The future of string playing in Ireland has received an investment boost of more than €1 million
A new instrument loan initiative for emerging Irish string players has been announced by Catherine Martin, the Irish minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. Building on the existing 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, the new initiative is the result of a recent investment of €1,090,700 by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
The Music Network National Instrument Collection – Music Capital Scheme Award 4 is now open for applications from exceptional violinists, violists and cellists who are in the early stages of their professional performance career. Successful applicants will be granted the loan of a high-quality instrument for a period of three years. They 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.
Five instruments from the collection will be available through the current award: violins by Gand & Bernardel Frères (1880), Stephan von Baehr (2007) and Alexandre Valois (2024); a viola by Charles John Wilkinson (1930); plus the O’Neill Cello and Bow, comprising a Conor Russell cello (2015) and Robert Pierce bow (2016).
The scheme is managed by Music Network, whose CEO Sharon Rollston commented: ‘This investment is having a transformative effect on Ireland’s musical landscape, in many different settings. 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.’
Online applications can be made at musicnetwork.ie which also contains more information about the scheme and eligibility criteria for applicants.
Applications close on Wednesday 30 October 2024 at 2pm. There will be an online information session for applicants on Tuesday 8 October at 6pm.
Shortlisted candidates 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.
Read: ‘Del Gesù’ Club brings together 17 Guarneri violins
Read: A musical mosaic of Ireland: violinist Daniel Hope on ‘Irish Roots’
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