Over €540,000 has been awarded to performing groups and musicians including 40 marching and samba bands and orchestras to help them purchase musical instruments, it was announced by Music Network.
In a musical party held in Dublin, musicians and supporters gathered to mark the latest stage in the project where it was confirmed that 652 awards have been made to performing groups and musicians through the Musical Capital scheme.
The event was organised to celebrate the results of the latest round of the scheme which has resulted in 109 awardees, potentially benefitting thousands of musicians of all ages across the country.
The scheme, which is run through Music Network, Ireland’s national music touring and development organisation set up the scheme 16 years ago to support musicians and musical groups.
🎶 €545,150 has been awarded to 109 performing groups and musicians through the Music Capital Scheme Awards 1, 2 & 3. This funding, supported by the @DeptCultureIRL will benefit over 7,960 musicians across Ireland!
— Music Network (@MusNetIrl) October 9, 2024
Find out more at 🔗https://t.co/cfVK7ZbrOx pic.twitter.com/llyRUAxjRP
Supported by the Department of Arts and Media, the scheme has been expanded and will now also provide exceptional classical string players who are in the early stages of a professional performance career, with access to high-quality instruments for a defined period.
Music Network’s CEO Sharon Rollston said that "our mission is to make high quality live music accessible to communities throughout Ireland, and to support professional musicians to excel in the performance and creation of music."
She then outlined how since establishing The Music Capital Scheme "we have provided access to musical instruments for over 59,000 people."
Find out more about Music Network's Music Capital Scheme here.
