Minister Martin announces the launch of the Music Network National Instrument Collection

Minister Martin announces the launch of the Music Network National Instrument Collection
Applications are now invited for the Music Network National Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4, open to classical string players

Today Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media launches the Music Network National Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4.

Earlier this year, Minister Martin confirmed an investment of €1,090,700 in the Music Capital Scheme, which has been supporting the purchase of musical instruments for both individual professional musicians and non-professional performing groups for the past 16 years. This year marks a significant expansion of the scheme, with the establishment of the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection which will provide exceptional emerging classical string players with access to high-quality instruments through a new award.

This new initiative is designed to address the unique challenges faced by emerging professional classical string players. A primary barrier for high calibre classical musicians in fulfilling their artistic and career potential is the lack of access to a suitable standard instrument, and this award will loan string instruments for a period of 3 years to exceptional players. Successful recipients may also be offered up to €5,000 towards the purchase of a new bow, which if availed of they will retain and own permanently.

The award is open to advanced violinists, violists and cellists who are in the early stages of a professional performance career, in the final year of a degree or postgraduate course and about to embark on a professional performance career or have completed their 3rd/4th level education within the last 3 years. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional potential and have a strong track record as solo performers and/or in chamber music settings. Applications are open to musicians 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.

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin T.D. said: “It was wonderful to be able to confirm record funding of over €1million for the Music Capital Scheme earlier this year. This extra funding will see the scheme establishing the Music Network National Musical Instrument Collection which will provide exceptional emerging classical string players with access to high-quality instruments through a new award which is being announced today. Since it was established in 2008, the Music Capital Scheme has made 544 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 51,000 people across the country. Beneficiaries range from early years to mature players, including musicians with physical and intellectual disabilities. This new initiative is designed to address the unique challenges faced by emerging professional classical string players in the early stages of a professional performance career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Music Network for the outstanding work they do which has a significant impact on the quality of, and access to, music-making and live music performance throughout Ireland.”

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. Since it was established the scheme has made 544 awards to individual musicians and organisations, providing access to instruments for over 51,000 people across the country. 205 performing groups have been able to purchase instruments and expand their memberships, and 202 professional established and emerging musicians advanced their performance careers with new instruments enabled by the scheme. Even more musicians will be supported this year, with the introduction of this new award

Five instruments from the collection are available through this award:

  • Violin: Gand & Bernardel Frères (1880)
  • Violin: Stephan von Baehr (2007)
  • Violin: Alexandre Valois (2024)
  • Viola: Charles John Wilkinson (1930)
  • The O’Neill Cello & Bow: Conor Russell cello (2015), Robert Pierce bow (2016)

    Music Network CEO Sharon Rollston commented: “We would like to express our deep gratitude to the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for its ongoing commitment to providing vital funding for musical instruments to both groups and individual musicians working in any genre. This investment is having a transformative effect on Ireland’s musical landscape, in many different settings.

    We are particularly excited about the opportunity the funding has provided to establish a National Instrument Collection this year, a significant step forward in addressing the barriers some musicians encounter.

    While Ireland's artistic community consistently excels on the international stage, many of our most gifted classical musicians struggle to reach their full potential for lack of access to an appropriate instrument, due to the cost involved. We believe this scheme will be a game changer, allowing highly talented musicians to truly shine and providing access to this valuable collection for future generations to come.”


    Applications for the Music Network National Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4 are now invited. Applications close on Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 2pm.

    There will be an online information session for applicants on Tuesday 8 October at 6pm.

    Applications can be made online here. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview the week of 25 November 2024, followed by an in-person audition in Dublin on Thursday 5 December 2024.

    Music Network is committed to equity and inclusion and welcomes applications from individuals within culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.