Established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme is managed by Music Network and provides funding for the purchase of musical instruments in three discrete categories. The 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 wish to express my sincere thanks to Music Network for managing this scheme. The current round of the Music Capital Scheme will again benefit so many deserving organisations and individuals, just as it has since it was initially launched over a decade ago. I see this capital scheme as one of our key funding initiatives. It is great to see that my Department is once again in a position to financially support the scheme.
The Music Capital Scheme supports the purchase of musical instruments and is designed to respond to a broad range of capital needs within the music sector in Ireland. As a former music teacher, I know how important good quality musical instruments are to numerous bands and groups that engage with their local communities nationwide”
Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said: “The Music Capital Scheme was established in 2008 and 468 awards have been made to date. In the current round, under Award 1 organisations working with older musicians and musicians with disabilities were prioritised. We’ve also introduced a brand-new award, for emerging musicians.
Our 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 Music Capital Scheme continues to make a significant impact on access to, and the quality of, 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 source of support for both musicians and music organisations.”
In Award 1, funding was awarded across the non-professional music sector, providing a range of community and music groups with financial support. €34,500 was ringfenced to support applications from prioritised counties Donegal, Kilkenny and Sligo.
28 concert/marching/pipe bands, orchestras, samba and other music organisations were awarded a total of €165,156 for the purchase of musical instruments across a wide range of genres including Irish Traditional, Choral, Classical, Rock, Early Music/Baroque, Popular, and Contemporary music.
Awarded organisation | Awarded |
---|---|
Accora Orchestra | €6,758 |
Artane School of Music | €16,133 |
Buíon Cheoil Rann na Feirste | €6,135 |
Bunscoil Loreto | €12,052 |
Carlow Choral Society | €701 |
Carlow Voices | €2,528 |
Castlecomer Community School (CCS) | €1,732 |
CCÉ Craobh Osraí - Marble City Branch | €2,569 |
Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair, Scoil na Crannóige | €13,110 |
Dublin Concert Band | €3,303 |
Foróige Kilkenny | €1,080 |
Foxford Brass & Reed Band | €3,394 |
Irish Association of Youth Orchestras CLG | €7,500 |
Laois School of Music | €12,060 |
Maracatu ilha Brilhante | €2,027 |
Masamba Samba School Social Economy Programme CLG | €3,160 |
Mayo Academy for Performing Arts, t/a Music West | €3,354 |
Na Píobairí Uilleann | €13,650 |
New Ross and District Pipe Band | €3,975 |
Orpheus Choir Sligo | €663 |
Portlaoise Men's Shed | €1,215 |
Scoraíocht Lann Léire | €3,701 |
Sligo Academy of Music | €13,286 |
Sligo Gospel Choir | €1,421 |
St. Mary's Brass and Reed Band, Kingscourt | €598 |
St. Patrick's Brass and Reed Band | €3,492 |
The Stedfast Band | €18,652 |
Tralee Pipes & Drums (St John's PB) | €6,907 |
In Award 2, funds of €100,940 were awarded to 18 individual established musicians performing at a professional level to assist with the purchase of instruments and equipment across genres including Classical, Rock, Early Music/Baroque, Irish Traditional and Jazz/Improvised music.
Awarded musician | Instrument | Award |
---|---|---|
Lina Andonovska | Contrabass flute | €9,000 |
Leonie Bluett | Bass clarinet | €5,249 |
Tara Breen | Fiddle | €4,495 |
Cormac De Barra | Irish harp | €2,740 |
Caitríona Frost | Marimba | €4,545 |
Frankie Gavin | Violin bow | €3,690 |
Mark Keane | Harpsichord | €10,162 |
Stephen McGrath | Bass guitar | €230 |
Ray McLoughlin | Nord grand piano | €1,683 |
Beth McNinch | Viola d’amore | €5,492 |
Hannah Miller | Natural horn | €9,892 |
Aoife Nic Athlaoich | 5-stringed piccolo cello | €8,746 |
Caitlín Nic Gabhann | Concertina | €3,590 |
Cormac O’Brien | Double bass | €9,000 |
Larissa O’Grady | Violin | €10,000 |
Luan Parle | Acoustic guitar | €1,929 |
Peter Regan | Grand piano | €8,747 |
Eamon Sweeney | Theorbo | €1,750 |
In Award 3, funds of €40,000 were awarded to nine individual emerging professional performing musicians to assist in the purchase of instruments and equipment across genres including Classical, Electronic, Folk, Irish Traditional and Jazz/Improvised music.
Awarded musician | Instrument | Award |
---|---|---|
Christopher Cole | Electro-acoustic guitar | €878 |
Sharon Howley | Cello | €5,986 |
Tadhg McDonnell Leahy | Electric guitar | €3,840 |
Brian McNamara | Synthesiser | €1,249 |
Rosie Murphy | Concert harp | €13,361 |
Kevin O’Loughlin | Viola & bow | €6,500 |
Meadhbh O’Rourke | Piccolo | €4,000 |
Niamh Regan | Electric guitar | €2,894 |
Aisling Unwin | Harp case | €1,292 |
Music Network is funded by The Arts Council. For further information on the Music Capital Scheme, please contact Sarah Cunningham, Music Capital Scheme Administrator, Music Network, capitalscheme@musicnetwork.ie, tel. 083 095 5956