performances.
Queens’s University say the partnership comes during a “momentous year” for both parties, as 2025 will mark the university’s 180th anniversary while Morrison will celebrate his 80th birthday.
Morrison, who comes from east Belfast, said he is “delighted to deepen my relationship with Queen’s University Belfast” and added that he is looking forward to perming at a number of exclusive events throughout the year.
“This partnership is also a wonderful opportunity to inspire students, celebrate Belfast’s rich musical heritage, and give back by supporting the next generation of musicians,” said Morrison.
Queen’s University Belfast President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ian Greer, praised Morrison as “one of the most distinguished musicians of our time”.
Greer said the initiative will provide “invaluable opportunities for our students and the wider community while enriching our cultural offerings”.
Morrison’s link to Queen’s University goes back to 2001 when, in recognition of his services to the arts, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate.
He later received the Freedom of Belfast in 2013 by Belfast City Council.
As part of the residency, Morrison will kick off with three concerts at Queen’s Whitla Hall later this month, with discounted tickets for students.
This will be followed by a series of unique performances and collaborations to be announced throughout the year.
Further details about upcoming events, performances, and scholarship opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile before. Are you sure that’s really him?
Saw him once in Belfast some years ago. Music was fantastic but he ruined it with his sour, dour manner. It felt like his attitude was “let’s get this done as quickly as possible so that I can get away from them” (the audience).
@Luke Littler: Yet he was desperate to have his concerts back to full capacity during COVID
@Luke Littler: It must have been after the reception he got back in the sixties at the comeback night in the Town hall Enniskillen where he broke the neck of my guitar and was bombarded with coins and near riot.
Great tribute to a brilliant writer and musician. Well done, Van.
The grumpiest man in showbiz
@reg morrisey: after Christy Moore
I love Van the Man’s music, have done since being introduced to Wavelength as a teenager. I saw him doing the Glastonbury Sunday afternoon slot in 1993 – the perfect antidote to the debauchery of the previous 3 days. I also allegedly saw him at Lisdoon in 1983, but I have no recollection. Shame about his vocal anti vax stance. Amazing how someone so curmudgeonly can write such beautiful music and lyrics. I’ll definitely look out for tickets for this series of shows
@Kevin Kerr: I didn’t get the so called vaccine, because I was never at risk from covid, nor did it prevent transmission. I did however, get a tetanus shot, around that time, due to an encounter with a rusty nail. Am I “anti-vax”?
@Chop Chop: over 7 million people worldwide died from Covid. I wonder how many of these fell into your “not at risk” category?
@Chop Chop: Do you mind me asking why you weren’t at risk from Covid?
@Soundy Sound: Probably very few. Do you understand what “not at risk” means? Good grief..
@Tezmond McVicar: Because of my age and health status. Statistically, the risk to me was a fraction of 1%. Does that answer your question?
@Chop Chop:
No, just “anti-rust”
@Anthony Whoriskey: Ha!
@Chop Chop: Not really.
@Chop Chop: My non-smoking, fit, mid forties relative ended up in intensive care. Before the vaccine came out.
8 colleagues from our India office died. From the age of 30 up to 48.
You were at risk whether you believe you were or not.
@Tricia G28: I’m not going to discount the stats, sorry Trish.
They built portholes for Bono, so he could gaze
Out across the bay and sing about mountains
Maybe. You are what you own in this land
You can be King and it all depends on the view and what you can see
@Dusty Bawls: Whipping Boy
Genius Recognised. Brilliant
He looks like an older Charles J Haughey under his cap.
Well done to Van Morrison on receiving this excellent achievement from Queens University. He’s one of the greatest songwriters of all time and there’s a reason why he’s sold nearly 17 million albums and is worth $90 million. He declared in 1972 that he saw himself as Irish and he’s one of our greatest national treasures. There’s a reason why Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him as the 24th greatest musician of all time. Crazy Love will always be my favourite song of his.
@William Jennings: Never using ‘Rolling Stone’ as a reference for anything musical. Useful as a compass In a lift that magazine.
The Grinch would be hard pushed to have a more dreary face than Van the Man.A lottery win wouldn’t bring a smile from him.
TRANSISTOR RADIOOOO
The reward for calling for a politician to be hanged?
God forbid they’d give a young person a chance…
His version of Raglan Road, is a disgrace.
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