Latterly he was Principal Officer, Music, for the City of Edinburgh Education Department.

He was responsible for instrumental music instruction, initially mainly strings, but more recently wind, jazz and rock. During all of his career he conducted the Primary Schools Orchestra and ESSO, the Edinburgh Secondary Schools Orchestra.

He died tragically in 2001
and a memorial concert was held in his honour,
filling the Usher Hall on 12th January 2002.

Colin gave his life to music.
All his spare time was spent with many groups of young people including the Edinburgh Youth Orchestra, and the Lothian Schools Strathspey and Reel Society.

Information about the Trust is provided for those who wish to support music both in formal education and informal provision.

The objects of The Colin O'Riordan Trust are to provide solo competitive excellence in schools and to provide financial support to young people to help them develop their musical abilities by playing individually and in groups.