University News Last updated 04 June
Richard Tandy, the keyboardist for 探花直播 band Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) will have a scholarship named after him at the Royal 探花直播 Conservatoire (RBC).
In support of the scholarship, fans of the band and Tandy are also being given a once in a lifetime opportunity to donate to win tickets to see the final stops of听 鈥� the final Jeff Lynne鈥檚 ELO shows ever 鈥� with the proceeds helping train the next generation of musicians.
Richard Tandy, who died at the age of 76 in April 2024, held his final on-stage appearance in RBC鈥檚 Bradshaw Hall in 2019 as part of his work championing RBC students.
This included the听 and album, which was co-written and produced by Richard Tandy, alongside fellow ELO bandmate Dave Scott-Morgan, and involved three RBC composers and its orchestra.
An initial donation by Richard鈥檚 wife, Sheila Tandy, established the scholarship earlier this year. It will support first-year undergraduates who are studying keyboard, piano or guitar - the same instruments that earned him a place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
鈥淩ichard cared so much about music, and was thrilled to inspire other players and performers, especially those in 探花直播 where he grew up,鈥� said Sheila Tandy.
鈥淗e wanted the students at RBC to benefit from everything he achieved, and the scholarship will help so many young people follow their music ambitions.鈥�
RBC are hoping to boost the numbers of students that can receive a Tandy Scholarship with a charity auction and sweepstake, generously organised by ELO co-founder Jeff Lynne, who received an honorary doctorate from BCU in 2014.
Jeff Lynne鈥檚 ELO鈥檚 Over and Out tour will be at 探花直播鈥檚 Utilita Arena on 5 and 6 July 2025, Manchester on 9 and 10 July, and London鈥檚 Hyde Park on 13 July.
Fans will have a chance to get hold of VIP tickets for each stop.
Charity auctions for the (6 July) and (10 July) have already opened, with top bidders scoring four front row VIP tickets to see the band take their final bow in both cities.
The band have also launched a听 for their sold-out show at BST Hyde Park in London on 13 July, the finale of the band鈥檚 touring career, where fans can donate to win two Gold VIP Hydeaway Tickets to the show.
Stephen Maddock, Principal of RBC, expressed his gratitude: 鈥淪cholarships and bursaries are more vital than ever before for helping young musicians perfecting their craft.
鈥淭he Tandy Scholarship, and the charitable donations that have made it possible, will provide opportunities for students for the next decade and more. This is a legacy that 探花直播 and ELO fans can be proud of.鈥�
Later this year, RBC will also officially open a Richard Tandy Production Suite containing some of Richard鈥檚 instruments, music equipment and memorabilia donated by his family.
Bidding for the 探花直播 and Manchester auctions close on 12 June 2025, with the London sweepstake closing on 29 June 2025.
For more information about the Tandy Scholarship and charitable donations, please email conservatoire@bcu.ac.uk.