Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is supported by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and managed by Music Network. The Scheme provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments in two discrete categories of support, to both non-professional performing groups and individual professional performing musicians.
The Music Capital Scheme has enabled many thousands of musicians across Ireland to develop their musical potential and participate in the performance of live music.
Commenting on the initiative, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD said:
"I am delighted to have provided support to The Music Capital Scheme this year. It is important to enable musicians develop their craft and by helping them to buy their instruments we are ensuring they continue to grow and develop their skills. This scheme supports a very wide range of musicians including youth bands, ensembles, orchestras, community initiatives and resource organisations in every corner of the State."
Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said:
"The Music Capital Scheme was established in 2008 and 413 awards have been made to date. Music Network’s mission is to make high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland, as well as to support musicians to excel in the performance and creation of music. The range of instruments provided through the scheme continues to make a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music making and live music performance across Ireland. We greatly appreciate the continued support of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in funding this valuable Scheme."
In Award 1, funding was awarded across the non-professional music sector, providing a range of community and music groups with financial support. 29 concert/marching/pipe bands, orchestras, schools, festivals and other music organisations were awarded a total of €162,500 for the purchase of musical instruments and equipment across a wide range of genres including Irish Traditional, Classical, Rock, Early Music/Baroque, Popular, Musical Theatre and Contemporary.
| Awarded organisation | Award amount |
|---|---|
| Achill International Harp Festival - Féile Chruite Acla | €8,100 |
| Admiral Brown Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann (CCE) | €1,713 |
| Alternative Entertainments | €3,857 |
| Ballinasloe Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Branch | €1,546 |
| Boherbuoy Brass and Reed Band | €12,194 |
| Carlow Youth Orchestra (CYO) | €1,723 |
| Ceoltoírí Lough Allen | €2,218 |
| Clontibret Pipe Band | €4,374 |
| Comhaltas Ceoltoírí Éireann Ballinamore Branch | €5,362 |
| Dublin Concert Band | €7,789 |
| Dundalk Youth Centre | €2,924 |
| Dynamics Violin Project (Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland) | €3,361 |
| Irish Association of Youth Orchestras CLG | €7,055 |
| Irish Chamber Orchestra - Sing Out With Strings | €12,763 |
| Limerick School of Music | €17,051 |
| Monaghan Youth Federation | €6,042 |
| Mullingar Town Band | €4,258 |
| Na Píobairí Uilleann | €9,750 |
| Oriel Traditional Orchestra | €2,172 |
| Rath National School | €4,608 |
| Redemptorist Centre of Music | €9,297 |
| Scoil Acla | €3,847 |
| St Agnes' Community Centre for Music and the Arts CLG | €10,185 |
| St Jarlath's College Amateur Operatic Society in assoc. with Scoil Bride, The Mercy Tuam | €393 |
| St Mary's Special School, Rochestown, Cork | €735 |
| St Mary's Holy Faith Secondary School, Glasnevin | €5,452 |
| That's Life, Brothers of Charity Services Galway | €2,106 |
| The Holy Family Confraternity Band | €430 |
| YoYo/EYE Youthwork Ireland Midlands | €11,195 |
In Award 2, funds of €85,700 were awarded to 21 highly skilled musicians performing at professional level to assist with the purchase of musical instruments and equipment across genres including Classical, Early Music/Baroque, Electro-acoustic, Irish Traditional and Jazz/Improvised.
| Awarded musician | Instrument | Amount awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Conor Arkins | Violin | €6,000 |
| Aoife Burke | Cello Bow | €7,895 |
| Éamonn de Barra | Wooden Flute in E flat | €1,555 |
| Kate Ellis | Cello Bow | €730 |
| Caimin Gilmore | Double Bass Bow | €2,500 |
| Chris Guilfoyle | Bass Guitar | €994 |
| Shane Hennessy | Acoustic Guitar | €2,600 |
| Adrian Mantu | Cello | €12,000 |
| Úna Ní Fhlannagáin | Irish harp | €3,750 |
| Caoimhín Ó Fearghail | Flute | €1,860 |
| Colm Ó Snodaigh | Wooden C Flute | €2,575 |
| Thomas Portman | Reverb unit | €243 |
| David Redmond | Speaker cabinet | €411 |
| Mark Redmond | Uilleann Pipes in C# | €7,500 |
| Nick Roth | Tenor saxophone | €4,125 |
| Andrew Sheeran | Violin | €6,167 |
| Eamon Sweeney | Chitarra Battente | €1,125 |
| Alannah Thornburgh | Irish Harp | €3,890 |
| Maria Walsh | PA System | €799 |
| Killian White | Cello | €18,000 |
| Mollie Wrafter | Violin bow | €981 |