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Neil has released a statement concerning the news, “To receive this doctorate is an honour I could never have expected. To receive it in Glasgow, a city that has featured so long and so supportively in the band’s story, is the stuff of dreams. I am also proud to be connected to such a forward-thinking institution as Caledonian University, and accept this honour gratefully.”

Also set to receive an honorary degree from Glasgow Caledonian University are eight more noted figures. Joining Neil at the ceremony next week is Julia Gillard, the former Prime Minister of Australia will be awarded a Doctor of Laws in recognition of her work in gender equality. Similar to Neil’s degree, Ricky Ross will also be given a Doctor of Letters for his contribution to Scottish music and culture. The third Doctor of Letters degree is to be given to Johnny Benjamin MBE for his commitment to suicide prevention. The fourth and final Doctor of Letters degree will be bestowed to Bernadine Evaristo OBE for her work within literature and human rights.

Also receiving honorary degrees are Vicky Wright MBE, Ian Urquhart CBE, Daniel Schwartz and Major Patrick Burgess MBE. During the upcoming ceremony, those in attendance will be treated to inspirational and moving speeches from each honouree, the ceremony will also include a selection of messages from the University’s leadership team. The schedule will include speeches from Vice Chancellor and Principal Professor Pamela Gillies CBE and Chancellor Dr Annie Lennox CBE.

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Professor Pamela Gillies CBE FRSE, Principal and Vice-Chancellor has also commented on the upcoming ceremony, “Graduations also afford us the opportunity to welcome distinguished individuals into our GCU family as honorary graduates. This year we are privileged indeed to honour many worthy recipients. They all share a deeply held core set of values that align with our own. They authentically live these values and are an inspiration to us all.”

Earlier this month, Biffy Clyro announced the details for their upcoming UK and Ireland tour, the arena tour will commence this year with a set in Leeds on 5th November 2022. The group will be joined by Brighton rockers Architects, the metalcore band formed by twins Ben and James Johnston will support Biffy Clyro throughout the tour. The “Mountains” hitmaker’s tour is scheduled to include a hometown show, the band will perform at Glasgow’s Ovo Hydro on 6th November 2022. After five more sets, Biffy Clyro and Architects will conclude the tour with a set at Bournemouth’s BIC on 15th November 2022.

Biffy Clyro UK/Ireland tour dates

05/11/2022 – First Direct Arena – Leeds
06/11 – Ovo Hydro – Glasgow
08/11 – 3Arena – Dublin
09/11 – SSE Arena – Belfast
11/11 – Resorts World Arena – Birmingham
12/11 – The O2 – London
14/11 – Motorpoint Arena – Cardiff
15/11 – BIC – Bournemouth

Click here to purchase tickets.

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The rapper has become as well known for his philanthropy work as his multiple hits, the 28-year-old artist first garnered attention for his activism after the George Floyd protests. Owuo issued a statement via his record label outlining his charitable plans, the rapper stated he would donate £1 million annually for a decade to various charities and movements. In 2020 the rapper set up the #Merky Foundation which adopted the promises outlined in the statement, since its formation the foundation has raised millions of pounds to support issues surrounding racial inequality.

A description on the foundation’s website confirms its mission statement, “At #Merky, we have always used our brand to elevate, support and amplify the issues and the voices of the black community. To continue and expand upon our activism and philanthropic work, #Merky Foundation pledges £10 million over 10 years, to organisations, charities & movements that are committed to fighting for racial equality, justice reform and black empowerment within the UK. #Merky will forever remain devoted to improving and safeguarding the lives of those within the black community and this is just the beginning of our lifetime commitment to financially and wholeheartedly back these causes.”

Along with his foundation, the multiple BRIT award winner has also supplied scholarships to black students enrolled at the University of Cambridge, in doing so Stormzy aims to address racial issues reported within higher education institutions. In 2021, the artist also established a new charitable partnership with HSBC UK, the banking company joined forces with the #Merky Foundation to further endorse opportunities within higher education. The new philanthropic collaboration was set up to raise funding and support for the education of 30 students, the “Stormzy Scholars” will receive financial help to cover tuition fees and any maintenance costs for three years.

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During his acceptance speech, the rapper joked about how he worried that his philanthropy work had overtaken his notary as a musician. During his rousing and emotional speech, Stormzy also congratulated students and praised their commitment, “The journey I took to get to this moment has been considerably different to yours. You guys have the guts and the grit and the dedication that it takes to study for years and to finish your degree whereas I got my AS results in my first year of college and said yeah, see you later. I didn’t have the same minerals that you guys have. A year later I took another swing at my A levels at a different college until I sat down for my English exam in January and walked out after 10 minutes.”

The rapper continued to praise those graduating, “It took a hell of a lot for you to get here today. Your journeys to get to this moment were hard fought. The road you took was not easy. And this is coming from someone who tried to walk that exact same road and failed. So from the bottom of my heart, I say congratulations, well done and you should all be so proud of yourselves, what you have achieved is incredible. Don’t let anybody downplay it and don’t let anybody undermine it. If you are sat in this room today you are worthy and you are brilliant.”

Stormzy’s acceptance speech continued to inspire the students and those in attendance, “I bear the fruit and I share fruit and, without sounding too fantastical, that’s just what we’re meant to do in whatever way we can… We should always share and support, uplift and help in whatever capacity we are able to.” Within his acceptance speech The ”Vossi Bop” hitmaker gave a very special shout-out to his mother who was in attendance, he stated that it was “always her biggest dream for me to go to university and graduate and then become somebody.“

We’re proud to announce the Sir Elton John Global Exchange Programme, a new scheme developed by the Academy and endorsed by @EltonOfficial enabling students from 12 of the top conservatoires worldwide to take part in educational exchanges with the Academy https://t.co/4bap5jcjW2 pic.twitter.com/AnK1awOcnf

— Royal Academy of Music (@RoyalAcadMusic) December 10, 2021

The scheme goes live in September 2022 and will promote global mobility and international collaboration between deserving and talented young musicians. Studies could vary from one week of intensive project-based work to, in exceptional cases, a full year of study. 12 other conservatories around the world have confirmed their involvement with the Royal Academy of Music so far:

• The Juilliard School, New York
• Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris
• Shanghai Conservatory of Music
• Sibelius Academy of the University of the Arts Helsinki
• MDW – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
• Hanns Eisler Academy, Berlin
• The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts
• Sydney Conservatorium of Music
• University of Music and Performing Arts, Munich
• Reina Sofía School of Music, Madrid
• The Glenn Gould School of The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto
• Tokyo University of the Arts Faculty of Music and Graduate School of Music

The Academy’s principal, Jonathan Freeman-Attwood CBE, said: “In a rapidly changing global landscape, conservatoires must evolve to meet future needs and create fresh opportunities for young artists. Central to this is the free exchange of ideas without regard for international boundaries”, he adds, “Elton John, himself an Academy alumnus, has provided remarkable assistance to our international student body over the years, and is deeply committed to ensuring that young musicians are able to collaborate, innovate and develop as artists in the broadest environment. We are hugely grateful to him for lending his name to this project and offering support.”

 Elton John’s generosity has exceeded any other, in recognition of this he has been awarded the title of ‘member of the Regents’ Court of Benefactors’. He explains in a statement, “My passion is to help nurture the next generation of global artists. Music can and should transcend borders, and I am delighted to be supporting a scheme which offers high-level, tangible opportunities to talented young musicians coming together from many different countries.”

While all of this takes place, John has continued his unending string of chart successes with his most recent outing with Ed Sheeran, the simply titled “Merry Christmas”. At the moment, he and Sheeran are well in the running for this year’s Christmas number 1. Watch the music video below.