A fund raising campaign to create a new Music Scholarship has been launched this month by the University of Aberdeen. The purpose of the scholarship is to commemorate a remarkable and much loved man, Alfie Tough MA (1919-2003), who was an inseparable part of Old Aberdeen for almost 60 years.
Known to hundreds of people through his long involvement in music and education, after retirement Alfie embarked on a new path and registered for a degree at Aberdeen, graduating MA with honours in 1999 at the age of 80!. He quickly became a familiar figure throughout the University, a good friend to hundreds of students, and important contributor to its musical life. He could frequently be found playing the King's College Chapel organ in the early morning, and having used his fine tenor voice for the benefit of several major choirs, was a regular and valued member of the Chapel Choir and the University Choral Society. He sang in both until just a few months before his death.
Professor Gordon Graham, Regius Professor of Moral Philosophy, a friend of Alfie's and fellow singer in the tenor line of the University Chorus welcomed the idea of a commemorative Scholarship. He said: "The label 'a character' is often used too easily, but no one ever fitted it better than Alfie. His remarkable rapport with students literally a quarter his age makes this kind of Scholarship a perfect memorial to such a special individual."
Contributions to the Scholarship fund are being invited from the many people who knew Alfie and want to perpetuate his memory, as well as those who would like to enhance the musical opportunities available to students at the University. Further information about the May concert and how to contribute to the appeal can be obtained by contacting:
The Alfie Tough Scholarship Appeal
University Music · Powis Gate · College Bounds · Old Aberdeen · AB24 2UG
Telephone: (01224) 272571 · Fax: (01224) 272515 · Email: music@abdn.ac.uk