Music Network today announced the results of the Music Capital Scheme 2017/18. A total of €224,000 in funding from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht has been awarded to 31 performing groups and 17 individual musicians.
The Music Capital Scheme, supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and managed by Music Network, comprises two distinct awards that provide funding for the purchase of musical instruments to both non-professional performing groups and to individual professional performing musicians.
Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan TD said:
“The Music Capital Scheme is a marvellous initiative which provides for the purchase of instruments for both experienced musicians and the aspiring musicians of the future.
I'm delighted that over the last 10 years my Department is part of this Scheme through its collaboration with Music Network. Over this time the scheme has helped musicians who, for lack of a decent instrument, may have otherwise struggled to achieve their full potential. Learning to play a musical instrument has many benefits for our young people and the Music Capital Scheme helps to make that a bit easier.
To quote Stephen Hough, classical pianist, composer and writer 'Few occupations pass the solitary hours more fruitfully than the playing of a musical instrument'.
I look forward to listening to and enjoying the fruits of their labours and wish them well with their future endeavours."
In 2017/18, there were two categories of support under the Music Capital Scheme aimed at professional performing artists and non-professional performing groups/ensembles.
According to Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston,
“To date, 312 awards have been made under the scheme, enabling many musicians across the country to develop and fulfil their creative potential.
The number of applications to the scheme significantly increased this year - Award One increased by 88% (supporting non-professional, community, resource etc. groups and organisations) while Award Two increased by 47% (supporting individual professional musicians) – demonstrating the increasing level of unmet need that exists.
We greatly appreciate the continued support of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in funding the Music Capital Scheme and acknowledge that the instruments provided through the scheme continue to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”
Music Network partnered with Local Authority Arts Offices to provide Music Capital Scheme information sessions that offered practical advice to applicants as well as addressing specific queries relating to the scheme’s guidelines. The information sessions took place in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim; Tralee, Co. Kerry; Limerick city; Thurles, Co. Tipperary; Monaghan town; Portlaoise, Co. Laois and Dublin city.
Funding was awarded across the not-for-profit and community music sector through Award 1, providing a range of community and music groups with financial support. 31 organisations were awarded a total of €160,000 for the purchase of musical instruments across a wide range of groups including Marching/Concert/Pipe Bands, Multi-genre, Irish Traditional, Popular, Contemporary, Choral and Samba. The awardees were chosen from a total of 122 applicants.
- Ballinasloe Town Band €6,068.69
- Buíon Phíobairí Béal Átha’n Ghaorthaidh €9,208.28
- Carlow County Library €6,412.50
- Cavan Town Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann €4,380.66
- CCE Gorey/Ballygarrett €12,762.05
- Comhaltas Cill Chaise €18,733.50
- County Longford Arts Office €4,708
- County Roscommon Disability Support Group €3,111
- FamiliBase €8,738
- Foilmore Comhaltas Ceoltóiri Éireann €1,692.97
- Irish Film & Pops Orchestra €3,400
- Kerry Music Education Partnership €12,179.06
- Killeigh Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann €3,594.75
- Limerick School of Music €2,012.25
- Masamba Samba School €1,265.25
- Mayo Concert & Youth Orchestra + Concert Band €11,246.25
- Music Together €842
- Na Píobairí Uilleann €8,340
- North Connacht Youth and Community Services Leitrim Light Orchestra €2,558.94
- O'Neill Pipe Band €4,450
- Quin Community Hall €1,185
- Rahan Comhaltas €2,293
- Royal Meath Accordion Orchestra €2,271
- Scoil Acla €3,767
- Scoil Éanna €550
- Scoil Mhuire €523
- Spink Comhaltas €4,444.12
- Tipperary Regional Youth Service CLG t/a Youth Work Ireland Tipperary €3,002.45
- Tralee Pipes & Drums (St. John's Pipe band) €12,340.68
- Vicarstown Youth Club €522
- Waterford Youth Arts €3,397.60
In Award 2, funds of €64,000 were awarded to 17 highly skilled musicians performing at professional level to assist with the purchase of instruments/equipment across genres including Irish Traditional, Classical, Jazz, Improvised, Punk, Electro-acoustic, Early and Baroque. The awardees were chosen from a total of 94 applicants.
- Síle Daly, Oboe, €5,990
- Cillian Doheny, Guitar, €1,899
- Greg Felton, Yamaha CP4 Digital Piano, €900
- Amy Gillen, Flute, €4,974
- Carolyn Goodwin, Buffet Crampton 'Prestige' Bass Clarinet, €4,450
- Martin Howley, Octave Mandolin & Case, €5,150
- David Keating, Classical Guitar, €7,040
- John Kelleher, Drums, €371.75
- Vicky Langan, Electro-acoustic equipment, €878
- Brían Mac Gloinn, Mandola, €2,975
- Lucia MacPartlin, Violin, €4,500
- Seán McKeon, Full Set of Uilleann Pipes in C pitch, €6,778
- Sarah McMahon, Barak Norman 5 string baroque cello conversion, €2,250
- Colm Ó Braoin, Violin, €6,778
- Sinead O'Halloran, Cello Bow, €3,115
- Darren Roche, Button Accordion, €1,700
- Niamh Varian Barry, Violin, €4,250
Music Network is funded by The Arts Council. For further information on the Music Capital Scheme, please contact Sarah Cunningham, Programmes Administrator, Music Network, programmesadmin@musicnetwork.ie, Tel. 01 4750224.