Applications are now open for The Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4, designed specifically for emerging classical players.
The Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department Culture, Communications and Sport and provides funding for musical instruments. As part of this initiative The Music Network National Instrument Collection has been established to offer high-quality instruments on a loan basis to exceptional young classical musicians.
We are seeking applications from advanced violinists, violists, cellists and harpists who are embarking on, or in the early stages of, a professional performance career. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional potential and have a strong track record as solo performers and/or in chamber music settings
Deadline for applications: 2pm, Monday 31 August 2026.
Award details:
- Loan duration: Successful applicants will receive an instrument from the collection for a period of 3 years. In exceptional circumstances, the period may be extended for a further year.
- Additional Support: In addition to the instrument loan, musicians awarded the use of a violin, viola or cello will be offered up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow. If awardees avail of this, they will own and retain the bow.
Instruments available:
- Violin: Alessandro Camilletti (2025)
- Violin: Fratelli Guastalla (1925)
- Violin: Voller Brothers (1893)
- Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (c.1935)
- The Maurice Meulien Cello & Bow: Caressa & Francais cello (1906) with Robert Pierce bow (2021)
- Cello: Roger Hansell, Davidov-Strad copy (2020)
- Concert Harp: Salvi - Iris Natural (2025)
Further information about the instruments available in this round of the Scheme can be found below and in our application guidelines.
Who can apply:
Individual classical violinists, violists, cellists and harpists aged 18 and over who are:
- Irish citizens or resident in the Republic of Ireland. Irish citizens do not need to be living in Ireland in order to apply.
and
- about to embark on or in the process of a master’s degree
or
- who have completed their studies within the last 3 years and are now embarking on their professional career.
Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and from people with disabilities. Music Network encourages prospective applicants with disabilities or access requirements who wish to submit an application or who have difficulties in accessing Online Services to make contact with us as early as possible before the deadline so that every effort to provide reasonable accommodation can be made.
What information will you be asked to provide?
Apply online before 2pm on Monday 31 August 2026. Late applications cannot be accepted.
Along with your online application form you will also be required to submit:
- A description of the instrument you currently play
- Your Curriculum Vitae (max. 2 pages outlining relevant education/training and performance experience)
- Details of your performance experience and career path to date
- Details of upcoming performances and future career plans
- Details of how, at this point in your career, having access to a new instrument will support your career development
- 3 recordings, at least one of which must be a video and one of which must feature unaccompanied playing. Recordings can be shared as web links or mp3.mp4/mov. files.
- 2 letters of recommendation from former or current teachers/mentors (contact details must be included with their permission to be contacted).
More information on the application process and how to apply can be found in our application guidelines below.
There will be an online information session about the scheme and how to apply on Thursday 6 August at 11am.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview the week of 21 September 2026, followed by an in-person audition in Dublin the week commencing 5 October.
Further enquiries:
Any questions regarding the Music Capital Scheme Award 4 can be sent to Ciarán Kilbride, Operations Administrator at operations@musicnetwork.ie or call +353 1 475 0224.
Deadline for applications: 2pm on Wednesday 30 October 2024
Violin: Gand & Bernardel Frères (1880)
A fine old French instrument, the work of Gand et Bernadel Frères of Paris. It bears the makers’ original brand and original label dated 1880. This violin is a fine and characteristic example of the makers’ work, and measures 35.7 cm in length of body, with widths of 16.5 cm full and 20.7 cm.
Violin: Stephan von Baehr (2007)
A fine French instrument, the work of Stephan von Baehr of Paris. It dates from c. 2007. This violin, made in the style of Guarneri del Gèsu, is a fine and characteristic example of the maker’s work. It measures 35.2 cm in length of body, with widths of 16.6 cm and 20.6 cm.
Violin: Alexandre Valois (2024)
The instrument is based on a late Guarneri “del gesu” model and varnished in the manner of the old Turin School.
The length of the back is 352mm, the upper bout 167mm and the lower bout 206mm.
Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (1930)
Charles John Wilkinson (1889-1961) can be regarded as one of the finest post WW1 English Violin makers. This viola is a copy of the Milanese School circa 1680/1700 and is a fine example of his best work. Previously owned by the eminent collector Albert Cooper and featured in articles written by him on the maker for the Strad Magazine in 1985. The viola is unlabelled. The back is a particularly fine one piece slab cut wood with original Wilkinson repairs to make it look “antique”.
Length of back 42cm (UB 19.2, MB 13.4 LB 24.3)
The O’Neill Cello & Bow: Conor Russell cello (2015) & Robert Pierce bow (2016)
The cello was made by Conor Russell, at his Wicklow workshop. It was modelled after a cello by Giovanni Grancino of Milan. The back, sides and scroll are of poplar from Lombardy, and the front of spruce from the Italian Alps.
1 gold and ebony mounted cello bow stamped Robt PIERCE
This project is supported by the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport
