Van Morrison: Mixed reaction to new QUB artist-in-residence role

BBC News

06-02-2025

There has been a mixed reaction to the news that Van Morrison is to become Queen's University Belfast's first artist-in-residence.The year-long partnership will see the Northern Irish musician provide two students with fully-funded scholarships.He will also put on a series of live performances across Belfast.Some see it as a good opportunity for students, but others have said the musician is a "controversial choice".
The initiative marks both the university's 180th anniversary and Van Morrison's 80th birthday.
Olivia, 17, a music student at Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, said that the partnership was "an exciting opportunity" for music students. She hopes to go to Queen's to study medicine in September and said it would be "great to see Van Morrison on campus".His song, Into the Mystic, was one of the first Olivia learned to play on guitar."I have grown up with Van Morrison, with my Dad playing him constantly," she said. "He is a big fan."The scholarship element of the partnership would make "a world of difference" to students, Olivia said. "People are already talking about accommodation prices and how stressful it is. It's such a wonderful opportunity."
'A tremendous difference'
Ebony, 15, also a student at Assumption Grammar, said the scholarship could make a "tremendous difference" and "encourage pupils to follow their dreams and study for a career in music".She said it was "inspiring to have someone believe in you".Her dad is also "a big fan" of Van Morrison, playing his music in the car - and Ebony said she "couldn't help but sing along".Ebony is a singer, and is considering studying music at university."Music is my passion," she said."I think this opportunity is so good. I can't wait to go to university and hope there will be opportunities like this."
However, Van Morrison has at times been a divisive character.He has been embroiled, for example, in a long-running defamation battle with the former Stormont Health Minister Robin Swann which was settled in November.
'In two minds'
Toby Shannon, who studied music at Queen's and now works in audio post-production, said the musician was a "weird and controversial choice" for the residency.Mr Shannon questioned whether some might be "opposed to taking financial aid from him because they don't really like him". He said he was "in two minds" about the initiative - but acknowledged that Van Morrison is "a big name and probably Northern Ireland's most successful musician"."It will attract eyes and ears to Northern Ireland and Queen's," he said."I can see why Queen's have done it."He added that it's "good to be able to support people who wouldn't be able to go to university". Mr Shannon does, however, feel that other musicians, such as Duke Special or composer Hannah Peel, might have been better choices.He added that Queen's could invest more in links with local musicians who could provide "good insights" on how to navigate the industry - and would also be up to speed with social media use, promotion and networking.
Syeva Bondarenko, who also studied music at Queen's, said the partnership was "a nice gesture" but added that "the majority of local musicians don't go to university". "Speaking as someone who went to uni, it would be a better use of money to 'give back' to musicians in the local community. "Two scholarships is what, around £30,000 in total? Think of how many people that could help. "Split into 30, it could pay for 30 bands to record an EP, if not an album, as opposed to two people that could get a student loan."
'I don't know who he is'
BBC News NI spoke to some students outside Queen's who hadn't actually heard of Van Morrison. "To be honest, I don't really know who he is but it's great that he's giving scholarships to students because it is hard being a student nowadays," one said.Another said he didn't have "a clue" who the musician was, but said the scholarship was a good way to get "more working class people into music at Queen's".A third student, who described himself a "big fan", said he was "very impressed" the singer was supporting students."He's had such an effect on Belfast as a whole and as a person from Belfast myself, I've seen that growing up," he said.
'A wonderful opportunity'
Van Morrison said he was "delighted to deepen [his] relationship" with the university and looked forward to the 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," he said.Prof Sir Ian Greer, Queen's University Belfast president and vice-chancellor, said Van Morrison was "one of the most distinguished musicians of our time". "We are delighted to have him as our artist-in-residence," he said."This initiative will provide invaluable opportunities for our students and the wider community while enriching our cultural offerings. "As a university, we are committed to providing access to quality education to all students and partnerships such as this are vital to making this happen."